Arthur Michell Ransome

Retells four Russian folk tales: The Firebird, Vassilissa the Fair, Maria Morevna, and The Snow Maiden.

As one of the few British journalists in Russia to experience and report the events of the the Russian Revolution first hand, this book describes the deep economic and political crisis which devastated the revolution but which did not destroy it.

This an abridged version of two books in the Swallows & Amazons series of children's books about adventures centred around sailing and camping, and the triumphs and perils of imaginative, brave and resourceful children enjoying life away from adult eyes. The books on which it is based have been hailed as classics and have never been out of print. Anyone who might enjoy this bastardised version would be better off reading the original books in their full glory and steer well clear of this travesty.

When the Czar proclaims that he will marry his daughter to the man who brings him a flying ship, the Fool of the World sets out to try his luck and meets some unusual companions on the way.

The last book in the Swallows and Amazons series. Set in the west coast of Scotland, lots of information about Great Northern Divers (loons); boatcraft; conservation.

This is the penultimate book in the Swallows and Amazons series. Dick and Dorothea come to spend part of the summer vacation with the Amazons, but Great Aunt Maria's visit means they have to camp out in the woods. Fine sailing descriptions, interesting accounts of rustic housekeeping, some mineral assaying descriptions.

When their boat is burned and they are cast adrift in the South China Sea, Titty, Roger, Peggy, John, Nancy, Susan, and Captain Flint make their way to land only to find themselves the captives of the redoubtable Missee Lee, one of the last pirates operating off the China coast.

The second of Ransome's books set in the Norfolk Broads, the protagonists of Coot Club are accused of casting boats adrift, a terrible crime on any waterfront. They go cruising, fishing, eeling, discover the real villains, and there is lots of good stuff about sailing, photography (now of historical interest) and the odd part of England that is the Broads.

The Swallows are abandoned in one of the most interesting parts of England: the east coast north of the mouth of the Thames and south of the Norfolk Broads. Their assignment is to map the tidal flats. Aided by the Amazons and the Tribe of the Eels, they succeed just in time, before being rescued.

The Swallows, visiting on the east coast of England, stand watch on a small cruising sailboat for the owner and drag anchor and cross the Channel in a gale. Wonderful detail about sailing, and the fact that it takes place 85 years ago doesn't matter.

Pigeon Post is the 6th in the Swallows and Amazons series, and was the first winner of the Carnegie Medal, for the best children's book written by a British subject. The only book in the series that does not feature sailing, it's about mining on the Fells of the Lake district. Excellent descriptions of the use of homing pigeons to carry messages.

Dick and Dorothea, from Winter Holiday, spend Easter vacation on the Norfolk Broads, and meet local kids, staunch environmentalists. Their adventures as they protect birds from careless tourists (the Hullabaloos) make a great sailing story. Lots of information about birds and sailing.

This may be the best book in the Swallows and Amazons series, which means that it might be the best children's book ever written. The Swallows and Amazons are exploring the Arctic (the area around the lake) during winter vacation when they meet Dick and Dorothea Callum, staying at a farm on the lakeside. Skating, signalling, exploring, ice-boating, astronomy, everything a kid could ask for.