"The year is 1773; the scene is Boston. Johnny Tremain is fourteen and apprenticed to a silversmith. He is gifted and clever and lords his talent over the other apprentices - until tragedy srtikes. A crucible of molten silver breaks and the silver spills over Johnny's right hand. The hand is so badly burned, it's useless - and now, so is Johnny. Since he is no longer able to become a silversmith, Johnny's life takes a new path, one that will bring...

This daring tale of revenge and exotic intrigue is demonstrative of Stevenson's broad range and unique genius. "The Master of Ballantrae", first published in 1889, follows the conflict between two Scottish brothers of noble origins during the tumultuous Jacobite Risings of 1745. Greed and envy threaten to tear the brothers apart as a race for the family inheritance intensifies. James Durie, the protagonist and Master of Ballantrae, is as charming...

Thomas Paine's Rights of Man argues that human rights are inherent. As such, they cannot be conferred on citizens by their governments because to do so would mean that these rights can be revoked by that same government. Paine further suggests that government is responsible for protecting the rights of men, and therefore, the interests of governments and citizens are united. Within this context, Paine argues that revolution is acceptable when the...

In ancient Japan a struggling artist is angered when his housekeeper brings home a tiny white cat he can barely afford to feed.

A young Pennsylvania boy takes part in the pre-Civil War anti-slavery activities.

Recounts without words the adventures of a boy and his winged horse.

A biography of the American author known for his humanity as well as his wit.

The Mexican story related in a series of episodes from the early Mayan civilization through Moctezuma's magnificence, the glory of Cortez, down through the great and contrary figures of Father Hidalgo, Maximilian, Juarez, Diaz to Villa and modern man.

A brief and easy-to-read biography of the first President of the United States.

Selections from the over 600 stories which, according to legend, Shaharazad told a mighty king as a way to save the lives of the girls of her land. Includes stories of the voyages of Es-Sindibad, the magic horse, the wonderful lamp, and Ali Baba and the thieves.