Written by Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Mad King is a story of mistaken identities that takes place in a fictional European nation before World War I breaks out. Burroughs is best known for his Tarzan series and science fiction novels. ..

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...

The Chessman of Mars is the 5th novel in Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Barsoom series. This installment focuses on Princess Tara of Helium’s efforts to return home after she is blown into a new country. Once again, Burroughs succeeded in creating an imaginative world with interesting characters...

First published in 1914, Tarzan of the Apes was Edgar Rice Burroughs’ first and most famous novel. Burroughs created the memorable characters of Tarzan and Jane and wrote several sequels into the 1940s. The story is widely known and has been made into several movies, most recently by Disney...

Corruption, justice, and mercy play a large role in this black comedy by Shakespeare. Lord Angelo is left in charge of Vienna when the Duke decides to leave town. Angelo’s puritanical rule is tested when he makes an offer to save Isabella's brother in exchange for her hand in marriage. ..

The Magna Carta was a charter that King John, under pressure from his barons, signed in 1215. It guaranteed his subjects certain rights and limited the power of the monarchy. Included in the sixty-three clauses were provisions for a free church, reformation of the law, and controlling the behavior of officials. Eventually, the tenets of the Magna Carta provided the foundation for the English constitution...

William Shakespeare's classic tale of betrayal and fate follows Scottish nobleman Macbeth on his quest to be king. Obsessed with three witches' prophecy that he would one day wear the crown, Macbeth and his wife scheme and murder to hasten the prediction. His meddling with fate ultimately brings Macbeth to a dishonorable death...

Following the death of King Henry V, the English forces in France experience many setbacks, including a defeat by Joan of Arc. In addition to dealing with pressure from the Pope and others to quickly end the war, Henry VI is also caught in an argument between some of the nobles. With King Henry VI, Part I, Shakespeare once again created a wonderful historical drama that brought these characters to life...

The Danish court calls Prince Hamlet back to Denmark with the news of his father's death. Desperately grieving the loss, Hamlet one night sees his father's ghost. The ghost relates that his death was in fact murder perpetrated by Hamlet's mother and her new husband and begs Hamlet to avenge him. All the while, young Fortinbras and his army advances to reclaim by force the land that Hamlet's father seized from old Fortinbras in a long ago battle. ..

Coriolanus, a political tragedy written by Shakespeare, tells the story of Caius Martius, a legendary Roman general who is banished because of his callous attitude towards the common people. Angered by his treatment, he joins his former enemy and attacks Rome...

The Life of King Henry VIII tells the story of Henry's defiance of the Roman Catholic Church's ban on divorce and the politically savvy Cardinal Wolsey's efforts to argue his case. Frustrated by "her inability" to provide a male heir, he receives an anulment of his marriage to Katherine of Aragon from the archbishop of Canterbury and marries Anne Boleyn. ..

Prince Hal assumes the throne after his father, Henry IV dies. Under his leadership, England is united to wage war against France. He leads his forces to victory in the Battle of Agincourt, and the French surrender. Katherine of Valois becomes his wife and England and France are united. This stunning historical drama contains some of Shakespeare’s most famous speeches and has been adapted for film several times. ..

One of Shakespeare’s earlier comedies, The Comedy of Errors is filled with slapstick, puns, and farce. A set of twin brothers are mistaken for one another, and the constant mix-ups create mayhem and hilarious situations. ..

After winning the battle against the nobles that sought to overthrow them in Part I of this historical tragedy, King Henry has become extremely ill. The rebels have not given up and are mustering their forces for another battle. The king’s anxiety over the war and what will happen after he dies causes his illness to worsen. Shakespeare’s eloquent language and wit brings the story of King Henry IV to a fitting end...

This historical drama written by Shakespeare is a memorable tale of family, courtly intrigue and battle. King Henry must deal with a rebellion being plotted by nobles in the North who are angry with the king for not acknowledging his debt to them. At the same time, the king must also repair his strained relationship with his son...

William Shakespeare's Cymbeline is set during the period when Britain and Rome are at odds with each other. King Cymbeline banishes his daughter after she refuses to marry her stepbrother and instead marries a man of lower birth. The king must deal with his actions as well as with the threat posed by the Roman army. ..