William Morris

The Water of the Wondrous Isles (1897) is a fantasy novel by William Morris. Although he is widely regarded as one of the most influential designers of the Victorian era, Morris was also a dedicated socialist and gifted novelist whose art explores the politics of his time through the lens of the imagination. Morris’ work in the genres of fantasy and utopian science fiction is an underrecognized but nevertheless vital aspect of his contribution to English cultural advancement. “This little one, who is henceforth called Birdalone, though the witch called her but seldom so, nor indeed by any name, dwelt there betwixt the water and the wood, and saw none save the said witch-wife, who, as aforesaid, fed her well, but scarce meddled with her else for a long while…” In the rural town of Utterhay, a wicked witch from Evilshaw arrives to peddle her wares. Beholding a beautiful young girl, she endeavors to gain the trust of her young mother. Invited to their humble home, the witch provides the woman money to head to market for supper, but when the mother leaves, her devious guest kidnaps the girl and heads for the forest of Evilshaw. There, Birdalone is raised to be a servant until, struck with a newfound sense of independence, she steals a magic boat in order to make her escape. With the help of the fairy Habundia, she makes her way from one wondrous isle to the next, risking everything to return to her home and family. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of William Morris’ The Water of the Wondrous Isles is a classic of English literature reimagined for modern readers.

Resistance is a book of poems with photographs or a book of photographs with poems depending on your perspective. The book is comprised of three sections titled respectively: On Survival, On Hope, and On Love. The poems range from the expression of impassioned pleas for deliverance from constraint and evil to the simple affirmation of romantic love. With poetry by William Morris and photography by Jackie Malden, this book is dedicated to Veronica, Jackie's cousin and William's wife. BiosWilliam MorrisWilliam Morris heads the Next Century Foundation, an international charity devoted to fostering peace and reconciliation in war zones. He is a former broadcaster, editor and publisher. He lives and works in Ludgvan, Cornwall. He is eclectic in his writing, composing everything from nonsense verse to novels, one of which, titled Springfield the Novel, was also published by Westphalia Press. Awarded an honorary doctorate by Bolton University for his work promoting peace in the Middle East, William is a frequent traveler to pivotal Mid East countries such as Iraq, Egypt, Gaza, and Libya. William is often accompanied in his travels by Ambassador Mark Hambley, who has acted as an informal ear and critic for this work. Jackie MaldenJackie Malden is an artist and photographer based in Oxford, England. She walks every day with her little dog Teddy, and photographs nature ... anything that catches her eye, from the emergence of the smallest wild flower to the vastness and beauty of a sunset. Natural light is the inspiration for many of the images in this book with spring and autumn being favourite seasons. In keeping with her love of nature, she is also a paper collage artist specialising in British birds and wildlife. She exhibits in the annual Oxfordshire Artweeks, and cards of her work sell in shops around the UK as well as online, under her married name Jackie Richards: www.lovefromtheartist.com.

The famous novel News from Nowhere (1890), written by socialist pioneer and artist William Morris, combines utopian socialism and soft science fiction. Starting on January 11, 1890, it was first serialized in the Commonweal newspaper. In the story, William Guest, the narrator, falls asleep on the way home from a Socialist League meeting and wakes up in a world where the means of production are owned by everyone and democratically controlled. This society lacks private property, large cities, authority, a monetary system, marriage and divorce, courts, jails, and class structures. The only reason this agrarian culture is able to function is that people enjoy being in nature and consequently enjoy what they do. The structure of this civilization as well as the interpersonal interactions it fosters are some of the topics covered in the book. When Morris presents himself as an enchanted character in a period and place other than Victorian England, he combines Marxism and the romance genre. Morris, the romance character, runs into romance archetypes dressed in Marxist garb as he searches for love and camaraderie and, through them, a reborn self. Old Hammond is the sage of romance as well as the communist teacher who introduces the modern world to Morris.

The book "" A Dream of John Ball, A King's Lesson, has been considered important throughout the human history, and so that this work is never forgotten we have made efforts in its preservation by republishing this book in a modern format for present and future generations. This whole book has been reformatted, retyped and designed. These books are not made of scanned copies and hence the text is clear and readable.

The youngest son of King Peter, leaves his family home to explore the world, meet new people, and discover the Well at the World’s End. It’s an unconventional hero’s journey that takes the protagonist on a life-changing adventure. King Peter has four sons, all of whom are eager to leave home. He allows three of them to travel the world but forces his youngest boy, Ralph, to stay. Despite his father’s ruling, Ralph sets out on his own adventure without his family’s blessing. While on the road, he encounters exciting and unusual characters, including the Lady of Abundance and the maiden Ursula. When he learns of the powerful Well at the World’s End, his journey takes a sudden and unexpected turn. The Well at the World’s End is full of distinct characters and vivid imagery. William Morris weaves a fantastical tale driven by curiosity and romance. This story is a standout within its genre and among Morris’ impressive catalog. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of The Well at the World’s End is both modern and readable.

This book has been considered important throughout the human history, and so that this work is never forgotten we have made efforts in its preservation by republishing this book in a modern format for present and future generations. This whole book has been reformatted, retyped and designed. These books are not made of scanned copies of their original work and hence the text is clear and readable.

The youngest son of King Peter, leaves his family home to explore the world, meet new people, and discover the Well at the World’s End. It’s an unconventional hero’s journey that takes the protagonist on a life-changing adventure. King Peter has four sons, all of whom are eager to leave home. He allows three of them to travel the world but forces his youngest boy, Ralph, to stay. Despite his father’s ruling, Ralph sets out on his own adventure without his family’s blessing. While on the road, he encounters exciting and unusual characters, including the Lady of Abundance and the maiden Ursula. When he learns of the powerful Well at the World’s End, his journey takes a sudden and unexpected turn. The Well at the World’s End is full of distinct characters and vivid imagery. William Morris weaves a fantastical tale driven by curiosity and romance. This story is a standout within its genre and among Morris’ impressive catalog. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of The Well at the World’s End is both modern and readable.

Originally published in 1868, The Earthly Paradise is considered William Morris's most popular poem. An epic poem that features legends, myths and stories from Europe, sectioned into the twelve months of the year. Usually sold in parts, Ragged Hand is publishing 'The Earthly Paradise' in one complete volume with a specially commissioned new biography of the author. Highly recommended for inclusion on the bookshelf of anyone with a passion for poetry. William Morris (1834 - 1896) was born in London, England. Arguably best known as a textile designer, he founded a design partnership which deeply influenced the decoration of churches and homes during the early 20th century. However, he is also considered an important Romantic writer and pioneer of the modern fantasy genre, being a direct influence on authors such as J. R. R. Tolkien. As well as fiction, Morris penned poetry and essays.

William Guest falls asleep after returning from a meeting of the Socialist League and awakes to find himself in a future society based on common ownership and democratic control of the means of production. In this society there is no private property, no big cities, no authority, no monetary system, no divorce, no courts, no prisons, and no class systems. This agrarian society functions simply because the people find pleasure in nature, and therefore they find pleasure in their work.

William Morris is famous as a designer, poet and artist, but his work as a political thinker and activist is less well known. This collection, the first of his political writings published for nearly 50 years, shows Morris as one of the most original and inspiring socialist intellectuals of his generation. Covering essays and lectures ranging through the relation between art and politics, to his visions for a socialist society and his strident anti-imperialism, this is an essential volume which shows Morris as the engaged and committed socialist that he was.

Reproduction of the original: The Art and Craft of Printing by William Morris

Reproduction of the original: The Earthly Paradise by William Morris