Set in Europe during the Protestant Reformation and first published in 1799, St. Leon tells the story of an impoverished aristocrat who obtains the philosopher’s stone and the elixir of immortality. In this philosophical fable, endless riches and immortal life prove to be curses rather than gifts and transform St. Leon into an outcast. William Godwin’s second full-length novel explores the predicament of a would-be philanthropist whose attempts to benefit humanity are frustrated by superstition and ignorance. This Broadview edition includes a critical introduction and full annotation. The appendices include contemporary reviews of the novel; Godwin’s writings on immortality, the domestic affections, and alchemy; and selections from works influenced by St. Leon, most notably Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.

Performing with rock and roll legends. Sailing the high seas. Digging for buried treasure. It's all just part of the adventure for Andy Upchurch. The Oleanders of San Leon recounts how Andy, a passionate musician and sailor, decides that building a house would be the perfect next great adventure. He possesses no construction skills, but that doesn't deter him. With an enthusiastic nature and an optimistic outlook, he purchases some rough, tangled land on the Texas coastal prairie, rolls up his sleeves, and gets to work. The story is written with a pervasive and underlying wit, tongue-in-cheek humor, and drama that's either real or imagined. Clearing the land becomes an epic battle between man and jungle and digging the holes to plant the house pilings becomes a hunt for pirate loot in Andy's wild imagination. Using a nail gun is more like wielding a weapon in the hands of a musician who is more comfortable with pianos. Going from living on a sailboat to building a house on solid ground, Andy doesn't really grasp what he's about to get into, but he will learn—sometimes the easy way, but more often the hard way! The undertaking is full of uncertainty, but he perseveres, and finally, the last nail is in place. Andy christens the house 'The Oleanders,' and the adventure is complete. Filled with hilarious moments, the book is interspersed with stories, snippets, and a yarn or two. It is not a 'how to' book that one would buy to learn all about building houses. It's merely the story of how one person, who definitely marches to the beat of a different drummer, did it. If you have ever wanted to do something you thought you couldn't, find your inspiration in The Oleanders of San Leon.