In 1997, the superhero movie was all but dead. The last Superman flick had been released a decade earlier to disastrous reviews and ticket sales, the most recent Batman film was a franchise-killing bomb, and an oft-promised Spider-Man feature was grounded. Yet a mere five years later this once-derided genre would be well on its way to world domination at the box office and even critical respectability. How did this happen? And why, two decades later, does the phenomenon show no sign of abating?Here, for the first time, is an extensively researched soup-to-nuts history of the superhero movie, from the first bargain-basement black-and-white serials to today's multiverse blockbusters. Chronicling eight decades of stops and starts, controversies and creators, good guys and bad guys--both onscreen and off--this entertaining and insightful account explains how and why our entertainment universe came to be overpowered by costumed crimefighters and their nefarious counterparts.

As the beloved daughter of the famous Marquis de Lafayette, Anastasia and her family lived a rich and happy life in France on the eve of the Revolution. Papa was often away from home, fighting for freedom in the American Revolution and then in the French Revolution he helped to start. But as France's initial quest for Liberty, Equality and Brotherhood descended into the chaos of the Reign of Terror and the terrible guillotine, their lives were in great danger. As the people's cheers of admiration and love for Lafayette changed over the years to howls of hate and fury, the Lafayettes escaped to their country home of Chavaniac... but found they were no safer there, as their mother Adrienne was arrested and taken to prison in Paris with other members of the nobility, many whose lives were ended by the blade of the guillotine. Anxiety and an uncertain future along with diminishing resources, serves to strengthen eldest daughter Ann into an intelligent and resolute young woman, capable of holding the family together while Maman is in prison, and Papa is off at war and then imprisoned in Austria. Even so, will the patriotic de Lafayettes survive the turmoil that swirls around them? Can Ann stand firm as a Patriot's Daughter? Out of print for more than 20 years, this special edition is presented in a large, trade size paperback format, suitable for collecting.

She was called "Alicia the Beauteous," and as a member of the nobility, she enjoyed privilege and adulation wherever she went. Her father, the Earl of Hastings and her extended family doted on her and she was surrounded by suitors. But then gentle King Edward the Confessor died, and life became much more uncertain. Duke William of Normandy declared his right to the English throne, and backed it up with a devastating army. The Battle of Hastings and the Norman Invasion put an end to life as Alicia had known it. Alicia, proud, defiant and brave, cannot bear to see her country bow to the Norman conquerors. Joining with other rebels, she begins her own quest to rid England of the Normans. But her loathing for these men who have taken away everything she holds dear cannot quite extend to the kind and handsome Gilbert, Duc de Gant. Will her heart be able to resist her longing for Gilbert, even as she seeks to drive his people from England's shores forever?

One of the most influential short stories ever written, Nikolai Gogol's ''The Overcoat'' first appeared in 1842 as part of a four-volume publication of its author's Collected Works. The story is considered not only an early masterpiece of Russian Naturalism-a movement that would dominate the country's literature for generations-but a progenitor of the modern short story form itself. "We all came out from under Gogol's 'Overcoat'" is a remark that has been variously attributed to Dostoevsky and Turgenev. That either or both might have said it is an indication of the far-reaching significance of Gogol's work.

Gogol's writings have been seen as a bridge between the genres of romanticism and realism in Russian literature. Progressive critics of his day praised Gogol for grounding his prose fictions in the everyday lives of ordinary people, and they claimed him as a pioneer of a new "naturalist" aesthetic. Yet, Gogol viewed his work in a more conservative light, and his writing seems to incorporate as much fantasy and folklore as realistic detail. "The Overcoat," which was written sporadically over several years during a self-imposed exile in Geneva and Rome, is a particularly dazzling amalgam of these seemingly disparate tendencies in Gogol's writing. The story begins by taking its readers through the mundane and alienating world of a bureaucratic office in St. Petersburg where an awkward, impoverished clerk must scrimp and save in order to afford a badly needed new winter coat. As the story progresses, we enter a fairy-tale world of supernatural revenge, where the clerk's corpse is seen wandering city streets ripping coats off the backs of passersby. Gogol's story is both comic and horrific-at once a scathing social satire, moralistic fable, and psychological study.

List of Contents:

Introduction to Nikolai Gogol
Book 1: The Overcoat
Book 2: Taras Bulba
Book 3: St. John's Eve
Book 4: The Nose
Book 5: The Mysterious Portrait
Book 6: The Calash

It is the ancient days of the Persian Empire. Hadassah was content in her quiet life in the Jewish quarter of the city of Babylon with her uncle Mordecai, who had raised her from childhood. But she was old enough to be married, and yet her uncle hadn't arranged a marriage for her. Meanwhile in Shushan, King Ahasuerus' marriage to the vain and selfish Vashti has ended, and a new wife must be found. Why not bring to him the most beautiful women of the kingdom, and let him choose? And so the loveliest young women of the empire are selected in local contests, and Hadassah is among those chosen to go to Shushan to meet the King. But as a Jewess in a foreign land with powerful enemies to her faith, she must conceal her true identity and take the Babylonian name of Esther. Will she find love with a man she has never met? And can she survive in a strict royal court controlled by the evil prime minister Haman, who wants to destroy her people? Out of print for 40 years, this special edition contains the original text of "Behold Your Queen " in a large, trade size paperback, suitable for collecting.

Gertrude Stein was at heart an artist's writer. She became well-known to the literary mainstream with "The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas," and was at her most accessible with her speech and autobiographical writing of her later years. It is with collections such as "Geography and Plays," however, that Stein showcased the possibilities of the English language to transcend beyond literature into the realm of modern art. The page was her canvas, and as the Cubist painters of her time treated their subjects, Stein re-assembled words in an abstracted form to present them in a greater context, a context un-tethered by a singular viewpoint. This modern edition contains a massive collection of over 50 different works by Gertrude Stein. In addition to the daring and cheeky "Miss Furr and Miss Skeene," this revitalized edition contains many of her most radical and influential works. There is "Ada," one of Stein's many word portraits of famous personages, this one written of Alice B. Toklas. There is "Every Afternoon: A Dialogue," a conversation between two unnamed people highlighting the writer's playful, often humorous style. Also included is "Sacred Emily," in which the reader finds Stein's most often quoted line, "Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose," a line that employs her trademark use of repetitive language to express that things are what they are, but at the same time, so much more. In Stein's view, the simple naming of a thing already invokes the imagery and emotions associated with it-the writer does not need to manipulate the word any further.

This special edition contains the two most important essays by Mao on guerrilla warfare tactics in a new, completely uncensored format.

As a revolutionary leader, Mao Zedong laid the economic, technological and cultural foundations of modern China, transforming the country from an agrarian society into a major world power.

"Time Magazine" voted Mao Zedong as one of the 100 most influential figures of the last century. He has often been described as both "brilliant and ruthless." His essays are described as "propaganda," and have historically been viewed as "subversive" and "revolutionary." They contain some of the most practical and controversial warfare theory ever presented in essay form.

This special edition contains the translations completed for the US Military's internal library of Cold War era propaganda; presented in a new, completely uncensored format. "The Red Book of Guerrilla Warfare" contains:

1) "On Guerrilla Warfare" (full translation)
2) "Problems of Strategy in Guerrilla War against Japan" (full translation)

"The Art of War" was written in the 6th century BCE by a legendary Chinese general named Sun Tzu. As part of the "Seven Military Classics" of ancient China, the teachings of Sun Tzu have influenced both Eastern philosophy and the martial arts. Even today, "The Art of War" is still the most influential book on the subject of military strategy in the world, studied by modern politicians, executives, and military leaders. The book has influenced Napoleon, and even the planning of Operation Desert Storm. Leaders as diverse as Mao Zedong and General Douglas MacArthur claimed to have drawn inspiration from the work.

For Janie and Henrietta (called Henry), life was one long stretch of working on a farm in the wilderness of 17th century Connecticut. There were few neighbors, no friends their own age, and their father was still mourning the loss of his wife. But miles away lay the town of New Amsterdam on the island of Manhattan, a bustling place with new experiences and a more hopeful future for all of them. So Eric and his girls left for New Amsterdam, where his daughters might find suitors, and he might find work.

However, New Amsterdam was not without its dangers. As The Netherlands and England fought over who owned what parts of the New World, this rapidly growing and prosperous town of Dutch and English settlers were led by the dynamic Pieter van Stuyvesant, Old Silver Leg, who would not easily give up his town to the demands of the British. Janie, Henry and their new friends would live through frightening days in the year 1664 as the Dutch and English forces made preparations to fight for the island.

Once considered a writer of "slick" magazine stories intended for mass consumption, F. Scott Fitzgerald is now regarded as one of the finest literary craftsmen of his, or of any other, generation. Entrenched in the milieu of the reckless 1920's, his stories reflect the carefree, impetuous attitude of the time, but they also go far beyond providing a mere snapshot of a generation. Fitzgerald established himself as a master at entwining romanticism with realism. He dissected class differences with a surgeon's precision. He exalted the Jazz Age fantasy of glorious excess even as he tore it apart.

"Glittering Things: Flappers, Fantasies & Tales of the Jazz Age" contains a solid compendium of early works by Fitzgerald-a time when he was at his most experimental in terms of themes and techniques, as well as a time when he was at his most influential with the public. Included in this special edition is the novelette "Winter Dreams," a story that would eventually become his masterpiece, The Great Gatsby. Also included are "May Day" and "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz," two of the most well-regarded pieces in the Fitzgerald canon, offering the writer's candid analysis of the darker side of the Jazz Age's quest for excess. Fitzgerald's trademark wit and mastery of dialogue are also well represented with the stories "The Camel's Back," "Porcelain and Pink," and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."

F. Scott Fitzgerald helped give voice to a generation engaged in "purposeless splendor." More importantly, his works have become essential to understanding the uniquely American themes of social class conflict, ill-omened idealism, and the all-encompassing "pursuit of happiness." These classic stories are now inexorably woven into the American literary landscape.

It is the beginning of the War of 1812. America is still a young, uncertain nation, defending herself against the armies of England once again. In Washington, President James Madison and his popular wife Dolly welcome into their home the lovely Jeanne Siousat, niece of their Master of Ceremonies. Having travelled for months from her home in Louisiana to Washington with the reluctant Claiborne Kent, this young Frenchwoman becomes a companion to Dolly and eyewitness to the events leading to the capture and burning of Washington and the White House.

Growing up in a village near the Sea of Galilee, the adored daughter of the wealthy and respected leader Jairus, Tamar was content with her place in her community. She knew that in her early teens she would be married to a suitable young man, and she would become a good Jewish wife and mother. She would adhere to the laws of her faith. But then a Teacher came to town, and began to speak of a way of life far different than what she and her society had been raised to believe. He preached love and acceptance and performed miracles of healing to hundreds... and in so doing made many enemies who were offended by his claims, and humiliated by their revealed hypocrisies. As Tamar and her friend Julian, the servant of a Roman Centurion, follow Jesus and see the miracles he performs, they come to believe that he is The Messiah so long anticipated in Hebrew scripture. But with many powerful enemies, his life is in danger, and as Tamar and her family travel to Jerusalem for Passover, they little realize the earth-shaking events that are about to sweep them and their world in a completely different direction.

Beautiful, impetuous and headstrong, Michal is the young daughter of Saul, the first King of Israel. As a woman of her society, she has a certain importance as a princess, but in all other respects, she has little control over her destiny. She and everyone else assume that she will marry whomever her father chooses. But then a humble young man named David is called to the royal court to play music for Saul, and Michal and the young shepherd are instantly smitten with each other. As David begins to rise in importance in the court and defeats the Philistine giant Goliath, his increasing popularity begins to threaten Saul, who swings back and forth between affection for the young man he loves like a son, and a raging hatred for this young upstart. Saul fears David will steal his throne, and decides to remove this threat to his stability and power. Michal's quick-wittedness and resolve saves David's life, but at a great cost to her own future happiness. As the years stretch by, both David and Michal are parted by cruel circumstance, and Michal learns patience and a degree of selflessness. As her family and country is torn apart by war with Philistia, Michal's longing to be reunited with her beloved David seems as though it will never come to pass...

Siddhartha Gautama, the great Indian philosopher, is believed to have attained "Enlightenment" sometime in the middle of the 5th century before the Common Era, while meditating under a "Bodhi" tree. From that time of Enlightenment until his death, by which he entered "Nirvana," he traveled by foot around the countryside of India, teaching others his philosophy of the Middle Path. The foundations of Buddhist tradition and practice are often called the Three Jewels: "the Buddha," "the Dharma" (teachings), and "the Sangha" (community).
Presented in this modern special edition is a unique selection of the ancient texts which would follow the path of the Silk Road from India to China to Japan, and evolve into the school of thought known today as Zen Buddhism. This path follows the Indian Mahayana verses from the "Dhammapada," to a collection of Buddhist sutras (scriptures) transcribed from Chinese texts, and finally concludes with the Threefold Lotus, the three Pure Land sect sutras favored in Japan.
Excerpt from "Zen Buddhism - The Path to Enlightenment - Special Edition" Reprinted by permission - All rights reserved.
The Buddha said: ""There are two aims which he who has given up the world ought not to follow after - devotion, on the one hand, to those things whose attractions depend upon passions, a low and pagan ideal, fit only for the worldly-minded; ignoble, unprofitable; and the practice on the other hand of asceticism, which is painful, ignoble, and unprofitable.
There is a Middle Path discovered by the Tathagata a path which opens the eyes, and bestows understanding, which leads to peace, to insight, to the higher wisdom, to Nirvana. It is the Noble Eightfold Path...""

Thomas of Antioch, handsome, inquiring and earnest, is the youngest of the Twelve Apostles. He has come to be known as the ages have passed as "the great doubter." Around 50 years after his time with Jesus Christ, St. Thomas the Apostle was sent from Antioch to South India where he established seven churches before being martyred near modern day Chennai. This novel for young adults tells of Thomas' early search for a leader who not only would bring hope and joy to his followers, but would also prepare the way for the long awaited Messiah. How Thomas, in spite of his doubts, did find his leader and king is told by Gladys Malvern in this beautiful, simply written narrative of the early life of Thomas as a follower and confidante of Jesus Christ. Out of print for more than 30 years, this special edition is presented for young adults in a large, trade size paperback, suitable for collecting.

Betsy was a lovely young actress from England, alone and starving in New York City at the dawn of the American Revolution. It was an unenviable position, for actors were considered to be the dregs of society in the largely Puritan colonies, and were rejected and scorned by everyone. Dan was a young Colonial from a farming family in Connecticut, on his way through New York travelling to enlist with the American forces. A chance meeting in the street leads him to take responsibility for the newly orphaned Betsy, and take her home to his family in the only way he could in that Puritan society-as his wife Betsy finds the small town of Danbury and its inhabitants close-knit and surprisingly open-minded... except where she is concerned And her new in-laws are horrified by this actress Dan has dropped on their doorstep. Can she ever find acceptance and a place in this new life? And will Dan ever come to love her as his Dear Wife?

It is the time of the Judges in Israel, and famine has swept through the land. The family of Elimelech has come to the prosperous but alien land of Moab to buy food for their people. Their two sons, though suffering from chronic illness, thrive in this pleasant land, and wives must be found for them. In the same city, two sisters live in a cold and unfriendly home; while blessed with material wealth, they are starving for love and affection. A match is made, and Ruth and her sister Orphah join the affectionate and kind Hebrew family. But tragedy strikes after several happy years, and a long and difficult journey back to the family home in Bethlehem lies ahead. They must make the painful decision of leaving their beloved country and becoming despised outcasts in a land which hates them, or staying and returning to their cold and resentful parents. How can they bear to part from their mother-in-law Naomi, who has loved them so well? But how can they leave their gods and people behind? How can Ruth endure the stigma of being a Foreigner? Out of print for more than 20 years, this special edition is presented in a large, trade size paperback format, suitable for collecting.

This special edition brings together three classic works by Western scholars of ancient Chinese texts. The men were family friends, colleagues, and were all living in Shanghai during the late 19th century. Much of their combined transcription became shaped into the book we know today as the "Tao Te Ching." "China and the Manchus" by Herbert Giles is a series of legends and recollections from ancient China, ordered by chronology. Herbert Giles is also known for creating the first Chinese-English Dictionary and helping to develop the system of Chinese translation known as the "Wade-Giles Romanization System." "Leaves from My Chinese Scrapbook" by Frederic Balfour is a collection of stories, legends and anecdotes by a British expatriate scholar, who was working for local Chinese newspapers and contributing travel articles to "Harpers Magazine." Many of these stories are taken from the source scrolls Balfour used to write the ground-breaking "Taoist Texts" in 1884. "Biographies of Immortals" by Lionel Giles is the first partial Western translation of the ancient Chinese book of "Liexian Zhuan," containing mythic heroes from Chinese history, including the "Eight Immortals of China." Lionel Giles, the son of Herbert Giles, is also known for his original translation of Sun Tzu's "The Art of War" as well as "The Analects" of Confucius.

Often named the "Prince of Philosophers," Benedict Baruch Spinoza is considered one of the most prominent "Rationalists" in the history of Philosophy. His scientifically grounded work laid the foundation for the 18th century "Enlightenment," and modern biblical criticism. His ideas were branded as heresy, by both Christian and Jewish religious leaders. This special edition of "The Philosophy of Spinoza" contains 3 full essays, originally published in 1926 and edited by Joseph Ratner. His introduction to the life of Spinoza also includes an analysis of the writings and world view of the Dutch philosopher. Collected in this special edition are the full length original texts of: 1) On God 2) On Man 3) On Man's Well-being

With "The Prince," Machiavelli made his name synonymous with intrigue and cunning for all time. His instructions to the Prince, on achieving and maintaining power, by any and all means available, became the archetypical philosophy of The Ends Justify The Means. Machiavelli advocated that political expediency supersedes morality and that success, by any means, is its own justification. His cold, calculating logic sweeps aside and dismisses all arguments against the use of every manner of deceit and dishonesty for a ruler to achieve his ends on the basis that those ends, once achieved, are, in themselves, sufficient justification. Not only does Machiavelli make philosophical arguments for his viewpoint, he gives numerous practical examples of behavior, which are generally considered to be both ruthless and invariably successful. For nearly 500 years, politicians of all stripes have found that in ignoring Machiavelli's views they become easy prey to those who are willing to employ Machiavellian methods. Machiavelli is considered by many to be the Father of Modern Political Theory. His influence has been immense and his writings, particularly "The Prince," will undoubtedly continue to influence many generations to come.

"Men and Women" was Robert Browning's first published work after a self-imposed five year hiatus, and his first collection of shorter poems since his marriage to Elizabeth Barrett in 1846. Upon publication in 1855, "Men and Women," containing fifty-one seemingly random poems, was not a critical or financial success. During this period, Browning felt overshadowed by the stellar success of his wife. Later in life, renewed public interest in his writing would elevate Robert Browning into the pantheon of greatest poets. Thirteen years after the publication of "Men and Women," Browning revisited the collection, and a new vision emerged. He separated the simpler, emotionally rhymed poems, such as "Mesmerism" and "A Woman's Last Word," and the picturesque rhymed verse, such as "Childe Roland" and "The Statue and the Bust," from their more complex companions, such as "Cleon," "Fra Lippo," and "Rudel." Finally, Browning succeeded in producing the dramatic concept he had tried to communicate two decades earlier, not by adding, but by removing stray conceptual pieces. This volume was then published as "Transcendentalism: A Poem In Twelve Books" to a frenzied reception. This large sized special edition contains the restored manuscript of Robert Browning's unique poetic masterpiece. Excerpt From "Andrea Del Sarto" in "Men and Women" All Rights Reserved But do not let us quarrel any more, No, my Lucrezia; bear with me for once: Sit down and all shall happen as you wish. You turn your face, but does it bring your heart? I'll work then for your friend's friend, never fear, Treat his own subject after his own way, Fix his own time, accept too his own price, And shut the money into this small hand When next it takes mine. Will it? tenderly? Oh, I'll content him--but to-morrow. Love! I often am much wearier than you think, This evening more than usual, and it seems As if--forgive now--should you let me sit Here by the window with your hand in mine And look a half-hour forth on Fiesole, Both of one mind, as married people use, Quietly, quietly the evening through, I might get up to-morrow to my work Cheerful and fresh as ever. Let us try.

This collectible paperback edition of "The Art of War" presents Sun Tzu's timeless instructions regarding military strategy and managing conflict in two forms.
The first part contains "The Art of War" in English, without notes or commentary. This allows the reader to understand the teachings of Sun Tzu, without the distraction of footnotes or excessive comments. As translated by Lionel Giles, the text is succinct and very easy to read.
The second part contains the complete translation by Lionel Giles, along with his definitive critical commentary. Written during the Victorian era, his "Introduction" gives the reader a chance to share the wonder of discovery which Western scholars experienced when approaching Sun Tzu for the first time. Although written in the 6th century BCE, the teachings of Sun Tzu are still found today in the martial arts, legal doctrine, military schools, management seminars and pervasively throughout popular culture.
This full size collectible edition is suitable for students and scholars, while still being easily accessible to the casual reader.
Excerpt from "The Art of War by Sun Tzu - Classic Edition." Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
1. Sun Tzu said: Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted.
2. Therefore the clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy's will to be imposed on him.
3. By holding out advantages to him, he can cause the enemy to approach of his own accord; or, by inflicting damage, he can make it impossible for the enemy to draw near.
4. If the enemy is taking his ease, he can harass him; if well supplied with food, he can starve him out; if quietly encamped, he can force him to move.
5. Appear at points which the enemy must hasten to defend; march swiftly to places where you are not expected.
6. An army may march great distances without distress, if it marches through country where the enemy is not.
7. You can be sure of succeeding in your attacks if you only attack places which are undefended. You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked.
8. Hence that general is skillful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skillful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.

"1001 Arabian Nights" is a beloved collection of folk tales and other stories. It is often known in English as "Arabian Nights," from the first English language edition (1706), which named the title, "Arabian Nights Entertainments." Originally, there were 12 volumes published, totaling more than 2,000 pages. This full sized paperback edition has been restored for a modern audience, and contains the 3 most popular and well known sagas from Arabian Nights, including the complete "Seven Voyages of Sindbad," "Aladdin and the Magic Lamp," as well as "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves." Excerpt from The Fifth Voyage of Sindbad Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved Scarcely had they finished their repast, when there appeared in the air, at a considerable distance, two great clouds. The captain of my ship, knowing by experience what they meant, said they were the male and female parents of the roc, and pressed us to re-embark with all speed, to prevent the misfortune which he saw would otherwise befall us. The two rocs approached with a frightful noise, which they redoubled when they saw the egg broken, and their young one gone. They flew back in the direction they had come, and disappeared for some time, while we made all the sail we could in the endeavor to prevent that which unhappily befell us. They soon returned, and we observed that each of them carried between its talons an enormous rock. When they came directly over my ship, they hovered, and one of them let go his rock; but by the dexterity of the steersman it missed us and fell into the sea. The other so exactly hit the middle of the ship as to split it into pieces. The mariners and passengers were all crushed to death or fell into the sea. I myself was of the number of the latter; but, as I came up again, I fortunately caught hold of a piece of the wreck, and swimming, sometimes with one hand and sometimes with the other, but always holding fast the plank, the wind and the tide favoring me, I came to an island, and got safely ashore. I sat down upon the grass, to recover myself from my fatigue, after which I went into the island to explore it. It seemed to be a delicious garden. I found trees everywhere, some of them bearing green and others ripe fruits, and streams of fresh pure water. I ate of the fruits, which I found excellent; and drank of the water, which was very light and good.