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First published in 1925, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” is widely hailed as one of the most important American novels of the twentieth-century. Fitzgerald’s third novel and his most significant work, it is the tale of the reclusive millionaire Jay Gatsby and his tragic obsession with the lovely and elusive Daisy Buchanan. The novel brilliantly captures the Roaring Twenties, often called the Jazz Age, one of America’s most transformative and iconic time periods. The novel is semi-autobiographical and based in part on Fitzgerald’s own time trying to fit in with the wealthy crowd on Long Island’s North Shore and becoming part of a social class based in decadence and leisure in order to impress the object of his affection. Fitzgerald was deeply conflicted about this wealthy world and “The Great Gatsby” is a biting social commentary, as the rich are shown in all their immoral excess, capable of shocking acts of passion and violence with little remorse or consequences. While underappreciated during Fitzgerald’s own lifetime, “The Great Gatsby” has come to be considered by many as one of the greatest American novels. This edition includes a biographical afterword.

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Thornton W. Burgess was an important and influential American conservationist and a prolific author of entertaining children’s stories. For over 50 years, Burgess published numerous popular books on the flora and fauna of the natural world and wrote a regular newspaper column called “Bedtime Stories”. Often affectionately referred to as the “Bedtime Story-Man”, Burgess celebrated his love for the natural world through humorous and educational stories for children in both his books and in his popular column. First published in 1922, “Blacky the Crow” is the engaging and clever story of a mischievous and curious young crow who often sees and does things he should not have. Tempted by the sight of two eggs left unattended in a nearby nest, Blacky hatches a plot to steal them and soon learns an important lesson on making bad choices. Burgess had a special ability to combine an educational story about the behaviors, habitats, and characteristics of the creatures of the natural world while also captivating audiences both young and old. This edition includes a biographical afterword and the original illustrations by Harrison Cady.

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Thornton W. Burgess was an important and influential American conservationist and a prolific author of charming and witty children’s stories. For over 50 years, Burgess published numerous popular books on the flora and fauna of the natural world and wrote a regular newspaper column called “Bedtime Stories”. Often affectionately referred to as the “Bedtime Story-Man”, Burgess celebrated his love for the natural world through humorous and educational stories for children in both his books and in his popular column. First published in 1918, “The Adventures of Bobby Coon” finds the young raccoon constantly in trouble and on the run in the forest. Chased by Farmer Brown’s son and Prickly Porky the porcupine, it seems like Bobby Coon can never find any peace and quiet. Fortunately, he is soon rescued by his good friend Peter Cottontail, who helps him to find a new home. Burgess had a special ability to combine an educational story about the behaviors, habitats, and characteristics of the creatures of the natural world while also captivating audiences both young and old. This edition includes a biographical afterword and the original illustrations by Harrison Cady.

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Thornton W. Burgess was an important and influential American conservationist and a prolific author of entertaining children’s stories. For over 50 years, Burgess published numerous popular books on the flora and fauna of the natural world and wrote a regular newspaper column called “Bedtime Stories”. Often affectionately referred to as the “Bedtime Story-Man”, Burgess celebrated his love for the natural world through humorous and educational stories for children in both his books and in his popular column. First published in 1916, “The Adventures of Buster Bear” is an engaging story of acceptance, tolerance, and kindness. It has been many years since any bears have lived in the Green Forest when Buster Bear moves in and some of the forest’s long-time residents are not happy with their new neighbor and the changes he brings. However, soon Buster makes friends with Little Joe Otter and Chatterer the Red Squirrel in this charming tale. Burgess had a special ability to combine an educational story about the behaviors, habitats, and characteristics of the creatures of the natural world while also captivating audiences both young and old. This edition includes a biographical afterword and the original illustrations by Harrison Cady.

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Thornton W. Burgess was an important and influential American conservationist and a prolific author of charming and witty children’s stories. For over 50 years, Burgess published numerous popular books on the flora and fauna of the natural world and wrote a regular newspaper column called “Bedtime Stories”. Often affectionately referred to as the “Bedtime Story-Man”, Burgess celebrated his love for the natural world through humorous and educational stories for children in both his books and in his popular column. First published in 1918, “The Adventures of Jimmy Skunk” begins with poor little Jimmy Skunk finding himself the unwilling victim of a funny but mean-spirited prank played by the mischievous Peter Rabbit. Reddy Fox is unfairly blamed for the naughty trick, but soon Peter learns a valuable lesson about treating others with kindness and courtesy. Burgess had a special ability to combine an educational story about the behaviors, habitats, and characteristics of the creatures of the natural world while also captivating audiences both young and old. This edition includes a biographical afterword and the original illustrations by Harrison Cady.

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Thornton W. Burgess was an important and influential American conservationist and a prolific author of charming children’s stories. For over 50 years, Burgess published numerous popular books on the flora and fauna of the natural world and wrote a regular newspaper column called “Bedtime Stories”. Often affectionately referred to as the “Bedtime Story-Man”, Burgess celebrated his love for the natural world through humorous and educational stories for children in both his books and in his popular column. First published in 1917, “The Adventures of Paddy the Beaver” follows the familiar character of Paddy as he moves into the Green Forest and finds it to be more dangerous than he imagined. Pursued by the mean Old Man Coyote, Paddy befriends grouchy Sammy Jay, who helps him escape from the cruel hunter. Soon, Paddy and Sammy become best friends and their forest homes are again happy places. Burgess had a special ability to combine an educational story about the behaviors, habitats, and characteristics of the creatures of the natural world while also captivating audiences both young and old. This edition includes a biographical afterword and the original illustrations by Harrison Cady.

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Thornton W. Burgess was an important and influential American conservationist and a prolific author of entertaining and witty children’s stories. For over 50 years, Burgess published numerous popular books on the flora and fauna of the natural world and wrote a regular newspaper column called “Bedtime Stories”. Often affectionately referred to as the “Bedtime Story-Man”, Burgess celebrated his love for the natural world through humorous and educational stories for children in both his books and in his column. First published in 1914, “The Adventures of Peter Cottontail” features one of Burgess’ most popular characters. In this charming tale, Peter is up to his usual silliness as he tries to change his name, gets into constant mischief, and even tries unsuccessfully to hibernate with the woodland creatures. Peter’s adventures are comical and fun and are accompanied by important lessons in being true to oneself and kind to others. Burgess had a special ability to combine an educational story about the behaviors, habitats, and characteristics of the creatures of the natural world while also captivating audiences both young and old. This edition includes a biographical afterword and the original illustrations by Harrison Cady.

Подробнее

Thornton W. Burgess was an important and influential American conservationist and a prolific author of entertaining children’s stories. For over 50 years, Burgess published numerous popular books on the flora and fauna of the natural world and wrote a regular newspaper column called “Bedtime Stories”. Often affectionately referred to as the “Bedtime Story-Man”, Burgess celebrated his love for the natural world through humorous and educational stories for children in both his books and in his popular column. First published in 1913, “The Adventures of Reddy Fox” is an exciting tale of the naughty little Reddy Fox. When he foolishly steals a hen and is chased by the farmer’s son and Bowser the Hound, Reddy must rely on his wits and the help of Granny Fox and his friends to escape a dangerous fate. Burgess had a special ability to combine an educational story about the behaviors, habitats, and characteristics of the creatures of the natural world while also captivating audiences both young and old. This edition includes a biographical afterword and the original illustrations by Harrison Cady.

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First Published in 1924 and awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1925, Edna Ferber’s “So Big” is the fascinating tale of Selina Peak De Jong and her resilience in the face of a difficult marriage, widowhood, and single parenthood, set in the Dutch farming community of South Holland, Illinois near Chicago. Ferber based her courageous and resourceful heroine on the story of Antje Paarlberg, who was a Dutch immigrant and an enterprising farmer and widow in her Midwestern community. In the beginning, Selina is a school teacher in a rural community and she works hard to foster a love of art and beautiful things in her students. Soon she marries a Dutch farmer named Pervus and they have a son named Dirk, whom she nicknames “So Big”. Pervus falls ill and dies and Selina is left alone to try and keep the farm afloat. Selina struggles to preserve her dignity in a community that is often stern and judgmental and never loses her love of beauty and art. Ferber’s novel is full of complex and nuanced characters and her themes of ambition, sexism, and poverty continue to resonant with readers.

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First published in 1909, E. M. Forster’s “The Machine Stops” is a fascinating story of dystopic science fiction which has been heralded as one of the greatest of the twentieth century. The tale is set in a vague future time when humans are no longer able to live on the surface of the planet and must instead survive underground where all their needs are taken care of by the ever-present Machine. The visionary work was far ahead of its time as Forster envisioned a world where people’s main form of communication and entertainment was dependent on machines and done through a video and messaging apparatus. In this bleak future, the lives of two people, Vashti and Kuno, collide and the cruelty and indifference of the Machine is exposed. “The Machine Stops” remains a thought-provoking and harrowing story of the dangers of human dependence on technology and the resilience of the human spirit. This edition includes a biographical afterword.

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