One of the great English comedies, The School for Scandal demonstrates Richard Sheridan's ingenious use of wit and his superb understanding of stage comedy. The story involves two brothers, Joseph and Charles, who vie for attention of their cousin Maria: Joseph desires her fortune, and Charles desires her love. The play is rich with scenes of mistaken and hidden identity, sudden and unexpected reversals, and a marvelous cast of characters, including Lady Sneerwell, Sir Benjamin Backbite, and Lady Teazle...

The Persians, the oldest known theatrical play in history, is Aeschylus' tragic story about the Persians' defeat at the hands of the Greeks. Because the Persian Wars lasted nearly 30 years, most of the Greeks who saw the play had participated in the conflict and/or experienced its effects, and thus the play had particular resonance with its audience. The setting of the play is Persia and the opening scene presents the Persian queen mother, anxious with premonitions of disaster. News that her son, King Xerxes, and his entire fleet are vanquished in the Battle of Salamis, is brought by messenger. Xerxes survives and is changed by his defeat. In The Persians, Aeschylus not only provides a narrative of the battle but also a lesson about personal and imperial ambition, and tyranny...

Upton Sinclair delves deep into the horrendous labor policies and working conditions of the Chicago stockyards in the early twentieth century. The story follows a Slavic immigrant family who hopes to realize the American dream only to be brought down by unfair wages, unbearable labor, and the harshness of urban life. The book prompted a government investigation of the meatpacking industry...

This title is from the Hayes Barton Press "Originals" series, a collection of classic fiction and nonfiction works from world literature published in the VitalBook format. Look for new titles soon, as we expand to include more works from both Western and Eastern cultures. Available exclusively from the VitalSource Store...

This title is from the Hayes Barton Press "Originals" series, a collection of classic fiction and nonfiction works from world literature published in the VitalBook format. Look for new titles soon, as we expand to include more works from both Western and Eastern cultures. Available exclusively from the VitalSource Store...

Antigone, by Sohpocles, traces the fates of King Oedipus's children. His sons die at each other's hands in a struggle for Thebes, after their father's death. The new king, Creon, forbids the burial of one of the contestants, Polyneices. Antigone, his sister, performs the funerary ritual in defiance of the decree and is condemned to die, sealed alive in a cave. Creon's inability to soften his judgment leads to grievous losses...

Sophocles wrote this tragedy about Ajax, a heroic leader at the siege of Troy. After Achilles death, Greek leaders award his arms to Odysseus rather than Ajax. Bitter disappointment overwhelms his mind, and Ajax is driven mad by his desire for revenge. When he recovers from his madness, he is stricken with shame and grief...

Author Sherwood Anderson drew upon his own experiences for many of his books. Winesburg, Ohio, is a collection of short stories about the lives of small-town people in the Midwest...

Philip Brent decides to leave home after his adoptive father dies and make his own way in New York City. ..

The Cash Boy is one of Horatio Alger’s classic rags-to-riches stories. After his parents die, Frank discovers that they were not his real parents and as a result, leaves home. He faces many challenges, but succeeds because of his kindness and honesty...

Paul works as a street merchant in New York City in order to provide for his family. As in many of his works, Alger attempts to show the value of hard work and the rewards it can bring...

Horatio Alger believed that every boy’s life was somewhat difficult and that they key to success was to work hard and maintain one’s integrity. Paul Prescott is an embodiment of this belief. He takes on a task that his father left him and does not waver from his duty. ..

A study in the tragic fulfillment of ancient prophecies, Oedipus the King (or Oedipus Rex) demonstrates the belief that humans cannot alter destiny or escape the judgment of the gods. Oedipus learns of his distressing role in events that have brought a plague to his city. The knowledge causes Queen Jocasta to end her life. In his agony, Oedipus blinds himself and is reduced to beggary...

Alger's stories feature impoverished boys who overcome adversity and develop moral character through hard work (and a bit of luck). ..

Alger's stories feature impoverished boys who overcome adversity and develop moral character through hard work (and a bit of luck). ..

Alger's stories feature impoverished boys who overcome adversity and develop moral character through hard work (and a bit of luck). ..