The Floating Press: 2252 books

British author Algernon Blackwood was a remarkably influential figure in the genre of "weird" terror. His tales rely on gradually mounting suspense and a sense of discomforting dislocation, rather than gore or explicit horror. The Promise of Air is a classic example of the unique brand of weird fiction that Blackwood pioneered.

This fascinating fictionalized account of the life of a fifteenth-century English monk offers an engaging look at the rigors of a spiritual life -- and questions whether it is more beneficial to dedicate one's life to solitary prayer and meditation, or to try to help solve the world's problems through direct and targeted action.

Scottish-born merchant Michael Scott was inspired to write about his experiences at sea after making numerous trips around the world. The Cruise of the Midge, his second work, follows a semi-autobiographical character, Benjamin Brail, as he travels to Africa for his family's merchant business.

Though originally intended for young adult audiences, this tale of high-seas adventure is a captivating read for readers of all ages. Young George St. Leger has returned from a sea voyage, only to discover that his brother is in peril. Desperate, he begs the owner of a newly built vessel, the Nonsuch Buccaneer, to undertake a risky rescue mission. Will he pull off his daring plan?

Get ready for a non-stop barrage of chuckles and belly laughs when you settle in with The Talking Horse and Other Tales from renowned humorist F. Anstey. In the title story, sophisticated man-about-town Gustavus Pulvertoft finds himself the proud owner of a steed that has somehow been gifted with the...

The mother of renowned novelist Anthony Trollope, Frances Trollope was an important literary figure in her own right. She made significant contributions to the then-nascent genre of travel writing, as well as publishing a number of well-researched novels that grapple with complex social issues. The sprawling epic The Vicar of Wrexhall casts a critical eye on the misdeeds of clergymen.

The Fifth Queen Crowned is the final book in a trilogy of historical romances based on the courtship, marriage, and eventual dissolution of the relationship between England's notorious King Henry VIII and Katharine Howard, a beautiful young woman who was a cousin of another of Henry's wives, Anne Boleyn.

For romance readers who are looking for stories that are a little tamer than the racy tomes that tend to dominate bookshelves today, Grace Livingston Hill's body of work is a welcome respite. In Dawn of the Morning, plucky heroine Dawn Rensselaer finds herself stuck in an arranged engagement that will relegate her to a life of misery. Will she ever be able to break free and find true love?

If you like your mysteries served up with a tall order of intrigue, romance, fascinating characters, and engrossing local color, try The Avalanche from author Gertrude Atherton. Set among the affluent upper classes in turn-of-the-century San Francisco, the novel delves into the relationship between a...

Written before the outbreak of World War II, this remarkable story imagines a military conflict in which a weapon of unprecedented power and destructiveness is unleashed -- but this time, it's an enemy of the U.S. that has the upper hand. With entire cities swept off the map in a matter of seconds, will the country be able to fight back?

The "official" account of the Civil War is well known by many, but this sweeping narrative often overlooks the experiences and impressions of individuals. Life in Dixie During the War offers up a fascinating first-hand account of what it was like to actually live through this tumultuous period in American...

Brothers Tom, Sam and Dick Rover have an insatiable thirst for adventure and excitement -- and they almost get more of it than they bargained for in The Rover Boys on the Ocean. This fast-paced read recounts the Rovers' nautical adventure during a school vacation. Originally intended as a relaxing retreat,...

In this engaging tale from popular short-story writer W. W. Jacobs, a family bands together to crack the case of a missing piece of jewelry, attempting to catch the thief red-handed. But when they set their plan into motion, it quickly spirals out of control.

Many fans of Arthur Conan Doyle are best acquainted with the author's vast body of detective stories featuring detective Sherlock Holmes. But Doyle also wrote a number of horror and crime-related tales in which the illustrious Holmes doesn't make an appearance. This chilling tale, set in an Australian prison, gives readers a glimpse into the cold heart of a hardened criminal.