Best books by genre: Nonfiction

Do you want to look at the USA of 19th century with your own eyes? And how about with the eyes of an eleven-year-old boy? Reading his diary day by day, you will explore everyday life with him, fight with schoolboys, make cigars, take beatings from the Father, go to the corner shop… it’s as if you plunge into that world, that time and honesty and truthfulness of a young boy help you in it.
This book was highly appreciated by the national readers, Henry Shute got his fame through it.

Once upon a time there lived Lightfoot the Deer. He was handsome and cute and had a lot of friends at Home – in the Green forest. Everything was wonderful… but then autumn came and with it came the invaders – creatures on two legs with things that spat fire – hunters!.. Will Lightfoot the Deer be able to escape?.. How horrible!.. But don’t be afraid, his friends in the Green forest will help him. And when danger over blows, strange, foreign deer come to the forest. Why are they here? And what will Lightfoot the Deer do?..

This documentary work written by Beller narrates about the life of common soldiers who take part in the Civil War in America. In the introducing the author brings into some meaningful terms that can give some clues about the people: “Billy Yank, as the Union soldier was commonly referred to, and Johnny Reb, the nickname given to Confederate soldiers.” Terms like these are used superfluously much, in the book they can be met for several times in one sentence. However the coating is given sufficiently – the writer talks about diseases, arms, both armies, food, fights, main battles and so on. Moreover some quotations from the letters from and to the armies are demonstrated in the book. The appendix includes maps, photographs, timetable of the Civil War, some notes, auxiliary books and other resources.

Albert Payson Terhune was an American writer, journalist and dog breeder. Best of all he is known for his novels about the adventures of his beloved collies and as a breeder of collies at his Sunnybank Kennels. Sunnybank was family’s summer home, but later Terhune made his permanent place of living. First Albert Payson Terhune published short stories about his collie named Lad in various general-interest magazines, such as Saturday Evening Post, Ladies' Home Journal, Hartford Courant and others.
‘Bruce’ is one of the most famous books of the writer. It’s a simple story telling of that almost forgotten times, when women were ladies, dogs were Dogs, and men were husbands first of all, but not office heroes trying to save the world. Bruce, an awesome collie, is the main character of the story. When the First World War began, Bruce was already a grown up dog. Bruce shows the questionable use of war dogs as couriers to deliver written messages back and forth to the different front lines and foxholes of the World War I. Soldiers shot at him, he gets injured, then he’s patched up sent out again. Bruce was lucky, really lucky. Because not all the dogs caught the fortune as he did. At last Bruce comes home to heroes welcome to live out his life at Sunnybank. Probably, the story may seem not that serious or even not that interesting, but it is worth reading. The book is read very easily, at one breath. The book is understandable for everyone. Kids and older young reader will be captivated by the plot, and adults will definitely appreciate the beauty of language. Although the book may seem childish, it won’t make parents fall asleep when reading ‘Bruce’ to their kids. Plenty of actions and characters keep the reader in stress.
Author reveals in his novels such old truths as loyalty, friendship, and love. That’s what little children need nowadays, in the modern world of cruelty and indifference. This book will definitely teach kids to appreciate their friends, to take care of someone they love, to forgive and to trust. Seems that book is glowing with positive emotions and kindness that Albert Payson Terhune put into it.
‘Bruce’ would be a great present for a kid, and for an adult. This book would be awesome additional material for reading lessons at school, because it impresses not only by perfect and easy language, but also by raising quite serious questions.
‘Bruce’ is the book for those who love dogs, for those who still believe in miracles, for those who still think that dreaming is not a waste of time. This book is for those, who still believe in friends and fidelity. ‘Bruce’ teaches readers to be if not fearless, but at least brave and courageous, no matter what is going on. It helps not lose faith in yourself and people you love. This book is a real book of life, if it is possible to say that.

Charles Seddon Evans (1883-1944) wrote his version of The Sleeping Beauty together with Cinderella, both illustrated by Arthur Rackham. The fairy-tale first was issued in 1729, when Robert Samber translated Charles Perrault\'s fairy tale La Belle au bois dormant. C.S. Evans has developed Perrault\'s story but followed the later version by the Brothers Grimm in giving his heroine the name of Briar-Rose and ending with her awakening and betrothal, skipping the evil mother-in-law who orders her grandchildren to be cooked for supper. So C.S. Evens tells the story in the fullest detail, giving the romantic version. The story starts with the princess\'s parents and the frog; it depicts the work of the servants and what goes in the castle, the 12 good fairies and curse. The advice of the wizards, the destruction of the wheels, the princess growing up, and the demise of the curse\'s reign. Of course, there are some princes that try to break the curse, but only one makes it through!

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Barriers Burned Away was written by Edward Payson Roe, one of the most popular American writers and novelists of all times. This book, published in 1873, was his first work which brought him a great success. The plot is strained and keeps the readers attentive and even a bit thrilled. It narrates about the real historical event as most of the novels creates by Roe: about the Chicago Fire and the troubles it created for ordinary people. The author does a great job not only in describing the tragedy of a fire but also in depicting the conflict between two main heroes. The book was so popular that in the 1930s the movie based on the events of this novel was shot.

A little-known play (in the form of a pantomime) of an Irish writer and poet Oscar Wilde, best known by his only novel “The Picture of Dorian Gray” and social satire “The Importance of Being Earnest”. Wilde wrote it not for publication, but as gift to his childhood friend and a friend of the family, Mrs. Chan Toon. For a long time she did not give her consent for the book to be published. The play tells of a charming maiden, Mah Phru, who temporary alleviated King Meng Beng, awaiting of his bride from Ceylon, bearing him two sons.

The story runs trough the Gold Rush era, times of hate and destruction, greed, solitude and betrayal, creating a vivid atmosphere of the epoch.“The shooting of Dan McGrew” by Marvin Dana is based on the famous poem of Robert W. Service. It will be useful for children’s acquaintance with poetry, as well as for entertaining of a wide readership.

While reading this book the reader gets more and more sure that James A. Garfield must deserve more historical recognition, one might say he’s almost forgotten! Horatio Alger's excellent biography should be required reading for all high school students and all Americans, who should see the country as a land of opportunity, learning that any person may make what he wants of himself! It is a rags-to-riches story that amuses as well as informs. It’s truly encouraging to be reminded that a sincere, frugal, pleasant, and scrupulous man like James A. Garfield, who was brought up in a humble, rather poor family, born in a log cabin, no shoes till he was four, could rise through military and political ranks to become America's 20th president. This is a very special book, where Alger wrote about success principles that worked 100 years ago - as they do nowadays. Thus, any of us can use these principles to achieve what we desire. James A. Garfield reached his aim without compromising his steady personal values or his integrity. It’s strongly recommended for those readers who still believe in the ‘American Dream’ and who try hard to achieve a goal of any difficulty and ultimately succeed.