Discusses the play, Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, including performance history, story, and characters. In his most famous play, William Shakespeare probes the complexities of the human experience. The work's timeless themes, its characters, and plot are discussed as is this great author's life and work. Contents: \————————————- The life, times, and works of William Shakespeare—The original sources and performance history of Hamlet—The story told in Shakespeare's Hamlet—The principal characters appearing in Hamlet—Exploring the basic truths of the human experience

After this Gothic horror novel appeared in 1818, it sent chills down readers' spines. And most people were astounded to learn that it had been written by a teenaged girl. Mary Shelley was no ordinary girl, however. This information-packed companion to the novel chronicles her turbulent life, explains the sources of her ideas, and then examines the plot, characters, and themes of this classic and still influential work.

In 1953, amid U.S. fear of Communist infiltration, Arthur Miller wrote The Crucible, exploring the 1692 Salem witch trials. Some critics see the play as political allegory. It is also hero John Proctor's struggle for personal integrity in the face of social pressure that has ensured The Crucible's enduring worldwide popularity.

William Shakespeare's timeless and tragic tale about the star-crossed lovers descended from feuding Montague and Capulet families, whose forbidden love leads to destruction and death.

Called the father of English literature, Goeffrey Chaucer captures the people and culture of medieval England in "The Canterbury Tales." He creates an imaginary pilgrimage during which the travelers amuse themselves by telling stories. Understanding the Canterbury Tales summarizes this pilgrimage and selected stories, identifies the travelers, and analyzes Chaucer's major themes. It tells about Chaucer's life and the history of this great work.

Discusses the young adult book "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes, including the author's life, the science fiction genre, and the book's plot, characters, and themes. "What if scientists could increase man's intelligence?" Tragic consequences come to life in the poignant words of Charlie, a mentally challenged man made brilliant through surgery. Readers will ponder the ethical use of science, the meaning of intelligence, and the importance of human affection in this science-fiction classic.

Harper Lee's story of coming of age and tolerance for others is one of the most widely read novels of the last 50 years. Understanding Great To Kill a Mockingbird furthers the reader's understanding of this classic novel. It includes a biography of the reclusive author, character profiles, thorough plot summaries, critical analysis of major themes, and more.

Great book!

Mark Twain's great American novel has spurred controversy from the date of its publication until the present. Twain's sophisticated attack on racism, couched in the language of a young boy, is a fascinating look into the dark heart of America.

After witnessing the violence commited by both sides of the conflict during World War II while serving in the British Royal Navy, William Golding returned to England with the conviction that humanity was fundamentally sick. After the war, Golding explored this belief while writing his first and most famous novel, "Lord of the Flies." The novel's challenging themes and Golding's well-crafted writing made "Lord of the Flies" one of the most popular and critically addressed books of the twentieth century.