Books in Cosimo Classics Philogophy series

He's one of the most debated thinkers of the 19th century: Nietzsche and his works have been by turns vilified, lauded, and subjected to numerous contradictory interpretations, and yet he remains a figure of profound import, and his works a necessary component of a well-rounded education. In this essential book, which Nietzsche himself called his "deepest," the philosopher uses ancient mythology and biblical parody to develop his concept of the "superman," the ultimate human triumph over conformity, religion, morality, even civilization itself. Later corrupted out of all recognition by Nazi philosophy, this extraordinary work is, in fact, the basis for 20th-century existentialism and one of the finest examples of modern literature in any language.

It was perhaps the first book to achieve best-seller status before the invention of the printing press-it was certainly the most controversial. Did Venetian trader and explorer MARCO POLO (1254-1324) actually reach the court of Kublai Khan, serve the emperor as his emissary, and journey the distant lands of Cathay for 17 years, as he relates in his Travels of Marco Polo? The question still hasn't quite been settled today... but whether Polo experienced firsthand the wonders of ancient China, retold tales he heard from Arab travelers along the Silk Road, or simply invented half his stories, this remains a delightful read for fans of history, adventure, and medieval literature. The new edition features illustrations from a 14th-century French version of Polo's manuscript.

Experiments which in previous years were made with ornamental plants have already afforded evidence that the hybrids, as a rule, are not exactly intermediate between the parental species. With some of the more striking characters, those, for instance, which relate to the form and size of the leaves, the pubescence of the several parts, etc., the intermediate, indeed, is nearly always to be seen; in other cases, however, one of the two parental characters is so preponderant that it is difficult, or quite impossible, to detect the other in the hybrid. ―from “4. The Forms of the Hybrid” One of the most influential and important scientific works ever written, the 1865 paper “Experiments in Plant Hybridisation” was all but ignored in its day, and its author, Austrian priest and scientist GREGOR JOHANN MENDEL (1822–1884), died before seeing the dramatic long-term impact of his work, which was rediscovered at the turn of the 20th century and is now considered foundational to modern genetics. A simple, eloquent description of his 1856–1863 study of the inheritance of traits in pea plants―Mendel analyzed 29,000 of them―this is essential reading for biology students and readers of science history. Cosimo presents this compact edition from the 1909 translation by British geneticist WILLIAM BATESON (1861–1926).

Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ chronicles the journey of Judah Ben-Hur and the life of Jesus, from Ben-Hur's quest for vengeance against the Romans and his search for his imprisoned family to the birth of Jesus in the manger and the Crucifixion. Cleverly connecting two storylines to create both an exciting tale of adventure - with shipwrecks, chariot races, and duels - and a compelling story of love and spiritual growth, Ben-Hur has continued to engage readers and entertain audiences for more than a century. Once the best-selling and most widely read American novel, and the first work of fiction to be blessed by a Pope, Ben-Hur's popularity and esteem have given rise to numerous stage and film adaptations since the novel's first publication in 1880. This replica of the beautifully illustrated "Player's Edition" features nearly fifty images of scenes and characters from the play that will surely delight any reader of this classic piece of historical fiction. LEWIS "LEW" WALLACE (1827-1905) was born in Brookville, Indiana. He worked as an attorney, was elected to the State Senate of Indiana, and served as a Union general in the American Civil War before writing his most famous book, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ. His other works include The Boyhood of Christ, Life of Gen. Ben Harrison, and The Prince of India; or, Why Constantinople Fell, as well as an autobiography and several other titles. Wallace also served as governor of the New Mexico Territory.

The grand dame of the cozy English murder mystery, Agatha Christie introduced Tommy and Tuppence, her duo of likeable upper-class detectives, in this 1922 novel, her second book. International intrigue, secret treaties, disguises, and blackmail follow this roguishly charming 1920s couple in their globetrotting quest to unravel the riddle of their disappearing client, disappearing diplomatic papers, and a devious plot that goes back to the sinking of the Lusitania. Beloved by Christie fans for their innocence and pluck, Tommy and Tuppence are a delight to spend quality crime-fighting time with. British novelist DAME AGATHA CHRISTIE (1890-1976) wrote more than 80 books, and is most famous for mystery series featuring detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She is the best-selling fiction writer of all time, with more than one billion copies of her books sold in the English language, and another billion in 103 other languages.

No one can be a great thinker who does not recognise, that as a thinker it is his first duty to follow his intellect to whatever conclusions it may lead. Truth gains more even by the errors of one who, with due study and preparation, thinks for himself, than by the true opinions of those who only hold them because they do not suffer themselves to think. -John Stuart Mill, in On Liberty Often mentioned in the same breath with the Communist Manifesto, On Liberty-perhaps the greatest work from British political philosopher John Stuart Mill-is one of the most profound and most hotly debated works of the 19th century. Is it a classic plea for human freedom and intellectual development... or is it factually wrong and morally offensive?

First published in 1901, Up From Slavery is one of the classic books from the era of American slavery. In it, Booker T. Washington details his rise from a child born into slavery to a free man with a college education. He offers readers his views on the future of blacks in America, charting a course for their development that starts with an education in practical trades. By proving themselves to be important parts of society, he believed they would be granted civil rights without a bloody struggle. Students of history will find this an essential read from the dawning of the civil rights struggle in America. American author BOOKER T. WASHINGTON (1856-1915) was born to a white father and black slave mother in Virginia. His Atlanta Address of 1895 brought him great acclaim, and for the rest of his life he remained a respected figure in the African American community. Among his most influential writings is an article for Atlantic Monthly called "The Awakening of the Negro" (1896).

It is the first expression of the concept of a Utopia, a perfect society. It is the first thoughtful examination of the concept of an “inner life.” It is the classic discussion of concepts of justice. It is a profoundly reflective work on the nature of philosophy itself. It is 2,300 years old, and one of the greatest books humanity has ever produced. Written around 360 B.C., The Republic―by the Greek philosopher and mathematician PLATO (c. 428 B.C.–c. 347 B.C.)―is the foundational work of Western thought, with notable influences on thinkers and writers as diverse as Shakespeare, Saint Augustine, and Bertrand Russell. It is impossible to overstate its importance, and its wisdom is so intense, wide-ranging, and often seemingly contradictory that it continues to generate heated debate, even controversy, to this day. Essential reading for anyone who wishes to consider him- or herself educated, this is the unabridged Republic presented in the highly readable 1894 translation by Benjamin Jowett.

Aurelius Augustinus, aka SAINT AUGUSTINE (354-430) was bishop of Hippo, today called Bona, in Algeria. Before his conversion to Christianity, however, he lead a wild and licentious youth in Carthage and later studied philosophy for years in Milan. His Confessions, in which he begs forgiveness from God for his sins and sets himself entirely to devotion to God, is not only a foundational work of Western theology, it is also one of the earliest autobiographies, offering keen insight into the workings of the medieval mind. ALSO AVAILABLE FROM COSIMO CLASSICS: Saint Augustine's "The City of God" Translator and British clergyman EDWARD BOUVERIE PUSEY (1800-1882) was one of the most influential figures in the Anglican church in the 19th century, formulated theology and doctrine that radically altered the practice of Christianity in England.

Story of Little Black Mingo is the exciting tale of a little girl who befriends a Mongoose after being kidnapped by a horrible Mugger. With the help of the Mongoose, Little Black Mingo must avoid being eaten as she tries to escape the island where the old Mugger is keeping her. A story of adventure, creativity, and luck, Little Black Mingo has been treasured by children everywhere since it was first written in 1901, and this delightfully illustrated edition brings the tale to life once more for the enjoyment of readers of all ages. Born in Edinburgh, Scottish author HELEN BANNERMAN (1862-1946) spent more than thirty years of her life in India, where she started writing illustrated letters to her two daughters, who were being educated in Scotland. Those letters became the basis for Bannerman's first and most famous book, The Story of Little Black Sambo, as well as nine more tales of clever children overcoming the odds, including Story of Little Black Mingo and Story of Little Black Quibba.

This time-honored retelling of the Arthurian legends follows the adventures of Sir Gerwaint, Galahad's pursuit of the Holy Grail, as well as the last days of King Arthur-his attack on Sir Launcelot, fatal battle with Sir Mordred, and final journey to Avalon. Howard Pyle's four-volume series on the life and kingship of Arthur, of which this is the last, cemented the author's well-deserved reputation. The wonderful medieval flavor of The Story of the Grail and the Passing of Arthur is enhanced by Pyle's courtly language and his 39 richly atmospheric pen & ink illustrations. Pyle's work as an illustrator came to epitomize the "Golden Age of American Illustration." HOWARD PYLE (1853-1911) was an American writer and illustrator. Born in Wilmington, Delaware, Pyle began teaching illustration in his forties, and counted among his students N. C. Wyeth, Maxfield Parrish, Frank E. Schoonover, and Jessie Wilcox Smith. His many books were frequently set in mediaeval Europe.

The foremost teller of scary stories in his day and a profound influence on both the novelists and filmmakers of the 20th century, Anglo-Irish author JOSEPH THOMAS SHERIDAN LE FANU (1814–1873) has, sadly, fallen out of scholarly and popular favor, and unfairly so. To this day, contemporary readers who happen across his works praise his talent for weaving a tense literary atmosphere tinged by the supernatural and bolstered by hints of ambiguous magic. First published in 1864, Uncle Silas, one of his more famous works, is a macabre tale of the death-haunted mansion known as Knowl, and Maud Ruthyn, who narrates for us the ominous goings-on there through her curtain of obsession with the dark and the dead. Considered by some to be among the best horror novels ever written, this is certainly a pinnacle of Victorian suspense that continues to grip sophisticated readers today. With a series of new editions of Le Fanu’s works, Cosimo is proud to reintroduce modern book lovers to the writings of the early master of suspense fiction who pioneered the concept of “psychological horror.”