Part of the Legend Classics series J. and his friends George and Harris decide that taking a boating holiday on the Thames from Kingston upon Thames to Oxford and back to Kingston is a great idea - what could go wrong? Originally intended to be a serious travel guide, the humorous elements soon took over and Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog) has been considered a classic masterpiece of British humor since its first publication in 1889.

Edited, Introduced and Annotated by Cedric Watts, M.A., Ph.D., Emeritus Professor of English, University of Sussex. Three Men in a Boat is a comic classic. When it first appeared in 1889 it became a best seller, and has remained popular ever since. This motley novel has not only been translated into many languages but has also been staged, filmed, televised and imitated. The adventures and misfortunes on the Thames of the three English friends and their pugnacious dog, Montmorency, provide rich humour, shrewd observations, lyrical reflections, and, predominantly, genially ironic perceptions of human fallibility. The sequel, Three Men on the Bummel, reunites the three friends for their 'Bummel' ('roaming or wandering') through Germany. The results vary from the seductively titillating to the outrageously farcical; and subsequent history has laden the narrative with ironies. COMPLETE AND UNABRIDGED

HarperCollins is proud to present its new range of best-loved, essential classics. 'That's Harris all over - so ready to take the burden of everything himself, and put it on the backs of other people.' Three late-Victorian gentlemen, George, Harris and the writer himself as well as their fox terrier Montmorency take a trip in a boat along the River Thames to Oxford. What ensues is a hilarious journey through the English waterways full of anecdotes, and farcical incidents with Montmorency wreaking havoc along the way.

Three Men in a Boat remains one of the best-loved and most entertaining comic novels. Part of the Macmillan Collector's Library; a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket sized classics with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. This edition features illustrations by A. Frederics and an afterword by David Stuart Davies. Join our young heroes J., George and Harris (not forgetting Montmorency, the mischievous, irascible fox terrier) as they take a boating holiday along the Thames. Their aim is to escape the weary workaday world and improve their health, but they are ill prepared for the various escapades, difficulties and vicissitudes that they encounter along the watery way. The adventures of these incompetent innocents abroad are magnified to epic proportions by the storyteller, J. His narration gives the book not only a wonderful endearing freshness but also a series of hilarious moments of timeless comedy.

`Other works may excel this in depth of thought and knowledge of human nature: other books may rival it in originality and size; but, for hopeless and incurable vivacity, nothing yet discovered can surpass it.' (Jerome, Preface to Three Men in a Boat). Three Men in a Boat describes a comic expedition by middle-class Victorians up the Thames to Oxford. It provides brilliant snap-shots of London's playground in the late 1880s, where the fashionable steam-launches of river swells encounter the hired skiffs of city clerks. The medley of social vignettes, farcical incidents, descriptions of river fashions, and reflections on the Thames's history, is interspersed with humorous anecdotes told by a natural raconteur. Three Men on the Bummel records a similar escapade, a break from the claustrophobia of suburban life some ten years later; their cycling tour in the Black Forest, at the height of the new bicycling craze, affords Jerome the opportunity for a light-hearted scrutiny of German social customs at a time of increasing general interest in a country that he loved. This account of middle-aged Englishmen abroad is spiced with typical Jeromian humour. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

A collection of rare horror stories that will thrill fans of classic writers such as M. R. James, Bram Stoker, Edgar Allan Poe and E. F. Benson. Jerome K. Jerome's reputation as a humorist, renowned for his comic novel Three Men in a Boat, has thrown into undeserved obscurity his fine efforts in the ghost story genre. Three Men in the Dark collects Jerome's major horror stories, together with a selection from two of his friends with whom he founded the magazines The Idler and Today - the journalist Robert Barr and the humorist Barry Pain. Like Jerome, their stories of terror and the supernatural have been overlooked for many years. Edited and introduced by veteran anthologist Hugh Lamb, this new edition includes as an extra bonus the long-lost novelette, 'The Mystery of Black Rock Creek'. Written in five parts by Jerome K. Jerome, Barry Pain, Eden Phillpotts, E. F. Benson and Bram Stoker's brother-in-law Frank Frankfort Moore, it rounds off one of the most unusual and entertaining anthologies of the macabre of recent years.

What could be better during the golden age of boating on the Thames than a relaxing row up the river? So think J., George and Harris - not forgetting Montmorency the dog - but little do they suspect the mishaps, the scrapes and the japes that lie along the way. From becoming impossibly lost in the maze at Hampton Court to battles with tins of pineapple chunks, all the while attempting to limit the destruction wrought by the mischievous Montmorency, Jerome K. Jerome's classic novel of humorous misadventures and comedic authorial digressions is a paean to the banalities of everyday life and has entertained readers for more than a century.

When Jerome K Jerome and his friend decide to attend the Oberammergau Passion Play, an Easter pageant that is performed in Oberlin, Germany once every decade, they turn the trip into a vacation. From London to Germany, the pair plan a cross-continent trip, excited to sight-see and experience different cultures. However, the friends run into conflict before they even take off, unsure what to pack. While they sort through contradicting advice from others, the pair cannot decide if it would be worse to take more than they need, or less. After they defeat their relatable packing struggle, they finally embark on their journey. The men encounter even more troubles, as they struggle to find directions, board their train, and overcome cultural barriers. However, through unfamiliar foods, strange beds, and misunderstandings, it is impossible to miscommunicate the gorgeous landmarks they encounter, including the Cologne Cathedral and the Rhine river. Their vacation may not go as planned, but it most certainly will be memorable! Featuring misadventures, iconic settings, and admirable friendship, Jerome K. Jerome's Diary of a Pilgrimage is a genius work of comedic nonfiction. Written in the form of essays depicting memorable anecdotes, Jerome's work is composed by delightful, humorous prose and poignant observations. Mixing humor and sentiment, Jerome extends his observations to everyday life, and uses the details of his journey to paint broader truths about civilization and the human race. With vivid descriptions of the social scene and stunning landscapes of major European cities such as London, Cologne, and Munich, Diary of a Pilgrimage paints a perfect image of the journey, allowing readers to experience a vicarious adventure throughout 19th century Europe. </ p> This edition of Diary of a Pilgrimage by Jerome K. Jerome features a stunning new cover design and is printed in a font that is both modern and readable. With these accommodations, Diary of a Pilgrimage caters to a contemporary audience while preserving the original hilarity of Jerome's work.

At a young age, author Jerome K. Jerome found a hobby that he was extremely skilled at, and very passionate about-idleness. He was thrilled at the amount of time he could waste doing nothing, frustrating those around him. However, when Jerome falls ill and is ordered to bedrest, this hobby is tested. Then, he learns that doing nothing is only fun when you have other commitments. This relatable sentiment is explored in the title essay of Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow. Taking sometimes mundane topics and twisting them into the extraordinary, Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow shares insight on a variety of topics. In On Being in Love Jerome applies his observations of couples to broader realizations of love and romance. Exploring an opposite, polarizing feeling, On Being in the Blues is a touching portrayal of living with depression, struggling through the lows and highs of mental health. While such essays invoke strong emotional reactions, others dabble in lighter topics, such as the attire of babies, the weather, and gluttonous appetites. Yet, whether the topic is profound or ordinary, Jerome finds a way to craft philosophical prose saturated in clever insight. Featuring fourteen witty and philosophical essays, Jerome's Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow considers topics of varying importance, from the author's opinion on cats to suffering through depressive episodes. Each accompanied by a personal, and usually hilarious narrative, these essays reach philosophic conclusions as they entertain with their captivating charm and sarcasm. Written with casual prose decorated with thorough imagery and figurative language, Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow imparts fun and frank wisdom on its readers, still delighting audiences over a century after it was first published. This edition of Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow by Jerome K. Jerome is presented in an easy-to-read font and features an eye-catching new cover design. With these accommodations, this edition is accessible and appealing to contemporary audiences, restoring Jerome K Jerome's work to modern standards while preserving the original wit and charm of Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow.

While remodeling his new home, a man and his children move into a country cottage where he must adjust to the new sights and sounds. This is a detailed look at how he manages his disparate children in a foreign environment. A sudden move prompts a man to reevaluate his life and key moments from the past. When a father purchases a new home, he decides to make some much-needed renovations. He and his three children travel to the country and stay in a cottage near the job site. While there, the father narrates their story presenting an insightful and hilarious view of his parenting style. They and I highlights a man, his children, and their distinct personalities. It's a light read that focuses on an unconventional family in a traditional setting. Jerome K. Jerome presents a delightful examination of country life with a series of memorable anecdotes. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of They and I is both modern and readable.

A decade after their wild boat ride adventure on the Thames river, J, Harris, and George reunite for another vacation. Older, richer, and fatter, but not wiser, the three men stumble through mishaps and surprises as they journey to Germany. First saying their goodbyes, J and Harris seek the approval of their wives, worried about leaving their kids. Their wives are supportive, secretly considering their husbands' trip from home as a vacation for themselves as well. Still a bachelor, George tells his aunt about the trip before they depart. First arriving in a boat, the men journey through Germany, stopping in Hamburg, Hanover, and Berlin. When they are able, they stay in hotels and inns, and when they are desperate, the sleep in the barns of kind farmers. After a long journey, the men finally arrive at their destination. Planning on completing a cycling tour through the German Black Forest, the men take a single rider and a tandem bicycle, making a solemn compromise to take turns being the solo rider. As they set out on their bike ride, the friends are amazed by the beauty and serenity of the forest, until they start to realize that everything looks familiar. Lost in the woods and going in circles, the three men must find a way home from their adventure before they get caught in the impending rain storm. Through sketches and detailed observations, Jerome K. Jerome's Three Men on the Bummel provides a fascinating perspective on the landscape and culture of 20th century Germany. With drunken adventures, sword fights, and misfortunate weather, Three Men on the Bummel is an exciting and charming travelogue, humorous and enjoyable even for modern audiences. This edition of Three Men on the Bumel by Jerome K. Jerome is presented in an easy-to-read font and features an eye-catching new cover design. With these accommodations, this edition is accessible and appealing to contemporary audiences, restoring Jerome K Jerome's work to modern standards while preserving the original wit and charm of Three Men on the Bummel.

Three Men in a Boat, published in 1889, is a humorous account by Jerome K. Jerome of a boating holiday on the Thames between Kingston and Oxford. The book was initially intended to be a serious travel guide, with accounts of local history along the route, but the humorous elements took over to the point where the serious and somewhat sentimental passages seem a distraction to the comic novel. One of the most praised things about Three Men in a Boat is how undated it appears to modern readers - the jokes seem fresh and witty even today. The three men are based on Jerome himself (the narrator J.) and two real-life friends, George Wingrave (who went on to become a senior manager in Barclays Bank) and Carl Hentschel (the founder of a London printing business, called Harris in the book), with whom he often took boating trips. The dog, Montmorency, is entirely fictional but, "as Jerome admits, developed out of that area of inner consciousness which, in all Englishmen, contains an element of the dog." The trip is a typical boating holiday of the time in a Thames camping skiff. This was just after commercial boat traffic on the Upper Thames had died out, replaced by the 1880s craze for boating as a leisure activity. As with Three Men in a Boat, Three Men on the Bummel seems thoroughly modern in tone and style of humor. Jerome K. Jerome is particularly fond of comical exaggeration of the sort that would seem totally natural on a television sitcom today. After a mistake involving somebody else's bicycle, and a run-in with the authorities, he summarizes "My going scot free is regarded in police circles there to this day as a grave miscarriage of justice." Portions read much like Douglas Adams ("I wish no one to read this book under a misapprehension. There will be no useful information in this book.") and others like John Cleese in Fawlty Towers (a discussion of an English shopkeeper frustrated when the protagonists, as a prank, pretend not to be able to speak English). The material near the start of the book about the friends and their wives is all quite funny, and thoroughly modern in the way the women effortlessly outsmart the men. The discussions of stereotypical German behavior are remarkable mostly for how little such stereotypes have changed. Germans were, 120 years ago and today, thought to be officious and compulsive in following rules. Fans of old bicycle books will find much here to like, with description of the hazards of amateur bike-tuning, and lies in bike advertisements, and the observation that uphills always seem to last longer than downhills.

Jerome K Jerome is best known for his hilarious book "Three Men in a Boat" charting the misadventures of the author and his friends on a boating trip up the Thames. The book started off as a serious Travel Book, but morphed into a very funny book and a social commentary. The success of this book caused the author to write a sequel "Three Men on the Bummel," the same character choose this time to take a cycling trip in Germany. "Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow" is another humorous book, but this time peppered with philosophical truths. As is its sequel "Second Thoughts of an Idle Fellow." "Told after Supper" is a series of humorous Ghost Stories. "Diary of a Pilgrimage" is another funny travel book - a journey to see the famous Passion Play at Oberammergau, again very witty and deserves to be read along with Jerome's more famous book. The "Philosopher's Joke" is a short story involving six friends who meet an old philosopher. For a joke, or perhaps a dream, they start a strange journey into their past. Will they take hold of this opportunity and reap the benefits? "All Roads lead to Calvary" is a very different book. Set at the beginning of World War I it charts the progress of a number of professional women who make their way through life without the support of men. Jerome reveals his theology in this book, a theology of the cross: as God in Christ suffered, so all self-giving leads to God. In addition, God is not to be thought of as a great king but as a fellow-worker and his purposes are worked out in the everyday struggles of life. "Sketches in Lavender, Blue and Green" is an excellent and sometimes amusing short story collection. It includes "Reginald Blake, Financier and Cad," "An item of Fashionable Intelligence," "Blas Billy," "The Choice of Cyril Harjohn," "The Materialisation of Charles and Mivanway," "Portrait of a Lady," "The Man Who Would Manage," "The Man Who Lived For Others," "A Man of Habit," "The Absent-minded Man," "A Charming Woman," "Whibley's Spirit," "The Man Who Went Wrong," "The Hobby Rider," "The Man Who Did Not Believe In Luck," "Dick Dunkerman's Cat," "The Minor Poet's Story," "The Degeneration of Thomas Henry," "The City of The Sea," and "Driftwood."

A comic masterpiece that has never been out of print since it was first published in 1889, Jerome K. Jerome's Three Men in a Boat includes an introduction and notes by Jeremy Lewis in Penguin Classics. Martyrs to hypochondria and general seediness, J. and his friends George and Harris decide that a jaunt up the Thames would suit them to a 'T'. But when they set off, they can hardly predict the troubles that lie ahead with tow-ropes, unreliable weather forecasts and tins of pineapple chunks - not to mention the devastation left in the wake of J.'s small fox-terrier Montmorency. Three Men in a Boat was an instant success when it appeared in 1889, and, with its benign escapism, authorial discursions and wonderful evocation of the late-Victorian 'clerking classes', it hilariously captured the spirit of its age. In his introduction, Jeremy Lewis examines Jerome K. Jerome's life and times, and the changing world of Victorian England he depicts - from the rise of a new mass-culture of tabloids and bestselling novels to crazes for daytripping and bicycling. Jerome K. Jerome (1859-1927) was born in Walstall, Staffordshire, and educated at Marylebone Grammar School. He left school at fourteen to become a railway clerk, the first in a long line of jobs that included actor, teacher and journalist. His first book, On Stage and Off, a collection of humorous pieces about the theatre, was published in 1885, and was followed the year after with the more commercially-successful The Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow; but it was with Three Men in a Boat (1889) that Jerome achieved lasting fame. He later went on to become one of the founders of the humorous magazine, The Idler, and continued to write articles and plays. If you enjoyed Three Men in a Boat, you might like Stella Gibbons's Cold Comfort Farm, also available in Penguin Classics.

Featuring five works of extraordinary short fiction, John Ingerfield: And Other Stories is an unforgettable collection that textualizes the aspects of human nature that are often left unspoken while exploring nostalgia and the macabre. In The Woman of Saeter, an uneventful hunting trip turns into a spooky experience when two men are forced to take shelter in a mysterious hut in the woods. With a similar tone, Silhouettes is a frightening recollection of an eerie marshland near the sea, haunted by the dead, monsters, and shadows. Depicting a less chilling childhood memory, Variety Platter is a story of an unforgettable Christmas. While the supernatural and unexpected burn themselves into memory, odd characters have a similar effect. The Lease of the Cross Key follows a Bishop and an unconventional reporter as they prepare for a celebratory service. Finally, the first and title story of the collection, The Remembrance of John Ingerfield, and of Anne, His Wife depicts a man whose life revolved around making money. Written with stunning description and impressive prose, John Ingerfield: And Other Stories by Jerome K. Jerome is a collection of short fiction, featuring romance, comedy, and even paranormal activity. With ghost stories, legends, and childhood memories, each narrative is captivating and highly impressionable. Slightly deviating from Jerome K. Jerome's usual humorous tone, these stories are dramatic with subtle hints of comedy, crafting a unique reading experience. First published in 1894, this 19th century collection demonstrates the best of Jerome's literary ability, possessing a strong aesthetic that has remained to be fascinating and compelling. This edition of John Ingerfield: And Other Stories by Jerome K. Jerome is presented in an easy-to-read font and features an eye-catching new cover design. With these accommodations, this edition is accessible and appealing to contemporary audiences, restoring Jerome K Jerome's work to modern standards while preserving the original wit and charm of John Ingerfield: And Other Stories.

Jerome K. Jerome's Sketches of Lavender, Blue and Green is a vast collection of short fiction, diverse in themes and topics. Each infused with Jerome's clever wit, this collection of short fiction caters to every mood. In The Materialism of Charles and Mivanway, a paranormal misunderstanding brings a couple closer together. After a young, emotionally charged couple are separated by a ship wreck, each are presumed dead. Because of this, when they run into each other at a romantic spot, the couple each think the other is a ghost. Filled with grief, they work out their differences and reconcile old fights as they schedule meetings; they may think their lover is dead, but that does not mean their love is. Depicting a different perspective of love, Blase Billy portrays a worldly, experienced man who is unimpressed with nearly everything, as he has lived through so much. However, when Billy starts to fall in love, he realizes that he may not be as accomplished as he thought. Accompanying touching love stories, The Man Who Lived for Others is a satirical tale of warning as it follows a man who will go out of his way to do exactly what others expect at the expense of his own happiness. Featuring twenty exemplary works of short fiction, Sketches of Lavender, Blue and Green by Jerome K. Jerome explores themes of love, gender, class, marriage, and societal expectations with wit and charm. This range of topics and themes are well-presented in pure satirical pieces, stories of romance, and even stories with supernatural misunderstandings. Filled with humor, sentiment, and reflection, Sketches of Lavender, Blue, and Green is a perfect collection of hilarious narratives, sure to delight modern-audiences. This edition of Sketches in Lavender, Blue, and Green by Jerome K. Jerome is presented in an easy-to-read font and features an eye-catching new cover design. With these accommodations, this edition is accessible and appealing to contemporary audiences, restoring Jerome K Jerome's work to modern standards while preserving the original wit and charm of Sketches in Lavender, Blue and Green.

A decade after their wild boat ride adventure on the Thames river, J, Harris, and George reunite for another vacation. Older, richer, and fatter, but not wiser, the three men stumble through mishaps and surprises as they journey to Germany. First saying their goodbyes, J and Harris seek the approval of their wives, worried about leaving their kids. Their wives are supportive, secretly considering their husbands' trip from home as a vacation for themselves as well. Still a bachelor, George tells his aunt about the trip before they depart. First arriving in a boat, the men journey through Germany, stopping in Hamburg, Hanover, and Berlin. When they are able, they stay in hotels and inns, and when they are desperate, the sleep in the barns of kind farmers. After a long journey, the men finally arrive at their destination. Planning on completing a cycling tour through the German Black Forest, the men take a single rider and a tandem bicycle, making a solemn compromise to take turns being the solo rider. As they set out on their bike ride, the friends are amazed by the beauty and serenity of the forest, until they start to realize that everything looks familiar. Lost in the woods and going in circles, the three men must find a way home from their adventure before they get caught in the impending rain storm. Through sketches and detailed observations, Jerome K. Jerome's Three Men on the Bummel provides a fascinating perspective on the landscape and culture of 20th century Germany. With drunken adventures, sword fights, and misfortunate weather, Three Men on the Bummel is an exciting and charming travelogue, humorous and enjoyable even for modern audiences. This edition of Three Men on the Bumel by Jerome K. Jerome is presented in an easy-to-read font and features an eye-catching new cover design. With these accommodations, this edition is accessible and appealing to contemporary audiences, restoring Jerome K Jerome's work to modern standards while preserving the original wit and charm of Three Men on the Bummel.