The Floating Press: 2252 books

This fascinating novel from beloved British author Charles Kingsley delves into the life, politics and religious beliefs of the female ancient Greek philosopher and mathematician Hypatia. Though purportedly set in ancient times, many of the novel's themes reflect the prevailing controversies of nineteenth-century England -- the novel is said to have been a favorite of Queen Victoria.

Settle in for a deliciously transporting read. Arnold Bennett's The Price of Love follows the ups and downs of one Rachel Louisa Fleckring, whose disastrous foray into married life leaves her damaged and distrustful. What's more, a large sum of money that has been entrusted to Rachel winds up missing along the way. How can she put the pieces of her once-promising life back together?

As the nineteenth century gave way to the twentieth century, a series of deadly rebellions flared up in the British imperial holdings in Africa. In With Buller in Natal, a scrappy young soldier named Chris King fights alongside the famed General Redvers Buller.

History buffs love to immerse themselves in the details of past eras. But sometimes, one can get bogged down in the minutia of times gone by and fail to grasp the significance of the bigger picture. This volume from historian James Johonnot is the antidote to overly compartmentalized history texts, offering a broad perspective on the major events that coalesced to shape the world we live in.

In the minds of many critics, scholars and loyal readers, American author William Sydney Porter -- better known as O. Henry -- perfected the art of the short story. Waifs and Strays collects some of the short fiction he penned toward the end of his illustrious literary career. Long-time fans and first-time readers alike are sure to be charmed.

Many histories of the short life of Old West gunslinger William Bonney have been published, but few pack the punch of Charles A. Siringo's History of 'Billy the Kid', a thrilling first-person account that traces the doomed outlaw's story from birth to death. Siringo was known in his time as a cowboy detective and spent months pursuing Bonney.

Though we often associate stock exchanges with the hustle and bustle of the present-day financial services industry, the key structures underpinning these exchanges actually date back to ancient times, and the first modern example of a stock exchange was established in 1602. If you're interested in eschewing...

Questions of national sovereignty, immigration and cultural identity were as relevant in the era of the Wild West as they are today, if not more so. William MacLeod Raine's Bucky O'Connor broaches these tricky issues in the midst of a pleasing tale that unfolds in the classic Western tradition.

Young brothers Jack and Tom Dacre live an idyllic life, but their thirst for adventure often takes them to locales near and far. In this volume of the action-adventure series for younger readers, the Bungalow Boys make a trip to Washington state to lend a hand to an old friend of their uncle who has found himself in dire straits.

This sprawling novel, initially published in serial form in 1882, is considered to be the first and foremost masterpiece of Australian colonial literature. It follows the misadventures of Australian bushman Dick Marston, a lifelong criminal whose heists become increasingly brazen over time, leading up to his eventual incarceration.

This collection of short stories and vignettes brings to life the gritty coterie of outsiders who have populated the marginalized East End of London for hundreds of years. Rather than stooping to the caricatures that many other writers have lazily used when limning the lives of the poor, Arthur Morrison brings genuine depth, warmth and insight to these tales.

This charming collection of stories from Juliana Horatia Ewing, an acclaimed writer of fiction for younger audiences, will delight readers in any age group. The title novella, "Mary's Meadow," centers on a family embroiled in a dispute over a tract of land separating their property from the neighbor's....

Like many of Gustave Aimard's action-packed yarns, The Prairie Flower is a study in cultural tension. Young French aristocrat Count Charles Edward de Beaulieu has banished himself from his native Europe, but his self-imposed exile in America is faring poorly, as he feels misunderstood and hopelessly...

In the early 1700s, the cultural group now known as Romani had made inroads into much of Europe. In some areas, they were granted special privileges and dispensations; in others, they were mercilessly persecuted and even sold into slavery. British historical novelist G. P. R. James captures the shifting role of the Gypsy people during the period in this remarkably detailed book.