This concise version contains brief biographies of important authors, plot summaries of individual works, descriptions of important literary movements, and a wealth of information on other aspects of American literary life and history from the Colonial period to the modern era.

A tweed suit, pipe, umbrella, and hat; a large dose of British humor and no sports --well, except for cricket. The Chap is the modern English gentleman, and he's out to conquer the world. How to be Chap explores the roots of the English gentleman and follows them to the present day. Today's chaps live according to their own rules --with hats, pipes, and, of course, British humor. Inspired by men such as Beau Brummell and Lord Byron, they maintain proper English ideals and virtues. By stepping back to tradition, they're advancing a lifestyle revolution. In this book, chap expert Gustav Temple explains how a chap dresses, where he goes on vacation, which sports he plays (cricket) and which ones he doesn't (everything else). From the historical foundations of British gentlemen's culture to today's dos and don'ts, How to be Chap provides thorough answers to chap-related questions and plenty of cultivated laughs.

From the author of Fahrenheit 451, a unique collection of poetry, short stories, and essays that tackles mortality, religion, and the afterlife. Thought-provoking, full of wonder, and with a touch of Ray Bradbury’s signature sense of humor, this collection bridges science fiction and the arts to religion and taps into the core of intellectual pursuit. Included are the soulful and over the top “They Have Not Seen The Stars,” “I Live By The Invisible,” “Christ on Other Planets,” “If Only We Had Taller Been,” “Come Whisper Me A Promise,” and so much more. One of the most celebrated 20th century authors, known for his speculative fiction, Bradbury has crossed genres with a grace possessed only by masters of the craft.His incredibly sharp wit herewith makes this a must-have for fans old and new. “For Bradbury enthusiasts, religionists and nearly everyone else, here's a delightful scrapbook of poems and essays, familiar summations but no less vital from a brilliant young fantasist grown older but not old.”—Publishers Weekly

Charles Bane Jr., a Chicago native, is a globally published poet. His work has appeared in print and online at The Indian Diary, The Criterion: An International Journal in English, Clutching at Straws, Durable Goods, Word Pond, and museumviews. com. His poetry was included in "I Was Indian: An Anthology of Native Literature, Vol 1" (Foothills Publishing). He was the only non-Native American included in the volume. In addition, his writing has been the focus of critical review, most recently in "The Poetry of Charles Bane, Jr." in The Calliope Nerve. This is his first chapbook. "We aren't used, in this ravaged era, to poems of happiness, and yet that rarity is what Charles Bane, Jr., offers us. An offering it is, nor can we doubt that this poet conceives poetry as a sacramental endeavor, with human love as our nearest approach to the divine. He takes Buber's "I and Thou" a step further to form what he calls a "monotheism of we." Judaism is supremely the religion of reinterpretation, and this poet's embodiment of it demonstrates that historical tragedy finds its best answer in the tender bonds we form in order to choose not death but life." - Alfred Corn, American poet & essayist The Chapbook is beautifully illustrated by Canadian artist Isabelle Pruneau, and designed by Polish-born artist Karolina Faber. With the touch of these two talented artists, Charles' poems of happiness, struggle, and romance sing off the page.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.