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This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Excellent book for a MacDonald fan
I love MacDonald, so I may be slightly biased!I found Paul Faber, Surgeon to be a very nice quasi-sequel to Thomas Wingfold, Curate.You don't have to read Wingfold first, but it certainly does help with background information and knowing what the setting for this book is.

One of the primary reasons I like this book (and Wingfold) is that it is a book that makes you think.Being a Christian, I am impressed with the way MacDonald handles some very hard and pressing questions by Paul Faber, an atheistic naturalist.

The love of self is, in truth, the love of nothing.
This was a difficult book for me, personally, in as much as I could look back over my own life and identify far too closely with Dr. Paul Faber, I formed an immediate dislike of the man. Indeed, he was, in the eyes of the world, a very good man. He was kind, compassionate, caring, and charitable. He was among the first to assist those in need, to give freely to the poor. Yet, Faber, not unlike the Pharisee at his prayers, saw himself as the very font or source of this goodness, and it was his smug self-assuredness and self-satisfaction that alienated me. The woman whom he chose to marry was, in my estimation, little better. She was shallow and vain and, like Faber, prone to self-pity, although deeply in love with and devoted to Faber. Of course, when two suchindividuals marry there is bound to occur difficulty. They are each so entranced with their own self-perceived purity, excellence, and divinity-both of themselves and one another-that there exists no option but the inevitable fallfrom grace. They place one another on towering marble pedestals from which the inescapable fall becomes all the more inglorious, painful, and, forgiveness, virtually impossible.

It is the dwarf (my favorite character), Polwarth, who stands tall as a shining beacon of light. It is Polwarth, ill-formed and asthmatic, who loves his God above all else and lives this love through his service to others. It is Polwarth who, with subtlety, humility, and self-effacing kindness, leads Faber and Juliet toward the true source of all goodness. Whether they will follow is, of course, their decision, for many who have seen the light prefer the darkness. Will you follow Polwarth, or will pride and self guide you further into the darkness? ... Read more

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Donal Grant, by George MacDonald is presented here in a high quality paperback edition. This popular classic work by George MacDonald is in the English language. If you enjoy the works of George MacDonald then we highly recommend this publication for your book collection. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Fell in love with Donal Grant
Donal Grant was introduced in Sir Gibbie. Here his story continues, and he is a most intriguing, admirable, and lovable character. I learned much from Donal, and I loved him; therefore, I know that this character reflected the character of Jesus Christ to the max. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

From beginning to end, a love story.
MacDonald presents the story of the Barclay and Gordon families in such a manner as to readily and plainly contrast the path of those who follow the ways of the world with the pilgrimage of God's beloved children.

Kirsty Barclay, daughter of David and Marion Barclay, is, in the eyes of the world, an uneducated, ill-bred peasant, while her older brother, Steenie, is judged as "not quite right," or "not all here." But the world is a poor judge, indeed, when it comes to the things of God. For in Kirsty is to be found far more of value and worth than the entire Gordon family-the local 'Laird' and his mother-who reside midst the faded splendor of Castle Weelset.

This is, first and foremost, a tender and heartwarming love story through which is woven various subplots, all of which eventually arrive at the same point-the love of God. Kirsty, although uneducated and, no doubt, unacceptable to the aristocracy, loves God, loves nature, loves her simple parents, and dearly loves her brother, Steenie, for in these people and these things she sees God through His children and His creation. For his part, Steenie does not begin to understand, and acknowledges as much, the theology of the institutionalized church. Yet Steenie also loves God, for he spends his days and nightssearching the hills and dales as well as the heavens for He whom Steenie knows as the "Bonny Man."

Heather and Snow is not a love story in the fleshly sense, and is not without its pathos, its sadness, its sorrows, and its disappointments. Although Francis Gordon proclaims his love for Kirsty, it is not until he begins to know God that he can truly know love, for true love is born of God and must be lived through Him.

I invite you to join Kirsty and walk amidst the hills of Scottish heather as she strives to learn the lesson's taught in God's classroom. Nature is an unparalleled teacher if one will but, in solitude, be attentive to her sights, sounds, and silences.

Sit aside Steenie, whose heart is so filled with love that it may burst, as he, in quiet isolation and softly embraced by the deepening night, gazes enraptured into the heavens from which he expects, at any moment, to see the "Bonny Man" return to claim His own. Steenie is enthralled by the very prospect of encountering the Son of God, and spends very waking moment in this sacred quest; while, in slumber, his dreams transport him to the place where he will no longer be considered "abnormal."

Struggle with Francis Gordon as he strives to learn that most valuable of lessons-that to know God is to love God is to obey God. If he is unable or unwilling to grasp this most basic of truths, he will never know love, nor will he ever make Kirsty his wife, for Kirsty is neither enticed nor enchanted by wealth, position, intellect, or possessions, but the heart of God shining through the eyes of another. ... Read more

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This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

This Kindle Version
The book itself is a magnificent work. This Kindle Version has only the months in the TOC and no text after that. Unless Amazon corrects it, it's not worth the download time.

Touching poetry
This is a favorite MacDonald work of mine.In it, George diaries his spiritual growth over the course of a year by writing a poem either to God, about God or about his spiritual anguish or joy.Simply amazing, touching - great to use as a daily devotional.I highly recommend MacDonald to any Christian looking for a more personal walk with God the Father. ... Read more

Product Description
MacDonald's genius as a storyteller is seen once again in this moving, inspiring story of Alec Forbes and his friend Annie.

Orphaned as a child, Annie's special friendship with Alec is a source of strength and security which sees them both through many difficulties in their nineteenth-century Scotland.

Alec and Annie eventually are separated by circumstances when he leaves to study medicine at the university. There he meets beautiful Kate and falls helplessly in love. But she rejects him in favor of an arrogant upperclassman. Alec bitterly blames himself for Kate's eventual despair. How will he come to recognize that peace and tranquility, hallmarks of Annie's life, come from within?

True Romance At Its Best!

"ALEC FORBES [original title of The Maiden's Bequest]. . .is very enjoyable, and the character of Annie Anderson is one of the most delightful I have ever met with in fiction."

Lewis Carroll

author of Alice in Wonderland

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Customer Reviews (4)

Well-Written Tale of Love and Life
Alec and Annie are two rare characters that have depth and life to them. They're not perfect, but they grow, learn, change, and mature as the story progresses. The story isn't all that complicated or intricate, but the characters are compelling. The unjust and the just have their ups and downs. Revenge is had but proven bitter. Love provides a shield against some storms yet no shield for others. I think one thing I enjoyed about the book was its simple beauty. The passages were well written. There were no sections where I thought the author was just being plain lazy with a description.

It's a bit tough to read at times, dense packing of words and all that, but it's well worth reading. Child safe, too, if you're so inclined to share with teens and younger children with very high reading skills.

Haunting, Pure Characters Make a Beautiful Tale!
I read this book for the first time when I was in high school and fell in love with it.I read it again in college, and recently again in my mid-20's.Every time I read it it inspires me.The character of Annie is so unlike your typical protagonist; she is shy, self-deprecating, loyal, insecure, pure, and simply the most precious character you're likely to come across.The love between her and Alec grows so sweetly and unexpectedly that it's a revelation.I cannot recommend this book enough, especially if you are seeking something different from what is mainstream today.It is sweet, and pure, and incredibly beautiful and you will never forget the time you spent in its world.It illustrates what real love is in a way you will carry with you forever.

One of the best
This book is one of the best i have ever read.
I feel as if I have known Annie and Alec all my life.
I feel as if I've been in Scotland and seen the streets, bridges, stores and houses in howgland.
If you could read only 1 book this year...make it this one!!!!

This book was great!
Michael Phillips did an excellent job of reproducing George MacDonald's Alec Forbes of Howglen. This book has all the touching qualities of a George MacDonald book with all the thought provoking one-liners that we allknow George sat and crafted carefully. ... Read more

Product Description
The American West meets Edwardian England in this romantic historical novel. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (24)

A Well-Written Disappointment
Let me say first off that I hated this book. I haven't read a book in a very long time that annoyed me as much as this did.

The main problem was its protagonist, the titular hero, the "Mr. American". In the description given of the story, he is drawn as some kind of Gary Cooper strong, silent type who is calm and measured on the surface, but deadly when riled. In the early parts of the book, I kept seeing Gary Cooper, and seeing the story itself as some kind of early 30s movie.

But as the story evolves, the guy turns out to be a colossal wimp, torn hither-and-yon by every one of the "sophisticated" "jaded" and "cynical" old world characters he confronts. He is beaten at every game, robbed and led around by the nose by his beautiful but contemptible and worthless wife, who has married him just for his money. Worse, he is indecisive, and even when his life is put in peril in a confrontation with an old enemy, he relies on his British valet to get him out of it. At the end of the story--and this may give something away--when he has finally made a strong decision to leave his miserable marriage, at the last minute he gives in and crawls back to the worthless harridan he has been thoroughly abused and cheated by. Hardly the stuff of heroism and silent strength.

Worse, this book came across to me, as an American, as an example of the most obnoxious type of British self-satisfaction, self-congratulation and indulgent condescension. The device of setting a foreigner down in your country and, seeing through his eyes the perfection and wonders of the country, is difficult to stomach. One example: our protagonist is from the American West, the two-fisted, two-gunned he-man I described above. He is constantly reassured, and constantly thinks to himself, about the efficiency and genius of the British police system, where no man can commit a crime and escape, where one cannot indulge in the Western type of slaughter and get away with it. When he himself, in self-defense, commits murder, he deigns it better to conceal the action rather than face the police with the truth, so deep is his fear of the coppers. Again, not the hard man of decision we were promised. Yet our author seems to forget that just a few years before this story is supposed to take place, in Britain, the most famous of uncaught criminals was openly and brazenly committing foul and very gaudy and public murder in the streets of the empire's capital city and mocking those same brilliant, efficient police for their inability to catch him!

The plot ends up being a rehash of a story stereotype that was already old when this story was supposed to be taking place: that of the gosh-golly naïve American amongst the sharps and wolves of degenerate Europe. This type of story has merit and possibilities even today, if its done as humor and satire, but not in an adventure tale where the hero should, at least at some time, stand up strongly, rather than be a complete puss from beginning to end. In a lot of ways, this came across to me as a Jeeves & Wooster story, but without the laughs and cleverness and sly social commentary that give this type of story some merit.

I give it two stars instead of one for the following reasons: First, it is very well written. The author is an excellent and smooth writer. Unfortunately, in this novel at least, the story isn't worth the talent and, I think, it's a misfire. I'll have to try out a couple of his other books before I make any judgement on his place in fiction. They are probably better and maybe he was on unfamiliar ground here.

Second, his history is excellent. Some times--a lot of times--you get a better idea of history by reading fiction than you do by reading straight history. He seems to have all his facts right here, he drops in a lot of telling details of the times, the social movements, the drift of Britain and Europe towards war and the ultimate destruction of the society portrayed here. This is what kept me reading when I wanted to abandon the book and is its strongest suit. When the novel started going back to the "story" and characters is when it lost me, but I persevered doggedly to its confusing and highly unsatisfying conclusion.

So would I recommend it? Yes, to British readers of a Kiplingesque, jingo mindset, if they want to relive days of glory long gone by. But as an American, I found it insulting in the worst way--the author feels an admiration and affection for us, but it is the type of "pat the dog on the head" type of affection or, maybe more precisely, the type of affection a master felt for his slaves in this country in the days of the old South: "my darkeys, I love them so; they sing so sweet and are as dumb and gentle as children". And if you are of an Irish Nationalist bent, it is even worse and more insulting. It's too bad because the idea was good, the writing is excellent; it is just poorly executed.

AnotherTriumph For Fraser
Although Flashman makes a guest appearance in this delightful book, he is not the protagonist. I was a bit apprehensive to undertake a Fraser book not starring Harry Flashman, but I was not disappointed. Mr. Franklin, while not as dashing as Sir Harry, is every bit as interesting...perhaps even more so. Fraser hits another bulls eye in Mr. American.

Read it for Flashy!
I found the pace a little strange for a while. A very pleasant unhurried book. Don't read it if you're in a rush or expecting a thriller.
As far as I'm concerned, this book is important for the last appearance of Sir Harry Flashman and if only for that read it.
I actually didn't get the ending at all... but with such a book it really doesn't matter.

The finest novelist of any time
As a devotee of the Flashman Papers, I bought Mr. American, largely on the promise of a "cameo" from Sir Harry himself. Here I am, 6 days and almost 600 pages later, in the afterglow that can only be achieved by reading an account through which you feel you have truly lived. The book is absolutely packed full of wonderful characters, none more so than the "hero", Mark Franklin, a character in whom we feel an immediate and lasting affinity. The real strengths of the book though, as usual, are in Fraser's turns of phrases and magical evocations of historic scenes and characters. My personal favourite was the image of old General Flashman, intently surveying the cheering, singing crowds around the Mall on the outbreak of the Great War "imprinting in his memory" the scene.

The book is one long, immersive evocation of Edwardian England and the social changes leading up to 1914, but at the same time it manages to be a social commentary on the British character, and still further its just a great story. While I did find myself laughing with delight (in public) at the appearances of ninety-year-old Flashman, it is certainly not all I will remember this book for. Im still musing about the ending now. If you've enjoyed any of Fraser's writing previously, or just have an interest in history, or enjoy reading good novels (I think Ive covered everyone there) - read this. It is, like its author, one of the greats.

Mr. American
I've read nearly all the books by GMF , all of the Flashman books and about 3/4's of the others . I found Quartered Safe Out Here as fine a memoir as I've read . Fraser doesn't hold back on anything and makes sure eveyone understand that war is about hate more than anything else , and if you are or were in the middle of it (a war) thats the way it's supposed to be .
Anyway I'm writing a review of Mr. American , the other reviewers said they liked this book better than the other Fraser books I'd have to agree .The protagonist Mr. Franklin is the typical strong silent type , he could give lessons to Gary Cooper . He also has a past , one he doesn't want revealed when he leaves America to come to Edwardian England.
The book has everything action ,suspense ,comedy , pathos, and like all of GMF's books an accurate history lesson . Flash Harry even makes several appearances throughout and renders his usual accurate evaluation of Mark Franklins character .
One of the key things I look for in a book when I read it is can the author bring me into this world and make me believe it's really happening , also does he have characters I like or have feelings for good or bad, Fraser does both with a vengeance . We respect and like Franklin almost immediatly and root for him throughout the book . We get to follow him everywhere and see his impressions on being the stranger in a strange land . The family he marries into partialy for their needs partially for his need for love and never having had a family . His meeting royalty and seeing and experiencing the court in all its "glory" is engrossing to say the least. the only thing I regret is that this book was setup for a sequel like no other and we've seen nothing of the sort from Fraser . We know Franklin changes his mind at the end of the book and doesn't go back to the states , but where does he go ,back to London to resume his life comfortable but unhappy , to see Flashy's niece , or to Africa with Samson to join the Selois (sp) scouts . I chose the latter . With more to follow after WW1 unfortunately GMF doesn't deliver , and at his age he won't likely and that's a disapointment . Anyway I highly recommend this book , I just wish instead of some of his others , Angel Of The Lord comes to mind we could have had another series . ... Read more

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This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

Product Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

Product Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

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"Do I now hear any of my friends saying in their hearts: Let the rich take that! It does not apply to us. We are poor enough? Ah, my friends, I have known a light-hearted, liberal rich man lose his riches, and be liberal and light-hearted still. I knew a rich lady once, in giving a large gift of money to a poor man, say apologetically, 'I hope it is no disgrace in me to be rich, as it is none in you to be poor.' It is not the being rich that is wrong, but the serving of riches, instead of making them serve your neighbour and yourself. ... Read more

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This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

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Another classic love story retold for today's reader. Deep spiritual insights are artfully woven into the intriguing plot. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

written in the 1800's
I enjoyed the book especially because it was written by an author from the 1800's.No regrets buying it.

George MacDonald's Best Novel!
This is a wonderful story of a young man who, in order to raise enough money to return to University, takes a job as a tutor at a wealthy estate. He soon finds love and nurturing, however, from a simple pious Scotchfamily nearby. Though his travels take him off to England and eventually toLondon he never completely forgets the valuable lessons that his spiritualfather instilled in him. This story has ghosts, haunted mansions, secretpassages, hypnotism, magic rings, songs, poems, beautiful ladies andsinister villans. The individual characters are expertly developed andextremely complex in their behaviors. I also recomend that you get the fulllength version from Sunrise Publishers or Johannesen Printing &Publishing entitled "David Elginbrod". The first 80 pages are alittle difficult because of the Scotch dialect, but can be easily figuredout.

Classic George MacDonald
This is an updated, easier-to-read version of George MacDonald's novel _David_Elginbrod_.With his bits of poetic theology, he leads the characters and the reader to ultimate freedom from paralyzing fear.It tooks months for me to realize how much _The_Tutor's_First_Love_ affected my life because the truths in this book are not gaudy or sensational but they slowly replace fear with faith.The revival of the works of George MacDonald is truly a Godsend. ... Read more

Product Description
This definitive one-volume anthology, assembled by renowned MacDonald scholar Rolland Hein, highlights the essential elements of George MacDonald's thought and demonstrates the full range of his creative effort. Opening with a brief biography, The Heart of George MacDonald includes a collection of his finest personal letters, a sampling of abridged sermons, and selections from his fantasies, including the complete texts of his masterpieces The Golden Key and the Princess and Curdie. Brief homilies, samples of his poetry, key essays on faith and the imagination, and a complete bibliography of MacDonald's works make this an indispensable resource for MacDonald readers, scholars, and students.

George MacDonald was born in December 1824, the second son of a strong-willed but gentle tenant farmer in the Scottish highlands. His rural upbringing, along with the blessings of a disciplined and joyous home, instilled with him a fervent love of nature, Christian spirituality, and the God who is over all. In his own time, MacDonald became an immensely popular religious writer both in Britain and America, publishing some fifty-two volumes. Many of his novels passed through numerous editions, some up to a dozen in his own lifetime. He died in 1905. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

George MacDonald: an undiscovered light
C.S. Lewis considered George MacDonald his mentor and inspiration, and one can well see why. MacDonald has the amazing subtle insight into human nature and the relevance of Christ to modern man that made Lewis famous. MacDonald's prose style is often awkward, but it contains such incredible magic and truth that it should not be passed by. It's mostly impossible to find MacDonald's works in their original form, and frankly they are very difficult to read that way. This book contains a selection that I didn't always agree with, but I suppose some cuts need to be made. If you like C.S. Lewis at all, read MacDonald. He's worth it. ... Read more

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This volume is produced from digital images created through the University of Michigan University Library's large-scale digitization efforts. The Library seeks to preserve the intellectual content of items in a manner that facilitates and promotes a variety of uses. The digital reformatting process results in an electronic version of the original text that can be both accessed online and used to create new print copies. The Library also understands and values the usefulness of print and makes reprints available to the public whenever possible. This book and hundreds of thousands of others can be found in the HathiTrust, an archive of the digitized collections of many great research libraries. For access to the University of Michigan Library's digital collections, please see http://www.lib.umich.edu and for information about the HathiTrust, please visit http://www.hathitrust.org ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

This is my favorite collection of short stories!
I bought this a as a loaner set.I already have these books but found that when I loan them out, I have a very difficult time getting them back!Now I will be able to loan with out fear.MacDonald shines as a master story teller in these stories.My all time favorite is the Wise Woman and I love Yoe's illustrations.

One of the Best Set of Fantasy Stories I've Ever Read
Now I understand why these used copies are going for so much.I received my boxed set as a child for Christmas.I've never stopped loving them.

First know that C.S. Lewis lists George MacDonald as a chief influence on his writing.If you like the fantasy writing of Lewis, you may very well appreciate these stories.

This boxed set (The Gray Wolf, The Light Princess, The Golden Key, and The Wise Woman) are the kinds of stories that transport you to another place and make you wish you were still there when you finish the last words on the page.I remember reading these stories as an elementary/junior high student and being completely transportedto another world (even if everything wasn't totally clear to me).Rereading this series at an older age has made them even more amazing and transporting that the first time I read them.It makes you read fantasy as a child again, if that makes any sense.You read with wonder, and that's why I love these stories.

Highly recommended!Get them now. ... Read more

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This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

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A Dish of Orts: Chiefly Papers on the Imagination and On Shakespeare by George MacDonald

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"The Light Princess" is George MacDonald's 1864 fairy tale. It is the story of a young girl, the daughter of the King, who at her christening is cursed to have no gravity by the uninvited Princess Makemnoit, sister to the King and a spiteful and bitter woman. As a result the princess is in constant danger of being carried away by the wind. A captivatingly whimsical tale, "The Light Princess" is one of George MacDonald's most loved stories. ... Read more