First published in 1825, this wicked, clever satire predates Orwell's Animal Farm by 120 years. The Rebellion of the Beasts is attributed to the poet and journalist Leigh Hunt, among whose friends were Keats, Shelley, Hazlitt and Lamb. In 1812, Hunt and his brother John, who co-edited the radical journal the Examiner, were arrested for criticizing the Prince Regent and remained in prison for two years. This experience of oppression was the apparent motivation for this novel which, like Animal Farm involves a revolution in which the beasts take over from corrupt mankind. The setting is Cambridge, where John Sprat, the narrator, finds himself a misfit at this staid English university. It seems that he can do nothing right until one night he breaks into a college library and pillages the ancient stacks. He discovers De Bestiss, an obscure manuscript by Cornelius Agrippa. "Beast can speak," asserts Agrippa, "and he that doubteth the fact may read this booke." And read it Sprat does, chapter and verse, even going so far as to concoct a recipe from it for a magic potion that allows him to converse with animals. In this way, he learns from various animals he encounters—who view him as a great wizard—that the beasts of the world are preparing a rebellion. Sprat acts as the reader's eyewitness to the overthrow of mankind. Their grand rebellion complete, the beasts go on to model themselves on their oppressors and create an animal kingdom with the Ass established as Supreme Monarch. The ultimate twist is that the animals, once in power, are just as corrupt as their human counterparts. The Rebellion of the Beasts is an obvious precursor of George Orwell's Animal Farm, with its Swiftiansatire directed against the monarchy instead of against socialism. More biting than Orwell, this book should take its place beside Gulliver's Travels in every misanthrope's library. It will delight not only the devotees of Swift and Orwell, but also those of Bierce, Twain and Mencken.

Rebellion Of The Beasts The: OR, THE ASS IS DEAD! LONG LIVE THE ASS!!

Literature & Fiction

Leigh, Hunt

Douglas A. Anderson (Intro)

British & Irish

Academy Chicago Publishers

Originally published in 1930, Kenneth Morris's superb Book of the Three Dragons is an imaginative reworking of elements from the Mabinogion and other Welsh Celtic stories, telling the story of Manawyddan, who is given the choice between immortality with the gods or preventing a new evil from destroying the Island of the Mighty. Manawyddan chooses the latter, and the novel tells of his adventures. Swiftly moving and dramatic, this is a book that lovers of modern fantasy and old hero tales alike cannot afford to miss. 
Perhaps most importantly for modern readers, for the first time Morris's unpublished ending - amounting to one-third of the book's length - is included in this new edition, telling what became of the hero, his wife, and their son.
NOTE ON NEW SERIES: This is the first in our new line of fantasy fiction, which will feature both masterpieces no longer in print in the US as well as new works. The series will be edited by noted Tolkien scholar Douglas A. Anderson, whose previous books include The Annotated Hobbit (HM) and Tales Before Tolkien (Ballantine). Mr. Anderson will also write introductions to each book, providing context and background to enrich the reader's experience. The cover look and interior design will appeal to all demographics (especially younger fans under 30 who play computer fantasy games and love writers like Tolkien, Pratchett, and Pullman) with top artists creating a dazzling fantasy look.
Quotes:"It is a singularly fine example of the recreation of a work magnificent in its own right (the 'Mabinogion') -- a literary event rather rare except in fantasy" - Ursula Le Guin
"Kenneth Morris was an important, innovative fantasist, worthy to rank with MacDonald, Eddison, and Tolkien." - Ursula Le Guin
"Morris writes with all Lord Dunsany's richness, though his cadences are Celtic rather than biblical. This one should be read aloud." - review in the Feb. 2004 issue of Fantasy &amp; Science Fiction magazine
"Book of the Three Dragons is perhaps the single best fantasy adaptation from a real-world 
up0mythology (in this case, the Welsh Mabinogion), and the best of his tales¿" - John Rateliff, review in the Sept. 2003 issue of Wizards of the Coast website (www.wizards.com), the #1 adventure gaming company in the world.

Book of The Three Dragons

Science Fiction & Fantasy

Kenneth Morris

Fantasy

Cold Spring Press

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Books by Douglas A. Anderson (Intro)