Capturing the spirit of arcane writing, Evan S. Connell delivers spectacular and esoteric prose as he imagines the journals of seven alchemists. The first is Paracelsus, the famous sixteenth-century alchemist, who is followed by an array of distinct voices: physicians, historians, alchemists, and philosophers. Each employs a unique personality and point of view in a world of pre-scientific thought, of the western world about to step into modernity.

Though this historical recreation is medieval in style, Connell succeeds in infusing his diarists with alchemic wisdom, ancient appeal, and...

Another brilliant example of Evan Connell's art, The Patriot deals with an American boy who grew to maturity with World War II. He had learned his father's patriotism, and then, through the impact of firsthand experience, formulated his own.

Melvin Isaacs, aged seventeen, became a Navy Air Force cadet in 1942. His course of training as a flyer was an education in fear and death, even though it had its wonderfully comic times and a sense of comradeship that was new to him. Perhaps it was in the air--for Melvin loved to fly--that the first feelings of aloneness stirred his mind....

Devatero pohádek a ještě jedna od Josefa Čapka jako přívažek (poprvé vyšlo roku 1931) patří mezi nejoblíbenější klasické české pohádkové knihy. Pohádky o psech, kočkách, ptácích, vodnících, pošťácích, doktorech, loupežnících, tulácích i policistech. Kouzlo knihy dotvářejí ilustrace Josefa Čapka.