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Originally published pseudonymously in 1893, “Maggie: A Girl of the Streets” follows the tragic tale of Maggie and her life in the harsh streets and tenements of the New York City Bowery district. Initially rejected by publishers for being viewed as too brutal and accurate in its descriptions of poverty and female sexuality, Stephen Crane published the work at his own expense. Following the success of Crane’s novel “The Red Badge of Courage,” this novel was reissued in 1896 with extensive re-writes and edits. Generally considered to be the first work of American Naturalism, Crane combines exhaustive research and an attention to detail to create an accurate depiction of life for the working poor at the turn of the century in the slums of New York City. Maggie’s judgmental and violent family, the harsh working conditions she faces in factories, her unstable relationships with men, and her eventual destitution on the streets, are used to explore the important and pressing issues of the time. In Maggie’s struggle to find love, acceptance, and economic security, Crane creates a portrait which mirrors the struggle of all the women of America at the end of the nineteenth-century. This edition includes a biographical afterword.

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One of the most beloved adventure stories of all time, “Treasure Island” is a swashbuckling tale of the search for hidden treasure. When an old sea captain by the name of Billy Bones dies at the Admiral Benbow Inn on the west coast of England during the mid-1700s, Jim Hawkins, the innkeeper’s son, and his mother discover a treasure map among his belongings. Jim shows the map to some local acquaintances, Dr. Livesey and Squire Trelawney and together they plan an expedition to find the treasure. Together they set sail aboard the “Hispaniola” led by Captain Smollett in search of Treasure Island. Amongst the crew are numerous former pirates, who are led to mutiny by “Long John” Silver, a one-legged Bristol tavern-keeper who has been hired as the ship’s cook. Written in the late 19th century, Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island” dramatically depicts maritime life, rich with all its perils, in an adventure that investigates the nature of good and evil itself. This edition is illustrated by N. C. Wyeth and includes a biographical afterword.

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First published in 1850, “The Scarlet Letter” is the work that would establish Nathaniel Hawthorne’s literary legacy. It is the story of Hester Prynne, a young attractive woman who has been convicted of the crime of adultery and has been sentenced to wear a scarlet letter “A” sewn to her dress. As the result of the affair, Hester has a child named Pearl and because the man with whom she has committed this act refuses to come forward she finds herself having to raise the child alone. The novel, which is set in middle 17th century Boston, is a vivid picture of the archaic social beliefs and customs that were indicative of early colonial American life. It is a time when extreme puritanical beliefs ruled everyday life, in which adultery was not only considered immoral but a crime. Hawthorne’s narrative is an exploration of the nature of sin, guilt, and the way in which society tries to police morality through the rule of law. A haunting portrait of days long past, “The Scarlet Letter” is a brilliant portrayal of life in Puritanical America. This edition includes a biographical afterword.

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First published in 1915, “The Good Soldier” is Ford Madox Ford’s tragic tale of the relationship between two couples. The first couple is English, Captain Edward Ashburnham, the good soldier referenced in the title, and his wife Leonora. The two at first have a seemingly perfect marriage but over the course of the novel is revealed that a constant series of infidelities by Edward has driven Leonora to attempt to exert increasing control over Edward’s affairs, placing great strain on their relationship. The second couple is American, John and Florence Dowell, who have been living abroad in Europe for quite some time. John, a wealthy American Quaker, is held romantically at a distance from his wife Florence, who feigns a heart condition so that she may carry on an affairs of her own. What ensues is a tragic series of events which is described by John as the “saddest story ever told”. Often cited as one of the greatest novels ever written, “The Good Soldier” presents the epitome of the unreliable narrator in John Dowell, leaving the reader wondering whether or not he is an innocent victim or a master of manipulation seeking to evoke the sympathy of his audience. This edition includes a biographical afterword.

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First published in 1908, G. K. Chesterton’s “The Man Who Was Thursday” has been described as a metaphysical thriller. It is the story of Gabriel Syme, who is recruited by Scotland Yard as part of an anti-anarchist task force. When he meets Lucian Gregory, a poet and member of a secret society of anarchists, he gains access to the underground movement. The group is lead by a central council of seven men, each named for a day of the week. Gabriel convinces the local chapter to elect him to the vacant position of “Thursday” and he soon discovers that he is not the only one pretending to be something that he is not. What follows is one of the most absurd and clever plots to ever have been written, one in which Chesterton’s wonderfully high-spirited prose carries the reader along in a boisterous rush. Arguably the author’s finest work, certainly his most popular, “The Man Who Was Thursday” is a wild, mad, hilarious and profoundly moving tale that ultimately defies classification. This edition includes a biographical afterword.

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Written by Elizabeth Prentiss and first published in 1869 in installments, “Stepping Heavenward” is the fictional coming of age story of a young Christian girl named Katherine. The novel tells the story of Katherine’s life through a series of journal entries beginning when she is sixteen and trying to discover how to live a good and Godly life. The novel follows her though courtship, engagement, marriage, having children, and the many challenges that she confronts as she transforms from an innocent and curious young lady to a wise and thoughtful woman. Drawing upon her own experiences as a Christian wife and mother, Prentiss tells Katherine’s life story with a refreshing and engaging candor and humor. Katherine lays bare her own shortcomings and failures as she seeks to live her life as God intended. Katherine matures into an honorable woman who faithfully attends to the details of her own life with a generous Christian spirit and a true depth of character. This classic Christian story continues to be an inspirational tale for young girls who themselves are facing the very same challenges of growing up and their mothers who are helping them to navigate it. This edition includes an introduction by George Prentiss and a biographical afterword.

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First published in 1871, “Little Men” or “Life at Plumfield with Jo’s Boys” is considered the second book in the unofficial “Little Women” trilogy by author Louisa May Alcott. “Little Men” follows the adventures of Alcott’s beloved character Jo March and her husband, Professor Fredreich Bhaer, as they run their Plumfield Estate School. As to be expected, Jo and her husband do not run their school along conventional lines and they encourage their students to have pets, gardens, and even weekly pillow fights. The novel details six months in the daily lives and struggles of the Bhaers and their children, family, friends, and the pupils that attend the school. Jo’s characteristic intelligence, good humor, and playful spirit help both her students as well as her sister Meg’s children navigate the pitfalls and challenges of becoming adults. The experiences of the youngsters as they make mistakes and are guided by caring and pragmatic adults exemplify important life lessons and help them grow into proper young gentleman and ladies. The same love of family, sense of charity and industry, good humor, kindness, and generosity that made “Little Women” such an enduring classic may be found in this heartwarming tale as well. This edition is illustrated by Reginald Birch and includes a biographical afterword.

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A classic and thrilling tale of espionage and murder, Joseph Conrad’s “The Secret Agent” was first published in 1907. Set in London in 1886, the novel centers around Mr. Adolf Verloc, a spy who owns a small shop and lives with his wife Winnie, her mother and her mentally disabled brother Stevie, above his business. He is also a member of a largely ineffectual anarchist group, whom he meets with regularly to discuss politics and produce anarchist literature. Unknown to his fellow anarchists, Verloc is secretly working for the Embassy of an unnamed country as an “agent provocateur.” Verloc is told by his government contact that he and his associates are to bomb the Greenwich Observatory in London in order to make the British see anarchism as a greater threat and work more actively to suppress it. In scenes alternating between both before and after the bombing, the novel follows the police investigation of the bombing and the family drama unfolding in Verloc’s own home, as Stevie’s inadvertent involvement in the bombing comes to light. Considered to be one of Conrad’s best works, as well as a prescient study of modern terrorism, it is also a searing and tragic story of family love and loyalty. This edition includes a biographical afterword.

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Originally published in serial form between October 1899 and November 1900, Joseph Conrad’s “Lord Jim” is the story of Jim, a young British Seamen and the first mate of the “Patna”, a ship full of Muslim pilgrims on a hajj to Mecca. When the ship is damaged and begins to take on water, Jim, along with the Captain and some of the crew abandon the ship and its passengers. Jim’s group and the “Patna” are rescued separately and the crew’s reprehensible actions and dereliction of duties are made public. Jim, abandoned by the Captain and the rest of the crew, is left alone to face a magistrate’s court over the matter. Stripped of his command and his reputation ruined, Jim is left directionless, going from one job to another, pursued by his guilt and despair. Jim eventually accepts a job on a small, remote island, hopeful that he may finally find peace far away from those who know what he has done. Jim, filled with penitence, seeks to find redemption in kindness and service to his fellow man. Considered by many to be Conrad’s most romantic novel, Jim’s ultimately tragic struggle toward redemption and forgiveness continues to resonant with readers to this day. This edition includes a biographical afterword.

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First published in 1813, “Pride and Prejudice” is a story set in the English countryside outside of London during the early 19th century which centers on the life of Elizabeth Bennet, the second of five sisters who are all unmarried. When a wealthy and sociable young gentleman, Charles Bingley, rents the nearby manor of Netherfield Park the opportunity to find husbands presents itself. While attending a ball the Bennets meet Charles Bingley and his friend Fitzwilliam Darcy for the first time. Charles and Jane, Elizabeth’s older sister, form a quick friendship, while Fitzwilliam shows little interest in Elizabeth by refusing to dance with her. Darcy is a wealthy handsome intelligent young gentleman who suffers from a social awkwardness that makes him appear to be overly prideful. In the weeks that follow Elizabeth and Darcy find themselves repeatedly forced into each other’s company allowing Elizabeth to overcome the prejudice of her first impression and open herself up to the idea of a romance between the two. A classic novel of manners, “Pride and Prejudice” is arguably Jane Austen’s most popular novel. This edition includes a biographical afterword.

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