The Floating Press: 2252 books

This collection of longer stories from Bret Harte highlights the author's unparalleled skill at creating unforgettable characters. In the title tale, a once fun-loving Southern girl who has had her spirit broken by the Civil War struggles to navigate the post-war reality and fend off her multitude of suitors.

The three works in this book are each strikingly different. Death, Satan and Nero (the fifth Roman emperor) converse in a prose poem; a Medieval saint encounters trial and struggle before attaining divinity; the life of a selfless maid in 19th-century France shows the horror of true altruism.

What if you were involved in the theft of one of the legendary jewels of all time -- and you didn't even know it? That's exactly what happens to the innocent damsel at the center of Robert W. Chambers' The Dark Star. She prays for a strong, silent savior to extract her from the mess she's in -- but will she recognize and call upon her own wit and spunk before it's too late?

In Jack London's 1910 story Before Adam a young boy dreams that he is living the life of an early hominid, giving human evolution an early and entertaining portrayal. The hominid he dreams through is one of the Cave People and the story tells us also of the Fire People, the Tree People, the hominid's love interest and a sabre-cat.

The importance of personal freedom is a key theme that runs throughout the work of science fiction writer Poul Anderson, and it is perhaps most directly explored in the novella Security. The story imagines a future in which the United States has attained absolute power, instituting a police state with the justification that a severe restriction of liberty is the only way to preserve security.

At first, the dueling machine seemed like a benign or even a helpful invention, allowing people to blow off steam and solve conflicts in a virtual reality-like environment. But before long, an evil tyrant discovers a way to use the device to inflict real and lasting harm on participants. Will the intrepid scientist who invented the technology be able to stop him before it's too late?

Tag along with a group of intrepid Boy Scouts as they spend some quality time in the great outdoors. In addition to plenty of mountain vistas, fresh air, and wildlife sightings, the crew stumbles across a confounding mystery along the way. This enthralling tale will pull in even reluctant younger readers.

Dave Dawson at Casablanca ups the ante on the classic aerial warfare action this popular adventure series is known for. In this volume, Dawson and his sidekick are recruited to carry out a spy mission of the utmost importance. Will these two brave soldiers with no prior experience in the espionage arena be able to pull it off?

Though today he is best remembered for his work for younger audiences, including the beloved classic Peter Pan, J. M. Barrie was a writer of remarkable breadth and versatility who didn't shy away from tough subjects. This volume of plays showcases an array of British families and their very different methods of coping with the aftermath of World War I.

Virginia-born novelist Ellen Glasgow played a leading role in helping Southern literature move away from the idealized, romantic portraits that were common in the nineteenth century, and toward a more gritty, realistic, nuanced view of the region.The Virginia of this book's title is a woman, Virginia...

Harriet Beecher Stowe was an author and abolitionist who is best remembered as the creator of Uncle Tom's Cabin, a much-beloved novel that brought emotional resonance and depth to the debate over slavery. This fascinating collection documents some of Beecher Stowe's writing on the topic of spiritualism,...

Surprise a young reader in your life with this collection of charming and insightful short stories from the pen of author Eleanor H. Porter, best known for the widely acclaimed novel Pollyanna. Touching on an array of engaging subjects and timeless themes, these stories showcase Porter's gift for...

As the result of a run-in with the law, struggling American writer William Sydney Porter chose to make a dash for the border in 1896. During the several months he spent in Honduras, Porter had enough time on his hands to begin exploring his talent for writing, which up until then had been merely a...

Fascinating characters, action-packed adventure, skillful literary description, and a plot that keeps you guessing -- Max Brand's Way of the Lawless offers something to appeal to every reader, whether you're a confirmed fan of the genre or someone who is dipping into Western fiction for the first time.