Showing results by publisher "A.R.N. Publications" in All Categories

Published in 1651, Leviathan is considered to be one of the most important works of political philosophy and a major contribution to the modern idea of central government. In the mid-17th century, England was going through a turbulent time of change and unrest, which likely shaped Hobbes' ideas on strong government. Thomas Hobbes established the social contract theory. He believed that self-government did not create the ideal state due to the human tendency to be self-serving, something he believed would eventually lead to chaos.

Far from the Madding Crowd, which first appeared in Cornhill Magazine in monthly installments back in the late 19th century, features the love life of the young Bathsheba Everdene who is as poor as she is beautiful. Fortunately, Bathsheba's uncle leaves her his farm, which she goes to manage in the small town of Weatherbury. Before she leaves, however, she has an interesting encounter with a young farmer, Gabriel Oak, for whom she does a tremendous favor ,and he becomes indebted to her....

At its heart, The Insulted and the Injured is a story of human tragedy and suffering, but it is also a love story. Narrated by a fictitious young author, Vanya, this book tells the story of Natasha and her lover, Alyosha, who also happens to be the son of the cruel Prince Valkovsky.

From the mind of one of the world's paramount philosophers comes a profound insight into the universe and man's place in the world. Widely considered to be Benedict de Spinoza's greatest work, Ethics paints an intriguing portrait of reality, the ethical life, and the path to sustainable happiness. Decades ahead of its time, Ethics provides a step-by-step guide to an ethical life. Spinoza provides insights into the human mind, God, emotions, and man's bondage to emotion.

Nowadays, it would not seem an insurmountable task to make it around the world in 80 days. Yet, when Jules Verne published this novel in 1873, this was a phenomenon that many doubted was remotely possible. We are at first introduced to Phileas Fogg, who lives in London and has just fired his valet for silly reasons. Fogg then hires Jean Passepartout who, at the time of hire, has no idea of the adventure that his new boss will take him on. Fogg learns that it is now possible to travel around the world - starting and ending up in London - in only 80 days.

The Deerslayer gives listeners a glimpse into another time and another culture. Raised by Indians, the young white man Natty Bumppo takes pride in doing everything just as well as his peers. Natty is courageous and one of the best hunters in his group which earns him the name Deerslayer, but his true test will come in the form of warfare. The Deerslayer’s story is one of violence and the reality of warfare. After killing his first enemy, Natty is captured and tortured. He believes this is the worst of mankind but nothing can prepare him for the cruelty of the civilized man.

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson tells the tale of the crew of the Hispaniola as they travel across the sea in search of the long-lost treasure of the infamous Captain Flint. When Jim Hawkins finds a treasure map in the sea chest of an old sailor who had been staying at his parents' inn, he sets off on an adventure in search of the captain's hidden fortune.

The Awakening, written by American novelist Kate Chopin, revolves around a young wife and mother, Edna Pontellier, who grapples with her burgeoning awareness of self in late 19th century Louisiana. Through a series of encounters with fellow women and a select assortment of men, she finds herself questioning the entirety of her existence at a time when thinking outside the box was something of an anomaly.

At its heart, Bleak House is a 19th-century mystery and legal drama. This Charles Dickens novel tells the story of Esther Summerson and her quest to unravel the mystery of her true identity. Orphaned as an infant, Esther is raised by Miss Barbary. Esther’s cruel guardian’s sadistic method of celebrating Esther’s birthday every year not only raises questions but shatters her sense of self-worth. When Esther does discover her true identity, it changes the course of her life.

The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells is an action-packed, science fiction novel that was written in 1897 and is told through the eyes of two brothers who live through an alien invasion. The story is an unbiased account and observation of the alien invasion, and has led to the creation of hundreds of books and movies. H.G. Wells is one of the first authors to tackle the "what if" scenario of an alien invasion.

Crime and Punishment follows the story of a boy named Raskolnikov who commits a heinous crime because he believes he is in fact extraordinary. Through an internal battle of whether to confess or not, we follow him through his interactions with a drunk, a prostitute, the government, and his family. We see him do incredible acts of kindness, suffer the consequence of his crime on a physical level, and fall in love with an unlikely character, all while trying to reconcile his ability to be extraordinary.

Seven Pillars of Wisdom is the autobiographical account of T. E. Lawrence's role in the Arab Revolt against the Turkish Empire. The book is mostly set in the deserts of Arabia with a great deal of time spent marching through them with camels and the telling of the events through Lawrence's eyes.

The Book of Mormon is a volume of holy scriptures comparable to the Bible. It is a record of God’s dealings with ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains the fullness of the everlasting gospel. The Book of Mormon was translated by Joseph Smith and contains texts sacred to the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints.

A Tale of Two Cities is a story of love, mystery, suspense, and action all rolled up into one beautifully written novel taking place in two prominent cities, Paris and London, during the French Revolution. The story follows the release and rehabilitation of Dr. Manette, a man falsely imprisoned in the Bastille in France for almost two decades. While trouble is brewing in France with citizens being starved and taxed to death, Dr. Manette is taken to London by Mr. Lorrie, a prominent business man, and Lucie, Dr. Manette's daughter.

Two Years Before the Mast is an American classic published in 1840. This is the account of Richard Henry Dana’s two-year adventure as a sailor. Throughout his time sailing around Cape Horn on the brig Pilgrim, Dana kept a diary, and on his return to Massachusetts, he wrote this now-loved classic. While attending Harvard College, Dana was stricken with measles, which would ultimately have a detrimental effect on his eyesight.

Fyodor Dostoevsky masterfully blends realism and romanticism in this heartfelt tale of unrequited love and the human journey. Set in 19th-century St. Petersburg, "White Nights" is the story of a young man's inner conflict and how his feelings of discontent and loneliness draw him to a young woman who has been jilted by her lover. The lonely hearts come together in a sweet and tender bubble of sharing and romance, but will it last?

Considered to be the first autobiography of its kind, The Confessions is two distinct books published seven years apart and covers the first 53 years of the author's life. The autobiographies of the time delved primarily into the individual's religious life, but Jean-Jacques Rousseau wanted to do something different. Instead of focusing on faith, he wrote about his thoughts and misadventures.

John Harmon, the heir to the Harmon estate discovers that his father's will requires him to marry Bella Wilfer, a woman whom he's never met, in order to claim his inheritance. But, when the body of a young man is found in the River Thames, his papers identify him as the heir to the Harmon estate, and Bella's hopes to marry into riches are diminished, and she's then pursued by a mysterious John Rokesmith.

Ivanhoe is the perfect novel for any listener who loves an action-packed adventure based on the mythology and legends of Medieval times in England. Set in the 12th century, Ivanhoe is the story of a young man who joins up with Richard the Lion Hearted during a dark time where England is split between the Normans and the Saxons, pitting friends and family against each other through the conquering of land and the changing seats of the Royal Family.

Walden, by Henry David Thoreau, is a personal narrative about Thoreau's solitary living experience near Walden Pond in Massachusetts. Starting with the building of his cabin by the pond in 1845, Thoreau recounts his experience away from society and city life. Thoreau spends his time growing beans for money while appreciating the beautiful wilderness around him. Although he lives a solitary life for nearly two years, Thoreau explains that he does not feel as isolated as one might think.