Essential Classics

This is Dorothy's original adventure in Oz, when she's carried away from her Kansas farm by the fateful tornado. Together with her friends the Tin Woodsman, the Cowardly Lion, and the Scarecrow, Dorothy overcomes the Wicked Witch of the West and befriends the amazing and wonderful Wizard of Oz. Those familiar only with the movie will find many more adventures in this book - adding to the delight and wonder. First published in 1900, L. Frank Baum's classic children's tale is one of the world's most beloved, enduring fantasy classics - and perhaps not as recognized as it ought to be for establishing a new, wholly American sort of mythology.

Billy Budd, Sailor is the final novel by American writer Herman Melville, first published posthumously in London in 1924 as edited by Raymond M. Weaver, a professor at Columbia University. Other versions were later published. Melville had begun writing the original work in November 1888, but left it unfinished at his death in 1891. Acclaimed by British critics as a masterpiece when published in London, it quickly took its place as a classic literary work in the United States.

This audiobook includes the 20 finest mysteries from Arthur Conan Doyle's timeless detective, Sherlock Holmes, all read by the award-winning Jonathan Keeble.

This collection includes theatrical audio versions major plays that are not typically considered part of the Shakespeare cannon, but are plays in which Shakespeare may made material contributions. These are the plays Sir Thomas More, The Spanish Tragedy, and Thomas of Woodstock. Additional expert commentary from Hazel Jeffs provides insight into the potential authorship and major themes of each of these three classic plays of the Elizabethan period.

Herodotus wrote the first history book in the world. That is why he is sometimes called the "Father of History". He lived about 2500 years ago in the fifth century BC. He was born at a place called Halicarnassus in Asia Minor. The modern names for these places are Bodrum in Turkey. Herodotus was a keen traveler who went all over the ancient world and was interested in everything he saw and heard.

Supernatural short story written especially for the young Anne (Nannie) Wynne. It was originally published as "The Ghost's Touch" in The Irish Fireside, 30 September-14 October 1885; Harper's Weekly, 23 October 1885; and in The Ghost's Touch and Other Stories (with "My Lady's Money" and "Percy and the Prophet", Harper's Handy Series, no. 30, 1885).