Publisher: DD Sales & Distributors
Lucius Annaeus Seneca was a Roman Stoic philosopher (c. 4 BC - AD 65), and tutor to the emperor Nero. This book, On Benefits, forms part of a series of moral essays written by Seneca. Comprised of seven books plus a Preface by the translator Aubrey Stewart.
Japanese ghost stories and reflections on incense, silkworms and Buddhist proverbs. Hearn wrote these in Tokyo as a Japanese citizen married to a samurai's daughter, and the essays between the tales are as strange as the tales. This edition adds a gallery of 53 plates by Kunisada, Hokusai, Hiroshige and Goshun, and seven restored and coloured illustrations.Show book
Animal Farm is a satirical allegorical novella, in the form of a beast fable, by George Orwell, first published in England on 17 August 1945. It tells the story of a group of anthropomorphic farm animals who rebel against their human farmer, hoping to create a society where the animals can be equal, free, and happy. Ultimately, the rebellion is betrayed, and under the dictatorship of a pig named Napoleon, the farm ends up in a state far worse than before.According to Orwell, Animal Farm reflects events leading up to the Russian Revolution of 1917 and then on into the Stalinist era of the Soviet Union, a period when Russia lived under the communist ideology of Joseph Stalin. Orwell, a democratic socialist, was a critic of Stalin and hostile to Moscow-directed Stalinism, an attitude that was critically shaped by his experiences during the Barcelona May Days conflicts between the POUM and Stalinist forces, during the Spanish Civil War. In a letter to Yvonne Davet, Orwell described Animal Farm as a satirical tale against Stalin ("un conte satirique contre Staline"), and in his essay, "Why I Write" (1946), wrote: "Animal Farm was the first book in which I tried, with full consciousness of what I was doing, to fuse political purpose and artistic purpose into one whole".
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A girl of property, brought up to think herself the equal of any man, proposes to a young man in a churchyard and is refused — and the humiliation sets both their lives running. Stoker managed Henry Irving's Lyceum for twenty-seven years and wrote in the hours around it; this 1905 novel is not a horror story at all, and its argument about what women are permitted to want is much more interesting than its reputation. Fifty-eight plates of painting, from Millet's peasants to Tissot's church interiors, give this story of a woman who proposes and a man who refuses the visual world it was written against.Show book
This audiobook is narrated by an AI Voice. Step back in time to the golden era of medieval England, where deep ancient forests whisper of legendary outlaws, chivalrous knights, and rustic village charm. Amidst the political turmoil of the Barons' Wars and the shifting loyalties of crown and commoner, a captivating tale of romance, jealousy, and adventure unfolds. When a dashing yet cunning nobleman intrudes upon peaceful village festivities to win the heart of a charming local coquette, a passionate rustic lover is driven to desperate conflict. Tensions rise as mysterious foresters, disguised peasants, and noble lords cross paths in the shadowy depths of Sherwood. Filled with spirited maypole dances, secret rendezvous, high-stakes political intrigue, and timeless acts of bravery, this sweeping historical romance captures the vibrant spirit of old England. Listeners will be enthralled by a rich tapestry of noble honor, heartbreak, and thrilling escapades that bring a bygone era vividly to life. Perfect for fans of classic adventure and sweeping historical love stories!Show book
He abandons comfort, wisdom, and love—because truth cannot be taught, only lived. In ancient India, Siddhartha sets out on a lifelong quest to understand the meaning of existence. Rejecting rigid teachings and borrowed truths, he experiences asceticism, desire, loss, and profound stillness. Each step—joyful or painful—draws him closer to a deeper harmony with life and the self. Celebrated as "one of the most influential spiritual novels of the twentieth century," Hermann Hesse's masterpiece blends Eastern philosophy with poetic simplicity, offering readers a quiet yet transformative experience. Its wisdom speaks softly, but it lingers long after the final page. If you seek clarity, balance, and a story that invites reflection rather than instruction, this novel will become a companion on your own inner journey. Open the book—and walk the path that leads inward.Show book
Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce was born on 24th June 1842 at Horse Cave Creek in Meigs County, Ohio. His parents were poor but they introduced him to literature at an early age, instilling in him a deep appreciation of books, the written word and the elegance of language. Growing up in Koscuisko County, Indiana poverty and religion were defining features of his childhood, and he would later describe his parents as “unwashed savages” and fanatically religious, showing him little affection but always quick to punish. He came to resent religion, and his introduction to literature appears to be their only positive effect. At age 15 Bierce left home to become a printer’s devil, mixing ink and fetching type at The Northern Indian, a small Ohio paper. Falsely accused of theft he returned to his farm and spent time sending out work in the hopes of being published. His Uncle Lucius advised he be sent to the Kentucky Military Institute. A year later he was commissioned as an Officer. As the Civil War started Bierce enlisted in the 9th Indiana Infantry Regiment. In April 1862 Bierce fought at the Battle of Shiloh, an experience which, though terrifying, became the source of several short stories. Two years later he sustained a serious head wound and was off duty for several months. He was discharged in early 1865. A later expedition to inspect military outposts across the Great Plains took him all the way to San Francisco. He remained there to become involved with publishing and editing and to marry, Mary Ellen on Christmas Day 1871. They had a child, Day, the following year. In 1872 the family moved to England for 3 years where he wrote for Fun magazine. His son, Leigh, was born, and first book, ‘The Fiend’s Delight’, was published. They returned to San Francisco and to work for a number of papers where he gained admiration for his crime reporting. In 1887 he began a column at the William Randolph Hearst’s San Francisco Examiner. Bierce’s marriage fell apart when he discovered compromising letters to his wife from a secret admirer. The following year, 1889 his son Day committed suicide, depressed by romantic rejection. In 1891 Bierce wrote and published the collection of 26 short stories which included ‘An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge’. Success and further works including poetry followed. Bierce with Hearst’s resources helped uncover a financial plot by a railroad to turn 130 million dollars of loans into a handout. Confronted by the railroad and asked to name his price Bierce answered “my price is $130 million dollars. If, when you are ready to pay, I happen to be out of town, you may hand it over to my friend, the Treasurer of the United States”. He now began his first foray as a fabulist, publishing ‘Fantastic Fables’ in 1899. But tragedy again struck two years later when his second son Leigh died of pneumonia relating to his alcoholism. He continued to write short stories and poetry and also published ‘The Devil’s Dictionary’. At the age of 71, in 1913 Bierce departed from Washington, D.C., for a tour of the battlefields where he had fought during the civil war. At the city of Chihuahua he wrote his last known communication, a letter to a friend. It’s closing words were “as to me, I leave here tomorrow for an unknown destination,” Ambrose Bierce then vanished without trace.Show book
