The Floating Press imprint: 2252 books

American fiction writer Henry James played a major role in shaping the literary sensibility of the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries, not only through his own stories and novels, but also with his insightful and perceptive literary criticism. Essays in this volume address a number of significant American and British authors, including Walt Whitman, George Eliot and Charles Dickens.

Poisons have long been the weapon of choice of nefarious ne'er-do-wells seeking to inflict harm on others. In this gripping true-crime compendium, author C.J.S. Thompson offers a concise history of poison as an instrument of murder and serves up a number of detailed case studies of instances in which poisons were put to use in the service of evil.

A wise king and, by some accounts, a distant ancestor of Jesus, David is one of the most compelling figures depicted in the Bible. In this thoughtful and comprehensive volume, theologian Charles Henry Mackintosh provides rich historical context for gaining a deeper understanding of David and his important contributions to Christianity.

If you're a gambling man (or woman), the fast-paced stories collected in Taking Chances will hit you like a jolt of adrenaline. Originally published in the New York Sun, these tales of triumphs and defeats at the racetrack, poker table and other assorted venues are witty and entertaining.

Throughout his life, poet and essayist Arthur Christopher Benson also worked as an educator and school administrator. This collection of essays presents Benson's views on topics ranging from art to the aging process, filtered through the lens of someone who is actively engaged in the difficult but rewarding work of educating a nation's youth.

Though American author Winston Churchill often focused on historical events as inspiration for his novels, his later work more often explored the way that events conspired to shape his characters' opinions and values. In A Far Country, protagonist Hugh Paret enters his career as a corporate lawyer full...

Stories of the supernatural have been around for thousands of years, but what is it in the human mind that compels us to repeat these tales? In this fascinating collection, scholar Elliot O'Donnell takes a detailed look at all kinds of spooky stories and explores possible connections that may help explain their origins.

This novel from Peter Pan author J. M. Barrie pulls off a remarkable feat: its characters spend a great deal of time discussing the do's and don'ts of creative writing, even as the book itself exhibits many of these qualities. In essence, When a Man's Single shows and tells. It's a compelling must-read for literary-minded folks.

This charming mystery from Scottish-Canadian author Robert Barr focuses on the adventures of plucky, pretty journalist Jennie Baxter. Said to be based in part on the journalistic crusader Nellie Bly, Jennie is an intelligent and indefatigable sleuth -- and a formidable foe of crooks and thieves.

In the title story in this collection of three tales, author Bret Harte brings to vivid life the character of Abner McNott, an enterprising entrepreneur with a vision. Against overwhelming odds, McNott sets out to transform the carcass of a wrecked ship into a welcoming inn.

Many regard a successful marketing campaign as a mystical, hard-to-define feat that only happens when the stars align and other intangible factors happen to fall into place. Author Claude Hopkins takes the opposing view, arguing that successful advertising can be boiled down to a handful of empirical...

If you prefer your ghost stories to have a stout dose of rollicking wit, add Toppleton's Client to your must-read list. A lawyer moves into a new office and soon discovers it is haunted -- and worse yet, the lingering spirit wants to engage the lawyer's services to oust another supernatural being that is squatting, so to speak, in his physical body.

Actors and fans of theater will thoroughly enjoy Jerome K. Jerome's series of humorous essays on the subject. In Stage-Land, Jerome mercilessly skewers theatrical cliches and the quirks and foibles of the men and women who bring these characters to life.

Readers young and old alike will delight in this collection of classic short stories from author Eleanor H. Porter, best known for her beloved novel Pollyanna. Each tale is simple enough for younger readers to understand, but laden with rich meaning and moral messages that continue to resonate even today. This collection is also a great candidate for reading aloud before bedtime.