Haggard H. Rider

The World's Desire is a classic fantasy novel first published in 1890 and written by H. Rider Haggard and Andrew Lang.Its importance was recognised in its later revival in paperback by Ballantine Books as the fortieth volume of the celebrated Ballantine Adult Fantasy series in January 1972. The World's Desire is the story of the hero Odysseus, mainly referred to as "the Wanderer" for the bulk of the novel. Odysseus returns home to Ithaca after his second, unsung journey. He is hoping to find a "home at peace, wife dear and true and his son worthy of him".Unfortunately, he does not find any of the three, instead his home is ravaged by a plague and his wife Penelope has been slain. As he grieves, he is visited by an old flame, Helen of Troy, for whom the novel is named. Helen leads him to equip himself with the Bow of Eurytus and embark on his last journey. This is an exhausting journey in which he encounters a Pharaoh who is wed to a murderess beauty, a holy and helpful priest, and his own fate.Odysseus, sometimes addressed as Ulysses or simply "the Wanderer," is returning home from his unsung, second wandering. The son of Laertes was required to wander until he reached the land of men who have never tasted salt. Odysseus had endured the curse, fulfilled the prophecy and wanted only to return to a "home at peace, wife dear and true and his son worthy of him" 4] This was not the home he found. He returns to his home to find upon the arm of a stranger the gold bracelet he had given his wife, Penelope. Overwhelmed with his grief, Odysseus takes solace when he find the Bow of Eurytus and his armour, still intact. With these in his possession, he continues on through Ithaca. Along the way, Odysseus stops to rest at the Temple of Aphrodite and is accosted by the vision of the young and beautiful Helen of Troy, a previous love. The vision tells him to find Helen, leaving him with a renewed sense of purpose and a full chalice of wine. He sleeps, and wakes during his capture by the Sidonians. He travels with them for a time, while he plots, then launches his escape. When he escapes and casts the Sidonian bodies overboard, he happens upon a pilot and continues on his journey to Tanis and the Sanctuary of Heracles (the Safety of Strangers). It was not long before word had spread of his ways. He was accepted to see Pharaoh Meneptah and his beautiful and listless queen Meriamun, who faints at seeing Odysseus although he does not know why. Queen Meriamun and the Pharaoh are half brother and sister. Their marriage is not a happy union but is rather fuelled with competitive feelings of animosity. A story is told to Odysseus by the Priest Rei describing one such competitive bought between Meriamun and the Pharaoh that ended with a stabbing attempt on the Pharaoh from Meriamun and her promise to leave and search until she finds a man worthy of her love. Eventually, Meriamun swallowed her pride and agreed to her father and the prince's wish that she wed. However, this was not without a price. She demanded that she be equal in all things to the Pharaoh, it was granted and from that point on she was pacified toward the Prince. Though before her wedding night, Meriamun was outraged that she must act as the Pharaoh's wife, she returns to Rei the next night, pacified and speaking of dreams. In one dream in particular, Meriamun encounters a man, who is not the Pharaoh, but who she loves very much. In the dream she was competing for the love of this man with another, more beautiful, woman. After the dream was revealed to Rei, they spoke of it no more. Rei moves on in his story. Osiris died and Meneptah and Meriamun reigned. She provided one child and ruled with authority. Meneptah lost interest in vying for the Queen's love and so began an open affection for one of her beautiful ladies, Hataska. Hataska was her first lady and tried to openly declare herself the Queen's equal in the Pharaoh's affection and power. ect...

When the adventurer Allan Quatermain is asked by Sir Henry Curtis and Captain Good to help them find Sir Henry’s missing brother, who was last seen trekking into the remote African interior in search of the fabled King Solomon’s Mines, he reluctantly agrees, yet fears that there is little hope of coming back alive. Following a map drawn in blood, the men cross vast deserts and scale snow-covered mountain peaks, facing fearful dangers and hardships, until they reach Kukuanaland, where they meet their greatest peril yet… This new edition contains extra material for young readers, including section on ‘Other Adventure Stories’, a test yourself quiz and a glossary.

Ayesha the white sorceress has been known by many names: 'She-who-must-be-obeyed', 'Isis Come To Earth' and 'Wisdom's Daughter'. Here she tells her tale of power, wisdom, love and deception in her own words. Arabian by birth, Ayesha's natural beauty was the cause of many wars and conflicts in her father's kingdom between princes and suitors, leading to rumours she was cursed. Seeking to protect herself she swears an oath of celibacy to serve Isis the Goddess of the Spirit of Nature, and turn away from Aphrodite the Goddess of Love. However, when Greek soldier of fortune, Kallikrates, comes to her for sanctuary, her resolve weakens. Kallikrates does not arrive alone - he is pursued by the Pharaoh's daughter who is widely envious of Ayesha's beauty and vows to destroy her. Only by staying true to Isis does Ayesha survive and as a reward Isis leads her to the hidden kingdom of Kor in Africa, to herald in a new Golden Age. The kingdom of Kor hides many secrets, including the The Flame of Eternal Life where ultimately Ayesha's vanity, obsession and desire lead to her downfall. The fourth and final book in the She sequence, Wisdom's Daughter is a fitting end to H.Rider Haggard's fantastical and memorable books featuring the beautiful immortal Ayesha and the is only volume telling her story in her own words.

After witnessing Ayesha's dramatic demise, Horace Holly and Leo Vincey have not given up their hope of seeing her again, following her dying promise that she would return. Sixteen years later and still haunted by her presence, they learn from a vision that She has been reincarnated and set off on a dangerous journey through unchartered lands, battling murderous tribes, overcoming avalanches and surmounting glaciers before finally arriving in the court of Kaloon. Ruled by the evil Khan Rassen and his imperious wife, the Khania Atene, Kaloon is an uneasy, dangerous place and when Atene declares her love for Leo, disaster is soon on the cards, especially as Leo believes he has finally located Ayesha - Brimming with drama, passion, revenge and adventure, Ayesha: The Return of She is a fitting sequel to the much-loved classic She and one that richly deserves a revival.

H. Rider Haggard (1856–1925) is best known as the successful writer of adventure stories with exotic backgrounds such as King Solomon's Mines. However, he also served on a number of royal commissions, and in managing his wife's Norfolk estate became a recognised expert on agricultural matters. His A Farmer's Year (1898, also reissued in this series), recounts the work of the farm, together with observations on rural life and the state of agriculture in general. In 1905 he published this work, a diary of his garden in 1903. After an introductory chapter (with a plan) describing the the garden, orchard and glasshouses, and the staff he employed, the diary begins, relating the tasks and experiences of the year, from spraying against red spider mite in January to decorating the house with greenery on Christmas Eve. This beautifully written book reveals the horticultural taste and practice of the Edwardian era.

"King Solomon's Mines," by H. Rider Haggard, is part of the "Barnes & Noble Classics"" "series, which offers quality editions at affordable prices to the student and the general reader, including new scholarship, thoughtful design, and pages of carefully crafted extras. Here are some of the remarkable features of "Barnes & Noble Classics" All editions are beautifully designed and are printed to superior specifications; some include illustrations of historical interest. "Barnes & Noble Classics "pulls together a constellation of influences--biographical, historical, and literary--to enrich each reader's understanding of these enduring works. One of the best-selling novels of the nineteenth century, "King Solomon's Mines" has inspired dozens of adventure stories, including Edgar Rice Burroughs's Tarzan books and the Indiana Jones movies. Vivid and enormously action-packed, H. Rider Haggard's tale of danger and discovery continues to shock and thrill, as it has since it was first presented to the public and heralded as "the most amazing book ever written." The story begins when renowned safari hunter Allan Quartermain agrees to help Sir Henry Curtis and Captain John Good search for King Solomon's legendary cache of diamonds. Eager to find out what is true, what is myth, and what is really buried in the darkness of the mines, the tireless adventurers delve into the Sahara's treacherous Veil of Sand, where they stumble upon a mysterious lost tribe of African warriors. Finding themselves in deadly peril from that country's cruel king and the evil sorceress who conspires behind his throne, the explorers escape, but what they seek could be the most savage trap of all--the forbidden, impenetrable, and spectacular King Solomon's Mines. Benjamin Ivry is the author of biographies of Arthur Rimbaud, Francis Poulenc, and Maurice Ravel. His poetry collection "Paradise for the Portuguese Queen" appeared in 1998.