For advanced / upper secondary education

Fast-paced and fun, ‘The Thief in the Night and Other Stories’ is a collection of six tales from the pen of one of the 20th Century’s most prolific writers.The title story follows Inspector Jack Danton as he investigates a proliferation of poison pen letters and thefts to and from wealthy young debutantes.Other novelettes, such as ‘Findings are Keepings’ and ‘The Compleat Criminal,’ are laced with Wallace’s trademark wit and critical appraisal of life in the upper echelons during the early 20th century.A superb read for fans of Wallace's body of work.Born in London, Edgar Wallace (1875 – 1932) was an English writer so prolific, that his publisher claimed that he was responsible for a quarter of all books sold in England.Leaving school at the age of 12, Wallace made his first steps into the literary world by selling newspapers on the corner of Fleet Street.He worked as a war correspondent after joining the army at age 21, which honed his writing abilities. This led to the creation of his first book, ‘The Four Just Men.’Wallace is best remembered as the co-creator of ‘King Kong,’ which has been adapted for film 12 times (most notably directed by ‘Lord of the Rings’ director, Peter Jackson, and starring Jack Black and Naomi Watts).However, he leaves behind an extensive body of work, including stories such as ‘The Crimson Circle’ and ‘The Flying Squad’.

"Fast food" fortæller historien om udviklingen af et produkt – fra idé til eksport – og giver et indblik i de mange processer en virksomhed må igennem i et sådant forløb. Historien er hentet fra virkelighedens verden og tager udgangspunkt i Aalborg-virksomheden Meatcut."Fast food – fra idé til eksport" udkom første gang i 1991.Lars Søndergård er lektor i samfundsfag og forfatter til en lang række undervisningsmaterialer om blandt andet international politik, handel, industri, miljø og energi. Han har tidligere arbejdet for blandt andet Dansk Industri og deltaget i en række Danida-projekter i Afrika og Asien.

Miljø har både en naturfaglig og en politisk side. Naturfagene kan dokumentere, hvordan naturen har det, og anbefale løsninger. Men herfra og til handling er der et langt spring. Handling kræver beslutninger, og de er politiske. Formålet med denne bog er at afdække miljøets politiske side. Bogen handler om økonomi, magt og interesser.Lars Søndergårds "Miljø og politik" udkom første gang i 1994.Lars Søndergård er lektor i samfundsfag og forfatter til en lang række undervisningsmaterialer om blandt andet international politik, handel, industri, miljø og energi. Han har tidligere arbejdet for blandt andet Dansk Industri og deltaget i en række Danida-projekter i Afrika og Asien.

Fysiolog August Krogh gennemgår menneskets fysiologi lige fra celler og væv til stofskifte, nerver, muskler og sanser. "Kortfattet lærebog i menneskets fysiologi" udkom første gang i 1908.August Krogh – Schack August Steenberg Krogh – (1874-1949) var en dansk fysiolog og professor i zoofysiologi ved Københavns Universitet fra 1916-1945. I 1920 modtog han nobelprisen i fysiologi/medicin for opdagelsen af den kapillærmotoriske regulationsmekanisme. Han regnes blandt 1900-tallets største fysiologer og har skrevet flere bøger om fysiologi og medicin.

Between 1904 and 1918, Wallace collected tales about life in the British Army and the escapades and adventures of the troops. These led him to create the eponymous character, ‘Smithy.’However, ‘Jam for the Enemy’ shines the spotlight on his equally scurrilous partner in crime, Nobby Clark.In this short story, Nobby comes up with a plan to use a crate of jam to scupper the advancing German army. However, as with all Nobby’s plans, the end result isn’t quite what he expected.A light-hearted look at life in the lower ranks, ´Jam for the Enemy´ is perfect for those interested in WWI stories.Born in London, Edgar Wallace (1875 – 1932) was an English writer so prolific that his publisher claimed that he was responsible for a quarter of all books sold in England.Leaving school at the age of 12, Wallace made his first steps into the literary world by selling newspapers on the corner of Fleet Street.He worked as a war correspondent after joining the army at age 21, which honed his writing abilities. This led to the creation of his first book ‘The Four Just Men.’Wallace is best remembered as the co-creator of ‘King Kong,’ which has been adapted for film 12 times (most notably directed by ‘Lord of the Rings’ director, Peter Jackson, and starring Jack Black and Naomi Watts).However, he leaves behind an extensive body of work, including stories such as ‘The Crimson Circle’ and ‘The Flying Squad’.

The aristocratic Phil Meredith chooses to marry Violet, a working-class girl from London, which raises more than a few eyebrows. However, when Violet decides to throw a party for her friends at her new country residence, she is murdered, leaving the guests in a state of shock.The arrival of two detectives, Merrington and Caldew, sets the investigation in motion. This is swiftly followed by the arrival of America’s greatest private eye, Grant Colwyn. Will he be able to work with the two policemen, or will he rely on his own methods to solve the case?‘The Hand in the Dark’ is packed with red herrings, twists, and turns, and is sure to have even the most dedicated armchair detective guessing until the last page.Born in Melbourne, Arthur J. Rees (1872 – 1942) was an Australian author and journalist. After a brief spell working for the ‘Melbourne Age’ newspaper, he acted as a reporter for the ‘New Zealand Herald,’ before becoming the editor of the ‘New Zealand Truth.’During his twenties, Rees left for England, where he worked as a journalist for the ‘London Times.’ It was during this period that he began his literary career, with the publication of ‘The Merry Marauders.’ Rees made his mark as a writer of crime and mystery novels and was most notably praised by the English crime writer, Dorothy L. Sayers.

The third novel in the ‘Parade’s End’ series, ‘A Man Could Stand Up’ follows the further trials of Christopher Tietjens. Set on Armistice Day 1918, the story sees Tietjens back in London, mulling over the events of World War I.So too, is his beloved Valentine, although gossip has spread about their illicit, romantic entanglements. As each debates their place in a post-war world, the main burning question is whether or not they can find happiness together.A beautifully-written and touching story from one of the best war novelists of the 20th Century, 'A Man Could Stand Up' will delight any person who is interested in World War I literature.Born in Wimbledon, Joseph Leopold Ford Hermann Madox Hueffer (1873 – 1939) was a prolific poet, novelist, and literary critic, who would become better known by his pen-name, Ford Madox Ford. The grandson of the artist, Ford Madox Brown, he was educated firstly in Kent, before being accepted at the University College School in London.At the age of 21, Ford eloped with his childhood sweetheart, Elsie Martindale. After living at several houses, they finally settled in Winchelsea. There, Ford befriended a number of authors living locally, including HG Wells and Henry James.However, it was Joseph Conrad with whom he decided to collaborate, writing a pirate novel called ‘Romance’. After a nervous breakdown, Ford went to recover in Germany, which laid the foundations for ‘The Good Soldier’.On returning to England, he founded ‘The English Review’ magazine, before being sent to fight in World War I. When the war finished, Ford spent the rest of his life travelling and writing. He leaves behind him more than 80 books and numerous poems.

Roald Dahl's 'BFG' caught dreams with a net and trapped them in bottles.Lucky him: the rest of us make do with remembering snippets and trying to make sense of them.J. W. Dunne tried to close the gap in our understanding with the groundbreaking 'An Experiment with Time'.First, he described his own precognitive dreams and concluded that they foresaw our individual experiences to come.Then he puts together an extraordinary theory about how we are all able to see into the future.Throw in deja vu and life after death and you have a real headspin of a book that is perfect for fans of Stephen Hawking's 'A Brief History of Time'.John William Dunne (1875-1949) was a British philosopher, author, aeronautical engineer and soldier.After fighting in the Boer War, he became an aircraft designer, pioneering the first certified stable plane.He also invented a new way to practise dry fly fishing before developing an interest in speculative philosophy.He came up with the theory of Serialism, which he expounded in a series of five books, beginning with 'An Experiment with Time'.

‘Maud and Other Poems’ is a collection of eight poems, including the famous ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade.’Through his works, Tennyson explores a range of subjects, such as love, death, marriage, regret, God, and war.The title poem follows the narrator’s love for Maud, from its initial unsteadiness to its all-consuming passion. Tennyson’s poetic skills move the poem from wistful lament to hot-blooded action.A superb read for fans of one of the greatest poets of all time.One of the most popular and prolific poets of the Victorian age, Alfred Tennyson (1809 – 1892) was born in Lincolnshire. The son of a rector, he was one of 11 children. The size of the family meant that Tennyson was educated at a local grammar school in order to reduce expenditure.At the age of 18, Tennyson was accepted into Trinity College, Cambridge. There, he befriended the poet, Arthur Hallam, and was awarded the Chancellor’s Gold Medal for one of his earliest works, ‘Timbuktu’.During his career, Tennyson wrote over 100 poems, including ‘In Memoriam A.H.H.’, ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’, and ‘Crossing the Bar’.

Set against the backdrop of the American Civil War, ‘A War-Time Wooing’ tells the story of Bessie Warren and her love for Lieutenant Paul Revere Abbott.Bessie's brother has been killed in the fighting, and her beloved Paul is sent to the heart of the conflict. While they write to each other constantly, will Paul return home or suffer the same fate as Bessie's brother?At its heart, this is a historical romance. However, it is packed with fascinating details of the war between the North and the South, many of them based on the author's own experiences.This will delight anyone interested in war novels.Born in New York, Charles King (1844 – 1933) was the son of a general in the United States army. At first, a military career seemed inevitable, and King graduated from the West Point Academy, to serve in the Indian Wars as a captain.However, during that conflict, he was injured and forced to return home. After his recovery, King was appointed as a general and fought in several conflicts, including The Battle of Manila, and The Battle of Santa Cruz.On returning, he embarked on a literary career, writing more than 60 books, focussing on life in the army. In addition, he wrote several scripts for Buffalo Bill Cody. Cody was a soldier, hunter, and actor, who King befriended during the Indian Wars. King died in Milwaukee, aged 88.

Laying the foundations for Clint Eastwood’s nameless character in ‘The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly,’ ‘The Virginian’ is a landmark novel of the western genre.The eponymous hero is the strong, tall, silent type, acting as an armed escort to Tenderfoot on their journey to Judge Henry’s ranch in Sunk Creek.This action-packed story details their adventures and encounters along the way and includes, just as in any good western, a little romance.If you like your books full of hot bullets and cold killers, then this is the perfect place to start!Credited with setting the template for the classic western novel and the archetypal cowboy hero, Owen Wister (1860 – 1938) was born in Philadelphia. The son of an actress and a doctor, Wister spent his formative years travelling Europe, before returning to America at his father’s behest.After graduating from Harvard Law School, and suffering from poor mental health, he took the first of 15 trips to Wyoming. It was here that he was inspired to write notes and journals about the characters living in the beautiful wilderness. These notes were to serve as the basis for many of his books.His most famous work, ‘The Virginian’, would later become a TV series starring Doug McClure, and filmed for the silver screen, most recently in an adaptation starring Ron Perlman. Wister died in Rhode Island, at the age of 78.

An unsentimental look at the lives of farmers and businessmen in the late 19th century, ‘The Octopus’ details the expansion of the railroad, its tracks spreading out like tentacles across the US.We follow the farmers as they are slowly crushed by the pressures put on them by this new industry, due to the greed and corruption of cold, corporate businessmen, who are willing to go to unsavoury lengths to ensure they do not lose out on the possible financial rewards.Written without any romanticism, ‘The Octopus’ gives a fascinating insight into the effects of industrialism, and the subsequent avarice that inevitably follows.Frank Norris (1870 – 1902) was born Benjamin Franklin Norris, in Chicago. Widely hailed as the first American ‘naturalist’ writer, he was the son of a self-made businessman and an actress. After the death of his brother, Norris went to Paris to study art at the Académie Julian. While there, he was introduced to the novels of Émile Zola, who was to profoundly influence his work.His later studies at the University of Berkeley exposed him to the works of Charles Darwin, which would heavily impact his writing. It was at university, via the ‘San Francisco Wave´, that he first published his stories. When he left Berkeley to go to Harvard, he was persuaded to pursue a literary career by fellow author, Lewis E Gates.Many of Norris’ works deal with how corporate corruption affects those at the lower end of the financial spectrum, and further act as fantastic documents of American life in the late 19th century and the early 20th century.

A coming-of-age novel, ‘The Road to the Open’ follows the complicated liaisons of composer, Baron Georg von Wergenthin.While a talented man, Wergenthin lacks motivation and, instead of working, prefers to socialise with members of the Viennese bourgeoisie.A committed Christian, his life becomes even more complex when he finds himself falling for a Jewish girl, Anna Rosner.Through this story, Schnitzer documents the collapse of the freethinking Austrian society, as antisemitism and patriotism start to take its place.A classic novel from one of Vienna’s most noteworthy authors, this is ideal for those new to Schnitzler's body of work.The son of a physician, Arthur Schnitzler (1862 – 1931) was born in Vienna. At the age of 17, he enrolled at the city’s university, studying medicine. After graduating, he began work as a doctor at the Vienna General Hospital.Despite seeing himself primarily as a man of science, Schnitzler began writing when he was 31. His first works, poems, and short stories, focusing on the themes of jealousy and adultery, laid the foundations for his first play, ‘Anatol.’ Due to its psychological nature, ‘Anatol’ was praised by Sigmund Freud and later adapted for film, starring Gloria Swanson.Schnitzler eventually retired from the medical profession to pursue his literary career. In addition to numerous plays, he also wrote two full-length novels, a dozen short stories, and two non-fiction books.

When the gambler, John Oakhurst, senses that he may have outstayed his welcome in the mining camp of Poker Flat, he sets off to find pastures new.Accompanied by the local drunk, Uncle Billy, and two prostitutes, he makes his way towards Sandy Bar. However, when things do not go according to plan, and the weather turns, Oakhurst must look deep inside himself to work out what to do.A gritty tale, riddled with tragedy and romance, ‘The Outcasts of Poker Flat’ does not spare the horses when it comes to depicting the difficulties faced by ordinary folk in the Old West.Born in New York, Bret Harte (1836 – 1902) was a prolific poet, author, and journalist. The son of one of the founders of the New York Stock Exchange, Harte’s education was erratic, and he left school at the age of 13.Four years later, he moved to California, trying out a number of jobs, including working as a miner and a journalist. After an unsuccessful stint as a stagecoach guard, he became a schoolteacher.Later, he was hired as an editor for ‘The Golden Era’ magazine. His piece on the Wiyot Massacre resulted in death threats, and Harte was forced to flee to San Francisco. There, he became a journalist for ‘The Atlantic Monthly’ and was instrumental in founding ‘The Californian’, and ‘The Overland Monthly’. The latter was to publish one of his most well-known stories, ‘The Luck of Roaring Camp and Other Sketches’.During his lifetime, Harte published more than 30 books.

The inspiration behind ‘Eyes Wide Shut,’ starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, ‘The Dead are Silent’ is a tense psychological novella.Exploring the social parameters of 19th century Vienna, Schnitzler introduces us to Franz and Emma who are having an illicit affair. One evening, they hire a carriage with tragic consequences.‘The Dead are Silent’ is an evocative exploration of the hypocrisy of middle-class Viennese society and an unflinching dissection of the nature of grief.This novella is ideal for those new to Schnitzler's body of work.The son of a physician, Arthur Schnitzler (1862 – 1931) was born in Vienna. At the age of 17, he enrolled at the city’s university, studying medicine. After graduating, he began work as a doctor at the Vienna General Hospital.Despite seeing himself primarily as a man of science, Schnitzler began writing when he was 31. His first works, poems, and short stories, focusing on the themes of jealousy and adultery, laid the foundations for his first play, ‘Anatol.’ Due to its psychological nature, ‘Anatol’ was praised by Sigmund Freud and later adapted for film, starring Gloria Swanson.Schnitzler eventually retired from the medical profession to pursue his literary career. In addition to numerous plays, he also wrote two full-length novels, a dozen short stories, and two non-fiction books.

Narrated by Hewitt's great friend, journalist Colonel Brett, ‘The Chronicles of Martin Hewitt’ highlights one of the 19th Century's most popular detectives.In these six short stories, written by Arthur Morrison, Hewitt is called in to solve crimes and mysteries that have Scotland Yard scratching its head. From missing gold to a missing memory, Hewitt must use all his sleuthing skills to put the pieces of the various puzzles together.A must for fans of Conan Doyle's ‘Sherlock Holmes,’ and for anyone who likes their mysteries served up with a bit of class.Born in London's East End, Arthur Morrison (1863 – 1945) was a journalist and author. He began work at the age of 16 as an office boy for the London School Boy. Later, he progressed to journalism, first as a clerk for the ‘People’s Palace’ newspaper, and then as an editor for the ‘Evening Globe.’His first published piece was a poem, submitted to ‘Cycling’ magazine. Later, he would serialise many of his major works, such as ‘Tales of Mean Streets’ and ‘Child of the Jago’ in the ‘National Observer’.Morrison's stories are characterised by his unflinching depictions of life in the East End. In addition, he wrote detective stories featuring the lawyer-cum-detective, Martin Hewitt. Hewitt was one of the 19th Century's most popular sleuths, only outshone by Conan Doyle's ‘Sherlock Holmes.’

Set in Montana, ‘Chip of the Flying U’ introduces us to the eponymous cowboy and the Happy family.Chip is awkward around women, but when he meets the gun-toting Dr Della Whitmore, things are about to take a different turn.A beautifully-detailed look at life in the Old West, this story has romance at its heart but doesn’t skimp on presenting things as they were, warts and all.´Chip of the Flying U’ is a superb read for fans of Oliver Wister's ´The Virginian´ and for those looking for an introduction to Bower’s work.Born Bertha Muzzy Sinclair Bower, BM Bower (1871 – 1940) was originally from Minnesota. However, when she was 18, her family moved to Montana, where she gained first-hand experience of the ranch life that was to so influence her books.A year later, she eloped with her first husband to Big Sandy. Finding herself in an unhappy marriage, she sought escapism through writing. Her first novel, ‘Chip of the Flying U’ gave Bower the financial independence to leave her husband.After relocating to Tacoma, Bower continued to write for ‘Popular Magazine’ before remarrying, this time to Bill Sinclair, who also had literary aspirations. This union, too, was short-lived and Bower moved to Hollywood, where she met her third and final husband, Bud Cowan.Over her career, Bower wrote more than 50 novels, all focussing on the western way of life. Unusually for the time, she paid as much attention to her female characters, as the male leads. She died in Los Angeles, aged 68.

La Esfera controla a la población. Los ciudadanos del Nido usan un entorno virtual para evadirse y de ese modo disfrutar de la libertad de la que carecen. Kala es una joven que rechaza esa manera de vivir y se ve obligada a cursar al Otro Lado para buscar a Beo, su mejor amigo, el cual lleva demasiados días sin aparecer. Pero en cuanto cruza, se da cuenta de que no está preparada para todo lo que le espera. Batallas encarnizadas y lugares donde la realidad y la ficción se entremezclan aguardan a Kala. Su propio destino le pisa los talones y para salvar a Beo tendrá que desafiar a la propia Esfera.Este audiolibro está narrado en castellano.Muriel Rogers es el pseudónimo que utilizan Muriel Villanueva y Roger Coch para escribir conjuntamente.Muriel es licenciada en Teoría de la Literatura y Literatura Comparada, además de diplomada en Educación Musical, profesora de escritura creativa y maestra de música. Ha publicado varias novelas tanto en español como en catalán.Roger es licenciado en Filología Catalana y Máster en Estudios Avanzados de Lengua y Literatura. Ha sido galardonado con los premios Districte V y Auriga.

‘100 Quotes by Adam Smith’ is a selection of thoughts and observations from one of the finest philosophical minds of the 18th century.Smith’s views on religion, morality, and human nature are presented front and centre. However, he wasn’t short of a few witticisms, and there are plenty of one-liners worth committing to memory.A superb book for leisurely browsing, this is a welcome addition to any book collection.Born in Kirkcaldy, Adam Smith (1723 – 1790) became known as one of the most important philosophers and political economists of the 18th century. The son of a solicitor, he was educated at the Burgh School of Kirkaldy, before enrolling at the University of Glasgow to study moral philosophy. Subsequently, he became a student at Oxford.After leaving, he embarked on a teaching career, eventually becoming a lecturer at Glasgow University. During this time, he published his first work, ‘The Theory of Moral Sentiments.’ As part of his job, Smith toured Europe with his stepson, Scott. These travels laid the foundations for what is considered to be his most important venture, ‘The Wealth of Nations.’ This work was adapted for television, starring Gordon Jackson of ‘The Professionals’ fame.

‘100 Quotes by Horacius’ is a collection of thoughts and sayings by one of the most famous poets and satirists of Ancient Rome. Shot through with his timeless, pithy humour, you’ll find everything from short one-liners to lengthy quotes, many of which have found their way into the 21st Century. A superb read for those with an interest in the origins of phrases and ancient, philosophical beliefs.Born Quintus Horatius Flaccus, Horacius (65BC – 8BC) was a Roman satirist and poet. His father was a freed slave who used his wages to pay for Horacius’ education, which eventually saw him study at the Athens Academy. While he was there, Athens fell under the power of Marcus Junius Brutus. Horacius joined Brutus’ army and rose through the ranks to become a military tribune.However, after Brutus’ defeat, Hoaracius was forced to flee to Italy, before being granted amnesty and became an official treasury, which afforded him the time and money to pursue his literary works.Among his most important are ‘Odes,’ ‘Satire,’ and ‘Song of the Ages.’ Horacius’ writing is characterised by sharp and witty observations, and he has coined many sayings that are still used today, such as ‘seize the day.’

‘100 Quotes by Leonardo da Vinci’ is a collection of quotes from one of the greatest minds that ever lived. Transposed from his extensive collection of notebooks, you’ll find thoughts and reflections on a variety of subjects, including art, philosophy, and economics. Often pithy and always intelligent, this is a superb book for those who want to get to know this celebrated artist that much better.While most famous as the artist behind the Mona Lisa’s enigmatic smile, Leonardo da Vinci (1452 – 1519) was also a scientist, draughtsman, engineer, architect, and sculptor. Thought to have been born in the Italian town of Vinci, he was raised by his mother and grandfather.After his family moved to Florence, he trained in artistic disciplines under the eye of Andrea del Verrocchio. By the age of 20, da Vinci had been offered a place in the Guild of St Luke, where he achieved his first professional commission. Many more followed, including work for the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception and mapwork for Cesare Borgia.Among his literary works, da Vinci wrote more than 50 notebooks, encompassing an estimated 28,000 pages. These include notes and essays on philosophy and warfare.

‘100 Quotes by Miguel de Cervantes’ is a collection of thoughts and reflections from Spain’s greatest writer. Musing on a broad variety of topics, such as love, literature, and longing, readers will be surprised as to how many commonplace sayings the author and dramatist is responsible for. A superb and thought-provoking book for Cervantes fans and those who want something to dip in and out of.Miguel de Cervantes (1547 – 1616) is widely considered to be one of the most important figures in Spanish literature. Despite being born into poverty, he developed a voracious appetite for reading and flourished at a school in Madrid, where he wrote his first poem.After leaving Spain, Cervantes enlisted in the army and was promoted to the rank of captain, after his brave conduct in a battle against the Turkish, at the Gulf of Lepanto. However, after setting sail for his homeland, Cervantes was captured by pirates and sold into slavery. He was freed after his family paid a substantial ransom.Cervantes’ writing career took off in the early 17th Century. His most famous work, ‘Don Quixote’ has spawned a number of adaptations for film, TV, and stage. Perhaps the most notable is ‘The Man of La Mancha,’ starring Sofia Loren.

‘100 Quotes by Cicero’ is a collection of thoughts and reflections from a man who rose to power and fell to grace. Musing on life, philosophy, and power, Cicero employs his epistemological beliefs to create incisive musings that are as relevant today as they were in Ancient Rome. A fascinating and quotable book for those with an interest in history or philosophy.Born into a wealthy family, Marcus Tullius Cicero (106BC – 46BC) was a Roman statesman, lawyer, Academic Skeptic, philosopher, and writer. After completing his education in both Greece and Rome, he served in the army before establishing himself as a powerful legal orator and representative.A firm believer in the republican values of the time, Cicero was instrumental in quashing the Second Catilinarian Conspiracy, and was subsequently invited by Caesar to join the First Triumvirate. However, Cicero turned on the Emperor and was soon exiled.After being granted a pardon, he made an enemy of Mark Anthony and was eventually executed. His most famous works include the poems ‘On His Consulship,’ and ‘On His Life and Times.’

‘100 Quotes by Stefan Zweig’ is a collection of reflections by one of the most underrated writers of the 20th Century. Often witty, and always intelligent, this collection sees Zweig reflecting on everything from human nature to love. Eminently quotable, it’s an excellent read for those who want an introduction to a man known for his compassion and pacifism.Born in Vienna, Stefan Zweig (1881 – 1942) was an acclaimed poet, essayist, dramatist, and writer. After studying philosophy at the University of Vienna, Zweig established a friendship with Theodor Herzl, the editor of the ‘New Free Press’ magazine. Herzl accepted many of Zweig’s early works for publication.Jewish by birth, Zweig left Austria, as the Nazis began their climb to power in the 1930s. First living in London, he then moved to Bath, before fleeing to the States under the shadow of ‘Operation Sea Lion,’ which saw him named as a person to be detained immediately after the UK had been conquered.Eventually, he moved to Brazil with his wife where, in 1942, they took their own lives. His literary legacy is one of humanity, simplicity, and compassion, including works such as ‘Amok,’ and ‘The Royal Game.’

‘100 Quotes by Leo Tolstoy’ is a collection of thoughts, reflections, and musings from the mind of one of Russia’s greatest writers. Covering a wide range of subjects, such as society, war, love, and life, these quotes vary between the pithy and the witty to the thoughtful and maudlin. An ideal book for those who want to dip in and out of the mind of one of the world’s most famous literary figures.A colossus of Russian literature, Leo Tolstoy (1828 – 1910) was born into aristocracy. However, after losing both his parents by the age of four and his grandmother and aunt a year later, Tolstoy and his siblings were sent to Kazan to live with another aunt, where he was home-schooled.After leaving university without a degree, Tolstoy lived a dissolute life of drinking, gambling, and womanising. Despite this, he maintained a love for literature and his first outing, ‘Childhood,’ was published in ‘The Contemporary’ magazine.The works that have defined his career are ‘War and Peace,’ and ‘Anna Karenina,’ both of which have been hailed as the zenith of realist literature. He was nominated three times for the Nobel Prize for Literature but never won. Many of his works have been adapted for the silver screen, including ‘Anna Karenina,’ starring Helen McCrory.

Peppered with pithy and wry observations, ‘100 Quotes by Anton Chekhov’ offers an insight into one of the greatest literary minds of the 20th Century. Covering a variety of topics, you may find yourself surprised as to how many of his musings have worked their way into everyday life. A superb book for those who want to get to know the man behind works such as ‘The Seagull,’ and ‘Uncle Vanya.’Anton Pavlovich Chekhov (1860 – 1904) was born in Taganrog, in Southern Russia. The son of a grocer, and the third of six children, he was educated at the local Greek School. After Chekhov’s father became bankrupt, the family lived in poverty, before fleeing to Moscow to avoid debtor’s prison.After writing a series of tales for various publications, Chekhov started to gain critical attention. However, it was a trip to the Ukraine that put the literary wheels in motion. After the publication of his novella, ‘The Steppe,’ he was commissioned to write a play, resulting in ‘Ivanov.’Over the course of his career, Chekhov wrote more than 200 short stories and 14 plays. Works, such as ‘The Seagull,’ ‘The Cherry Orchard,’ and ‘Uncle Vanya,’ have been performed on stages across the world. Chekhov's works have also been adapted to the screen numerous times. The 2018 adaptation of 'The Seagull' stars Annette Bening, Elisabeth Moss and Saoirse Ronan.

Packed with thoughts, reflections, witticisms, and lines from his extensive body of work, ‘100 Quotes by Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais’ is a superb read for fans of this accomplished writer.Ideal for dipping in and out of, readers of this collection will find themselves surprised as to how many of his sayings have found their way into modern parlance.A welcome addition to any coffee table.The son of a watchmaker, Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais (1732 - 1799) lived many lives. In addition to being an inventor, musician, and arms dealer, he also worked as a spy for Louis XV and Louis XVI.However, he was perhaps best known as a playwright. Following his rejection for the post of consul to Spain, Beaumarchais began writing short farces, before dipping his pen into the worlds of opera and theatre plays.His most famous works include ´Eugenie´, ´The Barber of Seville´, and ´The Marriage of Figaro´. His life story was adapted for film in 1996, as ‘Beaumarchais the Scoundrel,’ starring Fabrice Luchini.

‘100 Quotes by Pierre Corneille; is a collection of thoughts, witticisms, and observations from one of France’s greatest playwrights.With Corneille’s sharp mind taking centre stage, there are plenty of quotes worth committing to memory. Those familiar with his works will spot lines from his plays, making this a great read for fans of Corneille’s.A welcome addition to any book collection, it’s ideal for dipping in and out of.Considered to be the founder of French tragedy, Pierre Corneille (1606 – 1684) was born in Normandy. While he was expected to become a lawyer like his father, Corneille's exposure to acting at college sowed the seeds for his literary career. After a short stint as a judicial officer, Corneille began writing plays and his first, a comedy called ‘Mélite,’ was performed in Paris to critical acclaim.Six years later, under the employ of Cardinal Richelieu, he was to write his first tragedy, ‘Médée.’ Subsequently, Corneille wrote his finest play, ‘Le Cid,’ which was adapted for the screen long after his death, starring Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren. His final play, ‘Suréna,’ was published in 1674.

‘100 Quotes by Paul Valéry’ is a collection of thoughts, witticisms, and observations by one of France’s greatest poets.Packed with dry, pithy, and often-touching sayings about subjects such as art, music, letters, and writing, it puts his singular approach to life, front and centre.A superb book for a leisurely browse, this is a welcome addition to any library or coffee table.Although born in Sète, Paul Valéry (1871 – 1945) was raised and educated in Montpellier. While at college, he studied law but was introduced to the works of the likes of Edgar Allan Poe and Stéphane Mallarmé, both of whom had a significant influence on his singular, pithy style of writing.Best known as the last of the French symbolist poets, Valéry published around 100 poems, including ‘La Jeune Parque.’ Verses from his works have been cited by subsequent authors such as in ‘Blood Meridian,’ by Cormac McCarthy (author of ‘The Road,’ adapted for film, starring Viggo Mortensen) and ‘The Wanting Seed,’ by Anthony Burgess (author of ‘A Clockwork Orange,’ starring Malcolm McDowell).

´100 Quotes by Marcel Proust’ is a compendium of thoughts, observations, and reflections by one of France’s greatest writers.Pithy, witty, barbed, but often touching and thoughtful, readers will discover another dimension to this noted novelist, most famous for his novel ´In Search of Lost Time´.His philosophy mainly focused on how people should be appreciative of their circumstances.A superb book for dipping in and out of, this will make a welcome addition to any book collection.Considered to be one of the most important writers of the 20th century, Valentin Louis Georges Eugène Marcel Proust (1871 – 1922) was born in Paris. The son of a notable physician and epidemiologist, he was educated at the Lycée Condorcet.Proust’s sexuality was the subject of much speculation, and although he never confirmed it, he explored the subject of homosexuality in many of his works, including ‘In Search of Lost Time.’Some of his works have found themselves adapted for film, such as ‘Swann in Love,’ starring Jeremy Irons, while the writer himself was to be lampooned by the comedy troupe Monty Python.