Frank Furness (1839-1912) has remained a curiosity to architectural historians and critics, somewhere between an icon and an enigma, whose importance and impact have yet to be properly evaluated or appreciated. To some, his work pushed pattern and proportion to extremes, undermining or forcing together the historic styles he referenced in such eclectic buildings as the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and the University of Pennsylvania Library. To others, he was merely a regional mann...

Frank Furness (1839-1912) has remained a curiosity to architectural historians and critics, somewhere between an icon and an enigma, whose importance and impact have yet to be properly evaluated or appreciated. To some, his work pushed pattern and proportion to extremes, undermining or forcing together the historic styles he referenced in such eclectic buildings as the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and the University of Pennsylvania Library. To others, he was merely a regional mann...

From the Founding Fathers through the present, Christianity has exercised powerful influence in the United States—from its role in shaping politics and social institutions to its hand in inspiring art and culture. The Encyclopedia of Christianity in the United States outlines the myriad roles Christianity has played and continues to play. This masterful five-volume reference work includes biographies of major figures in the Christian church in the United States, influential religious docum...

The History of the Great and Mighty Kingdom of China is one of early modern Europe's most influential syntheses of Ming China, presenting its geography, government, laws, military, learning, religion, commerce, and customs with an admiration unusual for its age. Written in a lucid, compendious prose typical of Renaissance cosmography and missionary travel literature, it transforms reports, letters, and eyewitness testimonies into a coherent portrait of a sophisticated empire. Juan González...

Tragic Fates of Women in Oppressive Society – 3 Classic Realist Fiction Novels is an anthology that delves into the harrowing yet profoundly human stories of women navigating a repressive societal framework. The collection encompasses the vast range of literary styles found within realist fiction, inviting readers to journey through authentic narratives capturing the profound depths of emotional and social turmoil. Within its pages, the diverse narrative voices highlight themes of societal...

Outcast Women, Judging Eyes – 3 Classic Victorian Novels offers a profound exploration of the marginalized female experience in the Victorian era, intertwining the narratives of three literary giants. This anthology captures the social tensions and restrictions faced by women during this period through a medley of rich storytelling and diverse styles. Readers are invited into the meticulously constructed worlds of these novels, showcasing a blend of social critique, psychological depth, an...

A lavishly illustrated manuscript from the eighteenth century now being published for the first time, Thomas Hammond's memoirs are a major discovery. Hammond was a self-educated but remarkably gifted writer with a knack for seizing unlikely opportunities for adventure. We follow this abandoned waif as he embarks on a long journey through bewildering foreign lands—working by turns as a stableboy, jockey, servant to French nobles, itinerant circus rider, and entertainment entrepreneur—only t...

Echoes of the English Countryside: 3 Classic Village Fiction Stories offers readers an intimate panorama of rural life during Victorian England, capturing the intricate tapestry of village narratives through three distinct tales. This collection boasts a range of literary styles, from the richly descriptive and nuanced prose to the poignant study of human character and moral dilemmas. The anthology immerses the reader into the bucolic charm and unspoken complexities of village life, where ...

Her Constrained Soul – 7 Classic Women's Protest Novels is a compelling anthology that masterfully explores the themes of gender inequality, societal expectations, and the indomitable spirit of women striving for autonomy within patriarchal confines. This collection traverses a wide range of literary styles, from the satirical wit of early feminist critique to the profound psychological depth of later Victorian novels. Each work, a testament to the constraints and inner lives of its female...

Reflections on Violence was an explosive and controversial book in 1906, and it remains so today. In it, Georges Sorel rejects the decadence of bourgeois democracy and calls for a heroic vitalism of the working class, to be brought about by any means necessary, including violence.Sorel chastises the republicanism and parliamentary socialism of his day, but his insights apply to any vanguardist movement, making him of interest beyond the left, and a precursor to fa...

This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice.Jude the Obscure — Thomas HardyA daring, devastating love story that scandalized Victorian England.Jude Fawley, a poor stonemason with a scholar’s soul, dreams of Christminster’s shining colleges. Sue Bridehead, brilliant and free-spirited, refuses to be caged by the era’s rules. Drawn together—and torn apart by class, convention, and consequence—Jude and Sue fight for a life of their ...

The Ruin of Innocence – 3 Classic British Realism Novels is a compelling anthology that delves into the human condition through the masterful narratives of George Eliot, Charles Dickens, and Thomas Hardy. This collection brings together disparate voices united by the realism that marked the Victorian era, exploring the complexities of societal structures, morality, and the notion of innocence amidst a rapidly changing world. Each novel within the anthology offers a unique lens into the tri...