Publisher: Benjamin
The Works of William Congreve Incognita Love for love The Comedies of William Congreve The Double-Dealer The Library of William Congreve The Old Bachelor The Way of the world
George Orwell's novel "1984," published in 1949, stands as a profound and chilling exploration of dystopian society and totalitarianism. Set in a nightmarish future, the story depicts a world dominated by the all-seeing, all-controlling Party led by the enigmatic Big Brother. Orwell's stark portrayal of a society devoid of privacy, individuality, and truth has resonated deeply with readers for decades, making "1984" a timeless work of literature that continues to influence discussions about government control, surveillance, and the nature of truth. In the aftermath of World War II, Orwell's "1984" emerged as a powerful cautionary tale, drawing upon the author's own experiences with authoritarian regimes and his concerns about the erosion of individual freedoms. The novel's protagonist, Winston Smith, becomes a symbol of the struggle for independent thought in a world where historical facts are constantly manipulated to serve the Party's narrative. The creation of the Newspeak language, designed to limit freedom of expression, underscores the insidious ways in which totalitarian governments seek to control the minds of their citizens. The harrowing depiction of psychological manipulation, surveillance, and the eradication of dissenting voices paints a stark warning about the dangers of unchecked power. The significance of "1984" extends beyond its portrayal of a nightmarish future; it serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of democracy and the importance of safeguarding individual liberties. Orwell's themes of truth, memory, and language resonate with ongoing debates about the role of media, the spread of misinformation, and the erosion of civil liberties in the modern world. As technology continues to advance, the novel's warnings about the potential for mass surveillance and government control remain alarmingly relevant.Show book
Can a tale of terror invoke such horror that under the right circumstances it can scare its reader to death? Two gentlemen are about to find out.Show book
The first American book on personal finance, "The Way to Wealth" by Benjamin Franklin is still the best and wisest money book ever written. Originally published in 1758 as the preface to "Poor Richard's Almanack," this little gem has been through innumerable printings and sold millions of copies to those in search of smart but entertaining advice about hard work, earning and saving money and debt.Show book
Charles Dickens was a writer and social critic who created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime, and by the twentieth century critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories enjoy lasting popularity.THE CITY OF THE ABSENT: When I think I deserve particularly well of myself, and have earned the right to enjoy a little treat, I stroll from Covent-garden into the City of London, after business-hours there, on a Saturday, or better yet on a Sunday, and roam about its deserted nooks and corners.Show book
AT A SUMMER VILLA (1886) Pavel Ivanitch has been happily married for eight years when he receives an anonymous love-letter fixing a tryst in a secluded spot that evening. Scornful at first at the very thought, then perplexed and then intrigued, he finally decides to see what it is all about, and gets an unexpected surprise, and a good lesson to boot.Show book
Three trees, known as the Peacock trees, are blamed by the peasants for the fever that has killed many. Squire Vane scoffs at this legend as superstition. To prove them wrong, once and for all, he takes a bet to spend the night in the trees. In the morning he has vanished. Is he dead, and if so who has killed him? The poet? The lawyer? The woodsman? The treesShow book
