A Swedish novel on Long John Silver of Treasure Island, chronicling his many adventures, including service on a slave ship where he instigates a revolt. Wounded, he loses his leg and in revenge chops the leg of the man responsible and roasts it.

This book investigates the mystery and legend of Jonathan Swift of Alexandria, Virginia, a merchant with legendary silver mines, and the probable connection between the Swift silver mine legend and Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island.

The pirate Long John Silver retired in 1742 and settled on a cliff in Madagascar to write his memoirs, which fell into the hands of the British Admiralty. Here his swashbuckling adventures are recounted at breakneck speed, warts and all.

What happens when we let robots play the game of life?br Darwin's Devices, Long tells the story of these evolving biorobots -- how they came to be, and what they can teach us about the biology of living and extinct species. Evolving biorobots can replicate creatures that disappeared from the earth long ago, showing us in real time what happens in the face of unexpected environmental challenges. Biomechanically correct models of backbones functioning as part of an autonomous robot, for example, can help us understand why the first vertebrates evolved them.But the most impressive feature of these robots, as Long shows, is their ability to illustrate the power of evolution to solve difficult technological challenges autonomously -- without human input regarding what a workable solution might be. Even a simple robot can create complex behavior, often learning or evolving greater intelligence than humans could possibly program. This remarkable idea could forever alter the face of engineering, design, and even warfare. An amazing tour through the workings of a fertile mind, Darwin's Devices will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about evolution, robot intelligence, and life itself.

'How did Long John Silver Lose His Leg?' is a diverting tour through some of the bestloved classics of children's literature, addressing many of the unanswered questions that inspire intense speculation when the books are laid down. Could Bobbie's train really have stopped in time ('The Railway Children')? Did Beatrix Potter have the 'flu in 1909, and did this lead to a certain darkness in her work ('The Tale of Mr Tod')? Would the 'rugby football' played by Tom Brown be recognised by sportsmen today ('Tom Brown's Schooldays')? The authors speculate entertainingly and informatively on the anomalies and unexplained phenomena found in children's literature and, having established the cultural importance of children's books in the modern age, also consider the more serious issues raised by the genre. Why are we so defensive of the idyllic worlds presented in children's books? Why have some of our best-loved authors been outed as neglectful parents to their own children? Should we everseparate the book from its creator and appreciate the works of writers convicted of crimes against children? A treat for any enthusiast of children's literature, two of the most distinguished writers on the subject provide rich detail, witty explication, and serious food for thought.

John Woodruff, an unknown young black runner who possesses an amazingly long stride, battles adversity while inspiring his Black and Jewish teammates to defeat Adolf Hitler's Aryan Nazis in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. After running what experts call the great race in Olympic history, he carries on his crusade for racial equality into World War Two and beyond - even later in life after losing both his legs.

Reprint. Originally published in 2003 by Iowa State Press.