Author: David Cox

This text is a reprint of the first English-language book on rhetoric, including an introduction and notes from Frederic Ives Carpenter of the University of Chicago. Cox's original brief treatise covers various themes and topics related to oratory and argument. Carpenter's introductory material adds context and analysis. (Summary by Amelia Chesley)

2Brownies and Prince Florimel

By Palmer Cox

After Prince Florimel flees his home (and a particularly nasty uncle) he has a series of adventures with the mischevious but helpful Brownies, Queen Titania and her fairies, and the ill-tempered enchanter, Dragonfel.<p> Reader's note: Although some terms in this 1918 book are not really acceptable anymore, the book’s overall message that people should not be judged by their size is still a worthy lesson today. - Summary by Jude Somers

The Crusades were a series of religious wars fought between 1096 and 1272 to recover the Holy Land from Islamic rule. According to the Latin Church, Crusaders were penitent pilgrims whose sins were forgiven. British historian, George Cox, writes of the churchmen, great and small, who inspired the Crusades, of the warriors who left families and lands behind, of the wily Venetian merchants and Byzantine emperors who exploited the knights, and of the valor of the Saracens. Here are accounts of sublime sacrifice and bestial ferocity, of dynastic conflict within the Crusader States, of sieges, starvation, pestilence, and ambush, and of the clash and interpenetration of two cultures. - Summary by Pamela Nagami, M.D.

The Brownies are delightful, helpful, mischievous characters and this series of rollicking rhymes tells many stories about their adventures. - Summary by Jude Somers

5Another Brownie Book

By Palmer Cox

Brownies, like fairies and goblins, are imaginary little sprites, who are supposed to delight in harmless pranks and helpful deeds. They work and sport while weary households sleep, and never allow themselves to be seen by mortal eyes. Summary by Palmer Cox

6Frontier Humor in Verse, Prose and Picture

By Palmer Cox

Also known for his "Brownies" books, Canadian humorist Palmer Cox give us a delightful collection of humorous verse and short prose vignettes. From the publisher's preface, "thrice happy is the man who, having seen, can tell the fun; and having told, can picture it for others’ eyes and so roll on the rollicking humor, for the brightening of a world already far too sad." - Summary by Larry Wilson

A limbless reptilian monster that propels itself through the swamps with a propellor-tipped tail? A creature so ashamed of its monstrous appearance that it dissolves into tears when captured? Learn about the snoligoster, the squonk and many other 'fearsome critters' in this field guide written and illustrated by two North American foresters who know them well. Listeners who suspect that these creatures are the stuff of tall tales, will nevertheless do well to look out for slide-rock bolters when vacationing in the Colorado mountains. - Summary by Phil Benson

The British historian, George W. Cox writes that the "whole duration of the Athenian empire extends over little more than two generations." This confederation of Greek city states with Athens at its head was an attempt to present a unified front to the Persian Empire. But ultimately, the strife between democratic and oligarchic factions within each polis, combined with the tangle of alliances between the various city states, led to the ruinous and protracted Peloponnesian War. In this short work, Cox describes the battles on land and sea, and such personalities as the Athenian general, Nikias, his Spartan counterpart, Agis, and, above all, unprincipled, charismatic Alcibiades. (Summary by Pamela Nagami, M.D.)

In the darkest days of the Persian War when the armies of Xerxes were overrunning northern Greece, Athens faced destruction. The desperate Athenians consulted the oracle at Delphi, who answered, "For thus saith Zeus, that when all else within the land of Cecrops is wasted, the wooden wall alone shall not be taken." The British historian, George Cox agrees with many other authorities that the Greek statesman, Themistocles, bribed the oracle. Realizing that their survival depended upon a strong navy, he declared that the prophesy meant that the Persians would be defeated, not by fortifying Athens, but by "the fight at sea, for the fleet is your wooden wall." This book is a short history of the founding fathers of Athens, its lawgivers, tyrants, and generals: Solon, Peisistratos, Kleisthenes, Miltiades, Aristeides, and, above all, Themistocles. (Summary by Pamela Nagami, M.D.)

The object of this little book is to bring the reader nearer to the great masters in the realm of music, and make him or her acquainted with the man who worked, played, and suffered as do other men. Though confining themselves to a simple style, the authors have tried to enter into the life of each composer, and, wherever possible, by means of earnest study of letters and other data which have come down to us, to copy that composer's tricks of speech, manner of writing, and various idiosyncracies. - Summary by Preface

Rip Austin knew that curvaceous Sally Vaughn had been murdered for her insurance money, but how could he prove it when the local vice lords gave orders to the town council, police force and newspapers - and when he, himself, was neatly framed for two other murders? <br><br> Sex was the only coin that counted, and violence the only language spoken, until Rip Austin managed to blow the lid off! - Summary by Back cover, Art Enterprises, Inc. first edition