Showing titles in Literary History & Criticism

Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney, T.O.S.F., (8 May 1786 – 4 August 1859), commonly known in English as St John Vianney, was a French parish priest who is venerated in the Catholic Church as a saint and as the patron saint of all priests. He is often referred to as the "Curé d'Ars". He became internationally notable for his priestly and pastoral work in his parish because of the radical spiritual transformation of the community and its surroundings. Catholics attribute this to his saintly life, mortification, his persevering ministry in the sacrament of confession, and his ardent devotion to the ...

Dumas's 'Celebrated Crimes' was not written for children. The novelist has spared no language--has minced no words--to describe the violent scenes of a violent time.In some instances facts appear distorted out of their true perspective, and in others the author makes unwarranted charges. The careful, mature reader, for whom the books are intended, will recognize, and allow for, this fact. Summary from publishers note.

This is a historical account of the early years of Pocahontas. She had a significant role in the early interactions between the Indigenous peoples and English settlers. Her compassion for the English settlers was exhibited in her encounter with Captain John Smith. The book also recounts her marriage to John Rolfe, her conversion to Christianity, her life in England and includes a look at her father, the powerful Powhatan, chief of her tribe.

"It is many years since Dr. Samuel Johnson advised me to get a little book, and write in it all the Anecdotes which might come to my knowledge, all the Observations which I might make or hear, all the verses never likely to be published and in fine everything which struck me at the time. Mr. Thrale has now treated me with a Repository, and provided it with the pompous title "Thraliana." I must endeavour to fill it with nonsense, new and old." Selections from the intimate record of her life from 1776 to 1809 by the hostess and friend of Dr Johnson (and the friend of his friends) selected and ...

This is a biography of the Wright Brothers as told by the American humorist and newspaperman Fred Kelly, a personal friend of the Wrights. It is described in reviews as "fascinating and highly readable." - Summary by Ciufi Galeazzi

Annie Oakley was without a doubt the greatest markswomen who ever lived. She was christened Phoebe Ann Mosey but was called Annie from childhood. Oakley was the stage name that she assumed when she first started to perform with Frank Butler. From obscure and impoverished beginnings, she made herself into the best known woman of her time, propelled by an indomitable spirit and an uncanny shooting ability. We learn of her enduring marriage to Frank Butler and their first meeting — a shooting match in which the seemingly delicate young girl defeated the professional marksman; her association ...

Teresa of Ávila, also called Saint Teresa of Jesus, baptized as Teresa Sánchez de Cepeda y Ahumada (28 March 1515 – 4 October 1582), was a prominent Spanish mystic, Roman Catholic saint, Carmelite nun, an author of the Counter Reformation and theologian of contemplative life through mental prayer. She was a reformer of the Carmelite Order and is considered to be a founder of the Discalced Carmelites along with John of the Cross.In 1622, forty years after her death, she was canonized by Pope Gregory XV and on 27 September 1970, was named a Doctor of the Church by Pope Paul VI. Her books, ...

A biography of Queen Elizabeth the First, the last monarch of the Tudors. (Summary by Brendan Stallard)

Frederick Adams Woods examined the biographical records and family trees of the great dynasties of Europe, judging and comparing their moral standards and intellectual aptitude to their reputation as rulers. The summarised family histories are produced after a painstaking search including portrait galleries, family lineage, comparisons of reputation, and the origin of allegations of madness and moral bankruptcy, all collated within a single volume. - Summary by Leon Harvey

The book of Ezekiel follows the southern kingdom of Israel, Judah, into captivity by the Babylonians. Ezekiel cries judgement on the Israelites for their sins, but also sings of God's mercy and the ultimate salvation of His people. Aside from its Judeo-Christian truths, the powerful imagery and poetry found throughout the book make for an interesting study in ancient literature. (Introduction by Jenn Raimundo)

A good direct life, with considerable on the Danish invasion and so, usable in connection with history classes in the upper grammar grades and high school. - Summary by American Library Association Booklist 1915

John McCrae, physician, soldier, and poet, died in France a Lieutenant-Colonel with the Canadian forces. The poem which gives this collection of his lovely verse its name has been extensively reprinted, and received with unusual enthusiasm. The volume contains, as well, a striking essay in character by his friend, Sir Andrew MacPhail. - Summary by from the Preface

This 1925 collection of extensive essays (a second book following the first of similar title) comprises well written biographies of a few famous folk. The life narratives include analyses of medical and/or psychological elements in each person’s life. Biographies include Samuel Johnson, King Henry VI, King Henry VIII, King Edward VI, Mary Tudor, Queen Elizabeth I, Ivan The Terrible, Martin Luther, Henry Fielding King James I (VI), King Charles I, King Charles II, Catherine of Braganza, Nell Gwynn, Henri Quatre, Marguerite de Valois, Frederick The Great, The Children’s Crusade, Some ...

This book is a biography of four woman authors whose names were well known by readers at the time of its publication (1883) : Anna Barbaud, Maria Edgeworth, Amelia Opie, and Jane Austen. Though most of us today are only familiar with the writings of Austen, all four of these women are well worth taking the time to get to know. The author, Anne Thackeray Ritchie, was the eldest daughter of William Makepeace Thackeray. - Summary by Ciufi Galeazzi

This work has been considered the "go-to" bio of Mark Twain for over a hundred years. Albert Bigelow Paine (July 10, 1861 – April 9, 1937) was an American author and biographer best known for his work with Mark Twain. These recordings of Paine's exhaustive biography cover Twain's personal and literary life in detail, heretofore, unapproached. The published work is divided into 7 sections, on three separate recordings: Recording #1 -VOLUME I, Part 1: 1835-1866 -VOLUME I, Part 2: 1866-1875 Recording #2 -VOLUME II, Part 1: 1875-1886 -VOLUME II, Part 2: 1886-1900 Recording #3 (This Recording) -...

A historical novel for children, which tells the story of several months in the life of the then famous Father Farmer, as he traveled a Mass circuit in Pre-Revolutionary, Colonial America. He faced much danger and and adventure, in order to provide the Mass and the Sacraments to Catholics who had not seen a priest in years.Father Farmer was a real life missionary priest during the 1700’s in what is now New England. In 1779 he was appointed as one of the first trustees of the University of Pennsylvania. He also had a reputation as a philosopher and astronomer in his time, and was a member of ...

The Lives of the Queens of England is a multi-volumed work attributed to Agnes Strickland, though it was mostly researched and written by her sister Elisabeth. These volumes give biographies of the queens of England from the Norman Conquest in 1066. Although by today's standards, it is not seen as a very scholarly work, the Stricklands used many sources that had not been used before.Volume eight includes the biographies of Henrietta Maria and Catharine of Braganza. (Summary by Ann Boulais)

The delightful tale of "le petit Santos" as he dances through the sky above the City of Light at the dawn of the aerial age.A note to the listener: Throughout this story the author makes several references to helpful figures and illustrations. These may be found upon the corresponding pages in the Project Gutenberg e-book. (Summary by Scott Danneker)

The Book of Judges (Shoftim) is the second of the former prophets within Nevi’im. The book of Judges covers the time between the conquest described in the Book of Joshua and the establishment of a kingdom in the Books of Samuel, during which Biblical judges served as temporary leaders. Judges, tell of the struggle of the people to possess the land. When the people are unfaithful, G_d delivers them into the hands of their enemies; once the people repent, mercy is given, a Judge delivers them from oppression until the cycle repeats. Judges concludes with two appendices (17:1–21:25), giving ...

This 1871 revision of The Psalms by the American Bible Union is based on the "Common Version," another name for the 1833 revision of the King James Version of The Bible by Noah Webster. (Summary by Mark Penfold)