M. R. James Books

Please note: this book is actually M.R. James's second volume of ghost stories, not his first. The title is a bit misleading.

The ghost stories of M.R. James (MRJ) are widely considered to be the best supernatural literature ever written. "More Ghost Stories of an Antiquary" was his second collection of short stories to be published (1911) and includes seven tales of the supernatural.

However, you might want to spend a bit more money and buy the "The Penguin Complete Ghost Stories of M.R. James." If you completely succumb to the refined but potent horror of this author's writings, only "A Pleasing Terror" (Ash Tree Press 2001) will then do. The latter book contains all of MRJ's supernatural literature, including story fragments that were never completed, biographies, bibliographies, commentary, and his fantasy novelette, "The Five Jars."

"More Ghost Stories of an Antiquary" consists of the following stories, plus a brief preface by the author:

"A School Story"--MRJ was a dean at King's College, Cambridge and he supposedly wrote this story to entertain the King's College Choir. I believe it is one of his shortest complete stories and it contains several ideas for further tales of the supernatural which were never followed up by MRJ himself. In this tale two middle-aged men are reminiscing about ghosts at boys' schools, and one relates a story of a schoolboy's revenge on a murderous master.

"The Rose Garden"--Features one of MRJ's less sympathetic female characters. The overbearing Mrs. Anstruther gets her supernatural comeuppance when she insists upon the removal of an old oak post in the rose garden.

"The Tractate Middoth"--The young Mr. Garrett is asked to find a copy of the "Tractate Middoth" in a "certain famous library" and stumbles upon a cobwebby mystery. Find yourself a quiet, unpopulated corner in the stacks of an old library and see if you can read this story without looking behind you. This is MRJ at his antiquarian best.

"Casting the Runes"--One of MRJ's most collected stories along with "Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad." The villain of tale is sometimes assumed to be based on the self-styled 'Great Beast,' occultist Aleister Crowley. He and MRJ might have crossed paths at Cambridge University although there seems to be no proof that the scholarly Dean ever met the so-called 'wickedest man in the world.' At any rate, this is a tale of a man who unwittingly angers a sorcerer.

"The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral"--This story begins with the obituary of the Venerable John Benwell Haynes, Archdeacon of Sowerbridge and Rector of Pickhill and Candley. He succeeded to his position upon the rather mysterious demise of Archdeacon Pulteney in 1810, but does not find much enjoyment in his new job. In fact, the archideacon's stall with its carvings of a cat, the King of Hell, and Death becomes a particularly haunting spot for the new prelate.

"Martin's Close"--The bit of land referred to in the story's title is "one of the smallest enclosures you are likely to see." It consists of a pond that is hedged all around with no gate or entrance. The tale of its haunting is told primarily through a court record from the time of Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys, he of the infamous 'Bloody Assize' that followed the Monmouth Rebellion. In spite of this rather awkward structure, it is a very frightening tale of supernatural revenge.

"Mr Humphreys and His Inheritance"--Once installed as the new master of his deceased uncle's estate, Mr. Humphreys discovers the plan to an overgrown maze on his property. He decides to investigate the old landscaping feature, which was erected by one of his most notorious ancestors. Mr. Humphreys also discovers a set of stone blocks that were once part of the maze. He reconstructs the inscription on them to read: "Penetrans Ad Interior Mortis."

The ghost stories of M.R. James (MRJ) are widely considered to be the best supernatural literature ever written. "Ghost Stories of an Antiquary" was his first collection of short stories to be published (Arnold 1904) and is a fine introduction to this chilling, scholarly author.

However, you might want to spend a bit more money and buy the "The Penguin Complete Ghost Stories of M.R. James." If you completely succumb to the refined but potent horror of this author's writings, only "A Pleasing Terror" (Ash Tree Press 2001) will then do. This book contains all of MRJ's supernatural literature, including story fragments that were never completed, biographies, bibliographies, commentary, and his fantasy novelette, "The Five Jars."

"Ghost Stories of an Antiquary" consists of the following stories:

"Canon Alberic's Scrap-book"--The original title for this story was 'A Curious Book,' and it is one of 'the' classical MRJ invocations of a scholar who unwittingly opens the wrong book and pays horribly for his misadventure. This story and the following "Lost Hearts" were originally read aloud at an 1897 meeting of the Cambridge Chitchat Society, a literary gathering which met for "the promotion of rational conversation."

"Lost Hearts"--This story is unusual for MRJ in that the ghosts participate in an actual physical assault on the villain who had murdered them. It is narrated in the third person by a little boy who is orphaned and goes to live with his elderly cousin at Aswarby Hall (an actual estate in Lincolnshire, now largely demolished). Slowly he begins to realize that there were two other children who had lived with his cousin before him.

"The Mezzotint"--A collector of topographical pictures purchases a mezzotint that shows a view of a manor-house from the early part of the eighteenth century. The picture slowly evolves through a story of murder and revenge from beyond the grave.

"The Ash-tree"--If your Bible falls open to the verse, "Thou shalt seek me in the morning, and I shall not be" do not, I repeat DO NOT sleep in the Sir Matthew's old bedroom next to the ancient ash-tree. This story is a unique reworking of the "executed witch's revenge" theme.

"Number 13"--A scholar settles into a Danish hotel to research the town's ecclesiastical history and learns more than he ever wanted to know about a bishop who sold his soul to Satan.

"Count Magnus"--Another story (along with "Number 13") that may have had its origin in MRJ's trips to Scandinavia. Mr. Wraxall, the scholarly hero of this tale dooms himself by reading a forbidden treatise of alchemy and expressing a wish to meet its long-dead (or not so dead) Swedish author. This tale is definitely not for the faint-hearted, especially the scene in the mausoleum of Count Magnus, when the locks start popping off of the sarcophagus.

"Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad"--A Professor takes a golfing vacation on England's East Coast, and agrees to take a look at the site of an ancient Templars' preceptory for an archeologically-inclined friend of his. He scratches around in the ruins and finds a whistle with a Mediaeval Latin inscription on it that can be translated (according to Jamesian scholar Jacqueline Simpson) as: "O thief, you will polish it, you will blow it twice, you will regret this, you will go mad." I think this is the first M. R. James story I ever read, and it terrified me. I can't remember how long I had to sleep with the lights on after reading it.

"The Treasure of Abbot Thomas"--Mr. Somerton deciphers a text from the medieval Latin 'Sertum Steinfeldense Norbertinum,' and an inscription in the painted-glass window of a private chapel, then goes on a treasure hunt to Germany. What he finds, and what throws its arms around his neck while he... All I will further state is that if you should happen upon a German well that has seven eyes carved on one of its stones, under no circumstances should you climb down into that well, most especially not after dark.

The ghost stories of M.R. James (MRJ) are widely considered to be the best supernatural literature ever written. "Ghost Stories of an Antiquary" was his first collection of short stories to be published (Arnold 1904) and is a fine introduction to this chilling, scholarly author.

However, you might want to spend a bit more money and buy the "The Penguin Complete Ghost Stories of M.R. James." If you completely succumb to the refined but potent horror of this author's writings, only "A Pleasing Terror" (Ash Tree Press 2001) will then do. This book contains all of MRJ's supernatural literature, including story fragments that were never completed, biographies, bibliographies, commentary, and his fantasy novelette, "The Five Jars."

"Ghost Stories of an Antiquary" consists of the following stories:

"Canon Alberic's Scrap-book"--The original title for this story was 'A Curious Book,' and it is one of 'the' classical MRJ invocations of a scholar who unwittingly opens the wrong book and pays horribly for his misadventure. This story and the following "Lost Hearts" were originally read aloud at an 1897 meeting of the Cambridge Chitchat Society, a literary gathering which met for "the promotion of rational conversation."

"Lost Hearts"--This story is unusual for MRJ in that the ghosts participate in an actual physical assault on the villain who had murdered them. It is narrated in the third person by a little boy who is orphaned and goes to live with his elderly cousin at Aswarby Hall (an actual estate in Lincolnshire, now largely demolished). Slowly he begins to realize that there were two other children who had lived with his cousin before him.

"The Mezzotint"--A collector of topographical pictures purchases a mezzotint that shows a view of a manor-house from the early part of the eighteenth century. The picture slowly evolves through a story of murder and revenge from beyond the grave.

"The Ash-tree"--If your Bible falls open to the verse, "Thou shalt seek me in the morning, and I shall not be" do not, I repeat DO NOT sleep in the Sir Matthew's old bedroom next to the ancient ash-tree. This story is a unique reworking of the "executed witch's revenge" theme.

"Number 13"--A scholar settles into a Danish hotel to research the town's ecclesiastical history and learns more than he ever wanted to know about a bishop who sold his soul to Satan.

"Count Magnus"--Another story (along with "Number 13") that may have had its origin in MRJ's trips to Scandinavia. Mr. Wraxall, the scholarly hero of this tale dooms himself by reading a forbidden treatise of alchemy and expressing a wish to meet its long-dead (or not so dead) Swedish author. This tale is definitely not for the faint-hearted, especially the scene in the mausoleum of Count Magnus, when the locks start popping off of the sarcophagus.

"Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad"--A Professor takes a golfing vacation on England's East Coast, and agrees to take a look at the site of an ancient Templars' preceptory for an archeologically-inclined friend of his. He scratches around in the ruins and finds a whistle with a Mediaeval Latin inscription on it that can be translated (according to Jamesian scholar Jacqueline Simpson) as: "O thief, you will polish it, you will blow it twice, you will regret this, you will go mad." I think this is the first M. R. James story I ever read, and it terrified me. I can't remember how long I had to sleep with the lights on after reading it.

"The Treasure of Abbot Thomas"--Mr. Somerton deciphers a text from the medieval Latin 'Sertum Steinfeldense Norbertinum,' and an inscription in the painted-glass window of a private chapel, then goes on a treasure hunt to Germany. What he finds, and what throws its arms around his neck while he... All I will further state is that if you should happen upon a German well that has seven eyes carved on one of its stones, under no circumstances should you climb down into that well, most especially not after dark.

The ghost stories of M.R. James (MRJ) are widely considered to be the best supernatural literature ever written. "Ghost Stories of an Antiquary, Part 2: More Ghost Stories" was his second collection of short stories to be published (1911) and includes seven tales of the supernatural.

However, you might want to spend a bit more money and buy the "The Penguin Complete Ghost Stories of M.R. James." If you completely succumb to the refined but potent horror of this author's writings, only "A Pleasing Terror" (Ash Tree Press 2001) will then do. The latter book contains all of MRJ's supernatural literature, including story fragments that were never completed, biographies, bibliographies, commentary, and his fantasy novelette, "The Five Jars."

'More Ghost Stories' consists of the following stories, plus a brief preface by the author:

"A School Story"--MRJ was a dean at King's College, Cambridge and he supposedly wrote this story to entertain the King's College Choir. I believe it is one of his shortest complete stories and it contains several ideas for further tales of the supernatural which were never followed up by MRJ himself. In this tale two middle-aged men are reminiscing about ghosts at boys' schools, and one relates a story of a schoolboy's revenge on a murderous master.

"The Rose Garden"--Features one of MRJ's less sympathetic female characters. The overbearing Mrs. Anstruther gets her supernatural comeuppance when she insists upon the removal of an old oak post in the rose garden.

"The Tractate Middoth"--The young Mr. Garrett is asked to find a copy of the "Tractate Middoth" in a "certain famous library" and stumbles upon a cobwebby mystery. Find yourself a quiet, unpopulated corner in the stacks of an old library and see if you can read this story without looking behind you. This is MRJ at his antiquarian best.

"Casting the Runes"--One of MRJ's most collected stories along with "Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad." The villain of tale is sometimes assumed to be based on the self-styled 'Great Beast,' occultist Aleister Crowley. He and MRJ might have crossed paths at Cambridge University although there seems to be no proof that the scholarly Dean ever met the so-called 'wickedest man in the world.' At any rate, this is a tale of a man who unwittingly angers a sorcerer.

"The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral"--This story begins with the obituary of the Venerable John Benwell Haynes, Archdeacon of Sowerbridge and Rector of Pickhill and Candley. He succeeded to his position upon the rather mysterious demise of Archdeacon Pulteney in 1810, but does not find much enjoyment in his new job. In fact, the archideacon's stall with its carvings of a cat, the King of Hell, and Death becomes a particularly haunting spot for the new prelate.

"Martin's Close"--The bit of land referred to in the story's title is "one of the smallest enclosures you are likely to see." It consists of a pond that is hedged all around with no gate or entrance. The tale of its haunting is told primarily through a court record from the time of Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys, he of the infamous 'Bloody Assize' that followed the Monmouth Rebellion. In spite of this rather awkward structure, it is a very frightening tale of supernatural revenge.

"Mr Humphreys and His Inheritance"--Once installed as the new master of his deceased uncle's estate, Mr. Humphreys discovers the plan to an overgrown maze on his property. He decides to investigate the old landscaping feature, which was erected by one of his most notorious ancestors. Mr. Humphreys also discovers a set of stone blocks that were once part of the maze. He reconstructs the inscription on them to read: "Penetrans Ad Interior Mortis."

As one who has facilitated parent groups, I highly recommend this model to be used in multiple settings. The 2nd edition is well organized, clear in it's meanings, and simple to follow. For anyone interested in forming parents groups, this model provides all the information, methods, cautions, and planning necessary to begin working with parents of gifted children. Since it is written in layman terms, professional degrees are not necessary to profit from the information provided. I highly recommend this book as a reference, even for those already involved in parent groups.

An interested reader, currently residing in Utah

This is a great book to read with great pictures. Lots of good info about how the cars were designed, what the market was like at the time and how the cars performed. I wish the publisher made a book like this for the 70's also...

Those who read and enjoy James Joyce will appreciate the learned illumination within this commentary by Kershner.

While it does not specifically address its chapter headings to the later novels, it does take in the entire opus while considering technique and meaning and thus tangentially though deeply refers to Ulysses and Finnegans Wake in a manner most helpful.

As I am one most interested in the novel Ulysses, I was disappointed not to find chapters specifically dedicated to that novel of novels, but my frustrations were quieted to discover the novel as well as the Wake adequately considered in the comprehensive context of the works. In fact many valuable insights not found elsewhere are available here.

Specifically the chapter headings are dedicated to each of the tales of the Dubliners collection, and to Portrait, with strong consideration of the proto-Portrait Stephen Hero fragment. It is rare to find the Dubliners series so carefully considered and commented, and a delight to discover hidden treasure with the able and clear help of Kershner. Nevertheless, one cannot help but notice a few lacks of insight; for instance in the direct discussion in the subchapter dedicated to The Sisters, she mentions only that the adults at the boy's foster home speak in banal triteness, concealing there real meaning. Only later does she in passing indicate that hidden unspoken meaning is the gossip of pederasty which they dare not mention in the boy's presence. Certainly this is neither banal nor trite. And the boy uses silence and disguise as he lives involuntarily in a rather unloving foster home, which wishes to introduce him to "boxing his own corner" and the wonders of "faints and worms" of the brewery, whereas he would prefer not to drown his brain cells in alcohol but in deep thought.

And as mentioned above the profound reflections on Ulysses and the Wake are of course not only icing on the cake but a meal in themselves (does that adequately though not tritely mix a delicious metaphor?).

In an area of literary study noted for its incomprehensible jargon, it is truly a delight to encounter the clarity with which Kershner writes, reflecting the precision and well-developed depth of her research and thought. Joycean commentary can be filled with the insubstantial fruit of associate professor's "publish or perish" desperation, or with the competitions in micturation (to adapt the more vulgar phrase) by higher academics, but Kershner has something useful to say and says it well. Her definitions of terms, although common to the specialist, are clearly presented. I am especially grateful for this, as I admit this to be my first full-length and in-depth introduction to Bakhtin's thought, and I appreciate very much this author's careful and clear accompaniement. In fact this is the majoy work relating Bakhtin to Joyce, and might incidentally serve as a general introduction to Bakhtin, as other Joyce commentary does for Lacanian philosophy. Joyce prophetically foresaw how busy his writing would keep the future generations of scholars, as demonstrated here in the fullness of its ramifications.

Highly recommended for the intermediate reader of Joyce's early works, with strong indications and perceptions for those like myself most interested by his later work.

A valuable addition, with clarity, wit and substance, to any shelf already well laden by Joycean commentary. If you do notice the rough spots in this book, and there are indeed some bumps in the road, as well as the yawning lagunas in the commentary where some insight is missing, then you are ready and able to advance to further and more challenging explorations, such as Joyce's Messianism, etc., which comes HIGHLY recommended for any budding Joyce scholar.

Good book with the principles of the Crane Beam design and other building components.
Good book even if this book have been left behind for the time.

Cole and Frampton have set out to change our perception of the Gettysburg National Cemetery. It is about time. It has become apparent that visitors to Gettysburg hold the National Cemetery graves as an afterthought. Few people visit the memorials past the Lincoln rostrum. Lincoln's dedication speech has been regarded as national scripture despite his own wish that "the world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here." His address along with the revived memory of secular-sainted generals has subsequently overshadowed the gravestones at Gettysburg as nothing more than set-dressing. Readers of Cole and Frampton's book however, can encounter the fighting men at Gettysburg. The authors recount the individuals' stories that many of those gravestones represent. Their research through archives and pension records gives a personal and comprehensive illustration of the sons', brothers', and fathers' ultimate sacrifice made for that "new birth of freedom" still underway today. You will meet the sixteen year-old runaway who wanted to experience adventure only to find martyrdom; the recovering dismembered young man who recieved a fatal 'Dear John' letter from his lover who couldn't cope with the loss of the veteran's limb; the unknown soldier responsible for the establishment of a Union Orphanage at Gettysburg for the parentless children that resulted from the war. Cole and Frampton have given us the opportunity to see the mettle of those that "gave the last full measure of devotion." Copies of the book were recently still on sale at the Gettysburg National Park Service Book Store.

This is a book I'd recommend to every couple - married or otherwise. It's packed full of information that not only helps a marriage, but might keep them from getting in trouble to begin with. Dr. Phil has some real competition here.

The highlight of this book is the way the chapters are organized. Each word - MARRIAGE and RELATIONSHIP - have chapters relevant to specific issues. i.e. M Stands for Money, A Stands for Anger, R Stands for Relatives, and so on. Covers everything from integrity to abuse, general codependence, expectations, negotiation, sex, intimacy and priorities. Includes some terrific cartoon drawings (you'll recognize yourself and laugh out loud) as well as charts and (my favorite) quizzes! Read this book, and you'll have an A+ relationship.