Richard Cobb was one of the most distinguished British historians of the twentieth century. A professor at Oxford, a multiple prize-winner, author of numerous books and innumerable essays and reviews, he was proudest of all to be described as a Parisian. He was unconventional, anarchic and almost impossibly erudite. Somehow he managed in the course of a life of apparently unremitting grandeur to write letters. They were scratchy, iconoclastic, funny, indiscreet, vivid, fluent, and occasionally brilliant set-pieces of descriptive or historical reporting. The sight of one of his ill-typed missives in a blue Basildon Bond envelope was always a promise of pleasure, and usually of instruction, frequently an invitation to a feast of scurrilous gossip, and an excuse to put off day-to-day concerns for a while. He wrote about politicians, the royal family, fellow academics and journalists, and, of course, mutual friends. The complete letters would fill many volumes, but here is a selection of the best, made by Tim Heald, who was taught by Cobb at university, and corresponded with him intermittently for the next thirty years.

“A Shakespearean comedy of misaligned lovers” set in the modern English countryside by a Man Booker Prize winner (Publishers Weekly). Hugh Peronett’s life is tinged with regret: the regret of never following his passions and losing the one woman he loved. Twenty-five years ago, he ended an affair with Emma Sands, a detective novelist who had stolen his heart, to be with his wife, Fanny. Now, Fanny is gone, and both Hugh and his grown son, Randall, find themselves at a crossroads of passion and righteousness. As Hugh, Emma, Randall, Randall’s wife, Randall’s mistress, and several others are caught in a dance of romance and rejection in bucolic rural England, they will discover the true meanings of love, companionship, and desire. From the acclaimed author of The Sea, The Sea, An Unofficial Rose is a novel of wit, sorrow and an unparalleled psychological insight.

The Greatest Historical Novels of All Time is a meticulously curated anthology that traverses the rich and diverse landscape of historical fiction. Within its pages, readers will encounter a broad spectrum of literary styles, from the intricate social tapestries of Jane Austen and the Brontë sisters to the adventurous spirit of Alexandre Dumas and the poignant realism of Thomas Hardy. This collection not only showcases the multitudinous forms the genre can takeranging from romantic epics to biting social commentaries but also highlights its enduring significance in shaping our understanding of past cultures, societies, and individuals. The anthology succeeds in illustrating the evolution of historical narrative through time, emphasizing works that have become cornerstones of literary heritage. The authors represented in this anthology are not just storytellers; they are architects of historical consciousness, each contributing uniquely to the genres development. Figures like Mary Wollstonecraft and Edith Wharton offer perspectives that challenge established narratives, while others, such as Leo Tolstoy and F. Scott Fitzgerald, provide immersive experiences into the intricacies of different eras. Collectively, these authors belong to or have been influenced by pivotal historical, cultural, or literary movements, from the Enlightenment to Romanticism to Realism, thereby enriching the anthology with a depth of context and a plethora of voices. Their collective work within this volume provides a vibrant tableau of the human experience, interpreted through the lens of past events. The Greatest Historical Novels of All Time is an indispensable volume for readers keen on exploring the myriad ways in which history and narrative intersect. It offers a unique educational journey through the expertise of its illustrious authors, whose works continue to inspire, challenge, and captivate. By bringing together such a wide array of perspectives and styles, this collection fosters a dialogue among epochs, ideologies, and cultures. It is an essential read for anyone who cherishes the power of historical fiction to illuminate the past and its lingering influence on the present and future.

The Essential Feminist Collection 60 Powerful Classics in One Volume' is a seminal anthology that encapsulates the multifaceted nature of feminist literary expression across two centuries. This collection traverses a vast landscape of literary styles from the penetrating realism of Henrik Ibsen to the nuanced social commentary of Charlotte Brontë, and the pioneering environmentalism of Gene Stratton-Porter. It underscores the incredible diversity and significant impact of feminist literature, showcasing standout pieces that have fundamentally shifted the cultural and literary discourse surrounding gender, society, and human rights. The range of narratives, from novels and essays to speeches and letters, provides a comprehensive view of the feminist literary canon, highlighting the enduring relevance of its themes. The contributing authors and editors, coming from varied backgrounds, epochs, and disciplines, bring together a rich tapestry of perspectives that reflect the historical, cultural, and literary movements of their times. From the enlightened essays of Mary Wollstonecraft and John Stuart Mill to the poignant novels of Virginia Woolf and Edith Wharton, each contributor has played a pivotal role in shaping the contours of feminist thought. The anthology serves not only as a literary collection but as a dynamic conversation among some of the most influential feminist voices, examining the intersectionality of gender, class, and race, and advocating for social and political reform. 'The Essential Feminist Collection 60 Powerful Classics in One Volume' is an indispensable resource for readers seeking to delve into the depths of feminist literature. It offers an unparalleled opportunity to engage with the works of trailblazing authors who have articulated the struggles, aspirations, and triumphs of women across generations. This anthology is recommended for its educational value, its breadth of insights, and the rich dialogue it fosters between the diverse authors' works. Readers are invited to explore this comprehensive collection, which serves not only as a testament to the progress of feminist thought but also as an inspiration for ongoing advocacy and discourse in the quest for gender equality.

e-artnow presents to you the collection of the great love stories of the past, the best historical novels in one edition:_x000D_ Uarda: A Romance of Ancient Egypt (Georg Ebers)_x000D_ The New Abelard: Love in the Times of Cathedrals (Robert Williams Buchanan)_x000D_ Hildebrand: The Days of Queen Elizabeth (Anonymous) _x000D_ Love-at-Arms (Rafael Sabatini) _x000D_ The Making Of A Saint (W. Somerset Maugham) _x000D_ The Cloister and the Hearth (Charles Reade) _x000D_ The Princess of Cleves (Madame de La Fayette)_x000D_ The Forest Lovers (Maurice Hewlett) _x000D_ Malcolm (George MacDonald) _x000D_ Scarlet Letter: Love in the Colonial Period (Nathaniel Hawthorne) _x000D_ The Wild Irish Girl (Lady Sydney Morgan) _x000D_ Sophia (Stanley John Weyman) _x000D_ Paul and Virginia (Bernardin de Saint-Pierre) _x000D_ Memoirs of Emma Courtney (Mary Hays) _x000D_ Powder and Patch (Georgette Heyer)_x000D_ The Black Moth: A Romance of the XVIIIth Century (Georgette Heyer)_x000D_ The History of Miss Betsy Thoughtless (Eliza Haywood)_x000D_ Fantomina (Eliza Haywood)_x000D_ Olinda's Adventures (Catharine Trotter Cockburn)_x000D_ Belinda (Maria Edgeworth)_x000D_ Dangerous Liaisons (Pierre Choderlos de Laclos)_x000D_ Evelina (Fanny Burney)_x000D_ Pamela Trilogy_x000D_ Mary (Mary Wollstonecraft)_x000D_ Jane Austen:_x000D_ Pride & Prejudice_x000D_ Sense & Sensibility_x000D_ Mansfield Park_x000D_ Emma_x000D_ Persuasion_x000D_ Miss Marjoribanks & Phoebe, Junior (Mrs. Olifant)_x000D_ Vanity Fair (Thackeray)_x000D_ Mr. Rowl (D. K. Broster)_x000D_ The Battle of the Strong (Gilbert Parker)_x000D_ Kitty Alone (Sabine Baring-Gould) _x000D_ Sentimental Education (Gustave Flaubert) _x000D_ Lady Anna (Anthony Trollope)_x000D_ The Manoeuvring Mother (Lady Charlotte Bury)_x000D_ Ramona (Helen Hunt Jackson) _x000D_ Jane Eyre (Charlotte Brontë)_x000D_ Wuthering Heights (Emily Brontë)_x000D_ The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (Anne Brontë)_x000D_ The Lady of the Camellias (Alexandre Dumas)_x000D_ The Portrait of a Lady & The Wings of the Dove (Henry James)_x000D_ Anna Karenina (Leo Tolstoy)_x000D_ The Age of Innocence (Edith Wharton)_x000D_ Tess of the d'Urbervilles (Thomas Hardy)_x000D_ Bel Ami (Guy de Maupassant) _x000D_ The Squatter and the Don (María Ruiz de Burton) _x000D_ Maria Chapdelaine (Louis Hémon)_x000D_ The Four Feathers (A. E. W. Mason) _x000D_ The Miranda Trilogy (Grace Livingston Hill)_x000D_ The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald)