John Davis Batchelder Collection (Library of Congress)

Whirligigs (1910) is a collection of short stories by American writer O. Henry. Inspired by his experiences as a fugitive and in prison, these stories address themes of poverty and provincial life with humor and abundant empathy. "The Ransom of Red Chief," the most notable of the collection's twenty-four stories, is considered one of Henry's finest works and has been adapted numerous times for television and film. "The Ransom of Red Chief" follows...

Stolen From Home and sold into a harsh life as a sled dog in northern Canada, Buck must quickly learn to survive. He soon takes his place as leader of the hardworking team, and his strength and courage become legendary among men. But the call of the wild is strong, awakening primal feelings of a life among wolves... One of the greatest of all wildlife stories, The Call of the Wild will enthrall today's readers as it has since its first publication...