When strange animals land in Red's yard, he and his friend Slim agree to keep it to themselves. The creatures are unlike any that they've ever seen before, and are - to them - animals that would make a fortune putting on a show at the circus. All the while, their fathers are fretting over the arrival of interstellar diplomats, on whose trade their civilisation may have to rely on to survive. Despite the urgency of the mission, however, neither hide nor hair of them have been seen...

Drawn from the leading pulp magazines of the 1950s — Galaxy, Amazing Science Fiction Stories, and Fantastic Universe — these eight groundbreaking selections offer spellbinding science-fiction tales of encounters with Martians and other extraterrestrials. "Youth," by Isaac Asimov, recounts two friends' discovery of a pair of strange little animals the morning after mysterious thunder without a storm. Philip José Farmer's "Rastignac the Devil" tells of a fight against despotism 300 years in the future, and in "Year of the Big Thaw," by Marion Zimmer Bradley, a Connecticut farmer explains why he doesn't know the actual birthplace of his phenomenally gifted son. Other selections include "Warrior Race," by Robert Sheckley, which focuses on breaking an enemy's spirit; "Alien Offer," by Al Sevcik, concerning a risky chance to save Earth's children; Clifford D. Simak's "The World That Couldn’t Be," in which a farmer must hunt down the unusual creatures destroying his crops; "Earthmen Bearing Gifts," by Fredric Brown, telling of an attempted exchange by the red and blue planets; and Stanley G. Weinbaum's "A Martian Odyssey," a tale that changed the course of science fiction.

The Merchant’s Web Dive into the heart of the 18th century spice trade with "Echoes of the Orient," a gripping historical fiction novel that follows Dutch explorer Pieter van Rijn as he navigates treacherous waters and political intrigue. Amidst the lush landscapes and bustling ports of Asia, Pieter's mission to chart new trade routes becomes a battle against a shadowy conspiracy led by a rogue samurai. With the help of a skilled Chinese navigator and a mysterious Persian princess, Pieter uncovers a plot that threatens to destabilize the global spice trade. From fierce confrontations to hidden alliances, "Echoes of the Orient" offers an enthralling journey filled with danger, strategy, and suspense. Perfect for fans of historical adventure and complex narratives, this novel brings the vibrant world of the Orient to life through vivid storytelling and rich historical detail. Join Pieter van Rijn on his quest for truth and stability in a world teetering on the brink of chaos. historical fiction, spice trade, 18th century adventure, Dutch explorer novel, rogue samurai, political intrigue book, Asian trade routes, Pieter van Rijn, Persian princess, historical thriller

Explore Patrick's place in history, the spread of Christianity beyond the Roman Empire, how Patrick first came to Ireland, the influence of the earlier Palladius on Patrick's work, political and social conditions at that time, and the spiritual battles with the Druids. This 21st century edition now includes notes from other biographers, mystics, historians, and storytellers of Ireland. The ideal place to begin any exploration of a much-loved but little-known saint. "Bury proves to be more than a mere dry historian; he turns out to be a fine storyteller as well, and his accounts of Patrick's spiritual duels with Druid priests for the heart and mind of the Irish king are quite gripping." —History Book Club "Editor-writer Sweeney gives Bury's 1905 biography of the legendary St. Patrick a greater contemporary context in this meticulously researched and presented work.... Bury wrote what Sweeney calls the ‘ideal modern biography' of Patrick.... Sweeney assembles and rearranges material from Bury's original work and incorporates more of Patrick's own words, from his Confession and Letter against Coroticus. Sweeney's light edits to Bury's text clarify exactly what Patrick did in Ireland, noting that although he did convert some pagan kingdoms, he also was responsible for organizing Christians who were already there and connecting the island with the church of the Roman Empire."