"Call me Ishmael" is one of the most familiar and oft-quoted opening lines ever written. Although it was originally published in 1851 to little success or acclaim, Moby Dick is generally regarded as Herman Melville''s masterpiece and in many circles as the Great American Novel. Melville''s epic story of Captain Ahab''s obsessive hunt for the great white whale recalls Job in his quest for justice and Oedipus on his crusade for the truth. The tragic figure of Ahab, in whom virtuous and murderous impulses coexist, speaks for the defeats and triumphs of the human spirit. The richness of Melville''s prose and the story''s sweep are Shakespearean in their grandeur and symbolic power. Moby Dick remains the measure of literary achievement against which all subsequent American novels must be measured. This edition of Moby Dick is the companion volume to the Hallmark Entertainment television presentation, broadcast on USA Network. Enter the Moby Dick sweepstakes at www.usanetwork.com. The Modern Library has played a significant role in American cultural life for the better part of a century. The series was founded in 1917 by the publishers Boni and Liveright and eight years later acquired by Bennett Cerf and Donald Klopfer. It provided the foun-dation for their next publishing venture, Random House. The Modern Library has been a staple of the American book trade, providing readers with affordable hard-bound editions of important works of liter-ature and thought. For the Modern Library''s seventy-fifth anniversary, Random House redesigned the series, restoring as its emblem the running torchbearer created by Lucian Bernhard in 1925 and refurbishing jackets, bindings, and type, as well as inau-gurating a new program of selecting titles. The Modern Library continues to provide the world''s best books, at the best prices.

Autorentext

Herman Melville; Illustrated by Rockwell Kent; Foreword by Rebecca Romney

Klappentext

A gorgeous facsimile edition of Herman Melville’s timeless classic Moby Dick, featuring artist Rockwell Kent’s woodcut illustrations and a new foreword by rare books specialist Rebecca Romney.

Herman Melville's Moby Dick; Or the Whale was considered a failure after languishing in relative obscurity since its initial publication in 1851. The 1930 Random House edition, illustrated by renowned artist Rockwell Kent, played a pivotal role in cementing the novel’s place in the American literary canon. Today original editions can sell for thousands of dollars, but now for the first time in almost 100 years, this reissue brings the experience of the original edition to a modern audience.

With a foreword by rare book dealer and author Rebecca Romney, this reissue features a foil-stamped case with the original dust jacket design and high-quality printing. An heirloom-quality gift for bibliophiles, collectors, students, and any reader interested in classic literature, this edition ensures that Melville’s prose and Kent’s stunning illustrations remain accessible to modern readers for years to come.

In an epic tale of obsession and adventure, Moby Dick takes readers on a captivating journey through the depths of the human spirit and the vastness of the sea. Immerse yourself in the mythical world of Captain Ahab as he leads his crew on a relentless pursuit of the elusive white whale, delving into themes of revenge, fate, and the power of nature. With exquisite prose and unforgettable characters like the enigmatic Ishmael and the noble cannibal Queequeg, this classic novel invites you to contemplate the profound depths of existence while experiencing the thrill of a timeless adventure.