The Golden Ass of Apuleius by Lucius Apuleius is one of the most fascinating and enduring works of classical literature—a richly imaginative tale filled with magic, adventure, satire, romance, and transformation. Often regarded as the only complete ancient Roman novel to survive in Latin, this timeless masterpiece takes readers on an extraordinary journey through the mysteries and complexities of human nature. The story follows Lucius, a curious young man whose fascination with magic leads...

Lucius Shepard writes from the darkest, truest heart of America—not the heart of the United States or of North America, but all of America—and he writes of it with rare passion, honesty and intelligence. His earliest stories, the ones that made his name a quarter of a century ago were set in the jungles of South America and filled with creatures dark and fantastical. Stories like "Salvador", "The Jaguar Hunter", and the excoriatingly brilliant "R&R" deconstructed war and peace in South Ame...

This comprehensive analysis of the United States in the 1950s explores the complex interplay of political, social, economic, and cultural forces that shaped the post-war nation. The decade is often remembered as a "golden age" of prosperity, technological progress, and suburban expansion, yet it was also a time of profound contradictions. While millions of Americans enjoyed economic mobility and a higher standard of living, systemic racial segregation, gender inequality, and economic exclu...

This book provides a comprehensive exploration of the evolution of naval warfare, tracing its development from the late 19th century through to the Cold War. It examines the critical moments in naval history, highlighting how technological advancements, strategic shifts, and geopolitical conflicts shaped the course of naval conflicts across the world. The narrative begins with the prelude to World War I, discussing the limitations and innovations that marked the naval arms race and the ini...

***On the Shortness of Life***is a philosophical treatise by Lucius Annaeus Seneca that explores the nature of time, the human tendency to squander it, and the pursuit of a meaningful life. Seneca argues that life is not inherently short but rather wasted on trivial pursuits, distractions, and excessive ambition. Through his Stoic perspective, he emphasizes the importance of focusing on wisdom, self-reflection, and the cultivation of inner tranquility as the true measures of a well-lived l...

More than twenty-five years ago, Lucius Shepard introduced us to a remarkable fictional world, a world separated from our own “by the thinnest margin of possibility.” There, in the mythical Carbonales Valley, Shepard found the setting for “The Man Who Painted the Dragon Griaule,” the classic account of an artist—Meric Cattanay—and his decades long effort to paint—and kill—a dormant, not quite dead dragon measuring 6,000 feet from end to end. The story was nominated for multiple awards and ...

When Lucius Shepard passed away in 2014, he left behind a body of work unparalleled in its richness, power, and sheer originality. In 2008, Subterranean Press published The Best of Lucius Shepard, which served as a massive monument to an extraordinary career. Over time, this monument has proved insufficient, so we now have this even more massive second volume. It is a gift that Shepard’s many devoted readers will take to their hearts. Weighing in at more than 300,000 words, spread across n...

The late Lucius Shepard was one of his era’s best and most quintessentially American writers. His dark yet grudgingly hopeful worldview gave birth to a treasure trove of fiction that could have been written by nobody else.Crows and Silences collects four select short novels, each totally unlike the others.In Kalimantan, jewel merchant Barnett follows the trail of the expat American fool Curtis MacKinnon deep into the jungles of Borneo, only to discover tha...

The second of two volumes collecting the complete tragedies of Seneca.Edited by world-renowned classicists Elizabeth Asmis, Shadi Bartsch, and Martha C. Nussbaum, the Complete Works of Lucius Annaeus Seneca offers authoritative, modern English translations of the writings of the Stoic philosopher and playwright (4 BCE–65 CE). The two volumes of The Complete Tragedies presents all of his dramas, expertly rendered by preeminent scholars and translators....

Lucius Apuleius' 'The Golden Ass' is a classic novel that explores themes of transformation, mystery, and the power of love. Set in ancient Rome, the book follows the misadventures of a bumbling protagonist who is turned into a donkey and must navigate a series of wild, magical escapades to regain his human form. Apuleius' unique blend of comedy, fantasy, and satire makes 'The Golden Ass' a standout work of Roman literature, showcasing his mastery of storytelling and wit. The novel's vivid...

The story follows Lucius, a young man of good birth, as he disports himself in the cities and along the roads of Thessaly. This is a wonderful tale abounding in lusty incident, curious adventure and bawdy wit.

Novel first written in the second century A.D., in a translation first published in 1566. According to Wikipedia: "The Metamorphoses of Apuleius, which St. Augustine referred to as The Golden Ass (Asinus aureus), is the only Latin novel to survive in its entirety. The protagonist of the novel may in fact be the author himself. His first name is revealed to be Lucius; at the end of the novel, he is revealed to be from Madaurus, the hometown of Apuleius himself. The identification of the pro...