G. K. Chesterton

A prolific and popular writer, G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936) is best known as the creator of detective-priest Father Brown (even though Chesterton's mystery stories constitute only a small fraction of his writings). The eight adventures in this classic British mystery trace the activities of Horne Fisher, the man who knew too much, and his trusted friend Harold March. Although Horne's keen mind and powerful deductive gifts make him a natural sleuth, his inquiries have a way of developing moral complications.

These essays, with some alterations & additions, are reprinted from the Daily News & the Speaker. The 1st 12 were published in London, by A. L. Humphreys, 1903, as Twelve Types. Charlie Bront William Morris & his school The optimism of Byron Pope & the art of satire Francis Rostand Charles II Stevenson Thomas Carlyle Tolstoy & the cult of simpliccity The position of Sir Walter Scott Bret Harte Alfred the great Maeterlinck Ruskin Queen Victoria The German emperor Tennyson Elizabeth Barrett Browning

G. K. Chesterton's biographical essays provide unique portraits of 12 of Europe's most defining figures. Written by one of the world's master essayists, this collection richly expresses Chesterton's thoughts on Charlotte Bront , William Morris, Byron, Pope, St. Francis of Assisi, Rostand, Charles II, Stevenson, Thomas Carlyle, Tolstoy, Savonarola, and Sir Walter Scott. The book is a perfect companion for any literature, politics, or history course dealing with European history. It is also an excellent addition to any personal or scholarly library.

Characters Stories 1. The Tremendous Adventures of Major Brown 2. The Painful Fall of a Great Reputation 3. The Awful Reason of the Vicar's Visit 4. The Singular Speculation of the House-Agent 5. The Noticeable Conduct of Professor Chadd 6. The Eccentric Seclusion of the Old Lady The Club of Queer Trades is a collection of stories by G. K. Chesterton first published in 1905. Each story in the collection is centered on a person who is making his living by some novel and extraordinary means (a "queer trade", using the word "queer" in the sense of "peculiar"). To gain admittance one must have invented a unique means of earning a living and the subsequent trade being the main source of income.