Classic Science Fiction Collections

Before Twilight and True Blood, even before Buffy and Anne Rice and Bela Lugosi, vampires haunted the 19th century, when brilliant writers everywhere indulged their bloodthirsty imaginations, culminating in Bram Stoker's legendary 1897 novel, Dracula. Michael Sims brings together the very best vampire stories of the Victorian era - from England, America, France, Germany, Transylvania, and even Japan - into a unique collection that highlights their cultural variety.

Edith Nesbit's trilogy about a group of children who encounter a sand fairy and, through his intercession, embark on a wild round of adventures has been a staple of juvenile literature since the first volume was published in 1902. The three books are Five Children and It (1902), The Phoenix and the Carpet (1904), and The Story of the Amulet (1906).

Pentacle collects the classic tales of an unnamed Necromancer and his demonic familiar "Self" as they wander the spectral highways of America incurring the wrath of both heaven and hell.

Nie sind monströsere Gefahren überwunden und rachsüchtigere Götter überlistet worden als in der griechischen Antike. Stephen Fry haucht den Sagen um Perseus, Herakles & Ödipus neues Leben ein. Ob Jason mithilfe von Medeas Zauber das Goldene Vlies stiehlt oder Theseus durch Ariadnes List den Minotaurus überwindet - mit seinem unnachahmlichen Humor holt Fry die klassischen Stoffe in unsere Zeit. Er zeigt, dass hinter jedem Helden eine Heldin steht und dass es der Auflehnung der Helden gegen Zeus & Co. bedurfte, um der Welt von uns Menschen den Weg zu bereiten.

A wonderful selection of 27 short stories about holidays by one of the world's best-loved children's authors, Enid Blyton. School's out! So go on a picnic, visit the seaside or throw coconuts at the fair in this enchanting collection of stories perfect for summer holidays.

Twenty-five more timeless Christmas stories from Enid Blyton. The excitement of singing carols, exchanging gifts and a bit of her trademark mischief can all be found in this festive collection. Stories include 'The Pantomime Wolf', 'Christmas in the Toyshop' and 'The Extraordinary Christmas Tree'.

The great scientists Louis Pasteur (1822-1893) and Joseph Lister (1827-1912) revolutionized medical practice in the 19th century. Pasteur's discovery of the cause of fermentation formed the basis of modern germ theory while Lister developed antiseptic surgical methods based on that. The book contains a description of the theory, and accounts of their work and experiments.

Fifty-One Tales is a collection of fantasy short stories by Irish writer Lord Dunsany, a major influence on J. R. R. Tolkien, H. P. Lovecraft, Ursula K. Le Guin and others. Each story is a short vignette, a single moment of strangeness or horror in the face of death.

This collection of five short stories touches on themes and topics throughout the genre including zombies, superheroes, artificial intelligence, and the changing role of birthdays in the future. "Billy and the Zombies" is a story about a boy who spent most of his life preparing for a zombie apocalypse and now has to deal with one in real life. "Mom's Special Day" talks about an indeterminate future where birthdays have a much different meaning than they do today. "The Trial of WLQC-73" discusses what happens when we create computers that are as human as we are with all of our faults and failings. "The Heist" is a story about a future where Superheroes aren't as clean cut as our comic books show them to be. "Chance Encounters" describes what happens when a simple misunderstanding spirals out of control.

Jack Waithwrite is livid when he learns that his fiancée, Rachel, has been stolen by a giant and taken up to a kingdom in the sky. Without the means to save her, he travels with his sister to Larkein, the place where dark magic abides, to discover a way to help Rachel. While there, a cunning witch knows who he is and offers to help him. However, when he finds out the kidnapping was orchestrated by the witch to use him as her pawn for her own schemes, his true quest begins.

Watch out for cats in boots, three bears who live in the woods and strange unicorns in this magical collection of short stories by Enid Blyton. From lost slippers and fairy curses to imps without names and a dragon called Mr Wumble, there's fairy magic brewing. Who will live happily ever after? These traditional tales are ideal for younger children and for new listeners. Each story stands alone and is the perfect length for listening at bedtime or in the classroom.

Hansel's father finds a child lost and alone during a violent thunderstorm. After bringing her in from the tempest, he and his son are startled to discover that she is Gretel, a princess of Larkein - the enemy kingdom their own king has just destroyed. Fearful for her life, Hansel pleads with his father to save her. He believes they can make Gretel good by teaching her their ways. His kindhearted father agrees, but with great trepidation.

A charming rogue, Dan Courtney is learning fast that it takes more than a little charm to lay the groundwork for a railroad. Particularly when the plan is to build it across some of the roughest and most dangerous territory on earth. Courtney's been hired to survey the land that would link up the Uganda Railway to the Anglo-Egyptian railroad. Running through desert, jungle and mountains, this is one line—and story—with more twists and turns than the New York City subway system.

Nathan K - he can hold two souls in his body. If he dies, he loses one yet lives on with the other. As long as he replenishes his second soul, he cannot be killed. Nathan K is immortal. And he’s not the only one. Nathan K’s action-packed adventures continue with three more pulse-pounding novels. His desire to take control of his life has never been higher or more dangerous.

Seneca's work has been distributed and read for nearly 2,000 years, yet this brand-new version of some of his best essays on how to be happy has been illuminated by UCLA Design students to kindle a spark of enthusiasm for his ideas. This illuminated book consists of four essays, each with ornamented pages and highlighted quotations created specifically for this timeless edition.

Rog Phillips' Rat in the Skull and Other SF Classics is a giant helping of classic Golden Age science fiction. The main ingredient is Phillips' science fiction masterpiece Rat in the Skull (unavailable for nearly 50 years). What the magazine editors said then about this controversial Hugo nominee novelette remains true today: "Some people will be shocked by this story. Others will be deeply moved. Everyone who reads it will be talking about it. Read the first four pages: then put it down if you can."

The Book of Wonder is one of the most important books in the lineage of fantasy fiction. It introduced themes that Lord Dunsany worked with for the rest of his career, which created tropes that you'll recognise as if you've read and loved this book many times before.

The Gods of Pegana was the book that marked the transition from imaginary creatures in the real world to the gods of imaginary world. Lord Dunsany was the most influential writer in the genre that came to be known as fantasy, of which his stories set trends for that continue to this day.

Prepare to be captivated by "Science Fiction Novels Vol. 02: Five Science Fiction Novels," - a breathtaking anthology penned by the visionary authors of the Shadowplay Collective. Delve into the realms of the Golden Age of Science Fiction as you embark on an extraordinary journey through five captivating tales that will ignite your imagination and leave you spellbound. In "Captive," immerse yourself in a high-stakes game of survival where protagonists are thrust into a world of intrigue, danger, and captivity. Unravel the mysteries behind their imprisonment as they navigate treacherous ...

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of "Science Fiction Novels Vol. 04: Five Science Fiction Novels" - an exceptional anthology penned by the visionary authors of the Shadowplay Collective. Journey through the realms of the Golden Age of Science Fiction as you embark on a thrilling adventure across five extraordinary tales that will ignite your imagination and leave you spellbound. "The Only Ship" sets sail on an interstellar voyage, where a courageous crew battles against insurmountable odds to save humanity from an impending cosmic catastrophe. As they navigate treacherous space, ...