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...

“News from Nowhere” is a classic work combining utopian socialism and soft science fiction written by the artist, designer and socialist pioneer William Morris. It was first published in serial form in the Commonweal journal beginning on 11 January 1890. Up at the League, says a friend, there had been one night a brisk conversational discussion, as to what would happen on the Morrow of the Revolution, finally shading off into a vigorous statement...

The House of the Wolfings is the exciting story of the Wolfings's battle with and ultimate triumph over invading Roman legions. Penned by fantasy writer William Morris, The House of the Wolfings is widely acknowledged as an influence on J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy, and was included in the Newcastle Forgotten Fantasy Library published in 1978. HarperPerennial Classics brings great works of literature to life in digital format, upholding...

Curated by the pioneering designer William Morris, discover a compelling collection of essays on the Arts and Crafts Movement by some of the most influential figures of the period. Shining a light on one of the most important periods in the history of art and design, Arts and Crafts Essays explores the main areas of the Arts and Crafts movement written by the likes of William Morris, Walter Crane, Somers Clarke, and Emery Walker. First published...

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...

This early work by William Morris was originally published in 1899 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introductory biography. William Morris was born in London, England in 1834. 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...

The cultural upheaval of the 1960s and beyond was obvious and at times overpowering to the generation of youth fully enmeshed in its violence. Not only was the peaceful family image of Leave It to Beaver defunct, but the Beatles were raging on the airwaves, and nonconformity ruled supreme. Even so, there was peace and comfort in small-town life, sheltered from mainstream politics, war, and disruption. Stories from Potowasso rekindles memories of a...

A selection of poetical works by William Morris including: The Message of the March Wind, The Bridge and the Street, Sending to the War, Mother and Son, New Birth, The New, Proletarian, In Prison-and at Home, The Half of Life Gone, A New Friend, Ready to Depart, A Glimpse of the Coming Day, Meeting The War-Machine, The Story's Ending.

Stolen as a child and raised in the wood of Evilshaw as servant to a witch, Birdalone ultimately escapes in her captress's magical boat, in which she travels to a succession of strange and wonderful islands. Among these is the Isle of Increase Unsought, an island cursed with boundless production, which Morris intended as a parable of contemporary Britain and a vehicle for his socialistic beliefs. Equally radical, during much of the first quarter of...

A true story of a young marine who escaped from a level 5 military prison on an island called Treasure Island. In the military, he graduated number one in his class; his future seemed bright. After his first love left him, his life spiraled out of control into drugs and crime. It's a true story of one unbelievable event after another. It will keep you wondering what's next and will give you hope if you've lost it.