Reproduction of the original: The Mantle and Other Stories by Nicholas Gogol

As a novel-writer and a dramatist, Gogol appears to me to deserve a minute study, and if the knowledge of Russian were more widely spread, he could not fail to obtain in Europe a reputation equal to that of the best English humorists. A delicate and close observer, quick to detect the absurd, bold in exposing, but inclined to push his fun too far, Gogol is in the first place a very lively satirist. He is merciless towards fools and rascals, but he has only one weapon at his disposalÑirony. This is a weapon which is too severe to use against the merely absurd, and on the other hand it is not sharp enough for the punishment of crime; and it is against crime that Gogol too often uses it. His comic vein is always too near the farcical, and his mirth is hardly contagious. If sometimes he makes his reader laugh, he still leaves in his mind a feeling of bitterness and indignation; his satires do not avenge society, they only make it angry. As a painter of manners, Gogol excels in familiar scenes. He is akin to Teniers and Callot. We feel as though we had seen and lived with his characters, for he shows us their eccentricities, their nervous habits, their slightest gestures. One lisps, another mispronounces his words, and a third hisses because he has lost a front tooth. Unfortunately Gogol is so absorbed in this minute study of details that he too often forgets to subordinate them to the main action of the story. To tell the truth, there is no ordered plan in his works, andÑa strange trait in an author who sets up as a realistÑhe takes no care to preserve an atmosphere of probability. His most carefully painted scenes are clumsily connectedÑthey begin and end abruptly; often the author's great carelessness in construction destroys, as though wantonly, the illusion produced by the truth of his descriptions and the naturalness of his conversations.

A collection of short comic stories “This world is full of the most outrageous nonsense. Sometimes things happen which you would hardly think possible.”-The Nose, Nikolai Gogol This is a collection of five short satiric stories by Nikolai Gogol that focus on the ugly and the sad elements in life.

"People who'd read Mrs. Parsley Makes a Delivery demanded more stories," author Julian Padowicz explains. Mrs. Parsley is a good witch. Only a tiny percentage of witches are actually evil, she says, but they, unfortunately, get most of the publicity. She, herself, uses her limited magical powers to help Santa, the Tooth Fairy, and the various fairy godmothers, when they get overloaded. But, because her magical powers are limited, and she can't fly in and out through closed windows, turn pumpkins into coaches, or work her "smart phone," Mrs. Parsley is often forced to improvise. As reviews of the first book will attest, the resulting adventures are of interest and amusement to adults as well as children. Stories included in this collection: Mrs. Parsley Did This Snowballs Mrs. Parsley Helps on Valentine's Day Mrs. Parsley Talks to Zeke Mrs. Parsley and the Hunter Mrs. Parsley Pulls a Code Red Mrs. Parsley and Patti Schroeder The Cat on the Mantle Mrs. Parsley Attends Benny's Birthday Party Mrs. Parsley and the Squirrel Mrs. Parsley Visits the Bergs Mrs. Parsley and the House Without Doors Mrs. Parsley Meets the Sandman

Explore the Literary Genius of Nikolai Gogol with this Captivating 2 Ebook Combo Embark on a journey through the rich tapestry of Russian literature with this enthralling collection of Nikolai Gogol's masterpieces, offering a profound exploration of human nature, society, and the human condition. Book 1: The Mantle, and Other Stories Immerse yourself in a world of vivid characters and poignant narratives as Gogol presents a collection of short stories that showcase his unparalleled talent for blending humor, satire, and social commentary. From the absurdity of bureaucracy to the struggles of the common man, Gogol's stories resonate with timeless themes and universal truths. Book 2: Dead Souls Step into the satirical world of provincial Russia as Gogol introduces us to Chichikov, a charming but morally dubious protagonist who embarks on a quest to acquire "dead souls" – the names of deceased serfs still listed on tax rolls. Through Chichikov's misadventures, Gogol offers a scathing critique of the corruption and moral decay of Russian society, while also exploring themes of identity, redemption, and the search for meaning. Embark on a Journey Through the Heart of Russian Literature: Can Gogol's Tales Illuminate the Human Soul? Join the Literary Expedition! As you delve into Gogol's timeless tales, ponder the complexities of human nature and the intricacies of society. Can we find redemption in the face of corruption and despair? The answers lie within these profound works, inviting you to explore the depths of the human soul and the mysteries of the Russian psyche. Unlock the Gates of Literary Splendor - Begin Your Journey Today!

Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris are forever intertwined in baseball history thanks to the unforgettable 1961 season, when the two Yankee icons spurred each other to new heights in pursuit of Babe Ruth's home run record. History has largely overlooked the bond between the two men not as titans of their sport, but as people. Guided by Tony Castro, bestselling author and foremost chronicler of Mantle, readers will journey into history, from the Yankees' blockbuster trade for Maris, whose acquisition re-ignited Mantle's career after a horrendous 1959 season, to the heroics of 1961 and far beyond. This dual biography is a thoroughly researched, emotionally gripping portrait that brings Yankees lore alive.

Bestselling sportswriter Peter Golenbock knew Mickey Mantle, Billy Martin, Jim Bouton, Joe Pepitone, and many of Mantle’s friends, family, and teammates. While Mickey was a good person at heart, he had a dark side that went far beyond his well-known alcoholism and infidelities. In this fictional portrait, Mickey--now in heaven--realizes that he’s carrying a huge weight on his shoulders, as he did throughout his life. He needs to unburden himself of all the horrible things he did and understand for himself why he did them. He wants to make amends to the people he hurt, especially those dear to him; the fans he ignored and alienated; and the public who made him into a hero. Mickey never felt he deserved the adulation, could never live up to it, and tried his damnedest to prove it to everyone. The fact that he was human made the public love him that much more. Through the recounting of his exploits on and off the field, some of them side-splittingly hilarious, some disturbing, and others that will make your head shake in sympathy, Mickey comes clean in this novel in the way he never could in real life. 7: The Mickey Mantle Novel puts you inside the locker room and bedroom with an American Icon every bit as flawed and human as we are.

"Gogol, Nikolai Vassilievitch. Born in the government of Pultowa, March 31 1809, died at Moscow, March 4 1852. A Russian novelist and dramatist. He was educated in a public gymnasium at Pultowa, and subsequently in the lyceum, then newly established, at Niejinsk. In 1831, Gogol brought out the first volume of his Ukrainian stories, 'Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka'. It met with immediate success, and he followed it a year later with a second volume. ‘The Nose’ is regarded as a masterwork of comic short fiction, and ‘The Overcoat’ is now seen as one of the greatest short stories ever written. Nikolai Gogol, the Russian writer and playwright, who understood better than any artist since what “perfect nonsense goes on in the world.” Born in Ukraine — then a colony dubbed “Little Russia” — Gogol began writing stories while pursuing a short-lived government career in St. Petersburg. He started with Ukrainian folklore, and a sinister, fairy-tale lightness persists in his later, more renowned stories about the imperial capital. There are supernatural accents, but the underlying world is real, made strange by an infrared humor that finds cosmic anarchy in the smallest fissures of everyday life. The most famous and inspirational works of Nikolai Gogol include The Mantle, Evenings at the Farm, St Petersburg Stories, Taras Bulba, a tale of the Cossacks, The Revizor, The Viy, The Nose, A May Night, The Mantle, Memoirs of a Madman and many more.

In this first-ever illustrated biography published with the support of the Mantle family, the authors cover Mickey Mantle's entire life, from his impoverished youth to his glorious career to his poignant sunset years. It features rare photos and never-before-seen memorabilia, with ten pull-out, removable facsimiles.