"Far from the Madding Crowd" is the fourth book written by renowned British author Thomas Hardy and was his first big literary success. In 2007, the book was ranked 10th on the Guardian's list of greatest love stories of all time. It is also the first of Hardy's novels to be set in Wessex, Hardy's fictional English county.The plot centers on what is essentially a love quadrangle between the bewitching Bathsheba Everdene, the earnest and loyal shepherd Gabriel Oak, a reckless and wi...

"Look Homeward, Angel" is the largely autobiographical debut novel from author Thomas Wolfe. Since its publication in 1929, it has been hailed as one of the great American novels and is among the finest pieces of literature to come out of the American South.The story chronicles the life of Eugene Gant, from his birth through his 19th birthday (when he finally leaves home for good). Raised by a recovering alcoholic father, Eugene is brought up surrounded by literature and poetry and...

"Leviathan" (original title: "Leviathan or The Matter, Forme and Power of a Commonwealth Ecclesiasticall and Civil") is a groundbreaking work by English philosopher Thomas Hobbes and is considered a foundational document for social contract theory.Written during the English Civil War and published in 1651, the treatise argues that man - as a species - needed to evolve from a "state of nature" (or primitive disorganization) into an organized society with a central government and a s...

"Jude the Obscure" is the last completed novel by the legendary English writer Thomas Hardy. One of Hardy's "Wessex" novel (a fictional region of Britain that Hardy invented), the book is generally acknowledged as one of the author's masterpieces.The story concerns a young scholar, Jude Fawley, who dreams of a classical education at the fictional "Christminster University" (modeled on Oxford), but who instead is drawn into a disastrous marriage. After his wife leaves him, he courts...

"The Mayor of Casterbridge" is an 1886 novel by the legendary English writer Thomas Hardy. One of Hardy's "Wessex" novel (a fictional region of Britain that Hardy invented), the book is generally acknowledged as one of the author's masterpieces.The story, set in the town of Casterbridge, concerns a married young farmer named Michael Henchard who, one drunken night, auctions off his wife Susan and baby daughter Elizabeth-Jane to a passing sailor, Richard Newson for five pounds. Waki...

"A Pair of Blue Eyes" is the third novel by renowned British author Thomas Hardy and the first that he did not publish anonymously. The book contains many of the plot devices and themes that Hardy would explore further in his subsequent books: love, mischance, betrayal, loyalty and dueling allegiances.The story revolves around the lovely Elfride Swancourt who is caught in a classic dilemma: she has two suitors, one poor, ambitious and ardent - Stephen Smith - and one respectable an...

"The Return of the Native" is the sixth book by legendary British author Thomas Hardy and is widely considered to be his masterpiece.At the opening of the book, a strange and complicated plot is already well underway. We meet a tradesman, Diggory Venn, who is transporting Thomasin Yeobright home, after her prospective marriage to Damon Wildeve is delayed due to an error in the marriage certificate. Venn soon discovers that Wildeve himself intentionally caused the error and that the...

"Tess of the D'Urbevilles" is perhaps the best known novel by legendary British author Thomas Hardy.This heartbreaking story revolves around young Tess, who is hiding a secret past when she marries a young farmer named Angel. She attempts to tell him everything, but he insists that she wait until after they are wed. When Angel learns - on their wedding night - that Tess had been the victim of a sexual assault and lost the resulting child, he leaves her, moving overseas. Tess is the...

Explore the revolutionary ideas that ignited the American Revolution with "Common Sense" by Thomas Paine, now available as an engaging audiobook. In this timeless political pamphlet, Paine presents a compelling argument for independence from British rule, inspiring a nation to rise up and fight for its freedom.As the narrative unfolds, listeners will be transported to the tumultuous days of the 18th century, where Paine's impassioned prose galvanized the American colonies to break ...

"The Thomas Hardy Reader - Volume II" is a collection of three of Hardy's most beloved and celebrated books: "Far from the Madding Crowd," "Jude the Obscure" and "A Pair of Blue Eyes."Universally acknowledged as one of the greatest novelists in English literary history, these three books represent Thomas Hardy at his best. In these novels, Hardy explores and expounds upon some of his most familiar themes: love, honor, loss, betrayal and tragic mischance.Among the most cheri...

"The Thomas Hardy Reader - Volume I" is a collection of three of Hardy's most beloved and celebrated books: "Tess of the D'Urbevilles," "The Mayor of Casterbridge" and "The Return of the Native."Universally acknowledged as one of the greatest novelists in English literary history, these three books represent Thomas Hardy at his best. In these novels, Hardy explores and expounds upon some of his most familiar themes: love, honor, loss, betrayal and tragic mischance.Among the...

This audiobook contains three of the most notable works on strategy: The Art of War, The Prince, and The Book of Five Rings.