Washington Irving's Life of George Washington (published in five volumes in 1856-59) was the product of his last years and remains his most personal work. Christened with the name of the great general, Irving was blessed by Washington while still a boy of seven, and later came to know many of the prominent figures of the Revolution. In these pages he describes them using firsthand source material and observation. The result is a book which is fascinating...

Presents the original text of Shakespeare's play side by side with a modern version, discusses the author and the theater of his time, and provides quizzes and other study activities.

"The Tragic Muse," although loved by James admirers, hasn't reached the same level of acclaim as some of his earlier novels. The charming and witty story of two would-be artists, both looking for inspiration in spite of society's emphasis on material success, is a provocative look at the role of the artist in society. Nick Dormer, an aspiring painter, must decide whether or not to fulfill his family legacy in British politics with the help of his...