Books with author William Godwin

When honest young Caleb Williams comes to work as a secretary for Squire Falkland, he soon begins to suspect that his new master is hiding a secret. As he digs deeper into Falkland's past and finally unearths the horrible truth, the results of his curiosity prove calamitous when—even though Caleb has loyally sworn never to disclose what he has discovered—the Squire enacts a cruel revenge. A tale of gripping suspense and psychological power, William Godwin's novel creates a searing depiction of the intolerable persecution meted out to a good man in pursuit of justice and equality. Written to expose the political oppression and corrupt hierarchies its author saw in the world around him, Caleb Williams makes a radical call to end the tyrannical misuses of power.

William Godwin (1756-1836), the seventh of thirteen children, was raised by a dissenting minister, which accounts for his studies and work as a dissenting minister early in life. By 1782, Godwin had exposed himself to the optimism of Enlightenment philosophy through books and discussion, and so became more enthusiastic about the overthrow of all political, religious and social institutions. He turned to writing as a profession, and in the 1790s published his first of two novels: "Caleb Williams". The novel centers on two main characters, Caleb Williams, the naïve but courageous protagonist, and his employer, Ferdinando Falkland, a wealthy and respected landowner who is prone to distemper. Their story portrays what Godwin saw as a flawed society, where the rich elite held power over the poor and helpless. Historians have labeled the novel tragic, gothic romance, terror, sensation, or mystery, but regardless of its classification, this novel will invite readers to take a hard look at society and the human potential.

This volume is from 1804 and the short stories are from Old English and also from the French and Italian. CONTENTS: Volume 1: Whittington and his Cat The Children in the Wood Peronella Fortunatus Griselda The White Cat Robin Hood Volume 2: Little Red Riding Hood Toads and diamonds Blue Beard Puss in boots The sleeping beauty in the wood Cinderella, or, The little glass slipper Riquet with the tuft Hop o' my thumb Beauty and the Beast Fortunio Volume 3: Jack the Giant Killer Tom Thumb Goody Two Shoes Tommy Two Shoes The Seven Champions of Christendom Valentine and Orson

When honest young Caleb Williams comes to work as a secretary for Squire Falkland, he soon begins to suspect that his new master is hiding a secret. As he digs deeper into Falkland’s past and finally unearths the horrible truth, the results of his curiosity prove calamitous when—even though Caleb has loyally sworn never to disclose what he has discovered—the Squire enacts a cruel revenge. A tale of gripping suspense and psychological power, William Godwin’s novel creates a searing depiction of the intolerable persecution meted out to a good man in pursuit of justice and equality. Written to expose the political oppression and corrupt hierarchies its author saw in the world around him, Caleb Williams makes a radical call to end the tyrannical misuses of power.

LONDON, November 20, 1832. "CALEB WILLIAMS" has always been regarded by the public with an unusual degree of favour. The proprietor of "THE STANDARD NOVELS" has therefore imagined that even an account of the concoction and mode of writing of the work would be viewed with some interest. I finished the "Enquiry concerning Political Justice," the first work which may be considered as written by me in a certain degree in the maturity of my intellectual powers, and bearing my name, early in January, 1793; and about the middle of the following month the book was published. It was my fortune at that time to be obliged to consider my pen as the sole instrument for supplying my current expenses. By the liberality of my bookseller, Mr. George Robinson, of Paternoster Row, I was enabled then, and for nearly ten years before, to meet these expenses, while writing different things of obscure note, the names of which, though innocent and in some degree useful, I am rather inclined to suppress. In May, 1791, I projected this, my favourite work, and from that time gave up every other occupation that might interfere with it. My agreement with Robinson was that he was to supply my wants at a specified rate while the book was in the train of composition. Finally, I was very little beforehand with the world on the day of its publication, and was therefore obliged to look round and consider to what species of industry I should next devote myself. I had always felt in myself some vocation towards the composition of a narrative of fictitious adventure; and among the things of obscure note which I have above referred to were two or three pieces of this nature. It is not therefore extraordinary that some project of the sort should have suggested itself on the present occasion.

Elegant, simple text and luminous art make this picture book an almost hymn-like meditation on the meaning of Christmas and the Nativity story.See this small gray donkey,this long, dusty road,this promising star.See this man, Joseph,this woman, Mary.Feel the frost onthis clear Bethlehem night."Wonderful for bedtime and lapsit storytimes, this book is a gentle retelling of the Nativity for very young readers who are learning about Jesus for the first time."--School Library Journal"Godwin directly addresses readers, beckoning them to witness the sights and sounds of the first Christmas through their senses... It’s a lyrical and understated account of the Nativity that will leave readers feeling as though they are witnessing something momentous."--Publishers Weekly

Elegant, simple text and luminous art make this picture book an almost hymn-like meditation on the meaning of Christmas and the Nativity story.See this small gray donkey,this long, dusty road,this promising star.See this man, Joseph,this woman, Mary.Feel the frost onthis clear Bethlehem night."Wonderful for bedtime and lapsit storytimes, this book is a gentle retelling of the Nativity for very young readers who are learning about Jesus for the first time."--School Library Journal"Godwin directly addresses readers, beckoning them to witness the sights and sounds of the first Christmas through their senses... It’s a lyrical and understated account of the Nativity that will leave readers feeling as though they are witnessing something momentous."--Publishers Weekly

Things as They Are; or The Adventures of Caleb Williams (often abbreviated to Caleb Williams) (1794) by William Godwin is a three-volume novel written as a call to end the abuse of power by what Godwin saw as a tyrannical government. Intended as a popularization of the ideas presented in his 1793 treatise Political Justice Godwin uses Caleb Williams to show how legal and other institutions can and do destroy individuals, even when the people the justice system touches are innocent of any crime. This reality, in Godwin's mind was therefore a description of "things as they are." The original manuscript included a preface that was removed for publication, because its content alarmed booksellers of the time.

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