“Walden or Life in the Woods” is a book written by American transcendentalist author Henry David Thoreau. It was first published in 1854 and is a reflection on simple living in natural surroundings. The book is part personal declaration of independence, social experiment, voyage of spiritual discovery, satire, and manual for self-reliance.
Thoreau wrote “Walden” during a two-year period when he lived in a cabin he built near Walden Pond, located in Concord, Massachusetts. The book docume… Read More

“Paradise Lost” is an epic poem written by the English poet John Milton. It was first published in 1667 and later revised in 1674. The poem is considered one of the greatest literary works in the English language and a seminal piece of epic poetry.
The story of “Paradise Lost” is based on Christian theology and draws heavily from the Bible, particularly the accounts of the Fall of Man in the Book of Genesis. The poem narrates the biblical story of the rebellion of Satan and his followers… Read More

“The Picture of Dorian Gray” is a novel written by the Irish author Oscar Wilde. It was first published in 1890 and is considered one of Wilde’s most famous and enduring works. The novel is known for its exploration of themes related to aestheticism, moral corruption, the nature of beauty, and the consequences of indulgence.
The story revolves around the character of Dorian Gray, a young and handsome man living in Victorian-era London. Dorian becomes the subject of a portrait painted by hi… Read More

“Confessions of an English Opium-Eater” is a famous autobiographical work by the English writer Thomas De Quincey. It was first published in 1821 and has since become a classic in the genre of addiction literature and Romantic literature.
In this work, De Quincey recounts his experiences with opium, which he began using to alleviate various physical and emotional pains. The book is divided into two parts: the first part is a detailed account of his opium addiction, and the second part discus… Read More

“Heart of Darkness” is a novella written by Joseph Conrad, first published in 1899. It is considered one of the most important works in English literature and a classic of modernist literature. The story is framed as a narrative within a narrative and is primarily set in the Congo Free State (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) during the late 19th century, during the height of European colonialism in Africa.
The novella follows the journey of Charles Marlow, an English seaman and narr… Read More

“The Wind in the Willows” is a classic children’s novel written by British author Kenneth Grahame. The book was first published in 1908 and has since become one of the most beloved works of children’s literature.
The Wind in the Willows received negative reviews upon its initial release, but it has since become a classic of British literature. It was listed at No. 16 in the BBC’s survey The Big Read and has been adapted multiple times in different media.
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The Hardy Boys is a popular series of mystery novels for young readers created by the American writer Edward Stratemeyer. The series features two teenage brothers, Frank and Joe Hardy, who solve various mysteries and crimes in the fictional town of Bayport.
“The Tower Treasure” (1927): In the first book, Frank and Joe Hardy’s father, Fenton Hardy, a private detective, is hired to locate some stolen jewelry. When he gets injured during the investigation, the Hardy boys take over the case. T… Read More

“King Lear” is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare. It is one of his most famous and enduring plays, believed to have been written between 1605 and 1606. The play tells the story of King Lear, an aging monarch who decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters based on their professions of love for him. However, the distribution of the kingdom leads to treachery, betrayal, and ultimately tragic consequences.
The central themes of “King Lear” include the nature of power, the… Read More

King Solomon’s Mines is a classic adventure novel written by Sir H. Rider Haggard, an English author, and first published in 1885. The novel is set in Africa and follows the journey of three Englishmen, Allan Quatermain, Sir Henry Curtis, and Captain Good, as they search for the legendary mines of King Solomon, said to be filled with immense wealth.
The story is narrated by Allan Quatermain, a skilled hunter and adventurer, who is approached by Sir Henry Curtis and his friend Captain Good. The… Read More

“Beyond Good and Evil” is a philosophical book written by the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. It was first published in 1886. The full title of the work is “Beyond Good and Evil: Prelude to a Philosophy of the Future”
The book is structured as a series of aphorisms, short paragraphs that express philosophical ideas or observations. In “Beyond Good and Evil,” Nietzsche critiques traditional moral and philosophical concepts, challenging established notions of truth, morality, r… Read More

“The Prince,” a political treatise written by the Italian diplomat and philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli. “The Prince” was first published in 1532 and is considered one of the most influential works on political philosophy and statecraft.
The book offers advice and guidance to rulers on how to acquire and maintain political power. It’s known for its pragmatic and often controversial approach to politics, advocating for leaders to prioritize effective governance and the preservation of t… Read More

“The Anatomy of Drunkenness” is a book written by Robert Macnish, a Scottish physician, and published in 1834. The book provides a comprehensive exploration of the effects of alcohol on the human body and mind. It was one of the earliest scientific works to delve into the physiological and psychological aspects of alcohol consumption and intoxication.
Macnish’s book is divided into several chapters that discuss various aspects of drunkenness, including its causes, symptoms, and consequence… Read More

“Anna Karenina” is a novel written by the Russian author Leo Tolstoy. It was first published in serialized form between 1873 and 1877. The novel is considered one of Tolstoy’s masterpieces and a pinnacle of realist fiction.
The story is set in 19th-century Russia and follows the lives of several characters, each representing different social strata and moral dilemmas. The main plot revolves around the tragic character of Anna Karenina, a beautiful and aristocratic woman who becomes involve… Read More

“The Scarlet Letter” is a historical fiction novel written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, first published in 1850. Set in the 17th-century Puritan Massachusetts Bay Colony, the story explores the consequences of sin, guilt, and redemption.
The novel begins with the protagonist, Hester Prynne, being publicly shamed and forced to wear a scarlet letter “A” on her dress as a mark of her adultery. She refuses to reveal the identity of the father of her illegitimate child, Pearl. Despite her humiliat… Read More

“The Swiss Family Robinson” is a classic adventure novel written by Swiss author Johann David Wyss. It was first published in 1812 and has since become a beloved children’s and young adult’s book, as well as a timeless piece of literature.
The story revolves around the Robinson family, who are shipwrecked on a deserted tropical island during a storm. The family consists of William Robinson, his wife Elizabeth, and their four sons: Fritz, Ernest, Jack, and Franz. The novel is narrated by … Read More

“The Origin of Species” is a revolutionary book written by Charles Darwin and published on November 24, 1859. Its full title is “On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life.” This groundbreaking work is considered one of the most influential scientific books ever written and has had a profound impact on our understanding of biology and the theory of evolution.
The main idea presented in the book is Darwin’s theo… Read More

“The Last of the Mohicans” is a historical novel written by James Fenimore Cooper and published in 1826. It is set during the French and Indian War, which took place in North America in the mid-18th century. The novel is the second book in Cooper’s five-volume series called “The Leatherstocking Tales,” but it can be read as a standalone work.
“The Last of the Mohicans” follows the adventures of a group of characters against the backdrop of the frontier wilderness. The story primari… Read More

“The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood” is a famous novel that tells the story of Robin Hood, a legendary outlaw hero of English folklore. The novel was written by Howard Pyle and first published in 1883. It has since become a classic and has been adapted into various films, television series, and other forms of media.
The story is set in medieval England during the reign of King Richard the Lionheart. Robin Hood is depicted as a skilled archer and swordsman who, together with his band of Merry… Read More

Own a piece of Blockchain history by minting Book.io’s updated Whitepaper. The very first Decentralized Encrypted Whitepaper that allows owners to buy, sell and share their unique copy. Additionally, 8 randomly selected copies of the Whitepaper contain a “Golden Bookmark” inside the document, which will grant the owner future prizes (more info to come).
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“The Age of Innocence” is a novel written by American author Edith Wharton. It was first published in 1920 and won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1921, making Wharton the first woman to receive the award.
Set in the 1870s in New York City’s high society, “The Age of Innocence” explores the themes of love, duty, and social expectations. The story follows Newland Archer, a young lawyer who is engaged to the beautiful and conventional May Welland. However, everything changes when May�… Read More

“The Hasheesh Eater” is a book written by Fitz Hugh Ludlow and published in 1857. It is a memoir that describes the author’s experiences and adventures while under the influence of hashish, a derivative of cannabis. The book is considered one of the earliest accounts of drug experimentation in Western literature.
Fitz Hugh Ludlow was an American writer and explorer who became fascinated with the effects of hashish after reading about its use in Eastern cultures. In “The Hasheesh Eater,�… Read More

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is a famous comedy play written by William Shakespeare. It was most likely composed around the year 1595 or 1596 and is one of Shakespeare’s most well-known and frequently performed works. The play explores themes of love, magic, and the unpredictable nature of human emotions.
The story takes place in Athens, Greece, and the surrounding enchanted forest. It revolves around the adventures and misadventures of several groups of characters whose lives become inte… Read More

“Tarzan of the Apes” is a novel written by Edgar Rice Burroughs. It was first published in 1912 and is the first book in the series known as the “Tarzan” series. The story follows the adventures of Tarzan, a man who was raised by apes in the African jungle.
The novel begins with the shipwreck of the English couple John and Alice Clayton on the west coast of Africa. They manage to survive and build a treehouse, but are eventually killed by the savage apes. However, their infant son, John … Read More

“The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” is a novel written by Mark Twain, first published in 1884. It is often considered one of the greatest works of American literature and has been widely studied and celebrated for its themes, characters, and social commentary.
The story is set in the pre-Civil War era along the Mississippi River and follows the adventures of Huckleberry Finn, a young boy and the narrator of the story. Huckleberry Finn is the son of an abusive alcoholic and has been taken in… Read More