HarperCollins Publishers

Of the two hundred stories that Anton Chekhov wrote, the twenty stories that appear in this extraordinary collection were personally chosen by Richard Ford an accomplished storyteller in his own right. Included are the familiar masterpieces — The Kiss, The Darling, and The Lady with the Dog — as well as several brilliant lesser-known tales such as A Blunder, Hush!, and Champagne. These stories, ordered from 1886 to 1899, are drawn from Chekhov's most fruitful years as a short-story writer. A truly balanced selection, they exhibit the qualities that make Chekhov one of the greatest fiction writers of all time: his gift for detail, dialogue, and humor; his emotional perception and compassion; and his understanding that life's most important moments are often the most overlooked. The reason we like Chekhov so much, now at our century's end, writes Ford in his perceptive introduction, is because his stories from the last century's end feel so modern to us, are so much of our own time and mind. Exquisitely translated by the renowned Constance Garnett, these stories present a wonderful opportunity to introduce yourself or become reaquainted with an artist whose genius and influence only increase with every passing generation.

After being abducted by aliens — not once, but twice — a stuffy Washington D.C. talk-show host demands that Congress and the White House seriously investigate UFOs, while friends and family urge him to seek therapy before he ruins his reputation for good. A comic tour de force from the author of»Wry Martinis.»

Immerse yourself in an electrifying reading experience like no other — international bestselling author Paulo Coelho's «The Fifth Mountain.» A stunning novel in the tradition of the highly acclaimed «The Alchemist, « this is Coelho's daring retelling of the prophet Elijah. During the chaos of the ninth century B.C., Jezebel, wife to Israel's ruler, orders the execution of all prophets who refuse to worship the pagan god Baal. The young prophet Elijah, commanded by an angel of God to flee Israel, seeks safety in the land of Zarephath, where he unexpectedly finds true love with a young widow. But this new-found rapture is to be cut short, and Elijah sees all of his hopes and dreams irrevocably erased. What follows is sure to be viewed as Coelho's literary milestone: the quietly moving account of a man touched by the hand of God who must triumph over his frustrations in a soul-shattering trial of faith.Inspired by a circumstance that forever altered Coelho's own life, «The Fifth Mountain» is a testament to the truth that tragedy in life should not be considered a punishment but a challenge of the spirit. Gorgeous in its narrative and unforgettable in its prose, «The Fifth Mountain» teaches without being sanctimonious. This is a timeless story for the ages, a tale of the past that resonates powerfully for today's readers.

I can do it! is the confidence-building message of this fun-filled interactive picture book. A variety of familiar animals, depicted in colorful collages, invites young children to copy their antics as they wiggle, stomp, thump, and bend across the strikingly designed pages.

Why did Abraham Lincoln sneak into Washington for his inauguration? Was the Gettysburg Address written on the back of an envelope? Where did the Underground Railroad run? Can you answer these questions? If not, you're not alone New York Times-bestselling author Kenneth C. Davis comes to the rescue, deftly sorting out the players, the politics, the key events — Emancipation and Reconstruction, Shiloh and Gettysburg, Generals Grant and Lee, Harriet Beecher Stowe — and providing little-known facts that will enthrall even learned Civil War buffs. Vivid, informative, and hugely entertaining, Don't Know Much About the Civil War is the only book you'll ever need on the war that never ended.

The tough neighborhood of Dorchester is no place for the innocent or the weak. A territory defined by hard heads and even harder luck, its streets are littered with the detritus of broken families, hearts, dreams. Now, one of its youngest is missing. Private investigators Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro don't want the case. But after pleas from the child's aunt, they open an investigation that will ultimately risk everything — their relationship, their sanity, and even their lives — to find a little girl-lost.

A dread darkness is descending upon a great land called Midkemia-a powerful and malevolent race of monsters that has slipped through a hole in the dimensions. And two unlikely young heroes-a bastard heir denied his birthright and an irrepressible scoundrel with a penchant for thievery-must take up arms in the struggle to protect their besieged world; two friends chosen by Destiny to stand at the fore of the battle that is to come against the gargantuan reptile army of the terrible Emerald Queen.

Sharpe and Patrick Harper set sail for Chile in order to track down a friend gone missing. As a favor to Napoleon, they carry a seemingly harmless gift with them — one that embroils them in a web of conspiracy and danger.

The «Washington Post» has hailed «Sharpe's Battle» as a book that «combines those strengths that have come to characterize Bernard Cornwell's fiction — immaculate historical reconstruction and the ability to tell a ripping yarn».

Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe's Fortress — the stunning successor to Sharpe's Tiger and Sharpe's Triumph — marks the explosive finale in Richard Sharpe's trio of unforgettable adventures in India. Richard Sharpe, now an officer in Wellesley's army, faces a battle of a different kind-this time among his own ranks. Uncomfortable with his newfound authority and unwilling colleagues, Sharpe is relegated to the tedium of baggage duty. But when he catches wind of a treasonous scheme devised by none other than his oldest and worst enemy, Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill, Sharpe has little choice but to take up arms, seek revenge, and regain his stolen treasure-the jewels of the Tippoo Sultan. Joining Wellesley's army as it prepares to lay siege to this fortress high above the Deccan Plain, Sharpe will risk his honor, reputation, and fortune on a battle that will test him as never before.

In a battery of events that will make a hero out of an illiterate private, a young Richard Sharpe poses as the enemy to bring down a ruthless Indian dictator backed by fearsome French troops. The year is 1799, and Richard Sharpe is just beginning his military career. An inexperienced young private in His Majesty's service, Sharpe becomes part of an expedition to India to push the ruthless Tippoo of Mysore from his throne and drive out his French allies. To penetrate the Tippoo's city and make contact with a Scottish spy being held prisoner there, Sharpe has to pose as a deserter. Success will make him a sergeant, but failure will turn him over to the Tippoo's brutal executioners — or, worse — his man-eating tigers. Picking his way through an exotic and alien world. Sharpe realizes that one slip will mean disaster. And when the furious British assault on the city finally begins, Sharpe must take up arms against his true comrades to preserve his false identity, risking death at their hands in order to avoid detection and thus to foil the Tippoo's well-set trap.

This beloved Eric Carle classic returns once again in a colorful new board book format. For generations, The Grouchy Ladybug has delighted readers of all ages with the story of a bad-tempered bug who won't say please or thank you, won't share, and thinks she is bigger and better than anyone else. As children follow the Grouchy Ladybug on her journey, they will learn the important concepts of time, size, and shape, as well as the benefits of friendship and good manners.

From the ancient citadel of Dragonstone to the forbidding shores of Winterfell, chaos reigns as pretenders to the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms prepare to stake their claims. As a prophecy of doom cuts across the sky — a comet the colour of blood and flame — five factions struggle for control of a divided land. Against a backdrop of incest and fratricide, alchemy and murder, the price of glory is measured in blood.

Set in the Middle East during the turbulent 9th century, this text tells the story of Elijah who, at 23, faces both lost earthly love and the ultimate trial of shaken faith — doubt about the very existence of God. Published in over 100 countries, translated into 42 different languages, with over 21 million copies of his books sold internationally, Paulo Coelho can truly claim to be one of the most popular writers in the world. The Independent on Sunday has called him a 'publishing phenomenon'. Paulo's writing is a visionary blend of spirituality, magical realism and folklore. His stories are simple and direct, yet they have the power to change lives and inspire you with the courage to follow your dreams...His fifth novel, The Fifth Mountain, is set in the 9th century BC. Elijah is a young man struggling to maintain his sanity amidst a chaotic world of tyranny and war. Forced to flee his home, then choose between his newfound love and security and his overwhelming sense of duty, this is a moving and inspiring story about how we can transcend even the most terrible ordeals by keeping faith and love alive.

“Fantasy of a superior order.” — Washington Post Book World “A storyteller without peer. He created worlds as colorful and exotic and memorable as any our genre has ever seen.” — George R.R. Martin One of the most revered names in sf and fantasy, the incomparable Roger Zelazny was honored with numerous prizes- including six Hugo and three Nebula Awards—over the course of his legendary career. Among his more than fifty books, arguably Zelazny’s most popular literary creations were his extraordinary Amber novels. The Great Book of Amber is a collection of the complete Amber chronicles—featuring volumes one through ten—a treasure trove of the ingenious imagination and phenomenal storytelling that inspired a generation of fantasists, from Neil Gaiman to George R.R. Martin.

Prim and proper Juliet Rose Astor Lowell doesn't want her body guarded by anyone while she's in New Orleans for the grand opening of Daddy's new hotel — especially not by consummate macho cop Beau Dupree. He's just too big, too pushy, too virile, too...everything! His shameless, hungry-eyed gaze shakes her carefully cultivated decorum like no one ever has, but Juliet is a Lowell — and there's no way she's going to lose control! The lady is downright delectable, but Beau has more important things to do than babysit a beautiful Yankee rich girl. So he decides to get himself pulled off of the assignment by driving the oh-so-proper socialite beyond the bounds of her good-girl restraints. But who would have thought that real passion sizzled beneath Juliet's polish? When she lets her hair down, she just might prove to be more than enough woman to handle Beau — but will he be able to handle her?

Sir Claud Amory’s revolutionary new formula for a powerful explosive is stolen. Locking his house-guests in the library, Sir Claud switches off the lights to allow the thief to replace the formula, no questions asked. When the lights come on, he is dead, and Hercule Poirot and Captain Hastings have to unravel a tangle of family feuds, old flames and suspicious foreigners to find the killer and prevent a global catastrophe. «Black Coffee» was Agatha Christie’s first playscript, originally performed in 1930 and made into a now rarely-seen film the following year. Combining her typically beguiling plot and sparkling dialogue with his own faithful narrative, Charles Osborne’s novelisation is «A worthy addition to the Christie canon».

A young woman in love with a man torn between his love for her and his incorrigible womanizing; one of his mistresses and her humbly faithful lover — these are the two couples whose story is told in this masterful novel. In a world in which lives are shaped by irrevocable choices and by fortuitous events, a world in which everything occurs but once, existence seems to lose its substance, its weight. Hence, we feel «the unbearable lightness of being» not only as the consequence of our pristine actions but also in the public sphere, and the two inevitably intertwine.

Based on the true story, this is the tale of the 18th Century Irish giant, Charles O’Brien. He was exhibited in London and eventually dissected by the surgeon Charles Hunter, and his bones hang to this day in the Hunterian Museum in Lincoln’s Inn Field. Charles O’Brien, bard and giant. The cynical are moved by his flights of romance; the craven stirred by his tales of epic deeds. But what of his own story as he is led from Ireland to seek his fortune beyond the seas in England? The Surprising Irish Giant may be the sensation of the season but only his compatriots seem to attend to his mythic powers of invention. A motley court surrounds him: slow witted Jankin; the thrusting Claffey brothers; sharp-tongued Bride Claskey, the procuress. None so low as Bitch Mary, and none so opportunistic as impressario Joe Vance, yet London shall make its mark on them all. In addition to the daunting task of taking his storytelling across the sea, The Giant O'Brien must be wary of John Hunter, a celebrated surgeon and anatomist who buys dead men from the gallows and the corpses of babies by the inch. The only problem for John Hunter is that the Giant is still alive. But for how long? ‘The Giant, O’ Brien’ is an unforgettable novel; lyrical, shocking and spliced with black comedy.

The second collection of short stories from the highly acclaimed author of the novels ‘The Mysteries of Pittsburgh’ and ‘Wonder Boys’. There are the two boys of the title story, locked in their own world of fantasy and make-believe, reaching out to each other to survive the terrible prospect of fatherlessness. ‘House Hunting’ shows us the grim spectacle of a couple whose marriage is in its death throes, and whose search for a happy home is doomed; in another story a couple struggle to overcome the effects of a brutal rape. Elsewhere, a family therapist comes face to face with the dark secret of his childhood, and an American football star down on his luck makes his peace with his father. The collection culminates in a daring and wonderfully baroque horror story ‘In the Black Mill’, which chronicles the terrifying fate that befalls an archaeologist as he uncovers cannibalism and ritual sacrifice in a gloomy Pennsylvanian town. Serious in their subject matter, yet shot through with wit, humour and compassion, these nine short stories demonstrate Chabon’s ability to weave together comedy and tragedy with unforgettable results.

Paddington visits the Spring carnival in Little Venice. It's Springtime again and Mr Gruber is taking Paddington down to the canal to join in the fun at the Spring Carnival. Hoping to win a boat ride for two, the friends enter the Busy Bee Adventure Trail. Paddington soon discovers that he's very good at spotting things beginning with the letter B, but it seems that he's not the only one with his eye on the prize...

A preliminary to Dick's masterwork, Valis, in which Phil appears as an explicitly named autobiographical character for the first time. As America gasps in the stranglehold of a skull-crushing totalitarian regime, a supernatural intelligence speaks from the stars...ARAMCHEK...the word scratched in the sidewalk of the President's childhood home. ARAMCHEK...the name of the subversive society 'with no official membership' whose sole purpose is to overthrow the American government. ARAMCHEK...the word printed on a book which contains the President's signature — a book in the hands of a Communist Party organiser. ARAMCHEK...the name of a woman who may hold the key — and who has only weeks to live. Will the agents of the omniscient Valis succeed in their mission of liberation? Or will the seek-and-destroy tactics of President Ferris F. Freemont extend the mind-numbing grip of the Antagonist across the parameters of the free world?

This style biography reveals the details — fashion and otherwise — of Audrey Hepburn's appeal. It draws on interviews with Hubert de Givenchy, Gregory Peck, Nancy Reagan, Doris Brynner, and Audrey Wilder, as well as reminiscences of professional friends like Steven Spielberg and Ralph Lauren.

Ordinarily, events that change our path are impersonal affairs, and yet extremely personal. My teacher, don Juan Matsus, said this is guiding me as his apprentice to collect what I considered to be the memorable events of my life... Don Juan described the total goal of the shamanistic knowledge that he handled as the preparation for facing the definitive journey: the journey that every human being has to take at the end of his life. He said that what modern man referred to vaguely as life after death was, for those shamans, a concrete region filled to capacity with practical affairs of a different order than the practical affairs of daily life, yet bearing a similar functional practicality. Don Juan considered that to collect the memorable in their lives was, for shamans, the preparation for their entrance into that concrete region, which they called the active side of infinity. In this book written immediately before his death, anthropologist and shaman Carlos Castaneda gives us his most autobiographical and intimately revealing work ever, the fruit of a lifetime of experience and perhaps the most moving volume in his oeuvre.