The unusual voyages of Englishman Lemuel Gulliver carry him to such strange locales as Lilliput, where the inhabitants are six inches tall; Brobdingnag, a land of giants; an island of sorcerers; and a nation ruled by horses.

Following the translation of the classic text itself are several illuminating supplementary sections, which translate relevant portions of the recently discovered tomb texts and lost writings, reputed to be earlier variants of the standard version. Sawyer, unlike many other contemporary translators, is careful not to take these texts as necessarily superior to the classically established one. His contention, supported by his carefully researched historical...

In January 1776, Thomas Paine published a pamphlet called Common Sense, which electrified the American colonies. Paine demanded freedom from Britain when even fervent patriots were revolting only against excessive taxation. His daring prose spurred passage of the Declaration of Independence. The Crisis, written when Paine was a soldier during the Continental Army's bleakest days, begins with the world-famous line "These are the times that try men's...

Taking his inspiration from a 16th century French manual on etiquette, young George Washington compiled his own set of instructions under the title, The Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior. These concise rules to live by have been studied and copied by millions of readers eager to absorb Washington's secrets of success in life and work. Neither unduly severe nor sentimental, the rules have stood the test of time and still reverberate today.

Embark on a captivating journey through the imaginative world of "Gulliver's Travels" by Jonathan Swift. This timeless masterpiece, penned in 1726, follows the adventures of Lemuel Gulliver, an intrepid explorer whose voyages lead him to remarkable lands, each with its unique inhabitants and customs. Swift's ingenious satire delves deep into the complexities of human nature and society, offering a thought-provoking commentary that remains relevant...

Originally published as chapters 4 & 5 from Miyamoto Musashi : his life and writings, by Kenji Tokitsu.