Action & Adventure Stories

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If pirates, jousting and horseback chases no longer appeal to you, you're too old or too boring. Adventure stories fell out of vogue among 20th century literary types who thought serious fiction had to be boring and depressing, but to those born with fire in their bones, adventure stories are deeply serious.

Not serious like existentialism or keeping a stiff upper lip, but serious like Robin Hood—devoted to protecting the downtrodden, committed to Maid Marian, sworn to fight injustice as long as a soul is in his body, always laughing and ready for a fight or a feast.

G. K. Chesterton wrote adventure stories because they best expressed the eternal joy that supported his generous frame. For those raised on Modern Adventure Stories, joy may seem an inappropriate word for an increasingly dark genre, but the fault lies with those who think adventures are forays into evil rather than romps with Gilbert Keith.

There's nothing evil about a good adventure. There may be bad guys (there ought to be), but if the Good Guy does his job there'll be more of his exploits to talk about than theirs. Because, should he be doing his job, the Hero will be sword-fighting, being clever, wooing, chasing and laughing to the detriment of his enemies on every page.

Average people don't have the adventures Heroes in Books have—they have the adventures of Modern Men in Books. But the way through the prosaic troubles of life isn't to immerse yourself in them, it's to let the Good Guys show The Way Out of Problems, and do your best to imitate them when you meet the less dramatic, but no less real, dangers of everyday existence.

Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he's a husband and father who loves church, good food, and weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur. Read more of his reviews here.

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	Adventures of Robin Hood Reader's Digest World's Best Reading by Paul Creswick, illustrated by N. C. Wyeth 1991 Edition from Reader's Digest for 6th-12th grade in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $8.00 (3 in stock)
	Adventures of Tom Sawyer Puffin Classics by Mark Twain from Penguin Classics Realistic Fiction for 6th-10th grade in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $10.00
	Alexandre Dumas Three Musketeers Collection Oxford World's Classics by Alexandre Dumas from Oxford University Historical Fiction/Adventure for 9th-12th grade in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19)
	Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne, George M. Towle (Translator) from Bantam Books for 7th-Adult in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $5.95 $3.00 (1 in stock)
	Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne, translated by William Butcher Reprint from Oxford University for 8th-Adult in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $9.95
	Ben-Hur by Lew Wallace from Dover Publications for 9th-Adult in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $7.00
	Ben-Hur A Tale of the Christ Signet Classics by Lew Wallace from Signet Classics Historical Fiction for 7th-10th grade in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $9.95
	Black Arrow Dover Evergreen Classics by Robert Louis Stevenson from Dover Publications Historical Fiction for 7th-10th grade in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV) $5.99
	Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson, illustrated by N. C. Wyeth from SeaWolf Press Historical Fiction for 7th-10th grade in Seawolf Illustrated Classics (Location: FIC-SW) $8.95
	Blue at the Mizzen Aubrey/Maturin #20 by Patrick O'Brian from W. W. Norton and Co. Nautical Fiction for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $7.50 (1 in stock)
	Call of the Wild Dover Thrift Editions by Jack London from Dover Publications Action/Adventure for 7th-10th grade in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $3.00 $2.00 (1 in stock)
	Captain Blood Penguin Classics by Rafael Sabatini from Penguin Classics Historical Romance for 7th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $16.00
	Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, translated, with an introduction and notes, by Robin Buss from Penguin Classics Realistic Fiction/Adventure for 9th-Adult in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $16.00
	Defoe's Robinson Crusoe (abridged) Eclectic English Classics by Daniel Defoe, edited by Kate Stephens from American Book Co. for 10th-Adult in Vintage Fiction & Literature (Location: VIN-FIC) $14.00 (1 in stock)
	ECL: Call of the Wild Educator Classic Library #11 by Jack London, illustrated by Ron King Complete and Unabridged Edition from Classic Press Action/Adventure for 7th-10th grade in Educator Classic Library (Location: VIN-ECL) $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Endless Knot Song of Albion #3 by Stephen R. Lawhead 2^nd edition from Thomas Nelson Publishers Celtic Fantasy for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $12.00
	Flames of Rome by Paul L. Maier 2^nd edition from Kregel Publications for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $15.99 $8.00 (1 in stock)
	Fortune of War Aubrey/Maturin #6 by Patrick O'Brian from W. W. Norton and Co. Nautical Fiction for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $6.50 (1 in stock)
	Frankenstein by Mary Shelley from Penguin Putnam Horror for 9th-Adult in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $10.00
	From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne, Translated by Louis Mercer & Eleanor King Illustrated 1874 from SeaWolf Press for 9th-Adult in Seawolf Illustrated Classics (Location: FIC-SW) $11.95
	Gods and Generals by Jeff Shaara from Ballantine Books Historical Fiction for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $8.99 $5.00 (1 in stock)
	Golden Ocean by Patrick O'Brian from W. W. Norton and Co. Nautical Fiction for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $7.50 (2 in stock)
	Kidnapped Everyman's Library Children's Classics by Robert Louis Stevenson from Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. Action/Adventure for 4th-8th grade in Everyman's Library Children's Classics (Location: FIC-ELC) $20.00
	Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson from Living Book Press Historical Romance for 9th-Adult in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV) $10.19
	King Solomon's Mines, Allan Quatermain and She Three Adventure Novels by H. Rider Haggard from Dover Publications Action/Adventure for 9th-Adult in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $16.95
	Last of the Mohicans A Narrative of 1757 Leatherstocking Tales #2 by James Fenimore Cooper Reprint from Penguin Classics for 9th-Adult in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $13.00
	Last of the Mohicans Leatherstocking Tales #2 by James Fenimore Cooper Reprint from Signet Classics Realistic Action/Adventure Novel for 9th-Adult in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $5.95
	Last of the Mohicans Leatherstocking Tales #2 by James Fenimore Cooper from Charles Scribner's Sons Realistic Action/Adventure Novel for 9th-Adult in Scribner Illustrated Classics (Location: FIC-SCRIB) $24.99
	Last of the Mohicans Leatherstocking Tales #2 by James Fenimore Cooper, Illustrated by N. C. Wyeth from SeaWolf Press Realistic Action/Adventure Novel for 9th-Adult in Seawolf Illustrated Classics (Location: FIC-SW) $11.95
	Lorna Doone (adapted) by R. D. Blackmore, adapted by Jordan, Berglund & Washburne, illustrated by Alexander Key Reprint from Scott, Foresman & Co. for 7th-10th grade in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Lost World by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle from Modern Library for 9th grade-adult in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $10.40
	Lost World by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Illustrated by Harry Rountree 100th Anniversary from SeaWolf Press for 9th grade-adult in Seawolf Illustrated Classics (Location: FIC-SW) $7.16
	Louise de la Valliere Alexandre Dumas Collection #4 by Alexandre Dumas from Oxford University Historical Fiction/Adventure for 9th-12th grade in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $15.95
	Man in the Iron Mask Alexandre Dumas Collection #5 by Alexandre Dumas from Oxford University Historical Fiction/Adventure for 9th-12th grade in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $14.95
	Master and Commander Aubrey/Maturin #1 by Patrick O'Brian from W. W. Norton and Co. Nautical Fiction for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Pathfinder The Inland Sea Leatherstocking Tales #3 by James Fenimore Cooper from Penguin Classics Realistic Fiction for 9th-12th grade in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $15.00
	Pioneers Leatherstocking Tales #4 by James Fenimore Cooper from Signet Classics Realistic Fiction for 9th-12th grade in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $7.95
	Pioneers The Sources of the Susquehanna; A Descriptive Tale Leatherstocking Tales #4 by James Fenimore Cooper Reprint from Penguin Classics for 9th-Adult in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $15.00
	Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain, illustrated by Frank Merrill from Reader's Digest for 8th-Adult in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $8.00 (1 in stock)
	Prisoner of Zenda Penguin Classics by Anthony Hope 1^st edition from Oxford University Adventure/Political Satire for 8th-12th grade in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $9.95
	Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey from Dover Publications Westerns for 8th-Adult in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV) $6.00
	Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey from Oxford University Westerns for 8th-Adult in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV) $3.00 (1 in stock)
	Robinson Crusoe Signet Classics by Daniel Defoe from Signet Classics Realistic Adventure Novel for 8th-Adult in 18th Century Literature (Location: LIT5-18) $5.95
	Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe from Penguin Putnam for 10th-Adult in 18th Century Literature (Location: LIT5-18) $10.00
	Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe, illustrated by Edward A. Wilson from Heritage Press for 8th-12th grade in Vintage Fiction & Literature (Location: VIN-FIC) $16.00 (1 in stock)
	Robinson Crusoe Windermere Readers #14 by Daniel Defoe, frontispiece by Milo Winter from Rand McNally for 10th-Adult in Vintage Fiction & Literature (Location: VIN-FIC) $10.00 (2 in stock)
	Robinson Crusoe Focus on the Family's Classic Collection by Daniel Defoe, Introduction and Afterword by Joe L. Wheeler from Focus on the Family for 10th-Adult in 18th Century Literature (Location: LIT5-18) $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Robinson Crusoe (abridged) by Daniel Defoe, illustrated by Frank Godwin from John C. Winston for 5th-8th grade in Vintage Fiction & Literature (Location: VIN-FIC) $16.00 (1 in stock)
	Sackett's Land The Sacketts Book 1 by Louis L'amour from Bantam Books for 7th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $7.99
	Saga of Eric Brighteyes Tolkien's Bookshelf: Volume 6 by H. Rider Haggard 1^st edition from Leaves of Gold Press for 10th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $29.95
	Scarlet The King Raven Trilogy Book 2 by Stephen R. Lawhead from Thomas Nelson Publishers for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $18.99
	Scarlet Pimpernel Signet Classics by Baroness Orczy from Signet Classics Action/Adventure for 8th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $5.95
	Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy from Bantam Books Action/Adventure for 8th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $5.95
	Sea-Hawk by Rafael Sabatini from W. W. Norton and Co. Historical Romance for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $23.95
	Space Trilogy - Hardcover Set by C. S. Lewis from Simon and Schuster Allegorical Science Fiction/Fantasy for 10th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $71.10
	Space Trilogy - Quality Softcover Set by C. S. Lewis from Simon and Schuster Allegorical Science Fiction/Fantasy for 10th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $41.58
	Thirty-Nine Steps Dover Thrift Editions by John Buchan from Dover Publications Action Adventure for 8th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $3.00
	Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan from Penguin Classics Action Adventure for 8th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $13.00
	Three Musketeers Signet Classics by Alexandre Dumas from Signet Classics Historical Fiction/Adventure for 10th-Adult in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $8.95
	Three Musketeers Everyman's Library by Alexandre Dumas from Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. for 10th-Adult in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $32.00
	Three Musketeers Windermere Readers #20 by Alexandre Dumas, translated by Philip Schuyler Allen 1954 Edition from Rand McNally Historical Fiction/Adventure for 9th-Adult in Vintage Fiction & Literature (Location: VIN-FIC) $9.00 (2 in stock)
	Three Musketeers Everyman's Library by Alexandre Dumas, translated by William Barrow and illustrated by Edouard Zier from Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. in Everyman's Library Children's Classics (Location: FIC-ELC) $18.95
	Tom Sawyer Abroad by Mark Twain from SeaWolf Press for 7th-Adult in Seawolf Illustrated Classics (Location: FIC-SW) $6.95
	Tom Sawyer Abroad and Other Stories by Mark Twain from Grosset & Dunlap for 7th-Adult in Vintage Fiction & Literature (Location: VIN-FIC) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Treasure Island by Sir Robert Louis Stevenson from Bantam Books for 6th-Adult in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $4.95
	Treasure Island Windermere Readers #16 by Robert Louis Stevenson, illustrated by Milo Winter 1954 Edition from Rand McNally for 5th-10th grade in Vintage Fiction & Literature (Location: VIN-FIC) $9.00 (2 in stock)
	Tuck The King Raven Trilogy Book 3 by Stephen R. Lawhead Reprint from Thomas Nelson Publishers for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $18.99
	Twenty Years After Alexandre Dumas Collection #2 by Alexandre Dumas Reissue from Oxford University Historical Fiction/Adventure for 10th-Adult in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $16.95
	Vicomte de Bragelonne Alexandre Dumas Collection #3 by Alexandre Dumas from Oxford University Historical Fiction/Adventure for 10th-Adult in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $15.95
	Watership Down by Richard Adams from Charles Scribner's Sons Animal Fiction for 7th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $19.99
	White Company by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle from Dover Publications Historical Fiction for 8th-Adult in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $10.36
	White Company by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Illustrated by N. C. Wyeth 100th Anniversary from SeaWolf Press Historical Fiction for 8th-Adult in Seawolf Illustrated Classics (Location: FIC-SW) $10.36
	White Fang Dover Thrift Editions by Jack London from Dover Publications Action/Adventure for 10th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $6.00 $3.00 (1 in stock)

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