Generally regarded as the pre-eminent work of Conrad's shorter fiction, Heart of Darkness is a chilling tale of horror which, as the author intended, is capable of many interpretations. Set in the Congo during the period of rapid colonial expansion in the 19th century, the story deals with the highly disturbing effects of economic, social and political exploitation on European and African societies and the cataclysmic behaviour this induced in some individuals. The other two stories in this book - Youth and The End of the Tether - concern the sea and those who sail upon it, a genre in which Conrad reigns supreme. 224pp. Paperback.

American, Daisy Miller, visits Europe with her mother and finds that her freshness and innocence are misinterpreted as immodesty and forwardness. This brings her into conflict with the differences in the two cultural traditions, inviting shock and disaster.160pp. Paperback.

With an Introduction and Notes by David Blair, University of Kent at Canterbury. In the early years of the 18th century, Scotland is torn by religious and political strife. Hogg's sinner, justified by his Calvinist conviction that his own salvation is pre-ordained, is suspected of involvement in a series of bizarre and hideous crimes. A century later his memoirs reveal the extraordinary, macabre truth. The tale is chilling for its astute psychological accuracy as it illustrates, with power and economy, the dire effect of self-righteous bigotry on a fanatical character. 224 pages, paperback.

Contains 'Tales of Mystery and Imagination' including The Fall of the House of Usher and The Premature Burial, 'Tales of Humour and Satire' including Loss of Breath, The Sphinx and Never Bet the Devil Your Head, 'Flights of Fancy' including King Pest and Von Kempelen and His Discovery, on page 787 the Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket and 'Miscellaneous Poems' including The Raven, A Valentine, Hymn, The Colosseum, To My Mother, Bridal Ballad, For Annie, Evening Star and Fairy-Land. With 20 atmospheric silhouette illustrations, a monumental 1038 page new paperback from Wordsworth. Poe was born the son of itinerant actors on January 19th, 1809 in Boston, Massachusets. In 1836 he married his cousin Virginia but despite his prolific activities - journalism, poetry, lecturing, short stories, publishing, criticism and experimentation with fictional genres, including the detective novel which he virtually invented with the publication of 'The Murders in the Rue Morgue' (1841) - he received scant recognition for his efforts until the publication of 'The Raven' in 1845. The poem's instant popularity gave him a new visibility in literary circles, but his personal situation remained desperate: poverty, illness, drink, and the physical decline and ultimate death of Virginia in 1847 led to his untimely and premature decline. He died at the age of 40. Paperback, 1038 pages.

Eight of the twelve tales in this book are from the master hand of Charles Perrault (1628-1703). It is true to say that as long as there are children to listen spellbound to the adventures of 'Cinderella', 'Red Riding Hood', and that arch rogue 'Puss in Boots', his memory will endure. Three of the tales, 'The Ridiculous Wishes', 'Donkey-Skin' and 'Patient Griselda', are seldom included in Perrault collections as they were written in a very florid verse form. Not only Perrault, but Boccaccio, Chaucer and others have used the story of 'Patient Griselda'. The last story's 'Beauty and the Beast'. 144 page paperback.

Jane Austen constructed 'Pride & Prejudice', with wit, social precision and an irresistible heroine. 'Persuasion' - Anne Elliot is one of Austen's quietest yet strongest heroines, is also open to change. 'Jane Eyre', Charlotte Bronte's poor, plain, but plucky heroine, possesses an indomitable spirit, a sharp wit and great courage. She is forced to battle against a cruel guardian, a harsh employer and a rigid social order. 'Wuthering Heights', Emily Bronte's tale is a wild, passionate story of intense and almost demonic love between Catherine Earnshaw and the adopted foundling Heathcliff. Set in Hardy's Wessex, 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles' is a moving novel of hypocrisy and double standards. 1308 pages. Paperback.

'As the November winds wail in ivied chimneys we are drawn into a Victorian Gothic atmosphere of menacing, sombre gloom and ebony shadows.' Sheridan Le Fanu leaves us in no doubt that we are in for a feast of exciting drama, luring us into the intensely claustrophobic world of the 19th century sensational novel. Le Fanu is amongst the top-notch exponents of the creepy, the criminal and the oppressive. In this tale of the orphaned teenage heiress Maud Ruthyn, fearing for her life at the hands of her sinister uncle, he has created a rattling good plot with the depth of a social novel and the power of high romance. 432 page paperback.

This novel not only establishes the magic of the Holmes myth but also provides the reader with a dramatic adventure yarn, which ranges from the foggy, gas-lit streets of London to the burning planes of Utah. The second Holmes novel presents the detective with one of his greatest challenges. The theft of the Agra treasure in India forms a catalyst for treachery, deceit and murder. With these two classic novels, you have the brilliant foundation of the Sherlock Holmes canon. Reading pleasure rarely comes any finer. 224pp. Paperback.

Translated by C. K. Scott Moncrieff (revised by Moya Longstaffe). Julien Sorel, a young dreamer of the province whose imagination is on fire with the ideals of Napoleon, began to make his fortune in the Paris-based Restoration France. His encounters and experiences along the path constantly incite internal conflict, pulling back and forth between sincerity and hypocrisy, idealism and cynicism, humility and pride, love and ambition. A lively and detailed picture of social and political life in the provinces and in Paris towards the end of the 1820s, the close of the stifling reactionary period of the Bourbon Restoration. 528pp. Paperback.

From the excellent Haynes Guides stable, whether you be a punter or admire the athleticism of the horse, this excellent guide covers types of racing on the flat, jump racing and all weather racing, materials used in all-weather tracks, Arabian racing, quarter horse racing before looking in detail at distinct breeds known as the Thoroughbred which can be traced back to the turn of the 18th century in Britain. Everything changed with the arrival of horses from the regions of Syria and Yemen which were first brought back as presents for nobility. Read about the diminutive Canadian-bred horse the Northern Dancer who won both the prestigious Kentucky Derby and Preakness in 1964 and who must be considered just as important to the whole Flat Racing Thoroughbred as the Arabian founding fathers. In a double page beautiful photograph every part of the horse is labelled so that we understand its physique and facts, colours, prominent markings on his head, drug testing, performance issues, injuries and then a wonderful round-up of famous horses from the Irish chaser Arkle considered the greatest Jumps horse of all time, Seabiscuit, Red Rum with three Grand National wins in 1973,74 and 77, Frankel, Sprinter Sacre and Phar Lap. Learn about stables, the trainer, teaching a horse to race, daily regime, the gallops and hearty exercise, feeding, the kit like heads gear and cheek pieces, training aids like the Water Walker, transport. Then we look at becoming a jockey and their kit and training, ownership, the breeding, buying a horse, breaking in and then going racing and choosing from the 1,500 racecourse venues in the UK. Covers the odds, the weighing room, the rules, picking a winner, becoming a bookmaker and all about the betting shop, racing in the rest of the world and all with stats and gorgeous colour photos throughout. Plus a useful jargon buster. Maps. 188 large pages. 8½" x 11".