In The Dilemma of the Liberated, Gorham Munson offers a spirited defense of American Humanism for readers adrift in a modern world of broken authorities and competing beliefs. Framed as a tribute to Seward B. Collins, the book argues that Humanism is not merely a literary movement but a practical philosophy of education, politics, morals, science, and daily conduct, meant to restore order, discipline, and wisdom where modern freedom has become bewildering. Munson traces Humanism from the R...

Robert Frost emerges here not simply as a poet, but as the latest, most restless heir to a long New England line shaped by settlers, soldiers, merchants, and civic duty. From English and Scandinavian roots to colonial Maine and New Hampshire, the Frost family is portrayed as sturdy, conservative, and bound to the land—until Robert's own life begins to break that pattern, carrying forward both his mother Isabelle Moody's thrift and sensitivity and his father William Prescott Frost's reckles...

Carnegie begins by exploring the concept of self-confidence, and the ways in which it can impact one's personal and professional success. He then provides practical guidance on how to build and maintain self-confidence, including developing a positive mental attitude, setting and achieving goals, and cultivating a sense of self-worth.The book covers a wide range of topics, including effective communication skills, conflict resolution, and the importance of building strong relationships wit...

The first-ever collection of 50+ writings from the 20th-century critic who “redefined the possibilities of the literary essay”—including works not seen in print for decades (The New Yorker)Elizabeth Hardwick wrote during the golden age of the American literary essay. For Hardwick, the essay was an imaginative endeavor, a serious form, criticism worthy of the literature in question.In the essays collected here, she covers civil rights demonstrations...

**"Not only an education but a joy. This is a book for the ages." --Rivka GalchenA monumental, canon-defining anthology of three centuries of American essays, from Cotton Mather and Benjamin Franklin to David Foster Wallace and Zadie Smith.**The essay form is an especially democratic one, and many of the essays Phillip Lopate has gathered here address themselves--sometimes critically--to American values. Even in those that don't, one can detect a subtext about being America...

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

A landmark survey of disenfranchised literary voices and the forces that seek to silence them—from the influential activist and author of Tell Me a Riddle.With this groundbreaking work, Olsen revolutionized the study of literature by shedding critical light on the writings of marginalized women and working-class people. From the excavated testimony of authors' letters and diaries, Olsen shows us the many ways the creative spirit, especially in those disadv...

In the context of a short story, every sentence, every word must serve a specific purpose. That's why the writers who have mastered this form -- Flannery O'Connor, Edgar Allen Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Raymond Carver -- are often afforded the highest critical praise. In Short Story Writing: A Practical Treatise on the Art of the Short Story, Charles Raymond Barrett offers simple, straightforward tips and advice that will help any aspiring author sharpen their short-story writing skills.

Before there was any such thing as political correctness, H. L. Mencken was flouting it. He was also cheerfully deriding the precursors of family values and lambasting the guardians of public virtue. This historic new collection is further evidence that Mencken was our most astute, stylish, and biliously funny commentator on the eternal American quackeries.A Second Mencken Chrestomathy (a word meaning “a collection of choice passages from an author or authors”) was compile...

This fascinating reassessment of America's most popular and famous poet reveals a more complex and enigmatic man than many readers might expect. Jay Parini spent over twenty years interviewing friends of Robert Frost and working in the poet's archives at Dartmouth, Amherst, and elsewhere to produce this definitive and insightful biography of both the public and private man. While he depicts the various stages of Frost's colorful life, Parini also sensitively explores the poet's psyche, sho...

A practical treatise on the art of the short story, designed to present concretely the rules of the art. It is a working manual, not a collection of untried theories. It tells how to write a story with reference to the requirements of contemporary editors."Both an interesting and useful book. While it is concerned with the special application of rhetorical principles to a particular department of literary art, it carries a general application that all literary workers may profit by...

Personal advertisements have been around as long as newspapers themselves. If you're curious about what a "matrimonial ad" from the 1800s looked like, this is your book. Read it aloud and marvel at missives like:"Gentleman, 38, height 5 ft., 9 in., weight 170, black hair, brown eyes, fair complexion, wishes to meet lady, 35 to 38, refined, normal weight, good looking, good teeth, not tired of society, and invest and accept half interest in a manufacturing business; can handle her o...