Books published by publisher Hesperides Press

This volume contains Bernard Shaw’s 1924 play, "Saint Joan". It is a ‘chronicle play’ in six scenes, and an epilogue that revolves around Joan of Arc. It elucidates her immense personality, problems, and potential. As well as the play itself, Shaw also furnishes a number of chapters on Joan of Arc that offer interesting insights into her life and character. This interesting and thought-provoking play will appeal to fans and collectors of Shaw’s seminal work, and would make for a great addition to any collection. The chapters of this book include: “Joan the Original and Presumptuous”, “Joan and Socrates”, “Contrast with Napoleon”, “Was Joan Innocent or Guilty”, “Joan’s Good Looks”, “Joan’s Social Position”, “Joan’s Voices and Visions”, “The Evolutionary Appetite”, etcetera. Many vintage texts such as this are increasingly scarce and expensive, and it is with this in mind that we are republishing this book now, in an affordable, high-quality, modern edition. It comes complete with a specially commissioned biography of the author.

Originally published in 1912, this book contains a wealth of information on the history and architecture of the Byzantine Churches in Constantinople, and would make an excellent addition to the bookshelf of anyone with an interest in the subject. Preface; 'This volume is a sequel to the work I published, several years ago, under the title, Byzantine Constantinople: the Walls of the City, and adjoining Historical Sites. In that work the city was viewed, mainly, as the citadel of the Roman Empire in the East, and the bulwark of civilization for more than a thousand years. But the city of Constantine was not only a mighty fortress. It was, moreover, the centre of a great religious community, which elaborated dogmas, fostered forms of piety, and controlled an ecclesiastical administration that have left a profound impression upon the thought and life of mankind. New Rome was a Holy City. It was crowded with churches, hallowed, it was believed, by the remains of the apostles, prophets, saints, and martyrs of the Catholic Church; shrines at which men gathered to worship, from near and far, as before the gates of heaven. These sanctuaries were, furthermore, constructed and beautified after a fashion which marks a distinct and important period in the history of art, and have much to interest the artist and the architect. We have, consequently, reasons enough to justify our study of the churches of Byzantine Constantinople. Of the immense number of the churches which once filled the city but a small remnant survives. Earthquakes, fires, pillage, neglect, not to speak of the facility with which a Byzantine structure could be shorn of its glory, have swept the vast majority off the face of the earth, leaving not a rack behind. In most cases even the sites on which they stood cannot be identified. The places which knew them know them no more. Scarcely a score of the old churches of the city are left to us, all with one exception converted into mosques and sadly altered. The visitor must, therefore, be prepared for disappointment. Age is not always a crown of glory nor does change of ownership and adaptation to different ideas and tastes necessarily conduce to improvement. We are not looking at flowers in their native clime or in full bloom, but at flowers in a herbarium so to speak, or left to wither and decay. As we look upon them we have need of imagination to see in faded colours the graceful forms and brilliant hues which charmed and delighted the eyes of men in other days. In the preparation of this work I have availed myself of the aid afforded by previous students in the same field of research, and I have gratefully acknowledged my debt to them whenever there has been occasion to do so. At the same time this is a fresh study of the subject, and has been made with the hope of confirming what is true, correcting mistakes, and gathering additional information. Attention has been given to both the history and the architecture of these buildings. The materials for the former are, unfortunately, all too scanty. No continuous records of any of these churches exist. A few incidents scattered over wide tracts of time constitute all that can be known. Still, disconnected incidents though they be, they give us glimpses of the characteristic thoughts and feelings of a large mass of our humanity during a long period of history.'

This vintage book contains Robert Smith Surtees' 1849 novel, “Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour”. Light-hearted and wonderfully written, this volume follows Mr. Sponge, a quirky nineteenth-century hunting enthusiast with odd habits and a unique world view. A humorous and entertaining read, “Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour” is highly recommended for those with a love of hunting and country life. Contents include: “Our Hero”, “Mr. Benjamin Buckham”, “Laverick Wells”, “Mr. Thomas Slocdolager, Late Master of the Laverick Wells Hounds”, “Mr. Waffles”, “Mr. Waffles, The Present Master of the Laverick Wells Hounds”, “Laverick Wells”, “Our Hero Arrives at Laverick Wells”, “Old Tom Towler”, et cetera. Robert Smith Surtees (1805–1864) was an English novelist, and sporting writer, and editor. Many vintage books such as this are increasingly scarce and expensive. We are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern edition complete with a specially commissioned new introduction.

Kai Lung is brought before the court of the Mandarin Shan Tien after his confidential agent Ming-shu accuses him of treason. In an attempt to delay his judgment and ultimately his execution, Kai Lung retells a string of uncanny tales to the Mandarin. He is successful in postponing his sentencing again and again, until finally he is set free, gaining the admiration and hand of the maiden Hwa-Mei in the process. As with the other “Kai Lung” novels, “Kai Lung's Golden Hours” is a rich, aphoristic tale masterfully constructed by Ernest Bramah Smith. Sure to appeal to any discerning reader, this text constitutes veritable must-read for fans of Smith's work. Ernest Bramah (1868–1942) was an English author whose notable works include: “Kai Lung Unrolls His Mat” (1928) and “The Secret of the League” (1907). Originally published in 1922, this book is being republished now complete with a new prefatory biography of the author.

This vintage book contains Geoffrey Chaucer's famous collection of stories, “The Canterbury Tales”. The 24 tales are written over 17,000 lines and represent the efforts of a flock of pilgrims engaged in a story-telling contest. The pilgrims are travelling from London to Canterbury to visit the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral, and the winner of the contest will receive a free meal when they return. Widely considered to be Chaucer's magnum opus, “The Canterbury Tales” is highly recommended for all lovers of the English language and would make for a worthy addition to any bookshelf. Many vintage books such as this are increasingly scarce and expensive. We are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern edition complete with a specially commissioned new introduction.

Originally published in 1911, this a fascinating and detailed history of 'the Gold, Jewels, and Plate of Pirates, Galleons etc, Which are Sought for to this Day'. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Hesperides Press are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork. Contents Incude - The World-Wide Hunt for Vanished Riches - Captain Kidd in Fact Fiction - Captain Kidd, His Treasure - Captain Kidd His Trail and Death - The Wondrous Fortune of William Phips - The Bold Sea Rogue, John Quelch - The Armada Galleon of Tobermory Bay - The Lost Plate Fleet of Vigo - The Pirates' Hoard of Trinidad - The Lure of Cocos Island - The Mystery of the Lutine Frigate - The Toilers of the Thetis - The Quest of El Dorado - The Wizardy of the Divining Rod - Sundry Pirates and their Booty - Practical Hints for Treasure Seekers