Immerse yourself in the tumultuous world of the Napoleonic Wars with "The Dynasts: An Epic-Drama of the War with Napoleon" by Thomas Hardy. This monumental work presents a sweeping narrative that intertwines the personal struggles of individuals with the grand scale of historical events. Hardy’s ambitious epic-drama is divided into three parts, showcasing the fateful clash between nations and the myriad forces that shape human destiny. Through rich characterization and poetic dialogue, he brings to life the dilemmas faced by soldiers, statesmen, and common folk caught in the storm of war. With its profound exploration of fate, free will, and the impact of history on individual lives, "The Dynasts" transcends traditional historical narrative, inviting readers to reflect on the broader implications of conflict and ambition. Hardy’s masterful prose captures the essence of an era marked by struggle and resilience, offering a poignant commentary on the human condition. Join Hardy as he navigates the complexities of war, leadership, and morality in this timeless epic. Discover the intricate web of personal and political struggles that defined a generation and shaped the course of history. Don't miss your chance to experience this literary masterpiece. Grab your copy of "The Dynasts" today and embark on an unforgettable journey through the epic drama of the Napoleonic Wars!

A November morning in the 1920s finds an elderly man in his eighties walking the grounds of his Dorchester home, pondering his past and future with deep despondence. That man is the revered novelist and poet Thomas Hardy, and Christopher Nicholson's fictionalized account of the final years of the accomplished writer's life is as engrossing as it is heartbreaking. The novel focuses on the true events that occurred around the London theater dramatization of Hardy's acclaimed novel Tess of the D'Urbervilles, including Hardy's hand-picked casting of the young, alluring Gertrude "Gertie" Bugler of The Hardy Players to play Tess. As plans for the play become more concrete, Hardy's interest in Gertie becomes a voyeuristic infatuation, causing him to write some of the best poems of his career. However, when Hardy's reclusive wife, Florence, catches wind of Hardy's desire for Gertie to take the London stage, a tangled web of jealously and missed opportunity ensnares all three characters-with devastating results. Told from the perspectives of Hardy, Gertie, and Florence, Nicholson's novel perfectly captures the often-difficult juxtaposition of fledgling hopes and the unfulfilled life. With expert insight into the struggles of both Hardy and Florence, coupled with poetic yet unassuming prose, Winter is certainly on par with the novels of its central character.

"A masterful portrait" (The Philadelphia Inquirer) from a Whitbread Award-winning biographer, and author of A Life of My Own. The novels of Thomas Hardy have a permanent place on every booklover's shelf, yet little is known about the interior life of the man who wrote them. A believer and an unbeliever, a socialist and a snob, an unhappy husband and a desolate widower, Hardy challenged the sexual and religious conventions of his time in his novels and then abandoned fiction to reestablish himself as a great twentieth-century lyric poet. In this acclaimed new biography, Claire Tomalin, one of today's preeminent literary biographers, investigates this beloved writer and reveals a figure as rich and complex as his tremendous legacy.

Acknowledgements -- Index

THERE IS A MAN BLAZING A TRAIL ACROSS THE SILVER SCREEN, DELIVERING PERFORMANCES OF SUCH ELECTRIC INTENSITY THAT HE HAS UNITED CRITICS AND CASUAL MOVIEGOERS ALIKE. THAT MAN IS TOM HARDY.Starring roles as Britain’s most dangerous prisoner in Bronson, both Kray twins in Legend and the villainous brute Bane in The Dark Knight Rises have showcased his raw talent, edginess and ability to utterly inhabit his characters. He has also cemented his status as that rare thing: the man that women want and men want to be. His appeal is endless.But things weren’t always so promising. Cloistered in a life of suburban predictability, a teenage Tom began getting his thrills from drugs and petty crime. He made his first mark in the award-winning series Band of Brothers but, in 2003, Tom collapsed on the streets of Soho, brought low by drug abuse. Yet, with the single-minded commitment that has come to characterise his acting performances, Tom banished his demons once and for all.Now, with the title role in the long-awaited Mad Max: Fury Road under his belt, and Hollywood at his feet, there is just no stopping this magnetic figure. This affectionate and in-depth biography reveals all the faces of Tom Hardy: the wayward boy he was, the driven professional he now is and the all-time legend he is sure to become.

Thomas Hardy's fiction has had a remarkably strong appeal for general readers for decades, and his poetry has been acclaimed as among the most influential of the twentieth century. His work still creates passionate advocacy and opposition. The Cambridge Companion to Thomas Hardy is an essential introduction to this most enigmatic of writers. These commissioned essays from an international team of contributors comprises a general overview of all Hardy' s work and specific demonstrations of Hardy's ideas and literary skills. Individual essays explore Hardy's biography, aesthetics, his famous attachment to Wessex, and the impact on his work of developments in science, religion and philosophy in the late nineteenth century. Hardy's writing is also analysed against developments in contemporary critical theory and issues such as sexuality and gender. The volume also contains a detailed chronology of Hardy's life and publications, and a guide to further reading.