Books in Akasha Classic Series series

Little Men, by Louisa May Alcott - Akasha Classics, AkashaPublishing.Com - Please, sir, is this Plumfield? Asked a ragged boy of the man who opened the great gate at which the omnibus left him. "Yes. Who sent you?" "Mr. Laurence. I have got a letter for the lady." "All right; go up to the house, and give it to her; she'll see to you, little chap." The man spoke pleasantly, and the boy went on, feeling much cheered by the words. Through the soft spring rain that fell on sprouting grass and budding trees, Nat saw large square house before him a hospitable-looking house, with an old-fashioned porch, wide steps, and lights shining in many win-dows. Neither curtains nor shutters hid the cheerful glimmer; and, pausing a moment before he rang, Nat saw many little shadows dancing on the walls, heard the pleasant hum of young voices, and felt that it was hardly possible that the light and warmth and comfort within could be for a homeless "little chap" like him.

Enjoy the classic children's tale of Peter Pan and the Darling children, and their adventures in Neverland. First published in 1911, it remains a marvelous mix of fantasy and adventure, featuring unique, imaginative characters which frisk and frolic in an enchanting land. The Darling household is a place of joy for the three children, Wendy, John, and Michael, their loving parents, nurse, and a dog named Nana. But, at night, sneaking in to listen to Mrs. Darling's bedtime stories is Peter Pan. One night he is seen, but when trying to stop him as he flies out the window, only his shadow his caught. When returning for his shadow Peter accidentally wakes Wendy. He convinces Wendy and her brothers to return to Neverland with him and his fairy Tinker Bell. So off they fly over the rooftops of London to many adventures in magical Neverland.

The War of the Worlds, by H. G. Wells - Akasha Classics, AkashaPublishing.Com - When an army of intelligent aliens from Mars touches down in Victorian England and threatens to destroy the civilized world, humanity's knowledge proves to be of little use. First published in 1898, H.G. Wells's masterpiece of speculative fiction has thrilled and delighted generations of readers, spawned countless imitations, and inspired movies by such masters as Orson Welles and Steven Spielberg. The War of the Worlds is a fantasy that is both startlingly up-to-date and in touch with the most ancient of human fear. In the story things progress from a series of seemingly mundane reports about odd atmospheric disturbances taking place on Mars, to the arrival of Martians just outside of London. At first the Martians seem harmless and hardly able to move in Earth's comparatively heavy gravity. But soon the Martians reveal their true nature and begin laying waste to the surrounding land. The story quickly moves from the countryside to the evacuation of London itself and the loss of all hope as England's military suffers defeat after defeat.

Experience the original gothic novel - complete with castles, ghosts, and dark deeds. Manfred, Lord of Otranto, was due to oversee the marriage of his son and heir, Conrad, to the beautiful Isabella. But Conrad is found dead under mysterious circumstances on the day of the wedding, and Manfred suspects an ancient curse is responsible. Determined not to lose his hold on Otranto, he resolves to marry the unwilling Isabella himself and secure his line. Larger forces are at work, however, and Manfred may find that thwarting fate is not quite so simple... Written in 1764, Walpole's chilling and exciting tale is credited with starting the gothic horror tradition.

Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company, lays out the secret of his success in My Life and Work. Born in 1863, Ford was a machinist and engineer by trade, but made his name as an extraordinarily successful businessman who, more than any other individual, was responsible for bringing the motor car into common use in America. Many of his pioneering manufacturing and labor practices are now commonplace - the assembly line, limited working hours, a minimum wage. He was a larger-than-life character who was rarely out of the headlines. My Life and Work is part memoir, part advice manual from the man who transformed the way America worked and lived.

North of Boston was the book that cemented Robert Frost's reputation as a leading American poet. First published in 1914, the poetry collection contains some of his most memorable works: the symbolic "Mending Wall," the elegiac "Death of a Hired Man," and the evocative "After Apple-Picking." Frost's medium is the plain speech of rural New England, beautifully worked into meter and rhyme. He subtly touches on themes of mortality, suffering, nature, and communication, drawing inspiration from his own life on a New Hampshire farm. Read these poems and discover for yourself why Frost is one of the most enduring poetic voices of the twentieth century.

Silas Marner is George Eliot's tale of one man's journey from bitterness to contentment, thanks to a surprise visit from an orphan girl. Silas Marner lives alone outside the village of Raveloe. An outcast from a religious community, he shuns company and devotes himself to his work. When his precious hoard of gold is stolen, Silas sinks further into misery. But then the unexpected happens - a little girl wanders into his house in the middle of a cold night. When her mother is found dead outside, Silas adopts the girl, naming her Eppie after his beloved sister. Through Eppie, Silas finds a new lease on life, and the chance to be part of a community again. Warm-hearted and humorous, Silas Marner has been a favorite of generations of readers.

E. Nesbit, the celebrated English children’s author, retells Shakespeare’s most famous plays in an accessible and entertaining fashion. Originally styled ‘A Home Study Course’, this collection of twenty stories was intended to introduce young children to the plays of Shakespeare. It is written in a style that is both engaging and easily understood, and Nesbit’s admiration for the original works is apparent throughout. Whether you are learning about Shakespeare for the first time or seeking to refresh your memory, Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare is a highly enjoyable book.

From the master of the western comes a tale of love tested by the rugged life of the American Southwest. Glenn Kilbourne returned from World War I a changed man. Suffering from shell shock and disillusioned by what he witnessed, he can no longer stomach his high-flying former life in New York City. In the canyons of Arizona he finds a kind of peace with himself, and has no desire to go back to his old life. Where does this leave his glamorous fiancé Carley? Can she too grow to love life in the Wild West, far away from the high society she is used to? Zane Grey is one of America’s favorite authors, with a love of the West that shines through in his many novels.