The first biography to be aimed at the general reader as much as at students and historians, No Ordinary Man is a fascinating study of the life and work of Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616), the writer known as the "Spanish Shakespeare" and author of the timeless classic Don Quixote. A renaissance man in all senses of the term, Cervantes was, in his time, an adventurer, spy, soldier, hostage, and creator of the first European novel. This biography is based on the latest original research and incorporates previously unpublished material on Cervantes’ long period of captivity in Algiers, his involvement in piracy in the Mediterranean, espionage, and the Spanish Armada, and his work for the Spanish government. Containing much information never before available in English, No Ordinary Man makes an important contribution to the understanding of this unique literary and historical figure.

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Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read Don Quixote has become so entranced reading tales of chivalry that he decides to turn knight errant himself. In the company of his faithful squire, Sancho Panza, these exploits blossom in all sorts of wonderful ways. While Quixote's fancy often leads him astray—he tilts at windmills, imagining them to be giants—Sancho acquires cunning and a certain sagacity. Sane madman and wise fool, they roam the world together-and together they have haunted readers' imaginations for nearly four hundred years. With its experimental form and literary playfulness, Don Quixote has been generally recognized as the first modern novel. This Penguin Classics edition, with its beautiful new cover design, includes John Rutherford's masterly translation, which does full justice to the energy and wit of Cervantes's prose, as well as a brilliant critical introduction by Roberto Gonzalez Echevarriá.

"The Exemplary Novels" by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra is a collection of brief memories that exhibit Cervantes' mastery of narrative and character improvement. This series consists of twelve novellas that cover a wide variety of topics, such as love, honor, deception, and justice. Each novella in the series gives a unique story with numerous characters and settings, providing a glimpse into the human revel in in seventeenth-century Spain. Cervantes' storytelling prowess shines via as he weaves intricate plots, moral dilemmas, and surprising twists that engage readers and initiate idea. Through these exemplary novels, Cervantes explores the complexities of human nature, the effects of selections, and the moral challenges that individuals face of their pursuit of happiness and fulfillment. The tales are rich in symbolism, wit, and social observation, reflecting Cervantes' eager observations of Spanish society and the human condition. "The Exemplary Novels" exemplify Cervantes' ability as a storyteller and his ability to craft compelling narratives that resonate with readers across time and lifestyle. This collection remains a timeless masterpiece of Spanish literature, showcasing Cervantes' enduring impact at the genre of the novel and his affect on subsequent generations of writers.