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  The Upper Berth - A sailor...

  F. Marion Crawford

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  Francis Marion Crawford, an only child, was born on 2nd August 1854 at Bagni di Lucca, Italy. He was a nephew to Julia Ward Howe, the American poet and writer of ‘The Battle Hymn of the Republic’.  
   
  Crawford was educated at St Paul's School, Concord, New Hampshire and then on to Cambridge University, the University of Heidelberg and the University of Rome.  
   
  In 1879 he went to India, to study Sanskrit and then to edit The Indian Herald. In 1881 he returned to America to continue his Sanskrit studies at Harvard University. 
   
  His family became increasingly concerned about his employment prospects.  After an attempt at a singing career as a baritone was ruled out, he was encouraged to write.  
   
  In December 1882 his first novel, ‘Mr Isaacs’, was published and was an immediate hit as was his second novel ‘Dr Claudius’ in 1883.  
   
  In October 1884 he married Elizabeth Berdan and encouraged by his excellent start to a literary career they returned to Sant Agnello, Italy to make a permanent home, buying the Villa Renzi that then became Villa Crawford.  
   
  In the late 1890s, Crawford began work on his historical works which would later include ‘Corleone’, in 1897, the first major treatment of the Mafia in literature.  
   
  Crawford is also exceedingly popular and anthologized as a short story writer of bizarre and creepy tales.   
   
  In 1908 came his classic ‘The Screaming Skull’. Without doubt its unsettling nature is heightened as the reader/listener is drawn into to the story by its narrator.  Everything is explained and plausible until, of course, it isn’t. 
   
  Francis Marion Crawford died at Sorrento on Good Friday 1909 at Villa Crawford of a heart attack.  
   
  In this classic supernatural story by F Marion Crawford a man takes a room on a liner and discovers that its previous occupants have all committed suicide.  When his room mate on the Upper Berth also disappears the evidence points to some unearthly sequence of happenings.

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  Candide

  Voltaire

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  Candide, ou l'Optimisme is a French satire first published in 1759 by Voltaire, a philosopher of the Age of Enlightenment. The novella has been widely translated, with English versions titled Candide: or, All for the Best (1759); Candide: or, The Optimist (1762); and Candide: Optimism (1947). It begins with a young man, Candide, who is living a sheltered life in an Edenic paradise and being indoctrinated with Leibnizian optimism by his mentor, Professor Pangloss. The work describes the abrupt cessation of this lifestyle, followed by Candide's slow and painful disillusionment as he witnesses and experiences great hardships in the world. Voltaire concludes Candide with, if not rejecting Leibnizian optimism outright, advocating a deeply practical precept, "we must cultivate our garden", in lieu of the Leibnizian mantra of Pangloss, "all is for the best" in the "best of all possible worlds".
  Candide is characterized by its tone as well as by its erratic, fantastical, and fast-moving plot. A picaresque novel with a story similar to that of a more serious coming-of-age narrative (Bildungsroman), it parodies many adventure and romance clichés, the struggles of which are caricatured in a tone that is bitter and matter-of-fact. Still, the events discussed are often based on historical happenings, such as the Seven Years' War and the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. As philosophers of Voltaire's day contended with the problem of evil, so does Candide in this short theological novel, albeit more directly and humorously. Voltaire ridicules religion, theologians, governments, armies, philosophies, and philosophers. Through Candide, he assaults Leibniz and his optimism.
  Candide has enjoyed both great success and great scandal. Immediately after its secretive publication, the book was widely banned to the public because it contained religious blasphemy, political sedition, and intellectual hostility hidden under a thin veil of naïveté. However, with its sharp wit and insightful portrayal of the human condition, the novel has since inspired many later authors and artists to mimic and adapt it. Today, Candide is considered as Voltaire's magnum opus and is often listed as part of the Western canon. It is among the most frequently taught works of French literature. The British poet and literary critic Martin Seymour-Smith listed Candide as one of the 100 most influential books ever written.

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  Two Tales From O Henry

  O. Henry

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  William Sydney Porter (September 11, 1862 - June 5, 1910), better known by his pen name O. Henry, was an American writer born in Greensboro, NC, known primarily for his short stories, though he also wrote poetry and non-fiction. O. Henry's stories are known for their naturalist observations, witty narration, and surprise endings. The following includes the short stories, "Hearts and Hands" and "A Comedy In Rubber."

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  Hadji Murat - A Gripping Tale of...

  Leo Tolstoy

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  How does a warrior survive when caught between two deadly enemies? 
  In Hadji Murat, Leo Tolstoy presents a vivid and unforgettable account of the Caucasian War, drawing from historical events and his own military experience. The novel follows Hadji Murat, a revered Chechen leader who, after falling out with the ruthless Imam Shamil, seeks refuge with the Russian army. However, in the treacherous world of war and diplomacy, no side can be trusted, and Hadji Murat’s fate is sealed by the forces of power, deception, and honor. 
  A gripping story of courage and betrayal, Hadji Murat blends thrilling action with deep philosophical reflection. Tolstoy masterfully examines the futility of war, the complexity of human loyalty, and the inevitable tragedy of those who stand alone against vast empires. 
  What You’ll Discover in This Modern Translation:A Gripping Tale of War and Survival – Experience the life of a fearless warrior caught between two empires.A Masterpiece of Historical Fiction – Witness the brutal reality of 19th-century warfare in the Caucasus.A Story of Betrayal, Honor, and Resistance – Follow Hadji Murat’s desperate struggle for survival in a world where no allegiance is certain.A Modern, Accessible Translation – This adaptation preserves the depth of Tolstoy’s writing while making it engaging for contemporary readers. 
  More than just a war novel, Hadji Murat is a timeless reflection on power, resistance, and the human spirit’s refusal to be broken. 
  Can a man remain honorable in a world of treachery? 
  Get your copy today and experience one of Tolstoy’s most thrilling and thought-provoking works.

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  Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr...

  Robert Louis Stevenson

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  Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson is a chilling tale of duality, secrecy, and the monstrous potential within us all. 
  In the foggy streets of Victorian London, Dr. Henry Jekyll, a brilliant but tormented scientist, hides a dark obsession. Desperate to separate his virtuous self from his darker urges, he concocts a daring experiment—a potion that unleashes his sinister alter ego, Edward Hyde. But as Hyde's reign of terror grows, Jekyll's control slips, and the line between man and monster begins to blur. 
  Can Jekyll reclaim his soul, or will Hyde's malevolence consume him entirely? 
  This timeless gothic masterpiece plunges readers into a shadowy world where the battle between good and evil rages within a single man. Perfect for fans of psychological thrillers and tales that linger in your mind long after the final page.

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  New Machiavelli The - Book the...

  H. G. Wells

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  Herbert George "H. G." Wells (1866 - 1946) was an English writer.
  He was prolific in many genres, including the novel, history, politics, social commentary, and textbooks and rules for war games. Wells is now best remembered for his science fiction novels and is called a "father of science fiction"
  BOOK THE FOURTH: ISABEL: I come to the most evasive and difficult part of my story, which is to tell how Isabel and I have made a common wreck of our joint lives. It is not the telling of one simple disastrous accident.

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