Language and Litterature

Quintessentially Scottish, the poetry of Robert Burns has become famous across the world. With classics such as "Tam O'Shanter", "Auld Lang Syne", and "To a Louse", his work ranged seamlessly from powerful nationalist pieces to playful songs. His use of the vernacular gives a character to his verse that cannot be found anywhere else. Whether the subject is haggis or Halloween, Burns' enthrallin

Come. Your glass is empty. Fill and forget. In one of the great works of American literature, Jack London tells a poignant tale of the power of addiction through his alter-ego, John Barleycorn. With alcohol as his sole companion, John travels across North America, living as a sailor, gold prospector, unemployed vagabond, and struggling novelist. Written with elegance and intelligence, and never

I thought life was going to be a brilliant comedy, and you were to be one of the many graceful figures in it. While imprisoned in 1895-7 for "gross indecency", the brilliant poet and playwright Oscar Wilde wrote a long, impassioned letter to his estranged young lover, Lord Alfred Douglas. Later published as De Profundis, Wilde's letter describes the unbearable pains and blissful pleasures of hi

The progressive development of man is vitally dependent on invention. Visionary, pioneer, and eccentric genius, Nikola Tesla was the quintessential scientist of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Two of his creations, the induction motor and the Tesla coil, underpin the technology of the modern world. First published as six articles in the Electrical Experimenter magazine, My Inventions te

In 1271 Marco Polo set out on a journey to China to meet the Mongol Emperor Kublaï Khan. He returned with stories that would take a lifetime to tell. Featuring exotic creatures, strange customs, extraordinary legends, and political intrigues, The Travels of Marco Polo reveals the fantastical treasures of the East in the words of the legendary medieval explorer. Conjuring up a forgotten world

It is the turn of the 20th century and Russia is changing rapidly - the serfs have been emancipated, a new middle class is arising and the aristocracy is struggling to come to terms with their reduced role in society. Seeking to preserve a life of leisure and luxury, Madame Ranevsky must consider selling her estate, including her family's precious cherry orchard. But when faced with these hard

This classic collection of poetry from one of America's favourite poets features many of his greatest works, including 'Paul Revere's Ride', 'A Psalm of Life', and 'The Day is Done,' as well as extracts from his longer poems 'The Song of Hiawatha' and 'Evangeline: A Tale of Acadie'. Longfellow's poems have become part of the essential foundations of American literary culture and provide an essen

This unique anthology collects more than 100 poems by Louisa May Alcott, drawn from works published over the course of her career. One of the only published collections of her poetry, it provides invaluable insights into a lesser known part of Louisa May Alcott's literary life. ABOUT THE SERIES: Arcturus Great Poets Library brings together moving and inspiring verse from some of the greatest po

Famously described as 'mad, bad and dangerous to know', Lord Byron was the quintessential romantic poet - flamboyant, tragic and exceptionally gifted. His life and work have been a source of constant fascination for over two centuries. He composed some of the greatest verse ever written that has enthralled readers for generations. Passionate yet thoughtful, his poetry ranged from historical ep

The Iliad and The Odyssey are two epic poems from Ancient Greece which have become cornerstones of Western literature. This stunning jacketed hardback brings together these two works in an accessible prose translation, ideal for those wanting to be thrown into the action of these thrilling tales In The Iliad, the Greek's best warrior Achilles has abandoned the war with the Trojans on a mission

A career-spanning monograph, SPIKE is a visual celebration of acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee's life and work to date.

Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics is a landmark celebration of the remarkable life and career of a country music and pop culture legend. As told by Dolly Parton in her own inimitable words, explore the songs that have defined her journey. Illustrated throughout with previously unpublished images from Dolly Partons personal and business archives.

Searching for your next reading inspiration? Look no further than BIBLIOPHILE BOOK CLUB: DIVERSE SPINES.

A guided journal to unlock your own personal brand of magical self-care and discover what works best for you to nourish and celebrate your body, mind and spirit. Self-care belongs to everyone, and it’s especially important if you feel stretched thin. Self-care is typically portrayed as the surface-level stuff that you can spend money on. There’s nothing wrong with that, though to feel the way y

Moral character, so to say, constitutes the most effective means of proof. In ancient Greece, rhetoric was at the centre of public life. Many writers attempted to provide manuals to help improve debating skills, but it was not until Aristotle produced The Art of Rhetoric in the 4th century bc that the subject had a true masterpiece. As he considered the role of emotion, reason, and morality i

And what difference is there in the colour of the soul? In 1841, Solomon Northrup was kidnapped in Washington DC and sold into slavery. Separated from his family, he was forced to endure countless injustices and brutalities until he finally managed to escape in 1853. Twelve Years a Slave is his harrowing memoir about the realities of slavery in the years before the civil war. Vividly portrayed

I little thought that there was such a light shining in the darkness of the wilderness for me. In Canoeing in the Wilderness, the eminent American essayist vividly recounts his journey through the Maine woods in mid-19th century America. The landscapes he encounters remind him of both the charms and wildness of nature untouched by modern man. At once engaging and uniquely descriptive, Thore

A good fit of illness proves the value of health; real danger tries one's mettle; and self-sacrifice sweetens character. Through a series of letters sent home while serving as a volunteer nurse for the Union Army, Louisa May Alcott created a raw and honest story of battlefield medicine during the American Civil War. Featuring a series of compassionate portraits of the soldiers she encountered,

Since the city was not adorned as the dignity of the empire demanded ... [Augustus] so beautified it that he could justly boast that he had found it built of brick and left it in marble. Over the course of the 1st century AD,the Roman Empire achieved never before seen glories. In Lives of the Caesars, the Roman historian Suetonius recounts the story of the rise of the Roman Empire through the c

We should treat all trivial things in life very seriously, and all serious things of life with a sincere and studied triviality. - Oscar Wilde First performed in 1895, The Importance of Being Earnest is a play in three acts full of mix-ups, unexpected plot twists, mistaken identities and extraordinary quickfire wit. Cecily Cardew and Gwendolen Fairfax both fall in love with a man called Ernes