54 Results in the "Non-Fiction" category


    • Chapter

      To the Reader

      To the Reader Cover
      by LovelyMay To the Reader, in Chapter 2 of "Worldly Ways and Byways," the author reflects on a past diplomatic custom known as the Pele Mele, a practice meant to resolve the constant disputes over precedence among courtiers and diplomats. This system, likely conceived by an overburdened Master of Ceremonies, sought to nullify rank and eliminate the usual formalities of social gatherings, creating an environment where one's position at an event was determined by wit or chance rather than status. The Pele Mele resulted…
      Culture • Romance Novel • Society
    • The Yarn of the Black Officer Cover
      by LovelyMay The Yarn of the Black Officer begins with the echo of boots on stone and a name that stirs caution rather than reverence. The Black Officer, whose legend blends soldierly duty with dark mystique, first emerged during the 18th-century enlistment drives of the Black Watch. He moved through glens with a deceptive promise—that the men who followed him would merely march before the King in London. Instead, their destination was not ceremonial but colonial—India, far from home and riddled with conflict. The…
    • The Ways of Men Cover
      by LovelyMay The Ways of Men by Eliot Gregory is a novel that examines the complexities of human nature and relationships as a young man grapples with societal expectations, personal ambition, and moral dilemmas in his pursuit of self-discovery.
    • The Tournay of the Heroes Cover
      by LovelyMay The Tournay of the Heroes begins with a horn’s cry that summons not just warriors but the very soul of storytelling across centuries. At this grand meeting of minds and myths, champions of classic romance step forward, clad in time-honored steel and noble resolve. Roland of Roncesvaux, echoing the trumpet of Charlemagne’s battles, joins hands with Wilfred of Ivanhoe, whose code of loyalty still gleams beneath his chainmail. Behind them ride knights of lore—Hereward the Wake with quiet fury, Don…
      History • Poetry
    • Chapter

      The third day

      The third day Cover
      by LovelyMay The third day in The Compleat Angler begins with rising excitement as Venator eagerly looks forward to more than just fishing—he is also drawn to the peaceful rhythm and deeper meaning of the experience shared with Piscator. Rather than jumping straight into technique, the conversation takes a reflective turn. Piscator shares his concern over modern angling’s decline, blaming not nature, but people. He expresses frustration about the lack of effort to control otters and poachers who exploit rivers…
    • Chapter

      The Tao of Who?

      The Tao of Who? Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter begins with a lighthearted discussion among friends about the nature of wisdom, leading to Pooh’s humorous assertion that his understanding of Taoist principles has been passed down by ancient ancestors. This sets the tone for exploring Taoist concepts through playful dialogue and character-driven anecdotes. Pooh’s reference to Taoist sages, such as Wu Tao-tse and Li Pooh, humorously highlights the importance of humility in understanding profound ideas. The conversation emphasizes that…
    • The Tao of Pooh Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff is a charming and accessible exploration of Taoist philosophy through the beloved characters of A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh.By using Pooh’s simple, natural way of living as a guide, Hoff illustrates key Taoist principles such as effortless action (wu wei), simplicity, and living in harmony with the world.Blending humor, storytelling, and wisdom, The Tao of Pooh offers…
    • The Tale of Balen Cover
      by LovelyMay The Tale of Balen by Algernon Charles Swinburne is a poetic retelling of the tragic Arthurian legend of Sir Balin, a knight whose life is marked by loyalty, courage, and a fateful destiny. First published in 1896, the poem follows Sir Balin’s quest for honor and his encounters with themes of fate, vengeance, and the consequences of his actions. Swinburne’s vivid, lyrical verse captures the medieval atmosphere of King Arthur’s court while delving into the hero’s inner conflict and moral struggles. This work highlights Swinburne’s fascination with chivalric ideals and the tragic beauty of knightly legends, bringing to life one of the darker tales from Arthurian mythology.
    • The Red Lacquer Music-Stand Cover
      by LovelyMay In this chapter titled The Red Lacquer Music-Stand, the story opens with a boy awakening to the enchantment of dawn, overwhelmed by a sense of awe that seems to saturate the air around him. The moment feels both sacred and surreal, as shifting sunlight slices through darkness with vivid precision. He watches as morning light invades the stillness with golden slashes and vibrant red reflections, like something alive trying to claw its way into the waking world. These movements are described with such…
    • The Promise of Helen Cover
      by LovelyMay The Promise of Helen opens with the soft echo of a vow reaching beyond time, as a voice calls out not only to a woman once lost but to an entire era of romance thought buried. It speaks not just to Helen, the individual, but to a spirit once believed gone—of love unbound by death, of memory refusing silence. In this vision, the beloved rises again, not from the grave in sorrow, but in radiance, drawn back by the sheer strength of devotion. The passage is less concerned with realism than with the deep…
      History • Poetry
    Note