Most Popular Books by Samuel Butler

Erewhon: or, Over the Range is a novel by Samuel Butler which was first published anonymously in 1872, set in a fictional country discovered and explored by the protagonist. Butler meant the title to be understood as the word "nowhere" backwards even though the letters "h" and "w" are transposed. The book is a satire on Victorian society.The first few chapters of the novel dealing with the discovery of Erewhon are in fact based on Butler''s own experiences in New Zealand, where, as a young man, he worked as a sheep farmer on Mesopotamia Station for about four years (1860-64), and explored parts of the interior of the South Island and which he wrote about in his A First Year in Canterbury Settlement (1863).The novel is one of the first to explore ideas of artificial intelligence, as influenced by Darwin''s recently published On the Origin of Species (1859) and the machines developed out of the Industrial Revolution (late 18th to early 19th centuries). Specifically, it concerns itself, in the three-chapter "Book of the Machines", with the potentially dangerous ideas of machine consciousness and self-replicating machines

Ten years have passed since the fall of Troy, and the Greek hero Odysseus still has not returned to his kingdom in Ithaca. A large and rowdy mob of suitors who have overrun Odysseus''s palace and pillaged his land continue to court his wife, Penelope. She has remained faithful to Odysseus. Prince Telemachus, Odysseus''s son, wants desperately to throw them out but does not have the confidence or experience to fight them. One of the suitors, Antinous, plans to assassinate the young prince, eliminating the only opposition to their dominion over the palace.

The Iliad and The Odyssey are two of the oldest works of Western literature—yet these ancient myths still offer powerful lessons for our times. From the fascinating fall of Troy to Odysseus''s perilous journey home, from the gods and goddesses to the Sirens and the suitors, the events and characters of these epic tales captivate us, teach us, and inspire us. Their influence can be seen far and wide, from James Joyce''s Ulysses to the movie sensation Troy, starring Brad Pitt. Whether you''ve read Homer''s original stories or you''ve only enjoyed their modern-day descendants, you''ll love this edition of Iliad and Odyssey.

Erewhon or Over the Range By Samuel Butler Butler Samuel Butler''s irreverent satire, ''Erewhon'', castigates the hypocrisy of both religion and conventional social mores, and pours scorn on the unthinking acceptance that makes such beliefs possible. In Erewhon (an anagram of ''Nowhere'') ''normal'' behaviour'' consists of hospitalizing fraudsters and chastising the sick; of disregarding genius and praising the insane. Erewhonians are described as "meek and long-suffering, easily led by the nose, and quick to offer up common sense at the shrine of logic" - pointed criticism of both Victorian society and contemporary ''politically-correct'' repression. Butler''s imaginative tale sparkles with wit and prescient insights: his discussion of the dangers posed by increasingly intelligent machines has more relevance today than when it was first written over 130 years ago. We are delighted to publish this classic book as part of our extensive Classic Library collection. Many of the books in our collection have been out of print for decades, and therefore have not been accessible to the general public. The aim of our publishing program is to facilitate rapid access to this vast reservoir of literature, and our view is that this is a significant literary work, which deserves to be brought back into print after many decades. The contents of the vast majority of titles in the Classic Library have been scanned from the original works. To ensure a high quality product, each title has been meticulously hand curated by our staff. Our philosophy has been guided by a desire to provide the reader with a book that is as close as possible to ownership of the original work. We hope that you will enjoy this wonderful classic work, and that for you it becomes an enriching experience. Erewhon or Over the Range, By Samuel Butler Butler,

Illustrated with 20 captivating illustrations Includes a detailed summary Comprehensive characters list Author biography of Samuel Butler In Erewhon, Samuel Butler brings his masterful satire and thought-provoking philosophy back to the strange and intriguing land of Erewhon.This illustrated edition adds a visual dimension to Butler''s bold narrative, enhancing the experience as the protagonist returns to Erewhon after a long absence. What he finds is a society at a crossroads, mirroring the complexities and contradictions of Victorian culture, where the boundaries between humanity and machine are blurred, and the search for truth and progress leads to unexpected revelations. As Butler explores the strange customs, laws, and moral codes of Erewhon, he expertly critiques the absurdities of modern life and the dangers of blind faith in progress. Through sharp social commentary, Erewhon Revisited challenges readers to reconsider their beliefs about society, evolution, and the nature of civilization. With 20 beautiful illustrations that capture the essence of Erewhon''s odd and compelling world, this edition invites readers to embark on a journey that questions the very foundations of humanity. Explore the captivating characters, the intricate web of Erewhon''s laws, and Butler''s visionary take on a future not so far from our own. This edition also features a summary, a characters list to guide you through the narrative, and a biography of the author, giving you a deeper understanding of Butler''s life and his revolutionary ideas.

"The Way of All Flesh (sometimes called Ernest Pontifex, or the Way of All Flesh) is a semi-autobiographical novel by Samuel Butler that attacks Victorian-era hypocrisy.[1] Written between 1873 and 1884, it traces four generations of the Pontifex family. Butler dared not publish it during his lifetime, but when it was published (in 1903) it was accepted as part of the general reaction against Victorianism.The title is a common misquotation of a Biblical Hebrew expression, to ""go the way of all the earth"", meaning ""to die"" (1 Kings 2:2 etc.).In 1998, the Modern Library ranked The Way of All Flesh twelfth on its list of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century."

High quality reprint of Alps and Sanctuaries by Samuel Butler.