**Shortlisted for Waterstones Book of the Year** The Penguin Classics Book is a reader's companion to the largest library of classic literature in the world. Spanning 4,000 years from the legends of Ancient Mesopotamia to the poetry of the First World War, with Greek tragedies, Icelandic sagas, Japanese epics and much more in between, it encompasses 500 authors and 1,200 books, bringing these to life with lively descriptions, literary connections and beautiful cover designs.

The hundred books discussed here have radically altered the course of civilisation , whether they have embodied religions practised by millions, achieved the pinnacle of artistic expression, pointed the way to scientific discovery of enormous consequence, redirected beliefs about the nature of man, or forever altered the global political landscape. For each there is a historical overview, an analysis of the work's effect on our lives today and a lively discussion of the reasons for inclusion.

A timeless American classic and one of the most beloved children’s books ever written, Old Yeller is a Newbery Honor Book that explores the poignant and unforgettable bond between a boy and the stray dog who becomes his loyal friend. When his father sets out on a cattle drive toward Kansas for the summer, fourteen-year-old Travis Coates is left to take care of his family and their farm. Living in Texas Hill Country during the 1860s, Travis comes to face new, unanticipated, and often perilous responsibilities in the frontier wilderness. A particular nuisance is a stray yellow dog that shows up one day and steals food from the family. But the big canine who Travis calls “Old Yeller” proves his worth by defending the family from danger. And Travis ultimately finds help and comfort in the courage and unwavering love of the dog who comes to be his very best friend. Fred Gipson’s novel is an eloquently simple story that is both exciting and deeply moving. It stands alongside works like The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Where The Red Fern Grows, and Shiloh as a beloved and enduring classic of literature. Originally published in 1956 to instant acclaim, Old Yeller later inspired a hit film from Walt Disney. Just as Old Yeller inevitably makes his way into the Coates family’s hearts, this book will find its own special place in readers’ hearts.

National Bestseller and Winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction Oscar Feldman, the renowned figurative painter, has passed away. As his obituary notes, Oscar is survived by his wife, Abigail, their son, Ethan, and his sister, the well-known abstract painter Maxine Feldman. What the obituary does not note, however, is that Oscar is also survived by his longtime mistress, Teddy St. Cloud, and their daughters. As two biographers interview the women in an attempt to set the record straight, the open secret of his affair reaches a boiling point and a devastating skeleton threatens to come to light. From the acclaimed author of The Epicure's Lament, a scintillating novel of secrets, love, and legacy in the New York art world. "Mischievous...funny, astute...As unexpectedly generous as it is entertaining.... Christensen is a witty observer of the art universe." —The New York Times

The six mean Herdman kids lie, steal, smoke cigars (even the girls) and then become involved in the community Christmas pageant.

The Greatest Classics Ever Written' is a meticulously crafted anthology that traverses the expansive landscapes of literary genius, presenting readers with a collection as diverse in style as it is rich in thematic depth. From the tragedy and introspection of Shakespeare's prose to the pioneering science fiction narratives of H. G. Wells, the anthology showcases an astonishing range of literary forms plays, poems, novels, and philosophical treatises. Each selection has been chosen not only for its individual merit but also for its contribution to the collective exploration of human nature, society, and the eternal quest for knowledge and beauty. The inclusion of texts from antiquity to the brink of the modern era ensures a kaleidoscopic view of universal themes through the lens of historical and cultural paradigm shifts, making it a standout compilation. This anthology's strength lies in the assembled authors' backgrounds, each heralding from different corners of the globe, contributing to a rich mosaic of human experience. The editors have skillfully woven together works from literary titans such as Dante and Tolstoy, visionaries like Kafka and Dostoyevsky, alongside seminal figures in philosophical thought like Plato and Nietzsche. This harmonious integration underscores the anthology's alignment with significant historical, cultural, and literary movements, offering readers a textured and deep understanding of the themes it explores. The contributors' varied voices collectively offer a unique lens through which the labyrinth of human condition and its expressions are explored, bridging temporal and geographical divides. 'The Greatest Classics Ever Written' is an indispensable volume for anyone keen to immerse themselves in the masterworks of literary legends. It offers readers a unique opportunity to engage with the multiplicity of perspectives, narrative styles, and thematic explorations contained within. This anthology is not merely a collection of works; it is a dialogic space where centuries of human thought, artistic expression, and philosophical inquiry intersect. It invites readers to embark on a journey that spans epochs, cultures, and ideologies, emphasizing the educational value and the profound insights that such a comprehensive exploration of literature can provide. The collection is a testament to the enduring power of written word, fostering a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of human experiences across time and space.

A posthumously published collection of thirty-six essays offering Italo Calvino's invigorating and illuminating analysis of his most treasured literary classics.

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize “A masterwork . . . the novel astonishes with its inventiveness . . . it is nothing less than a grand comic fugue.”—The New York Times Book Review A Confederacy of Dunces is an American comic masterpiece. John Kennedy Toole's hero, one Ignatius J. Reilly, is "huge, obese, fractious, fastidious, a latter-day Gargantua, a Don Quixote of the French Quarter. His story bursts with wholly original characters, denizens of New Orleans' lower depths, incredibly true-to-life dialogue, and the zaniest series of high and low comic adventures" (Henry Kisor, Chicago Sun-Times).

"Born the child of a poor farmer in Missouri, William Stoner is urged by his parents to study new agriculture techniques at the state university. Digging instead into the texts of Milton and Shakespeare, Stoner falls under the spell of the unexpected pleasures of English literature, and decides to make it his life. Stoner is the story of that life"--

This eleventh edition was developed during the encyclopaedia's transition from a British to an American publication. Some of its articles were written by the best-known scholars of the time and it is considered to be a landmark encyclopaedia for scholarship and literary style.