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Customer Reviews (3)

Poorly edited
Stevenson is one of the great stylists of the English language, and his plots are gripping. Yet this volume is a disappointment. The title is misleading; several of Stevenson's stories have been left out, for no better reason than that the editor says in the introduction that he doesn't like them, and so doesn't find them worthy of inclusion! "Olalla" and "The Treasure of Franchard" are among those that are not in this volume.

Additionally, there is no textual or critical apparatus whatsoever. No explanation of how the editor arrived at definitive versions of the stories; no footnotes to explain difficult dialectal terms or words that have fallen into disuse. This makes some of the tales (notably "Thrawn Janet") very uphill going.

Certainly the stories themselves are wonderful--"Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" in particular is a much better read than you'd expect if you know only the movie versions. But get a different edition.

Excellent!
I stumbled upon the short stories of Stevenson kind of by accident, and what a happy accident that was!I can now say that Stevenson wrote both some of my favorite novels and some of my favorite short stories.I haven't gotten around to reading all of his stories yet, but I have loved those that I have read.I can't possibly describe how much I enjoyed Markheim, which is without a doubt my favorite short story of all time.Despite my rather limited reading of Stevenson's short stories, I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone.

Quite a reading experience!
There is nothing so exciting as a Stevenson novel--Kidnapped, Master of Ballantrae, Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde--who can forget them once you've read them? These short stories have the same ability draw you in. The reading is effortless, and Stevenson's backgrounds don't labor with a consciousattempt at reality. They exist for the story and are as true as need be,and not more. From the South Sea to a Medieval City, the variety ispleasing and keeps you reading. Some of the best stories are "TheBottle Imp" (I doubt if a better twist on King Midas has ever beenwritten), "Sire De Maltroit's Door" (A surprisingly good romancethan manages, somehow, to skip all the usual elements) and "TheSuicide Club" (not half as grim as it sounds, and showing RLS'sability to penetrate human thought).

These stories are highly recommendedand aren't something to be read when you are all out of the"good" standard Stevenson--they stand as some of his best worksand should be read just for the pure fun of it. ... Read more

Product Description
Treasure Island is the ultimate pirate adventure story, replete with treasure and an unforgettable cast, including Jim Hawkins, the boy at the centre of the action; Billy Bones, the pirate with the all important treasure map; Captain Alexander Smollet, the stubborn yet loyal captain of the Hispaniola; Israel Hands, ship's coxswain who tries to kill Jim Hawkins but ends up in Davy Jones' Locker; Ben Gunn, a half-insane and marooned ex-pirate; Pew, a blind ex-pirate who dies when trampled by horses; and, of course, Long John Silver, the famous amputee who was formerly Flint's quartermaster but later becomes the leader of Hispaniola's mutineers. Join this cast for a fantastic adventure and treasure hunt, but watch out for the "Black Spot"-a card with a circular black spot in the middle given to an accused. It means the pirate will be overturned as leader, by force if necessary-or else killed outright. Not impressed? You should be-after all, just being tipped with the Black Spot scared poor Billy Bones to death. This publication of Treasure Island is part of the Qualitas Classics Fireside Series, where pure, ageless classics are present in clean, easy to read reprints. For a complete list of titles, see: www.qualitaspublishing.comAmazon.com Review
Climb aboard for the swashbuckling adventure of alifetime. Treasure Islandhas enthralled (and caused slightseasickness) for decades. The names Long John Silver and Jim Hawkinsare destined to remain pieces of folklore for as long as children wantto read Robert Louis Stevenson's most famous book. With it's dastardlyplot and motley crew of rogues and villains, it seems unlikely thatchildren will ever say no to this timeless classic. --NaomiGesinger ... Read more

Customer Reviews (395)

A Treat at any Age
If we ask ourselves why this tale is still so popular, the answer is clear: it has all the ingredients of a page-turner - adventure, mystery, exotic setting, suspense, colorful characters... who could resist such a winning combination?
Whether we read the book as children or as adults, we want something that lifts us out of our humdrum lives, something that engages our imagination and our sense of play. Why do children like to play pirate games, watch pirate movies, dress up as pirates on Hallowe'en? Why are treasure hunts of any kind so popular, even with adults?

To a child, Jim Hawkins is the real hero of the story - the boy protagonist whose often spontaneous, sometimes irrational decisions and actions trump the judgment of the adults and usually save the day. His only worthy antagonist is Long John Silver: persuasive, articulate, opportunistic. He is the prototypical politician who changes sides as often as he can benefit from it, knows how to use flattery to his advantage, and in the end escapes practically unscathed.

The other characters are not very nuanced; they are motivated primarily by greed.The doctor is the most circumspect of the lot. The squire talks too much and gets everyone into trouble. Hapless creatures like Gunn acquire great riches, only to lose them all in the end.

An adult reading the story will not experience the visceral fear and loathing that may grip the young reader. We know that we are not likely to meet pirates (unless we cruise off the coast of Somalia), and that we probably won't find a treasure anytime soon. But to a child everything is possible: the monsters under his bed are as real as Jim Hawkins hiding in the apple barrel and overhearing the mutineers' plan. The many unexpected turns and twists of the plot heighten the suspense. The installment technique of the original publication favors breaking off at the peak of excitement and switching gears. Since this is a first-person narrative throughout, the effect is immediate and personal.

Feminists will point out that there are no women of consequence in the story; Jim's mother is only briefly portrayed as playing an active role. This is a coming-of-age story for boys - but that doesn't mean that girls can't relish it, too. ("Moby Dick" doesn't have any women in it and is still considered a great American classic).

Some readers may be turned off by the many nautical terms and the salty lingo of the mutineers. But you don't have to understand every word to know what's going on. Rather than use a bowdlerized version, I would encourage a child to read the original - or, if he is too young, to have it read to him.

This pirate tale deserves 10 stars - great entertainment
In my book club we recently had a discussion about reading books again that we read in our youth, like Treasure Island, 1984, Animal Farm, Great Expectations, The Catcher in the Rye, and Lord of the Flies. Since I never read Treasure Island as an adolescent, I decided to give it a try. It is absolutely delightful!It is a tale worth reading. Robert Louis Stevenson's prose is appropriate for youths or adults and the plot has enough twists and turns to keep the reader on their toes. The story is rich in detail and intrigue. Stevenson is able to develop character with a few details, as does Charles Dickens. Quickly we empathize and identify with the feisty, clever, honest boy Jim Hawkins. The pirates are great. They are such a lousy bag of scum and Stevenson has the ability to make them evil and also individuals, a real skill. We also learn the tale through the eyes of an adolescent boy. This is a wonderful technique used by Salinger in Catcher in the Rye and used by Mark Twain in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.This technique is powerful in that it allows the character as well as the reader to encounter characters and situations with naive eyes and thus must use native intelligence to separate lie from truth, safety from danger. While the boy main character is trying to figure out who to trust, the reader is also. Jim Hawkins is a likable boy and Stevenson has a sense of the physicality and movement and energy of boys. He has Jim engaging in physical activities in which an adolescent would undertake in an emergency that an adult might not. This feature helps explain the popularity over many years of this book for adolescent males. Jim, the son of a terminally ill tavern owner and his wife, is exposed to the pirates when Billy Bones comes to hide out in their remote tavern and inn. Immediately Stevenson lets us know that some adults are not to be trusted and are of low, dangerous character. That is another great aspect of the book since it doesn't sugar coat adulthood but allows Jim to see adults as a mixture of virtue, foolishness, greed, and homicidal intention.The Squire Trelawney and Dr. Livesey are examples of realistically developed adults, sometimes foolish and sometimes heroic. Another fine aspect of the book is that it is about recognizing, understanding, and counter-acting treachery. The character of Long John Silver is wonderful. He would be classified as a psychopath by today's psychological standards but when written, he was very evil and very smart, a deadly combination. Without giving away any of the plot, Jim must outsmart Long John Silver just to survive and thus the tension developed by character and an economical storyline makes the book a real treat. The book deserves to be considered a classic and deserves more than 5 stars since it is an enjoyable classic, the best combination.

Classic story stands the test of time
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson is a classic that truly stands the test of time. Young Jim Hawkins works at his mother's inn until a strange pirate, Billy Bones, takes up residence and hires him to keep watch for the dangerous man with one leg. Violence rocks the community when a blind pirate named Pew delivers the dreaded black spot to Billy, causing him to fall over dead of a heart attack, and the pirates attack the inn hoping to find his treasure. But Jim has already claimed the most important part of Billy's treasure, a mysterious map with directions to Skull Island. Jim boards a shop with a doctor, the squire, and the charismatic Long John Silver who quickly charms all three of them until Jim stumbles upon John's part in a plot to mutiny with several of the other sailors, kill those not with them (including Jim), and claim the treasure for themselves. I'd only seen the movie adaptations of this story, so I was surprised to see at the portrayal of John, who was far more slippery, honorable, and smart that I expected. The story is a sure winner with children who love adventure stories, even in the violence can be a little graphic, but my seven-year-old daughter was unphased by it and couldn't wait each night to hear another couple of chapters. The story is every boy's dream: secret treasure, heroic actions, villains who are overcome, and a safe return home with an amazing story to tell.

Treasure Island
Book was ordered in a super saver shipping.Delivery was a day before estimated delivery date.Book was as described and in very good condition.Thank you!

One of the most fully realized characters you will ever read
I'm 34 and somehow managed not to read Treasure Island all these years. Even at the grand prize of $0 on the Kindle I had to think about it for a second. I need not have done that. I am not a pirate nut, but believe me when I say this book is a must read. The vernacular is spot-on, even a century later. The pace is cut-throat fast and the characters believable, none more so than the rightly famous Long John Silver, or Barbecue, and that is the reason for the book's greatness. Here we have one of the most complex, fully developed characters you can find. One that will still ring true, even today. You WILL be swayed by him, surprised by him and ultimately, without giving anything away, impressed by him. Fifteen men on a dead man's chest, Yo ho ho and bottle of rum! Drink and the devil have done for the rest, Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum! ... Read more

Product Description
Most of the problems travelers encounter have to do with transportation. On a 12-day trek through the Cevennes, Stevenson's cross to bear was Modestine, a stubborn, manipulative donkey he could never quite get the better of. After many humorous trials and tribulations, Stevenson found that his disdain for the creature had turned to love, and at the end of the trip he said goodbye with much regret. Written in just a few months when he was in his late twenties, the publication was initially a means to earn a quick buck. Little did Stevenson know that his Modestine would become one of the great characters in travel literature. ... Read more

Product Description
In "Kidnapped" (1886) and later fiction such as "The Master of Ballantrae" (1888), Stevenson examined some of the extreme and contrary currents of Scotland's past, often projecting a dualism of both personality and belief. This dualism is most famous in "Kidnapped", whose two central characters are David Balfour, a Lowland Whig, and Alan Breck Stewart, a Highland Jacobite. The novel revolves around their friendship and their differences, suggesting a metaphor for Scotland itself. Stevenson wrote the sequel "Catriona" with the title David Balfour, but during serialisation in England the public became confused, thinking it might be a reprint of "Kidnapped". At publisher Cassell's request, the title was changed to "Catriona", after Balfour's daughter. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

"Kidnapped" - WOW!,"Catriona" - Meh....
Kidnapped is one of my favorite books.Perhaps that's why Catriona didn't do much for me. To me, it read as the typical sequel to a great story.It just doesn't have the punch and thrills of Kidnapped.The prose of course is excellent, though there is far more scottish lingo than the 1st book.This makes it a bit of a struggle to get through.I don't think I'd recommend it, especially after reading Kidnapped, unless someone has a real passion for Scottish literature.

Captavating Story
This starts rather slow, but quickly develops into a really exciting story. I had always associated the author with the Pacific not realizing he originated from Scotland. It was real interesting to read of the clans and the strong division between the highlanders and lowlanders. Having seen pictures of Loch Ness over the years, I could imagine the scenic country the author was describing. This is a story were you can easily pick out the good and bad. If anything the two main characters are a little too strong, but exciting. There is a small element of historical context that confused me, but that is something only more reading will clear up. This is not a long book in fact I almost finished it in one sitting. It's definably a swashbuckling, surviving coming of age story.

David Balfour had self-awareness
While sick with bronchitis, I listened to an unabridged recording of "Kidnapped."The story mixes politics, sea faring, abduction, and a mentor relationship all in one novel.When David griped to Alan about their predicaments and harangued Alan for his gambling, he knew he was being a jerk...this character was pretty self-aware in that capacity.I really liked the relationship between Alan and David, and the details of Alan's characterization--fastidious as a woman in his dress.The lawyer who assists David upon his return was funny in his self-preservation and technicalities---"I am near-sighted and forgot my glasses." (He will not be able to identify Alan if plans backfire since Alan is mixed up in politics and a murder scandal.) I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading "Treasure Island" soon.

Two enthralling adventures from Stevenson
Both of these books are part of Stevenson's historical adventures that are often considered to be great as children's books but can be just as easily read by adults. In Kidnapped, the orphaned narrator finds himself deprived of his inheritance by his bastardly uncle, who after having failed to kill him arranges his kidnapping. However, on the boat, his character begins to show as he leads a mutiny and escape with Alan, a man he befriends on the ship. They find themselves in the political and military turmoil of the Jacobite conflict Scotland, and in their wanderings encounter much danger, intrigue and hardship. Catriona is the sequel, where the narrator falls in love with a lady whose father is less than honourable, adding a sustained romance to the melting pot of events.

Stevenson's narration and style may not be as classically topical and atmospheric like Scott's historical novels, however these two are a good read with fast-paced adventure and intrigue with the troubles of Scotland and greater Europe in the background.

Practically Unknown Sequel to Kidnapped is Terrific
This combination of Kidnapped and it's sequel by World Books was fantastic. I never thought of Kidnapped having a sequel until I found this book. I realized how quickly and abruptly the ending was to Kidnapped and all of a sudden it fit. World Books made the stories easy to read. They had quotes, explanations, a miniencyclopedia, and a dictionary of Scottish words in the back for the use of the reader, and this being the second time that I read Kidnapped, I got a lot more out of it this time. I recommend that everyone to read these books. Catriona is a love story that really draws you in, and won't let you go ... Read more

Product Description
David Balfour has never had an adventure. He has never spent a night camping in the Scottish Highlands. He has never sailed the high seas. He has never fought in a battle. In fact David Balfour has never even left home. All he knows is a quiet country life.

All this changes after the death of his parents. He suddenly learns that he, David Balfour, is a man of wealth and standing, and that he is not destined for a simple life after all. All he needs to do to assume this new station in life is to travel to the town of Cramond, Scotland, to collect his inheritance from his father's younger brother, an uncle he had not even known existed. But David soon discovers that this is not as simple as it sounds, as he struggles to survive and outwit his treacherous uncle in this classic adventure story.

Original oil paintings by N. C. Wyeth capture the vitality of Robert Louis Stevenson's timeless tale of fortune, camaraderie, betrayal, and independence. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Obviously no one bothered to check for problems
The book arrived with a thick, black magic marker drawn across the bottom of the pages. Often a dark smear ran up into various pages. Though I am to receive a refund, I was left without the book I wanted for my grandson's birthday. Extremely disappointing.

Kidnapped
I ordered the version that was illustrated by N. C. Wyeth and got a book with no illustrations.

A Clasicist's Review
The story of Kidnapped is so wonderful in all its depth, that I was disappointed that this was an abridged edition.Of course the NC Wyeth illustrations make it captivating.

Wonderful!
I don't have to review this classic story, but just the illustrations, which are totally wonderful! I almost always buy a particular children's book by its illustrations, and the ones in this book are fantastic!

Excellent for younger children.
This book is great for younger readers who may not have the reading skills to tackle the original and unabridged version. Hopefully, it will also instill a love of reading adventures, and inspire them to read the unabridged version when they become more adept at reading. The review below stated that this version did not state that it was abridged, yet in the details area, it clearly says that it is only 64 pages, leaving one to deduce this fact. All in all, a great book for younger children. ... Read more

Product Description
Subjects: Scotland -- History -- 18th century -- FictionNotes: This is an OCR reprint. There may be numerous typos or missing text. There are no illustrations or indexes.When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million books for free. You can also preview the book there. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Another good classic from Stevenson
Nearly as interesting as Kidnapped, but with quite a bit more romance

Not as exciting as Kidnapped; however just as good.
This sequel to _Kidnapped_ does not start out as well as _Kidnapped_; however it soon makes up for it. _Catriona_ takes up the story of David Balfour only one or two days after _Kidnapped_. He must now try to clear his name and the name of James Stewart of the Appin murder. This will not be easy because the Campells want James Stewart to hang. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

A Child's Garden of Verses

In order to be a great storyteller, one must have a childhood immersed in reading and imagination.The environment must be of the nature to encourage fanciful play and to explore the world beyond our limited reality.

Of course, there are times when childhood is so horrible that the only safety for the mind is to find a place within itself where life is happy.Robert Louis Stevenson's childhood was a mixture of these two child realities.

Unfortunately, Stevenson's childhood was one of sickness.It was in that sickness that he looked out his window and imagined his world.Of course, having a nurse who read to him daily aided the writer within him.

A Child's Garden of Verses is a delightful collection of story verses which explore the childhood reality of the Scottish 1850's.A child of today should be exposed to these well written tales.

In addition, it gives an insight into the mind of the man who created-Treasure Island, Dr, Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Kidnapped, and the Master of the Ballantrae. These tales of imagination have entertained generations since they were written.

As he aged, Stevenson got to live his dreams.He lived his last years on the Samoan island of Upolu where the natives gave him the name of Tusitala, the one who tell tales.

The storyteller was buried on Mount Vaea.His grave overlooks the tropical sea where his mind often wandered during his short life journey of 44 years.


... Read more

Product Description
This title has fewer than 24 printed text pages. Martin Behaim aus Neürnberg is presented here in a high quality paperback edition. This popular classic work by Alexander Ziegler is in the German language. If you enjoy the works of Alexander Ziegler then we highly recommend this publication for your book collection. ... Read more

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This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

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This is Robert Louis Stevenson's historical romance set during the War of the Roses. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (30)

AMAZING!
WOW! This is one of my favorite books.
The story is well written and fairly easy to follow.
The archaic english was a bit confusing at first but with kindle's built in dictionary it was actually rather fun.
A booki will read over and over.
i Certainly reccomend reading.

Action, Mystery, Romance
The Black Arrow: A Tale of the Two Roses by Robert Louis Stevenson. Published by MobileReference (mobi).

This story is fantastic. The author's grasp of the language and speech of the period is wonderful and completely creates an atmosphere that one cannot help but fall into.

Treachery and loyalty head to head
With the War of the Roses as its backdrop, The Black Arrow blends the romance of young love and the excitement of its hero's initiation into war and politics. The theme of loyalty runs throughout--loyalty to parents, guardians, leaders, followers, lovers, and oneself.

England's loyalties are divided between Lancaster and York, although the distinction makes little difference to the country's more practical citizens. "It is the ruin of this kind land," a woman said. "If the barons live at war, ploughfolk must eat roots." When the naive young hero, Richard Shelton, reassures her that men "cannot better die than for their natural lord," another man points out, "No natural lord of mine . . . I followed the Walsinghams . . . And now I must side with Brackley! It was the law that did it; call ye that natural?"

Despite young Dick's idealism, which makes him faithful to his guardian and to the men with whom he has served, and despite many disturbing rumors, it soon becomes apparent that most men are loyal primarily to their self-interests, whether they seek power like Richard Crookback or favor and riches like Dick's guardian, Sir Daniel Brackley. Even the mysterious "Jon Amend-All" of the black arrow, whose objective is to revenge himself and his friends on Brackley, is found collecting rents from Brackley's cottagers, acknowledging that they will suffer the hardship of having to pay twice. The man behind "Jon Amend-All" is no beneficent Robin Hood, but as cold and crafty a political operative as Brackley himself.

Brackley's loyalties are soon explained. "I lie in Kettley till I have sure tidings of the war, and then ride to join me with the conqueror . . . Tosspot and Shuttle-wit run in, but my Lord Good-Counsel sits o' one side, waiting." As Clipsby says, "For, indeed, he is one that goes to bed Lancaster and gets up York."

Fleeing from one danger into another, Dick finally understands that he cannot trust Brackley simply because he is Dick's guardian, or even Ellis Duckworth as his savior and protector. The only person upon whom he can rely is the girl he loves, who, ironically, was intended to be his wife in one of Brackley's financial maneuvers. The black arrow flies from Tunstall Forest to Kettley, then through wetlands back through Tunstall to the Moat House and on to Shoreby, with treachery and the threat of war hanging over all.

With every adventure, Dick's loyalty turns more inward on himself and his heart's desire. He is loyal to York because Ellis Duckworth is and Daniel Brackley isn't. When he finds himself rapidly in and out of Richard Crookback's favor, he is "neither glad nor sorry." Danger and treachery transform Dick into a more mature man who recognizes that loyalty is neither won nor lost so easily or quickly. In one of the novel's strangest and weakest scenes, he proves his loyalty to his bride-to-be by rejecting the advances of her best friend, peculiar as they are.

The series of events that makes Dick a man is his theft of the Good Hope, its subsequent destruction, and the death of the captain's man, Tom. "Dick's heart smote him at what he heard. Until that moment he had not perhaps thought twice of the poor skipper who had been ruined by the loss of the Good Hope; so careless, in those days, were men who wore arms of the goods and interests of their inferiors . . ." Dick achieves his aims, but at the cost of many lives and the prosperity of the innocent Arblaster, who mourns "my man Tom" until the end of his days.

As a protagonist, Dick is refreshingly and painfully human, at least outside battle. While brave, he lacks the ability to pick up on clues that are obvious to his less-sheltered acquaintances, including those about the true nature of Jack Matcham. He suffers remorse for what he has done and begins to ask others like Ellis Duckworth to reconsider their course. He has the mercy that Richard Crookback and Brackley lack.

Whatever its historical flaws (some of which Stevenson points out in footnotes), The Black Arrow is beautifully written, with well-drawn characters, a plot that rarely stalls, realistically bloody battle scenes, and dialogue that is often poetic without being jarring. While not Stevenson's greatest effort, The Black Arrow is exciting and fun for anyone of any age who loves a solid historical drama.

Black Arrow Hits the Mark
This story is fantastic.The author's grasp of the language and speech of the period is wonderful and completely creates an atmosphere that one cannot help but fall into.This is now one of my favorite books!

Not quite what I was expecting
I picked up The Black Arrow on speculation, driven by three considerations - it was written by Robert Louis Stevenson, I had vague but good memories of the old TV series the Black Arrow and well it was going cheap at a jumble sale.

The Black Arrow relates the adventures of Richard Shelton, a orphan and ward of Sir Daniel a landed knight and veteran warrior of questionable loyalty who has been successfully negotiating the War of the Roses siding with either York or Lancaster based upon who is on top and who is currently providing the best opportunity for material advancement. The only cloud on Sir Daniel'shorizon is the mysterious order of the "Black Arrow", a band of outlaws who have previously been injured by Sir Daniel and who have now sworn themselves to his death and the death of his supporters. Although initially Sir Daniel's loyal ally, Dick eventually becomes aware that Sir Daniel may in fact be responsible for his fathers death. Forced to flee from Sir Daniel's house (and his true love in the form of Joanna another ward of Sir Daniel's), Richard joins the order of the black arrow and swear vengeance for his fathers death. What follows is a series of adventures with espionage, fencing, shipwrecks and many deaths, culminating in Dick joining forces with the Yorkist forces lead by Richard of Gloucester at the battle of Shoresby, where they confront the forces of Lancaster including Sir Daniel.

So why do I say that this is not quite what I expected? Well I was expecting in Dick, a hero from your standard boys own adventure, you know the type brave to a fault, a strong fighter, smart and wise beyond his years and completely moral. Instead Stevenson defied my expectation by presenting Dick as brave and strong and honorable, but not terribly smart, capable of making very bad decisions which have a terrible affect upon the lives of those around him, someone whose lack of experience means that he is regularly trumped by his opponents. And although in the end, Richard is knight and married to his love, he is judged by Richard of Gloucester as a man who I will go no further a man who has reached his natural level of advancement a judgment which I found myself agreeing with. ... Read more

Product Description

ENDURING LITERATURE ILLUMINATED BY PRACTICAL SCHOLARSHIP

The adventures of David Balfour, a young orphan, as he journeys through the dangerous Scottish Highlands in an attempt to regain his rightful inheritance.

THIS ENRICHED CLASSIC EDITION INCLUDES:

• A concise introduction that gives the reader important background information
• A chronology of the author's life and work
• A timeline of significant events that provides the book's historical context
• An outline of key themes and plot points to guide the reader's own interpretations
• Detailed explanatory notes
• Critical analysis, including contemporary and modern perspectives on the work
• Discussion questions to promote lively classroom and book group interaction
• A list of recommended related books and films to broaden the reader's experience

Enriched Classics offer readers affordable editions of great works of literature enhanced by helpful notes and insightful commentary. The scholarship provided in Enriched Classics enables readers to appreciate, understand, and enjoy the world's finest books to their full potential.

SERIES EDITED BY CYNTHIA BRANTLEY JOHNSON ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A simple conversion of the Project Gutenberg text
Review of Kindle edition of "Kidnapped" by Neeland Media. ASIN: B000FC1DPO
Note that this review is ONLY for the Kindle edition of Kidnapped published by Neeland Media. It does not apply to the paperback in the Enriched Classic Series, to which the Neeland Media edition seems to have been erroneously linked.

Paragraph formatting OK, but not good. Straight quotes, CAPS instead of smallcaps. Proper dashes. No extra notes. No Table of Contents link the in menu. Table of contents in the text, but not hyperlinked. No maps. No sign of the enrichment listed in the product description.

No real advantage over the free version. There are better editions available. If you're looking for a Kindle edition of Kidnapped, don't just search for "Kidnapped". That only finds a few of the many editions. Search for "Kidnapped Stevenson" (without the quotes) to find the 25 or so editions available. And also look for my review "Kindle Edition Choice is critical" for a review of all the available editions as of August 2010.

Still a super read!
I first read this B4 I was 10 (way back in the Dark Ages of the '40s, in England) cuz my older brothers did. I read all their boy books until they left the nest. It's the first of its genre from which all other children's adventure tales have been based. Takes you someplace & time you've never been, gives you goosebumps & makes you think ... what more do you want from a good book?

Nice bonus
I bought this book to get our family in the mood for our trip to Edinburgh, Scotland.It surpassed my expectations.Not only is the story a fun read, with lots of historical and geographical references, but the book has 2 bonus features.I quick review of Scottish history, and a discussion on the life and works of Robert Louis Stevenson. ... Read more

Product Description
This title has fewer than 24 printed text pages. First Man is presented here in a high quality paperback edition. This popular classic work by Clyde Brown is in the English language. If you enjoy the works of Clyde Brown then we highly recommend this publication for your book collection. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (8)

child's garden of verses
A great little book, in great shape.Thanks for sending it in such a timely manner.

The joyful wonder of childhood
These beautiful poems and charming illustrations keep my four-year-old riveted.Whenever we come to some language that she doesn't understand, she asks me to explain, then nods and asks me to continue reading.The subject matter of Stevenson's poems is timeless, forever relevant to the young imagination, so the modern child is willing to work a little at his 19th century words!

A Beautiful Book w/Beautiful Illustrations
This is an ageless book filled with some of Robert Louis Stevenson's most famous poems.Fujikawa beautifully illustrated it, and it is one of those beautiful children's books that you will want to hang on to long after your children have outgrown their bedtime story time.

one of my favorites
i read this book again and again as a child. i especially remember poring over every detail of the wonderful illustrations - the curled up kitten in "The Land of Counterpane" was a particular favorite. i buy this book for nearly every baby shower. just classic and beautiful!

Lovely book
This is a lovely book with lovely old-fashioned illustrations.A terrific baby shower gift... ... Read more

Product Description
Autographed by Donna Green.Full color throughout.No volume of children's poetry has left such an indelible mark on so many generations as this Robert Louis Stevenson classic.First published in 1885, Stevenson's idyllic tribute to the joys of childhood has never been out of print.Small wonder that Donna Green wanted to illustrate Stevenson's vision with her own views of childhood idealized.Her nearly twenty timeless images will one day spark fond memories for youngsters who will recall mother, father, grandmother, or grandfather reading aloud about shadows, tin soldiers and tiny fairies. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Bouncing with delight
I've developed the habit of giving children's books at baby showers. I try to give a mix of rhyme, fairy tales and story books. I especially like to find books both parents and children will long treasure. The first time Ifound this book, I adored it so much it was hard to part with it. Theillustrations are almost breath-takingly beautiful. I've given it awaytwice now but feared I might never be so fortunate as to stumble acrossthis gem again. You cannot imagine my joy to find it here!

I love thatcover bears the same illustration as the dust jacket. On the down side, Iwish there were a better mix of boys and girls in the artwork. There aresome little boys but many more little girls. And there are no boys on thecover.

The illustrations are wonderful.Great poems.
I collect children's books.This is one of my most prized.Donna Green does an excellent job with the illistrations.And the poems for children are sure to last a lifetime.This is definately a book that will be passed down for ages.I also own the Velveteen Rabbit, illustrated by Donna Green.Not often can an illustrator do justice to such a treasured stroy, but, her work is magnificent.Thank you for sharing your wonderful talents for the rest of the wold to enjoy.

The illustrations are wonderful.Great poems.
I collect children's books.This is one of my most prized.Donna Green does an excellent job with the illistrations.And the poems for children are sure to last a lifetime.This is definately a book that will be passed down for ages.I also own the Velveteen Rabbit, illustrated by Donna Green.Not often can an illustrator do justice to such a treasured stroy, but, her work is magnificent.Thank you for sharing your wonderful talents for the rest of the wold to enjoy. ... Read more

Product Description
Essays on the Art of Writing and Fablescollects seven important essays on authorship, including "On Some Technical Elements of Style" and "The Morality of the Profession of Letters," as well as Robert Louis Stevenson's accounts of writing Treasure Island and The Master of Ballantrae. Written more than a century ago, these essays are full of insight for today’s readers and brimming with still-applicable wisdom for modern writers.

Stevenson’s collection of twenty Fables has little to do with conventional lessons of right and wrong. His allegorical parables offer, instead, what the author called "tail foremost moralities." Stevenson slices through societal façades of hypocrisy, bigotry, and stupidity with sardonic wit more akin to Monty Python than Aesop. Some of the darker tales may remind one of the works of Edgar Allan Poe or Ambrose Bierce. Odd and evocative, amusing and thought provoking, Stevenson’s fables might prove more appropriate for our day and age than his own. ... Read more

Product Description

This collection was designed for optimal navigation on Kindle and other electronic devices. It is indexed alphabetically, chronologically and by category, making it easier to access individual books, stories and poems. This collection offers lower price, the convenience of a one-time download, and it reduces the clutter in your digital library. All books included in this collection feature a hyperlinked table of contents and footnotes. The collection is complimented by an author biography.

Customer Reviews (3)

Stevenson's Polynesian Works
In the Bancroft Library at the University of California at Berkeley, California, there are some photographs of Robert Louis Stevenson dating from his time in Samoa.One of them shows Stevenson and a large number of Samoans sitting on the floor of the porch at his home in Vailima, the spaces in front of the guests piled high with Samoan food.

This photo shows why Stevenson is one of only three or four white people who understood Samoa and showed this in their writings about Polynesia.

One of the three works in Island Nights' Entertainments is "The Beach at Falesa."This collection is worth buying for this story (is it a long story or a short novel?) alone

The story concerns a trader who is newly arrived in Samoa to conduct copra (dried coconut meat, from which oil is expressed) trading.Another trader is the villain.There is a beautiful Polynesian woman involved, as are fears of local ghosts and spirits, not to mention a missionary and a Catholic priest.

As far as I know, I have the odd qualification of being the only person in the last half century to research (in Samoa) and to write a long article about Samoan ghost (aitu) beliefs.It can be found in The Journal of the Polynesian Society.I mention this because Stevenson got all thew material he included about aitu in "The Beach at Falesa" correct, and this represents quite a but of knowledge about Samoans and their beliefs.

The Samoan language is correct, too.

And I must say that the missionary he describes was a little more intelligent and broad-minded than the ones I actually met out there in the Pacific.

Stevenson is a great writer.You won't be disappointed when you read his works.

Quite a reading experience!
Works of Robert Louis Stevenson. (150+ works) Incl: Treasure Island, New Arabian Nights, Kidnapped, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde & more. Published by MobileReference (mobi)

There is nothing so exciting as a Stevenson novel - Kidnapped, Master of Ballantrae, Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde - who can forget them once you've read them? I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone.

Robert Louis Stevenson - eBook for Kindle

Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Black Arrow, Master of Ballantrae, Treasure Island and much much more! Great deal! ... Read more

Product Description
Collecting all five issues of the seafaring classic by Robert Louis Stevenson. Young David Balfour's parents are dead and he now wants to see the world. He learns that his father's brother, Ebenezer, may have killed his brother for the estate. It appears Ebenezer wants David out of the way, and will go to any length, perhaps even murder. His troubles are only beginning. Don't miss this fine adaptation by the same team who brought you Stevenson's Treasure Island in illustrated form. Collects Marvel Illustrated: Kidnapped! #1-5. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Shanghai'ed...
"Kidnapped", Robert Louis Stevenson's classic coming-of-age tale of a Scottish lad, has proved surprisingly durable, if less famous than "Treasure Island".The story takes place in the rugged Highlands of Scotland in 1752 and is closely tied to real life events that followed the failed 1745 Jacobite rebellion.That history is less well-known to today's readers than when the story was first published in 1887.However, Author Roy Thomas and illustrator Mario Gully have nicely adapted the story into a rousingly adventure in graphic novel format for Marvel Comics, ensuring a great reading experience for another generation of young readers.

In the story, the recently orphaned David Balfour seeks assistance from his Uncle Ebenezer, who turns out to be a selfish miser.Uncle Ebenezer, for reasons that become clear later in the story, has young David shanghaied aboard a ship bound for the Carolinas and a miserable future as a slave.Fortunately for young David, his ship collides with a longboat,bringing aboard the dashing Scottish adventurer Alan Breck Stewart, Jacobite soldier and fugitive from English justice.David and Alan will take on the ship's crew for their lives, before escaping ashore.Their journey will continue, with many adventures, through the Highlands, bringing a much more mature David to a fateful confrontation with his uncle and his future.

Thomas and Gully have captured the sense of the times, when every man's hand might be against another for his money or his political beliefs.The story, which deals frankly with violence, treachery and poverty, is intended for young adults.For that audience, "Kidnapped" is very highly recommended as an entertaining and educational reading experience. ... Read more

Product Description
A special coloring book contains 25 favorite poems exploring the details of a child’s world illustrated by new, large illustrations irresistible to color.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Nice Complement to Child's Garden of Verses!
I like other illustrations for Stevenson's Child's Garden of Verses better, but this is still a great complement to the poems, particularly for kindergardners and first graders. The drawings are a bit too complex for preschoolers, but perfect for kindergardners and first graders. The book is a great tool to bring alive such gems as "My Shadow." ... Read more

Product Description
This beautiful board book features eight of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic poems with antique illustrations by some of the best-known children's book illustrators of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, including Charles Robinson, H. Willebeek Le Mair and Jessie Willcox Smith. An unforgettable treat for the very youngest readers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Revenge of RLS
Robert Louis Stevenson gets his revenge in the enduring beauty of his poems for children, long after the beleaguered Virginia Woolf rendered him unfashionable (try finding RLS in the Norton Anthology, or others). But quality endures in the end. These were the first poems I heard and learned as a child. Yes, they are ethnocentric, but reading them and looking at the sumptuous ilustrations give me a glimpse into the beautiful world of a well-off white boy in Victorian England.

A Child's Garden of Verses
The book itself is a good book.But, due to damage in shipping I hesitated to give it as part of a baby shower gift.In Shipping it came to me with a bent cover and a nicked corner.I believe it was sent in good shape, but the plastic bag it was in was torn and greasy.I think that the book should at least been wrapped in bubble wrap or in a padded envelope.They gave me the book for only the cost of the shipping, I straightened out the book as best I could and told the girl what happened and that was that.The book was what it was advertised as, the illustrations were great, it was just the shipping problem.It also didn't get here in time for the shower but came 2 days later, for $3.98 shipping they could have got it to me in a couple days by regular mail.

a child's garden of verses
the book is not what i expected, i had a old book by the same name but it had ,many, many more verses.

Love this book!
I buy this book to give as baby shower gifts.Although not all of my favorite poems are included, its a perfect size for new moms to hold while also holding baby, and the solid boardbook design is perfect for when the baby gets to be a toddler.

Perfect toddler version of a classic
I bought this version of the book for my toddler because I remembered some of these poems from my own childhood.Most importantly, I wanted "The Swing" in a board book version that my daughter wouldn't destroy.It is a perfect introductory version of RLS's work for the very young.There are only 8 poems, which suprisingly captivate my 2-year-old, despite her short attention span. I look forward to sharing the complete book with her when she's older. ... Read more

Product Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more