Great Essays

Pulling Down the Barn eloquently recalls author Anne-Marie Oomen's personal journey as she discovers herself an outsider on her family farm located in western Michigan's Oceana County, in the township of Elbridge - a couple hundred acres in the middle of rural America. Written as a series of heartfelt interlocking narratives, this collection of essays portrays the realities of farm life: haying, picking asparagus and cherries, the machinery of tractors and pickers.

Herbert George Wells (21 September 1866 - 13 August 1946) was an English writer. Prolific in many genres, he wrote dozens of novels, short stories, and works of social commentary, history, satire, biography and autobiography. His work also included two books on recreational war games. THE GREAT STATE: For many years now I have taken a part in the discussion of Socialism. During that time Socialism has become a more and more ambiguous term.

On Authorship is a compilation of fourteen timeless articles on writing. Originally published online, they were among the most popular articles in Vidal’s extensive repertoire. The essays primarily focus on the practical and emotional challenges faced by writers as they move from writing as a hobby to writing as a career. With an approach that is incisive, personal, and reassuring, the work delves into the topics of self-worth, motivation, fear, and more, and is as much an exploration of the soul as it is a discussion and celebration of the craft of writing. Vidal elevates the act of ...

Queen Victoria had over 30 surviving grandchildren, and to maintain and increase power in Europe, she hoped to manoeuvre them into dynastic marriages. Yet they often had plans of their own, and her matchmaking was further complicated by tumultuous international upheavals. Queen Victoria's Matchmaking travels through the glittering, decadent palaces of Russia and Europe, weaving in scandals, political machinations and family tensions.

In the first 20 years of the 21st century, New York City has been convulsed by terrorist attack, blackout, hurricane, recession, social injustice, and pandemic. New Yorkers weaves the voices of some of the city's best talkers into an indelible portrait of New York in our time—and a powerful hymn to the vitality and resilience of its people.