Dover Thrift Editions – serie

Written in 1912, Death in Venice is Thomas Mann's best-known novella – a haunting, elegiac masterpiece in which the main character, Gustav Aschenbach, is a successful and much-revered author. While vacationing in Venice, this highly disciplined writer, who always has maintained extraordinary control of his literary creations, finds himself suddenly overwhelmed by an all-consuming love for a beautiful young boy. A deadly epidemic sweeps through the city, but Aschenbach's attraction to the youth compels him to remain, thus sealing his fate.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Will Durant chronicles the lives and ideas of several key philosophical thinkers throughout history in this informative yet eminently readable text. Beginning with Socrates and Plato and concluding with Friedrich Nietzsche, with twelve other prominent philosophers between them, the author builds a history of philosophy by showing how each thinker's ideas informed and influenced the next generation. An essential read for anyone fascinated by the development of Western philosophy.

Delightfully humorous account of a feminist utopia in which 3 male explorers stumble upon an all-female society isolated in a distant part of the earth. Early 20th-century vehicle for Gilman's then-unconventional views of male-female behavior, motherhood, individuality, sense of community, sexuality, and other topics. Mischievous, ironic approach used to telling effect.

Philosopher's classic study declares that Greek tragedy achieved greatness through a fusion of elements of Apollonian restraint and control with Dionysian components of passion and the irrational. "A work of profound imaginative insight, which left the scholarship of a generation toiling in the rear." — British classicist F. M. Cornford.

Four works by great 19th-century Russian author: "The Nose," a savage satire of Russia's incompetent bureaucrats; "Old-Fashioned Farmers," a pleasant depiction of an elderly couple living in rustic seclusion; "The Tale of How Ivan Ivanovich Quarrelled with Ivan Nikiforovich," one of Gogol’s most famous comic stories; and "The Overcoat," widely considered a masterpiece of form.

A first-century Stoic, Epictetus argued that we will always be happy if we learn to desire that things should be exactly as they are. His Enchiridion, or Manual, is a distillation of his teachings and an instructional manual for a tranquil life as it offers guidelines for those seeking contentment.

"In truth there was only one Christian, and he died on the cross," declares Nietzsche in this famous attack on Christianity and organized religion. One of philosophy's most accessible and easily understood works, the polemic consists of 62 brief chapters, each an aphorism that advances the philosopher's argument. Fast-paced, concise, and brimming with conviction, Nietzsche's final work is essential to a grasp of his complete oeuvre.

Deeply spiritual and profoundly human, this 16th-century masterpiece is the work of a revered saint. Teresa of Avila visualized the soul as a many-faceted diamond, with the ecstasy of divine communion at its center. Her insights into prayer and meditation as the keys to fulfillment have inspired generations of readers.

Published amid a firestorm of controversy in 1859, this is a book that changed the world. Reasoned and well-documented in its arguments, it offers coherent views of natural selection, adaptation, the struggle for existence, survival of the fittest, and other concepts that form the foundation of evolutionary theory.

"One of the most unique and perceptive writers of our time." The New York Times. The author of The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged recounts the tale of a dystopia in which all traces of individualism have been eliminated from every aspect of life. In this brief, captivating novel, Ayn Rand anticipates the themes explored in her later masterpieces.

Stimulating, thought-provoking utopian fantasy about a young man who's put into a hypnotic sleep in the late 19th century and awakens in the year 2000 to find a vastly changed world where crime, war, and want no longer exist. A provocative study of human society as it is and as it might be.

This autobiographical account by a former slave is one of the few extant narratives written by a woman. Written and published in 1861, it delivers a powerful portrayal of the brutality of slave life. Jacobs speaks frankly of her master's abuse and her eventual escape, in a tale of dauntless spirit and faith.

Among the first of Sigmund Freud's many contributions to psychology and psychoanalysis was The Interpretation of Dreams, published in 1900, and considered his greatest work — even by Freud himself. Aware, however, that it was a long and difficult book, he resolved to compile a more concise and accessible version of his ideas on the interpretation of dreams. That shorter work is reprinted here. Since its publication, generations of readers and students have turned to this volume for an authoritative and coherent account of Freud's theory of dreams as distorted wish fulfillment.After contrasting the scientific and popular views of dreams, Freud illustrates the ways in which dreams can be shown to have been influenced by the activities or thoughts of the preceding day. He considers the effect on dreams of such mental mechanisms as condensation, dramatization, displacement, and regard for intelligibility. In addition, the author offers perceptive insights into repression, the three classes of dreams, and censorship within the dream.Students and psychologists will welcome this inexpensive edition of an always-relevant work by the father of modern psychoanalysis. This volume will also appeal to anyone interested in dreams of the workings of the unconscious mind.Reprint of the William Heinemann, London, 1914 edition.

One of the best-known, most often quoted English classics. Edward FitzGerald's free translation of skeptical, hedonistic verse attributed to Omar Khayyám (1048–1122), Persian mathematician, astronomer and philosopher. The 5th edition incorporates FitzGerald's handwritten changes in the 4th edition, and is traditionally printed with the 1st edition. Notes explaining Persian names and unfamiliar terms.

Classic of economic and social theory offers a satiric examination of the hollowness and falsity suggested by the term "conspicuous consumption," exposing the emptiness of many cherished standards of taste, education, dress, and culture. Since first appearing in 1899, it has become a classic of social theory that has contributed to the modernization of economic policy.

One of the great books of American letters and a masterpiece of reflective philosophizing. Accounts of Thoreau's daily life on the shores of Walden Pond outside Concord, Massachusetts, are interwoven with musings on the virtues of self-reliance and individual freedom, on society, government, and other topics.

Ten classic short stories by author and humorist P. G. Wodehouse tell the amusing antics and occasional mishaps of young gentleman Bertie Wooster, who regularly relies on the infinite wisdom of his consummate valet, Jeeves, for help. Lighthearted and delightful to read, these stories include some of the most popular from the Jeeves canon: "Jeeves Takes Charge," in which Bertie and Jeeves first meet, and "Bertie Changes His Mind," the only story told from Jeeves's point of view.

Tragic tale of star-crossed lovers, feuding families, and timeless passion contains some of Shakespeare's most beautiful and lyrical love poetry. This inexpensive edition includes the complete, unabridged text with explanatory footnotes. Ideal for classroom use, it is a wonderful addition to the home library of anyone wanting to savor one of literature's most sublime paeans to young love.

Major work on ethics, by one of the most influential thinkers of the last 2 centuries, deals with master/slave morality and modern man's current moral practices; the evolution of man's feelings of guilt and bad conscience; and how ascetic ideals help maintain human life under certain conditions.

Epigrams, aphorisms, and other bon mots gathered from the celebrated wit's plays, essays, and conversation offer an entertaining selection of observations both comic and profound. Organized by category, the nearly 400 quotes range in subject from human nature, morals, and society to art, politics, history, and more.

Popular, well-known poetry: "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love," "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" "Death, be not proud," "The Raven," "The Road Not Taken," plus works by Blake, Wordsworth, Byron, Coleridge, Shelley, Emerson, Browning, Keats, Kipling, Sandburg, Pound, Auden, Thomas, and many others.

In this landmark collection of essays, originally published in 1918, the father of psychoanalysis explores the conflict between primitive feelings and the demands of civilization, i.e., the struggle to reconcile unconscious desires with socially acceptable behavior. Topics include the childhood development of totemism, incest taboo in primitive societies around the world, taboo and the ambivalence of emotions, and the infantile recurrence of totemism.

Acting as a bridge between the ancient and the contemporary, this collection of memorable quotes highlights some of the most important teachings of Eastern philosophers, including Confucius, Lao Tzu, and the Buddha. These philosophies transcend time and civilization, revealing essential truths that continue to resonate deeply in modern life. Learn to go with the flow and embrace the natural rhythm of life with Taoism, strengthen your ethics and moral character with Confucianism, and enlighten your mind and spirit with Buddhism. Whether you are seeking clarity for everyday decisions or profound truths for personal growth, this book is a spiritual gateway to meditative reflection and purposeful living.

One of the most popular of the 19th-century philosophers refines his previously expressed ideal of the superman in a fascinating examination of human values and morality. This inexpensive, unabridged edition of one of Nietzsche's most important works offers a rich sampling of the philosopher's influential school of thought. Publisher's Introduction.

Supreme masterpiece recounts in feverish, compelling tones the story of Raskolnikov, an impoverished student tormented by his own thoughts after he brutally murders an old woman. Overwhelmed afterwards by guilt and terror, Raskolnikov confesses and goes to prison. There he realizes that happiness and redemption can only be achieved through suffering.

In the tenth century, Japan was both physically and culturally isolated from the rest of the world. The Pillow Book recaptures this lost world with the diary of a young court lady. Sei Shōnagon was a contemporary of Murasaki Shikibu, who wrote the well-known novel The Tale of Genji. Unlike the latter's fictionalized view of the Heian-era court, Shōnagon's journal provides a lively miscellany of anecdotes, observations, and gossip, intended to be read in juicy bits and pieces.This unique volume was first rendered into English in 1889. In 1928, Arthur Waley, a seminal figure in the Western studies of Japanese culture, undertook a translation. The distinguished scholar devised this abridged version of the text, re-creating in English the stylistic beauty of its prose and the vitality of its narrative. Waley's interpretation offers a fascinating glimpse of the artistic pursuits of the royal court and its constant round of rituals, festivals, and ceremonies.Reprint of the 1928 edition.

Considered a pioneer of the short story genre and a trailblazer in modern fiction, Anton Chekhov (1860-1904) started writing at age 20.By 27, he had shifted from traditional storytelling methods to examining the experiences of everyday individuals in mundane circumstances. His evocative portrayals of Russian life and the complexities of human existence resonate with deep emotional sincerity.Chekhov published hundreds of short stories, earning acclaim from a diverse audience, including contemporaries like Leo Tolstoy. Chekhov shared insights into the writing process, offered guidance to aspiring writers, and mentored his brother, Alexander.This anthology showcases Chekhov's wisdom through quotations from his letters, conversations, notebooks, and works, providing essential lessons in emotional depth and authentic representation of human experiences – an excellent compendium for students, journalists, and writers of every genre.

One of the most popular works of American literature, this charming self-portrait has been translated into nearly every language. It covers Franklin's life up to his prewar stay in London as representative of the Pennsylvania Assembly, including his boyhood years, work as a printer, experiments with electricity, political career, much more.

Discussed and debated from time immemorial, the concept of personal liberty went without codification until the 1859 publication of On Liberty. John Stuart Mill's complete and resolute dedication to the cause of freedom inspired this treatise, an enduring work through which the concept remains well known and studied.The British economist, philosopher, and ethical theorist's argument does not focus on "the so-called Liberty of the Will…but Civil, or Social Liberty: the nature and limits of the power which can be legitimately exercised by society over the individual." Mill asks and answers provocative questions relating to the boundaries of social authority and individual sovereignty. In powerful and persuasive prose, he declares that there is "one very simple principle" regarding the use of coercion in society – one may only coerce others either to defend oneself or to defend others from harm.The new edition offers students of political science and philosophy, in an inexpensive volume, one of the most influential studies on the nature of individual liberty and its role in a democratic society.Reprint of the J. W. Parker and Son, London, 1859 edition.