Most Popular Books by Arthur Ransome

oscar wilde a critical study From Arthur Ransome

Old Peter''s Russian Tales is a collection of the greatest Russian folk-tales for children. The first chapter tells of Maroosia and Vanya who live in a hut of pine logs in the forest with their grandfather, the forester Old Peter. This story is followed by twenty stories that Russian peasants tell their children told by Old Peter to Maroosia and Vanya. Table of Contents: The Hut in the Forest The Tale of the Silver Saucer and the Transparent Apple Sadko Frost The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship Baba Yaga The Cat who became Head-Forester Spring in the Forest The Little Daughter of the Snow Prince Ivan, the Witch Baby, and the Little Sister of the Sun The Stolen Turnips, the Magic Tablecloth, the Sneezing Goat, and the Wooden Whistle Little Master Misery A Chapter of Fish The Golden Fish Who Lived in the Skull? Alenoushka and her Brother The Fire-Bird, the Horse of Power, and the Princess Vasilissa The Hunter and his Wife The Three Men of Power—Evening, Midnight, and Sunrise Salt The Christening in the Village

In "Portraits and Speculations," Arthur Ransome masterfully blends biography with speculative insight, offering readers a vivid tapestry that weaves together the lives of various intriguing figures. The text employs a rich yet accessible literary style, reminiscent of Ransome''s characteristic blend of narrative and reflection, inviting readers to ponder the interplay between art and reality. Set against the backdrop of early 20th-century British literature, this work captures the aesthetic movements and philosophical currents that informed Ransome''s creative vision, while exploring the enduring impact of cultural figures on individual and collective identities. Arthur Ransome, best known for his beloved ''Swallows and Amazons'' series, was a multifaceted writer whose extensive travels, deep literary engagements, and acute observations of human nature significantly shaped his work. His experiences as a journalist, sailor, and political observer, notably during the Russian Revolution, provided him with a unique lens through which to examine and portray the intricacies of character and circumstance, ultimately inspiring the reflective nature of "Portraits and Speculations." This book is essential reading for anyone interested in the intersections of biography, philosophy, and literary exploration. Ransome''s deft storytelling invites readers to delve into the rich complexities of his subjects, making it a valuable addition to the libraries of scholars, students, and general readers alike.

Tom has cast off a motor cruiser from its moorings to protect a coot''s nest. He becomes an outlaw with a reward offering for his capture so another adventure begins.

The Walker children (John, Susan, Titty and Roger) are staying at a farm near a lake in the Lake District of England, during the school holidays. They sail a borrowed dinghy named Swallow and meet the Blackett children (Nancy and Peggy), who sail a dinghy named Amazon. The Walkers camp on an island in the lake, while the Blacketts live in their house nearby. When the children meet, they agree to join forces against a common enemy – the Blacketts'' uncle Jim Turner whom they call "Captain Flint." The book relates the outdoor adventures and play of two families of children. These involve sailing, camping, fishing, exploration and piracy.

The Swallows and Amazons combine boating and detective work in order to discover who is setting boats adrift and laying the blame on the children.