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A fascinating exploration of American identity by one of the most influential historians and thinkers of the twentieth century

According to Frederick Jackson Turner, the distinct qualities of the American character are inseparable from the idea of the frontier. One of the nation's most influential historians, Turner sets forth his "frontier thesis" in the eight brilliant, enlightening, and provocative essays that make up his seminal work, The Frontier in American History—a book which profoundly altered the way Americans viewed themselves.

Disputing the traditionally held emphasis on European cultural influences, Turner argues that the American frontier fostered self-reliance, optimism, ingenuity, individualism, restlessness, materialism, and democratic ideals—traits that collectively shaped the national character. His groundbreaking work continues to influence American culture, politics, and history more than eighty years after it was first published.  

The author of A Passage to India offers personal and historical reflections on the Egyptian city of Alexandria in these essays, articles, and poems.

As a noncombatant during the First World War, E. M. Forster was stationed with the British Red Cross in Alexandria, Egypt. He fell in love with the place, which had once been a cultural crossroads of the world, and with a young Egyptian man named Mohammed el Adl. Pharos and Pharillon collects Forster's many reflections about the city, its history, and his experiences there.

Organized in two parts, the book begins with Pharos, the great Lighthouse of Alexandria, and seven stories that paint a poetic picture of the ancient city. The second half, Pharillon, consists of four stories set during the British-occupied Alexandria of the twentieth century. It includes Forster's moving introduction of the Greek poet C. P. Cavafy to the English-speaking world. The division in the book is signaled by Cavafy's now famous poem, "The God Abandons Antony."

The romance of Queen Elizabeth I and Robert Devereux captures "the real drama of ambition, passion, and personality in the pageant of veracious history" (The Philadelphia Inquirer).

The author who helped to shape the modern biography turned his glorious prose and searing wit to one of the most famous romances in British history, that of Queen Elizabeth I and Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex. As the San Francisco Chronicle raved, “Elizabeth is an old subject, but here is a fresh and brilliant portrait of her, a splendidly dramatic story, an historical excursion of uncommon interest.”

In these pages, Lytton Strachey follows the twists and turns of the uncommon affair. The stepson of the Earl of Leicester, the Queen's favorite, Robert was not yet twenty when he captured the fifty-three-year-old monarch's interest. Their tumultuous relationship survived international intrigue, political machinations, and even the young Earl's marriage. But it was only a matter of time before his ambition would clash with the capricious Queen, bringing about his untimely end.

A critically acclaimed autobiography that exemplifies the American Dream by one of nineteenth-century America's most philanthropic businessmen.

Scottish immigrant Andrew Carnegie worked his way up from bobbin boy to telegraph operator to railroad man, learning key lessons along the way that would eventually lead to his unparalleled success in the steel business. Documenting a world of tariffs, insider deals, and Wall Street sharks, The Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie opens a window into the great industrialist's decision-making process. His insights on education, business, and the necessity of giving back for the common good set an inspirational example for aspiring executives and provide a fitting testament to the power of the American dream.