Special Collections
Free Books for All!
- Table View
- List View
Absalom, Absalom!
by William FaulknerAbsalom, Absalom! tells the story of Thomas Sutpen, the enigmatic stranger who came to Jefferson township in the early 1830s. With a French architect and a band of wild Haitians, he wrung a fabulous plantation out of the muddy bottoms of the north Mississippi wilderness.Sutpen was a man, Faulker said, "who wanted sons and the sons destroyed him." His tragedy left its impress not only on his contemporaries but also on men who came after, men like Quentin Compson, haunted even into the 20th century by Sutpen's legacy of ruthlessness and singleminded disregard for the human community.Penguin Random House Canada is proud to bring you classic works of literature in e-book form, with the highest quality production values. Find more today and rediscover books you never knew you loved.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
by Mark TwainSail down the Mississippi with rascally Huck Finn! Huck Finn spits, swears, smokes a pipe and never goes to school. With his too-big clothes and battered straw hat, Huck is in need of 'civilising', and the Widow Douglas is determined to take him in hand. And wouldn't you know, Huck's no-good Pap is also after him and he locks Huck up in his cabin in the woods. But Huck won't stand too much of this, and after a daring escape, he takes off down the Mississppi on a raft with a runaway slave called Jim. But plenty of dangers wait for them along the river -- will they survive and win their freedom?
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
by Mark TwainThe classic boy-hero of American literature.Impish, daring young Tom Sawyer is the bane of the old, the hero of the young. There were some in his dusty old Mississippi town who believed he would be President, if he escaped a hanging. For wherever there is mischief or adventure, Tom is at the heart of it. During one hot summer, Tom witnesses a murder, runs away to be a pirate, attends his own funeral, rescues an innocent man from the gallows, searches for treasure in a haunted house, foils a devilish plot and discovers a box of gold. But can he escape his nemesis, the villainous Injun Joe?
The Aeneid
by VirgilThe national epic of Ancient Rome, presented here in the John Dryden translation. The Aeneid picks up at the end of The Iliad. Aeneas, a survivor of Troy, flees with a group of Trojans. It has been foretold that he will lead them to a new home, to what will become Rome. Aeneas finds himself caught up in the scheming and machinations of the Gods, and is torn between his duty and his heart. If he is to fulfill his destiny, he must stay focused and determined - but at what cost? Penguin Random House Canada is proud to bring you high quality, classic works of literature in e-book form. Find more today and rediscover books you never knew you loved.
The Age of Innocence
by Edith WhartonAn epic portrait of the 19th century American upper class that earned its author a Pulitzer Prize. Newland Archer has it all - he is a lawyer from one of the most respected families in New York, and has a highly desirable marriage with the beautiful May Welland. When May's cousin Ellen, rumoured to have just broken off her marriage with a Polish count, returns to town, Newland finds himself questioning his future. At first, he is simply concerned about the taint that Ellen's scandal might bring upon him - but then he finds himself falling for her, and questioning everything he thought he wanted from life. Penguin Random House Canada is proud to bring you classic works of literature in e-book form, with the highest quality production values. Find more today and rediscover books you never knew you loved.
Anna Karenina
by Leo TolstoyThe greatest love story ever told.Anna Karenina is a novel of unparalleled richness and complexity, set against the backdrop of Russian high society. Tolstoy charts the course of the doomed love affair between Anna, a beautiful married woman, and Count Vronsky, a wealthy army officer who pursues Anna after becoming infatuated with her at a ball. Although she initially resists his charms, Anna eventually succumbs, falling passionately in love and setting in motion a chain of events that leads to her downfall. In this extraordinary novel, Tolstoy seamlessly weaves together the lives of dozens of characters, while evoking a love so strong that those who experience it are prepared to die for it.Penguin Random House Canada is proud to bring you classic works of literature in e-book form, with the highest quality production values. Find more today and rediscover books you never knew you loved.
Around the World in Eighty Days
by Jules VerneA popular adventure novel originally published in 1873, Around the World in Eighty Days is the story of Phileas Fogg and his newly employed French valet, Jean Passepartout, who attempt to circumnavigate the world in 80 days on a £20,000 bet with Fogg’s friends at the Reform Club. In a race against time, Fogg and Passepartout employ virtually every means of transportation necessary to achieve their goal—with a devious detective introducing new obstacles every step of the way. Against a constantly shifting backdrop of exotic and exciting locations—the jungles of India, opium dens in China, a Japanese circus, and a train under attack—Around the World in Eighty Days is an enduring blend of comic adventures (and misadventures) and suspense that continues to enchant readers new and old. Penguin Random House Canada is proud to bring you classic works of literature in e-book form, with the highest quality production values. Find more today and rediscover books you never knew you loved.
The Art of Public Speaking
by Dale CarnegieA pioneer in the field of self-help, Dale Carnegie distilled his experiences as a salesman and lecturer in this first guide to successful speech-making. The Art of Public Speaking is direct, practical advice for emphasizing ideas for easy comprehension and high impact ranges from finding an appropriate rhythm to conquering stage fright.Avoiding the use of tricks and shortcuts, the author suggests methods for developing one's thoughts in order to form an original, authentic manner of speaking. He advises speakers to practice their presentation skills, offering useful tips for speech-making in both personal and professional situations. First published in 1915, this classic continues to encourage people from all walks of life to overcome their self-consciousness and increase their effectiveness and comfort as public speakers.Penguin Random House Canada is proud to bring you classic works of literature in e-book form, with the highest quality production values. Find more today and rediscover books you never knew you loved.
The Art of War
by Sun TzuA definitive treatise on military tactics that continues to be relevant today. The Art of War has been translated into several languages, and continues to be referenced as a source of wisdom by high-ranking military officers around the world, as well as those in business and corporate environments. Many military organizations and businesses have made it required reading. The Giles translation included here is the original English translation, complete with thorough annotations. Penguin Random House Canada is proud to bring you classic works of literature in e-book form, with the highest quality production values. Find more today and rediscover books you never knew you loved.
The Art of War
by Sun TzuAn ancient Chinese military text, The Art of War is a strategic and intellectual examination of the different aspects of warfare, and has served as a foundation of military doctrine from ancient to modern times. With discussions ranging from the use of force to civilian casualties, The Art of War continues to be a relevant and insightful treatise on military engagement.Be it mystery, romance, drama, comedy, politics, or history, great literature stands the test of time. ClassicJoe proudly brings literary classics to today's digital readers, connecting those who love to read with authors whose work continues to get people talking. Look for other fiction and non-fiction classics from ClassicJoe.
The Awakening
by Kate ChopinThe Pontellier family are spending a hot, lazy holiday on the Gulf of Mexico. No-one expects that Edna Pontellier should be preoccupied with anything more than her husband and children. When an illicit summer romance awakens new ideas and longings in Edna, she can barely understand herself, and cannot hope for aid or acceptance in the stifling attitudes of Louisiana society. Kate Chopin's compelling, candid portrait of a woman attempting to break free caused an outcry when first published in 1899.
Bartleby, the Scrivener
by Herman MelvilleA deceptively simple premise – a scrivener who refuses to work – gives way to one of the most spectacular works of a great American author. When a Manhattan lawyer’s workload increases, he hires a new scrivener to help manage the workload. At first Bartleby, is an excellent addition to the office. But when his productivity starts dropping – and doesn’t stop – his boss has to intervene. Yet he is baffled when the only answer he can get from Bartleby about working is, “I would prefer not to.” Bartleby refuses to work, but refuses to leave. What’s to be done with Bartleby? Penguin Random House Canada is proud to bring you classic works of literature in e-book form, with the highest quality production values. Find more today and rediscover books you never knew you loved.
The Bird's Nest
by Shirley JacksonA brilliant, haunting exploration of madness. Elizabeth is, to all appearances, an ordinary, even unremarkable girl. She works an ordinary job, lives with her aunt, and sustains herself with the money she inherited from her aunt. It's not until chronic pain leads her to a psychiatrist that it becomes clear that there isn't only one Elizabeth - there are four distinct personalities at work, each with their own attitudes and goals. Penguin Random House Canada is proud to bring you classic works of literature in e-book form, with the highest quality production values. Find more today and rediscover books you never knew you loved.
Black Beauty
by Anna SewellA brave and handsome horse meets with many adventures and all types of people. But no matter what he encounters, nothing can break Black Beauty's spirit. Black Beauty is the prettiest young horse in the meadows, and spends many happy days under the apple trees with his friends Ginger and Merrylegs. But this easy life comes to an end when Beauty is sold and goes from farm to inn to cabhorse in London, enduring rough treatment from foolish and careless masters. Beauty remains faithful, hardworking and full of spirit despite his trials, and through him we learn that all horses and humans alike deserve to be treated with kindness.
Black Mischief
by Evelyn WaughBringing a war-torn country into the twentieth century can’t be that hard, right? Seth has an Oxford education, and has just successfully ended a Civil War in Azania. Azania, of course, is the country of which he is emperor. And what’s a newly secure emperor to do with his country? Why, modernize it of course. He recruits an English aristocrat and an Armenian entrepreneur to help, but he may have bitten off more than he can chew… Penguin Random House Canada is proud to bring you classic works of literature in e-book form, with the highest quality production values. Find more today and rediscover books you never knew you loved.
Bleak House
by Charles Dickens“Jarndyce and Jarndyce” is an infamous lawsuit that has been in process for generations. Nobody can remember exactly how the case started but many different individuals have found their fortunes caught up in it. Esther Summerson watches as her friends and neighbours are consumed by their hopes and disappointments with the proceedings. But while the intricate puzzles of the lawsuit are being debated by lawyers, other more dramatic mysteries are unfolding that involve heartbreak, lost children, blackmail and murder.Penguin Random House Canada is proud to bring you classic works of literature in e-book form, with the highest quality production values. Find more today and rediscover books you never knew you loved.
Brideshead Revisited
by Evelyn WaughOne of the best and most poignant novels of the twentieth century. Charles Ryder’s life is changed when he meets Lord Sebastian Flyte, an eccentric, troubled young aristocrat, and his family. They are strongly Catholic, but their faith is not uncomplicated. Unhappy marriages and searches for love crash up against strict moral teachings. Where and how will Charles and the Flytes find happiness, and what does that mean for their futures? Penguin Random House Canada is proud to bring you classic works of literature in e-book form, with the highest quality production values. Find more today and rediscover books you never knew you loved.
Bulfinch's Mythology
by Thomas BulfinchBulfinch's Mythology is a thorough overview of three major groups of mythology, and has long been cited as one of its definitive reference texts. It is broken up into three sections, covering classical mythology (primarily Greek and Roman, though Bulfinch also touches on eastern, Norse, and druidic myth), the legends of King Arthur, and the romances of the middle ages. It is both thorough and detailed, but is presented in a way that makes it accessible to all readers. Penguin Random House Canada is proud to bring you classic works of literature in e-book form, with the highest quality production values. Find more today and rediscover books you never knew you loved.
Bunner Sisters
by Edith WhartonThe Bunner Sisters own a millinery shop in a poor district in New York. Money is tight, but they are able to get by. When Herman Ramay, a bachelor and local shop owner, comes in to their lives, it teases at new possibilities and new horizons for both women. But will they find that what Ramay might offer elevates them? Or will it destroy something precious? Penguin Random House Canada is proud to bring you high quality, classic works of literature in e-book form. Find more today and rediscover books you never knew you loved.
Bushido
by Inazo NitobeThere are eight virtues of Bushido, the code of the samurai: justice, courage, benevolence, politeness, sincerity, honor, loyalty, and self-control. These virtues comprise the essence of Japanese cultural beliefs, which are still present today.Inazo Nitobe, one of Japan's most respected scholars, explores the ethical code of the samurai and contextualizes it within Japan's traditions of Buddhism, Shintoism, and Confucianism. He then compares and contrasts Eastern values with those present in Western societies. Written in English and first published in 1905, this classic introduction to Japan's samurai culture has been a best-seller for decades. Focus on Asian Studies says it is "a must for an understanding of the soul of Japan."
Busman's Honeymoon
by Dorothy L. SayersAmateur detective Lord Peter Wimsey and mystery novelist Harriet Vane are finally wed, but their honeymoon is interrupted by – what else? – a murder that they must solve. Adapted from the play of the same name. Penguin Random House Canada is proud to bring you classic works of literature in e-book form, with the highest quality production values. Find more today and rediscover books you never knew you loved.
Cakes and Ale
by W. Somerset MaughamSuccessful author William Ashenden is contacted by Alroy Kear, an aspiring writer who has been contracted to write a biography of the late Edward Driffield by his second wife, and hopes that Ashenden can help shed some light on Driffield’s past. Ashenden is one of the select few to understand the importance of Rosie, Driffield’s first wife, scorned for her sexual liberty but the source of inspiration for her former husband’s greatest works. Ashenden must consider carefully how much to reveal, and how, to ensure that both Edward and Rosie are done justice by Kear’s pen and history’s eye. Penguin Random House Canada is proud to bring you classic works of literature in e-book form, with the highest quality production values. Find more today and rediscover books you never knew you loved.
The Call of the Wild
by Jack LondonA dog must learn to survive in the harsh conditions of Canada’s northernmost reaches. Buck, a dog born on a ranch in California, is kidnapped and sold as a sled dog in the Yukon. It is the height of the gold rush and such dogs are in high demand. If Buck is to adapt to his new conditions, he’ll need to channel the wild animal within and assert his dominance over the pack. Penguin Random House Canada is proud to bring you high quality, classic works of literature in e-book form. Find more today and rediscover books you never knew you loved.
The Canterbury Tales
by Geoffrey ChaucerWhile Geoffrey Chaucer composed several magnificent works of poetry, his reputation as “the father of English literature” rests mainly on The Canterbury Tales, a group of stories told by assorted pilgrims en route to the shrine of Thomas à Becket in Canterbury Cathedral.
From the mirthful and bawdy to the profoundly moral, the tales, taken in their entirety, reflect not only the manners and mores of medieval England, but indeed, the full comic and tragic dimensions of the human condition.
Considered the greatest collection of narrative poems in English literature, The Canterbury Tales was composed in the Middle English of Chaucer’s day, possibly to be read aloud at the court of Richard II.
However, their grandeur, humor, and relevance are timeless, as readers of this authoritative edition will discover.
Penguin Random House Canada is proud to bring you classic works of literature in e-book form, with the highest quality production values. Find more today and rediscover books you never knew you loved.