<div><B>Tales of spooks and spirits that have taught generations of readers what it means to be afraid of the dark&mdash;by authors from H. G. Wells to Willa Cather.</B><BR />  <BR /> Before movies, television, and teams of high-tech &ldquo;ghost hunters&rdquo; running around darkened houses, there was only one sure-fire way to scare people: ghost stories.  Some of the greatest names in literature have expertly crafted haunting tales that put the reader in a whole other world in which every shadow holds a new fear&mdash;where the lines between the living and the dead are erased and the spirits are <I>always</I> willing.<BR />  <BR /> In this collection of over forty ghastly ghost stories are works from celebrated names including Edgar Allan Poe, Saki (H. H. Munro), Mark Twain, Edith Wharton, Willa Cather, Washington Irving, Joseph Conrad, Robert Louis Stevenson, and many more. As frightening and unforgettable as they are fun, <I>The Best Ghost Stories Ever Told</I> are sure to keep you up night after night after dark and stormy night.</div>

The Best Ghost Stories Ever Told

<div><B>A journey through the Bard&rsquo;s poetry with fun facts&mdash;and furry felines.</B><BR />  <BR /> Join a band of curious cats for a journey through William Shakespeare&rsquo;s 154 sonnets. Whether it&rsquo;s friendship, beauty, love, or something saucier, the Bard of Avon has a sonnet for every occasion. Learn what the sonnets mean and read fun facts about the poet, witches, Elizabethan life, and the unfortunate hygiene habits of the sixteenth century.<BR />  <BR /> Despite being written four hundred years ago, the sonnets speak to the eternal ups and downs of anyone in love and the struggle to fight our mortality with art. And, many centuries later, we have something else in common with Elizabethans: we find kittens to be utterly adorable.</div>

Shakespeare's Cats

<div><P><B>The story of a medieval monarch, his troublesome heir, and his constant struggle against plotters, schemers, and rebels.</B></P><P>Set during the reign of Henry IV of England, this play portrays the rebellions faced by the medieval king, as well as his relationship with his son, heir to the throne. The young man indulges in a fun-loving, reckless lifestyle that he must find the strength to cast aside if he is to live up to his royal destiny.</P> Featuring one of William Shakespeare&rsquo;s most popular characters, the comical rogue Falstaff, <I>Henry IV Part One</I> stands as one of the great playwright&rsquo;s most beloved and enduring works&mdash;not to mention the original source of Sherlock Holmes&rsquo;s famous phrase, &ldquo;The game is afoot.&rdquo;</div>

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Henry IV Part One

<div><P><B>Shakespeare&rsquo;s play depicting the waning years of both a king and a thief&mdash;and a young heir&rsquo;s changing relationship with each of them.</B></P> Prince Hal has proven his worth on the battlefield, but even as the elder Henry&rsquo;s condition grows weaker, Hal&rsquo;s ability to follow in his father&rsquo;s footsteps may be in doubt. His longtime friendship with the drunken, thieving, yet thoroughly alluring Falstaff, and the influence of their rowdy tavern companions, are tempting his return to his old ways. As the reign of the aging Henry IV nears its end, the man in line for the throne faces a choice that will determine not only his own future, but that of England.</div>

Henry IV Part Two

<div><B>Shakespeare&rsquo;s tragic drama about a Roman general tested by rioting, war, rejection&mdash;and his own all-consuming anger.</B><BR />  <BR /> Enraged by the withholding of food, the common people of the Roman Republic are rebelling against the elite. In this battle between plebeians and patricians, Caius Marcius has little patience for those he considers beneath him and his family.<BR />  <BR /> After his military victory in the city of Corioli, Marcius is given the nickname Coriolanus and enters the world of politics, fiercely loyal to the state. But his continuing contempt for ordinary citizens proves to be his downfall&mdash;for after he attempts to end the democratic institution of the tribunals, he is banished.<BR />  <BR /> As Coriolanus seethes in exile, his thirst for revenge will soon threaten the very republic he once served, in this classic play based on historical events in the ancient world.</div>

Coriolanus

<div><B>The story of a king who craves flattery&mdash;and the daughter who refuses him even at the cost of her own inheritance.</B><BR />  <BR /> King Lear wants nothing more than to be praised, and when he decides to divide his realm according to how much each of his daughters can impress him with their declarations of love, Goneril and Regan are quick to oblige. Only the youngest, Cordelia, cannot give him what he wants&mdash;and she is promptly cut out of his will.<BR />  <BR /> Lear&rsquo;s decision will roil not only his family but his kingdom, for the political implications of the inheritance set off a tragic series of events as Lear&rsquo;s madness grows. One of the theater&rsquo;s greatest works, re-popularized most recently by the 2018 film adaptation starring Anthony Hopkins, <I>King Lear</I> is a cornerstone of Western literature and a timeless story.</div>

King Lear

<div><P><B>Shakespeare&rsquo;s controversial comedy about a man&rsquo;s quest to break the will of his headstrong wife.</B></P><P>Whether this tale is motivated by misogyny, or is simply a satirical critique of men&rsquo;s treatment of women is a matter up for much debate. Regardless of its potentially polarizing intentions, <I>The Taming of the Shrew</I> is one of William Shakespeare&rsquo;s most intriguing comedies. Framed as a play within a play, it tells the story of the assertive Katherina&rsquo;s marriage to Petruchio, who resorts to all sorts of psychological abuse in order to force her to be a traditional obedient wife.</P> The inspiration for the Broadway play <I>Kiss Me, Kate</I>, <I>The Taming of the Shrew</I> is a fascinating glimpse into the sexual politics of the Elizabethan era.</div>

The Taming of the Shrew

<div><P><B>Shakespeare&rsquo;s tragic tale of power, politics, friendship, and betrayal in ancient Rome.</B></P><P>Julius Caesar is basking in the glow of military triumph&mdash;but his friend Brutus has fallen in with a band of conspirators who argue that Caesar&rsquo;s ambitions may soon cast a pall of tyranny over Rome&rsquo;s people. Torn, Brutus finally agrees to pick up a knife and join in assassinating Caesar on the Ides of March.</P> His act is driven by a fear of dictatorship and a desire to protect the citizenry, but the events that follow will have heart-wrenching consequences, in one of the immortal playwright William Shakepeare&rsquo;s greatest works.</div>

Julius Caesar

<div><P><B>The story of the rise and fall of a murderous ruler, filled with courtly intrigue, dark humor, and psychological insight.</B></P><P>The hunchbacked king Richard III has risen to power through deception and murder, and will stop at nothing to maintain his rule. But when all is said and done, he will pay a price for his machinations, in this historical play set in the era of the Wars of the Roses.</P> A dark tale with a touch of comedy amid much tragedy, <I>Richard III</I>, like so much of the great playwright&rsquo;s work, continues to resonate with twenty-first-century culture.</div>

Richard III

<div><P><B>A conflict between a nobleman and a moneylender drives this suspenseful comedy filled with twists and turns.</B></P><P>Bassanio, a Venetian nobleman and reckless spender, has found himself in financial straits, making it difficult for him to court the woman he loves, Portia. His wealthy friend who usually bails him out, Antonio, will not have funds available until his merchant ships come in. Borrowing from Shylock, the Jewish moneylender, and using Antonio as a guarantor, appears to be Bassanio&rsquo;s only option if he wants to win Portia&rsquo;s hand.</P> Shylock, at first reluctant to get involved with the anti-Semitic Antonio, finally offers to waive interest on the loan&mdash;if he can take a pound of Antonio&rsquo;s flesh should the money not be repaid on time. But when Bassanio&rsquo;s ships are reported lost at sea, danger awaits, in this masterpiece by the Bard, William Shakespeare.</div>

The Merchant of Venice

<div><B>A collection of the Bard&rsquo;s beautiful, and often surprising, poetry.</B><BR />  <BR /> In addition to his numerous dramatic and comedic masterpieces for the stage, William Shakespeare is also famed for his sonnets. These poems, usually consisting of fourteen lines in iambic pentameter, address not only traditional themes of romantic love but also darker subjects including lust, hatred, and infidelity, and featuring a risqu&eacute; series referring to the poet&rsquo;s mysterious &ldquo;Dark Lady.&rdquo; While the sonnet existed long before Shakespeare&rsquo;s time, he, as usual, put his own mark of genius on the form.&lt;/</div>

The Sonnets

<div><B>Shakespeare&rsquo;s delightful romantic comedy about separated siblings, a woman in disguise, and a confounding love triangle.</B><BR /><BR /> After Viola is shipwrecked in an exotic land on the coast of the Adriatic, she is convinced her twin brother, Sebastian, has been lost at sea. In a quest for survival, she dons men&rsquo;s clothing, assumes the name Cesario, and takes a position in service of a duke.<BR /> The duke recruits the help of &ldquo;Cesario&rdquo; to woo his beloved Olivia, who has steadfastly refused his advances, resisting romantic attachments as she mourns the loss of her father and brother. But soon, Olivia does succumb to a passionate love&mdash;for the person she thinks is a man named Cesario&mdash;in this rollicking play by the brilliant Bard.</div>

Twelfth Night

<div><P><B>Shakespeare&rsquo;s renowned tragedy about the destruction wrought by ambition and jealousy.</B></P> Othello, a Moor and general in the Venetian army, has just eloped with Desdemona, the daughter of a senator. Simultaneously, seeds of doubt are planted in Othello&rsquo;s mind by the scheming Iago&mdash;an ensign who seethes with ambition and resentment&mdash;with assistance from Iago&rsquo;s wealthy friend who wanted Desdemona for himself. Behind the scenes, Iago&rsquo;s machinations are designed to sow discord and, ultimately, convince Othello that his wife is unfaithful&mdash;and the consequences will be tragic.</div>

Othello

<div><P><B>Shakespeare takes us into the realm of fairies in this classic comedy of marriage and unrequited love.</B></P> As festivities unfold to celebrate the marriage of the Duke of Athens to the Queen of the Amazons, a large cast of characters, both human and fairy, become entangled in one another&rsquo;s affairs, in this comical tale that features a love potion, a mischievous sprite, duels, romantic rivalries, the bickering fairy couple Oberon and Titania, and a play within a play.</div>

A Midsummer Night's Dream

<div><P><B>The classic story of all-consuming ambition, madness, and tyranny.</B></P><P>When three witches share a prophecy with Macbeth that foretells he will sit on the throne of Scotland, he does not wait for destiny to run its course. Instead, he and his wife plot to kill the presiding king&mdash;an act that will lead them not to greatness but to ruin.</P> This play, extraordinary in its intrigue and psychological insight, has cast a powerful spell on audiences and readers since the beginning of the seventeenth century.</div>

Macbeth

<div><P><B>Love, enchantment, and misadventure abound in four timeless comedies by the great Bard of Elizabethan England.</B></P><P><I>The Taming of the Shrew</I>: After a battle of wits, the suitor Petruchio marries the headstrong lady Katherina and brings her to his home in Verona, where he sets about &ldquo;taming&rdquo; his willful bride into an obedient wife.</P><P><I>The Merchant of Venice</I>: In the most dramatic of Shakespeare&rsquo;s comedies, a wealthy Venetian merchant is unable to repay a loan from the moneylender Shylock&mdash;who demands a pound of the borrower&rsquo;s flesh.</P><P><I>Twelfth Night</I>: In this comedy of unrequited love and mistaken identity, Viola disguises herself as a man in the service of the lovesick Duke Orsino&mdash;whom she adores. The duke sends Viola to woo Countess Olivia who, in turn, falls in love with Viola&rsquo;s male persona.</P><I>A Midsummer Night&rsquo;s Dream</I>: The mischievous wood sprite Puck wreaks havoc on the romantic pursuits of four young lovers while a hapless actor is transformed into a fairy queen&rsquo;s monstrous consort in this beloved comic fantasia.</div>

The Comedies Volume One

<div><P><B>These timeless plays by the great Bard of Elizabethan drama explore the hubris of four powerful men who ultimately bring about their own undoing.</B></P><P><I>Richard III</I>: Through coldblooded guile, hunchbacked royal Richard III assumes the throne of England and will stop at nothing to maintain his rule. But he will pay a price for his machinations in this historical play set in the era of the Wars of the Roses.</P><P><I>Coriolanus</I>: The common people of the Roman Republic are rebelling against the elite, but war hero Coriolanus has no patience for those he considers beneath him. When this contempt leads to his exile, his thirst for revenge threatens the very state he once served.</P><P><I>King Lear</I>: An aged king attempts to shake off his responsibilities while retaining his stature. Rewarding the flattery of his two elder daughters even as he banishes his youngest for speaking the truth, Lear is led into exile and madness as his country descends into civil war.</P><I>Julius Caesar</I>: Roman general<B></B>Julius Caesar is basking in the glow of military triumph&mdash;but his friend Brutus has fallen in with a band of conspirators who argue the general&rsquo;s ambitions may soon give way to tyranny. Agreeing to join in Caesar&rsquo;s assassination, Brutus&rsquo;s betrayal unleashes tragic consequences.</div>

The Tragedies Volume One

<div><P><B>Four plays by the revered Elizabethan dramatist tell of men driven to evil by ambition and jealousy&mdash;and of one who escapes the dangers of bad influence.</B></P><P><I>Othello</I>: A powerful general in the Venetian army, Othello the Moor is despised by his scheming ensign, Iago, who devises a plan to destroy him. Newly married to Desdemona, Othello is led to believe she has been unfaithful&mdash;and his jealous rage leads to tragic consequences.</P><P><I>Macbeth</I>: When three witches foretell that Macbeth will be king of Scotland, he does not wait for destiny to run its course. Instead, he and his wife plot to kill the presiding king, an act that will realize their ambitions&mdash;and bring them to ruin.</P><P><I>Henry IV Part One</I>: This historical play chronicles the rebellions faced by the medieval king of England Henry IV, as well as<B></B>the maturation of his son, Prince Hal.<B></B>The prince indulges in a carefree life with the comical rogue Falstaff but must eventually cast aside his recklessness and live up to his royal destiny.</P><I>Henry IV Part Two</I>: As Henry IV&rsquo;s health grows weaker, Prince Hal&rsquo;s ability to assume the crown remains in doubt. The prince&rsquo;s friendship with the drunk and thieving Falstaff threatens to be his undoing. Now he faces a choice that will determine not only his own future, but also that of England</div>

William Shakespeare

Books By William Shakespeare (17 Books)