A fascinating look—first published in 1894—at two philanthropists known as the "Prisoner's Friends" and the early history of prison reform.Prisons in England were once dark, inhumane places lacking any regulations. The facilities were poorly managed and unsanitary, and prisoners were treated like animals. One man and one woman, the "Prisoner's Friends," sought to change that.Through Prison Bars is an in-depth account of John Howard and Elizabeth Fry...

Tales of science fiction and adventure from the Hugo Award–winning author of Way Station and City .The long and prolific career of Clifford D. Simak cemented him as one of the formative voices of the science fiction and fantasy genre. His literary legacy stands alongside those of Robert A. Heinlein and Ray Bradbury. This striking collection of nine tales showcases Simak's abili...

Three stories of a world shared by resurrected humans from all times and places—plus ten more tales by the Hugo Award–winning author of the World of Tiers series.On author Philip José Farmer's Riverworld, humans from every era and culture have been simultaneously resurrected. Ancient Hebrews, medieval warriors, Spanish Inquisitors, and modern Americans intermingle in this strange new environment, but many still cling to old prejudices.Tom Mix, a silent-film...

The New York Times–bestselling author of Fear of Flying celebrates witches in a gorgeously illustrated brew of witchcraft lore, potions, secrets, and myth.With a mix of genuine fascination, passionate enthusiasm, and keen feminist insight, Erica Jong wades through a bog of myths, misinformation, historical hysteria, and contemporary Halloween costumes to offer a generous exploration and celebration of witches.From their origins as descenda...

A mind-opening collection of short science fiction from one of the genre's most revered Grand Masters.Legendary author Robert A. Heinlein proclaimed, "To read science fiction is to read Simak. A reader who does not like Simak stories does not like science fiction at all." The remarkably talented Clifford D. Simak was able to ground his vast imagination in reality, and then introduce readers to fantastical worlds and concepts they could instantly and completely dig ...

Nine tales of imagination and wonder from one of the formative voices of science fiction and fantasy, the award-winning author of Way Station and City .Named a Grand Master by the Science Fiction Writers of America, Clifford D. Simak was a preeminent voice during the decades that established sci-fi as a genre to be reckoned with. Held in the same esteem as fellow luminaries Isa...

A sensational account of the Lady Jane Douglas scandal: A penniless Frenchman claimed a title and turned eighteenth-century England upside down.In 1748, Scottish noblewoman Lady Jane Douglas gave birth to twin boys in Paris. Although she and one of the boys died in poverty five years later, her surviving son was heir to one of the greatest fortunes in England, and would become one of the most important men in the empire—if his inheritance were secure. But was Archib...

Literary legend Samuel Johnson and his biographer, James Boswell, solve mysteries in eighteenth-century London in this delightful story collection.A brilliant thinker and his trusted assistant sit in their drawing room, pondering a story in the newspaper, when the door opens and the subject of the article enters, begging for help. It's a classic scene from English detective fiction, set not at 221B Baker Street, but 1 Inner Temple Lane—the home of Dr. Samuel Johnson...

The only survivors of an annihilated human race must unite to destroy the alien aggressors who destroyed Earth in this classic science fiction adventure.After a three-year mission, the American starship Benjamin Franklin and its all-male crew have returned to Earth, only to discover the planet is dead, a blackened shell devoid of life. It is clear that one of a trio of alien species engineered the holocaust, but which? When the captain of the Franklin

The former head of a lunar mining operation returns to the moon and is immediately sucked into a dangerous morass of labor troubles, lies, larceny, and corporate wrongdoing in this wildly entertaining science fiction thrill rideThere is big trouble on the moon. The blue-collar working stiffs of Descartes Station, who mine the surface for minerals and the North Pole for water, have become increasingly dissatisfied with Skycorp's general disregard for its employees' w...

This witty thriller about sentient artificial intelligence "makes you think a little [and] smile a lot" ( The New York Times).Brewster Billings is perhaps a little too wrapped up with his computer. He has given it a pet name, Lingo. He has programmed it with the ability to talk to its owner. In fact, Lingo has begun to respond to Brewster's programming skill surprisingly well. Lingo soon makes the jump from polite conversation to elaborate requests for spec...

"A thrill-packed" blend of science fiction and apocalyptic thriller from the veteran horror writer and author of Halo: Broken Circle ( Metro Silicon Valley).Judgment Day has arrived, and it's stranger than anyone could have predicted. . . .Jim Swift, a reporter for the Sacramento Bee, is determined to get to the bottom of the recent bizarre global occurrences that seem to be more in the realm of outlandish conspiracy theories than ...