The Edda Contains many stories of Norse Mythology is the best-known work of Scandinavian literature. It details the Norse creation myths and the struggles of Gods, Giants, and Dwarves. Perhaps the most compelling theme is the Gods' realization that there will be a final unavoidable battle, Ragnarok, between Gods and Giants that must result in the end of the world The Edda can be credited with inspiring innumerable works including those of Wagner, Tolkien, and Marvel comics.

Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog), published in 1889, is a humorous account by Jerome K. Jerome of a boating holiday on the Thames between Kingston and Oxford. The trip has been recreated many times since most recently in 2005 for the BBC. Quotes and references turn up regularly, ranging from references in Robert A. Heinlein's 1958 Have space suit will travel through to the 2006 film Pirates of the Caribbean.

1865 Best Seller.

The story of Hans and his sister's participation in a skating competition is interwoven with their class reading of _The Hero of Haarlem_ (the boy who saved his country by plugging a dike with his finger). Somehow poplular myth has transferred Han's name to the dike boy.

1864 Best Seller.

Southworth considered Ishmael to be her best work. It's inspirations to wisdom and goodness were drawn from the real life examples of the heroes and statesmen of the American Revolution. The novel tells the story of Ishmael, born into poverty and virtuously climbing to success.

1871 Best Seller.

The second of the 'Little Women' / 'March Family Saga' trilogy, follows the progress of Jo Bhaer and her students of Plumfield Estate school.

1874 Best Seller.

In his day E. P. Roe was a bigger seller than Mark Twain.

"In the Opening of a Chestnut Burr, Mr. Roe has made a marked advance upon his two previous stories. He has already exhibited a remarkable power of description, which in this volume he uses with good effect in the scenes of fire and shipwreck. It is thoroughly religious, thoroughly Christian both in tone and teaching." -- Harper's Magazine. (a contemporary review)

1867 Best Seller.

The novel tells the story of a young boy 'Dick' and his climb to success. Dick has a low start in life growing up on the streets of post civil war New York City but he is honest and hardworking and his loyalty and persistence pay off.