It would be enough to recommend this astonishing, 45-volume set, first published in 1896, if it were merely a wonderfully massive compilation of the world's best writings from the world's best authors up until the advent of the 20th century. But A Library of the World's Best Literature is so much more than that. For this marvelous collection represents the evolution of human thought-the evolution of human civilization, even-as seen through the mind of one of the most important, if sadly almost forgotten, literary figures of the 19th century.Popular American essayist, novelist, and journalist CHARLES DUDLEY WARNER (1829-1900) was renowned for the warmth and intimacy of his writing, which encompassed travelogue, biography and autobiography, fiction, and more, and influenced entire generations of his fellow writers. Here, the prolific writer turned editor for his final grand work, a splendid survey of global literature, classic and modern, and it's not too much to suggest that if his friend and colleague Mark Twain-who stole Warner's quip about how "everybody complains about the weather, but nobody does anything about it"-had assembled this set, it would still be hailed today as one of the great achievements of the book world.And so it still deserves to be. Arranged not chronologically but alphabetically, mostly under the names of authors but in some cases of literatures or special subjects-such as Icelandic literature or Arthurian legend-this set is no dry reference work. These eminently browsable volumes-available through Cosimo for the first time in decades in both paperback and hardcover editions-are meant to be read and enjoyed by anyone who loves the written word.Volume 45 features more synopses of notable works-from Adam Bede by George Eliot to Zury; The Meanest Man in Spring County by Joseph Kirkland-including many not previously referenced in the set but highlighted as well worth a serious reader's time and attention.This volume also includes a General Index to the 45-volume set.

Popular American essayist, novelist, and journalist CHARLES DUDLEY WARNER (1829-1900) was renowned for the warmth and intimacy of his writing, which encompassed travelogue, biography and autobiography, fiction, and more, and influenced entire generations of his fellow writers. Here, the prolific writer turned editor for his final grand work, a splendid survey of global literature, classic and modern, and it's not too much to suggest that if his friend and colleague Mark Twain-who stole Warner's quip about how "everybody complains about the weather, but nobody does anything about it"-had assembled this set, it would still be hailed today as one of the great achievements of the book world. Highlights from Volume 16 include: . excerpts from Edward Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire . poems BY Richard Watson Gilder . scenes from Faust by Goethe . the writings of Nikolai Vasilievitch Gogol . excerpts from Oliver Goldsmith's The Vicar of Wakefield . selections from Ulysses S. Grant's memoirs . the elegies and odes of Thomas Gray . and much, much more.

Popular American essayist, novelist, and journalist CHARLES DUDLEY WARNER (1829-1900) was renowned for the warmth and intimacy of his writing, which encompassed travelogue, biography and autobiography, fiction, and more, and influenced entire generations of his fellow writers. Here, the prolific writer turned editor for his final grand work, a splendid survey of global literature, classic and modern, and it's not too much to suggest that if his friend and colleague Mark Twain-who stole Warner's quip about how "everybody complains about the weather, but nobody does anything about it"-had assembled this set, it would still be hailed today as one of the great achievements of the book world. Highlights from Volume 28 include: . excerpts from Ovid . the philosophy of Thomas Paine . the history writings of Francis Parkman . the philosophy of Parmenides . the writings of Pascal . the poetry of Coventry Patmore . excerpts from the diary of Samuel Pepys . and much, much more.

Popular American essayist, novelist, and journalist CHARLES DUDLEY WARNER (1829-1900) was renowned for the warmth and intimacy of his writing, which encompassed travelogue, biography and autobiography, fiction, and more, and influenced entire generations of his fellow writers. Here, the prolific writer turned editor for his final grand work, a splendid survey of global literature, classic and modern, and it's not too much to suggest that if his friend and colleague Mark Twain-who stole Warner's quip about how "everybody complains about the weather, but nobody does anything about it"-had assembled this set, it would still be hailed today as one of the great achievements of the book world. Highlights from Volume 38 include: . the poetry of Paul Verlane . the verse of Fran ois Villon . the philosophy of Voltaire . the arts criticism of Richard Wagner . the science writings of Alfred Russel Wallace . the letters of Horace Walpole . the speeches of George Washington . the writings of Daniel Webster . and much, much more.

Popular American essayist, novelist, and journalist CHARLES DUDLEY WARNER (1829-1900) was renowned for the warmth and intimacy of his writing, which encompassed travelogue, biography and autobiography, fiction, and more, and influenced entire generations of his fellow writers. Here, the prolific writer turned editor for his final grand work, a splendid survey of global literature, classic and modern, and it's not too much to suggest that if his friend and colleague Mark Twain-who stole Warner's quip about how "everybody complains about the weather, but nobody does anything about it"-had assembled this set, it would still be hailed today as one of the great achievements of the book world. Highlights from Volume 9 include: . the politcal writings of William Ellery Channing . verse by Thomas Chatterton . excerpts from Geoffrey Chauncer's Canterbury Tales . the letters of Lord Chesterfield . philosophy and maxims from Chinese literature . dialogues and letters from Marcus Tullius Cicero . the speeches of Henry Clay . the writings of Samuel Longhorne Clemens (Mark Twain) . poems of Samuel Taylor Coleridge . selections from the works of William Wilkie Collins . and much, much more.

Popular American essayist, novelist, and journalist CHARLES DUDLEY WARNER (1829-1900) was renowned for the warmth and intimacy of his writing, which encompassed travelogue, biography and autobiography, fiction, and more, and influenced entire generations of his fellow writers. Here, the prolific writer turned editor for his final grand work, a splendid survey of global literature, classic and modern, and it's not too much to suggest that if his friend and colleague Mark Twain-who stole Warner's quip about how "everybody complains about the weather, but nobody does anything about it"-had assembled this set, it would still be hailed today as one of the great achievements of the book world. Highlights from Volume 27 include: . the expeditionary journals of Fridtjof Nansen . excerpts from the Old and New Testaments . the writings of John Henry Cardinal Newman . the work of Sir Isaac Newton . excerpts from the Nibelungenlied . the writings of Margaret Oliphant Wilson Oliphant . Ossian and Ossianic poetry . and much, much more.

Popular American essayist, novelist, and journalist CHARLES DUDLEY WARNER (1829-1900) was renowned for the warmth and intimacy of his writing, which encompassed travelogue, biography and autobiography, fiction, and more, and influenced entire generations of his fellow writers. Here, the prolific writer turned editor for his final grand work, a splendid survey of global literature, classic and modern, and it's not too much to suggest that if his friend and colleague Mark Twain-who stole Warner's quip about how "everybody complains about the weather, but nobody does anything about it"-had assembled this set, it would still be hailed today as one of the great achievements of the book world. Highlights from Volume 18 include: . excerpts from Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter . travel writing by Lafcadio Hearn . the philosophy of George William Frederick Hegel and Thomas Hobbes . the writings of Heliodorus . the poems of George Herbert and Jos-Maria de Hrdia . the writings of Patrick Henry . verse by Thomas Heywood . and much, much more.