Most Popular Books by Adam Sexton

An original collection of writings almost as diverse as the Material Girl herself, attempting to uncover as many interpretations of Madonna’s appeal as is possible With voices as diverse as Russell Baker, Sandra Bernhard, Art Buchwald, Al Hirschfeld, Camille Paglia, and Andrew Greeley, Desperately Seeking Madonna sheds new light on one of the world’s most famous—and infamous—women. Essays, cartoons, horoscope, tabloid journalism, academic essays, comic book art, a David Letterman top-ten list, and every year’s Rolling Stone polls collected here tell the complete story behind the story of Madonna’s illustrious career. “A fascinating compendium of Madonnathink.”—Vogue

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer a look into key elements and ideas within classic works of literature. The latest generation of titles in this series also features glossaries and visual elements that complement the familiar format. CliffsNotes on Farewell to Arms explores a potent and memorable love story set against the historical and geographical background of World War I. Following the growth of a rakish, indifferent soldier into a mature man capable of real love for the worldly-wise nurse who falls for him, this study guide provides summaries and critical commentaries for each chapter within the intense and descriptive novel. Other features that help you figure out this important work include Personal background on author Ernest Hemingway, including honors and awards Introduction to and synopsis of the books Character analyses of primary figures Frederick Henry and Catherine Barkley Critical essays on weather symbolism and Hemingway’s influence Review section that features fill-in-the-blank questions, quoted passages, and suggested essay topics and practice projects Resource Center with books, articles, video and audio recordings, and websites that can help round out your knowledge Classic literature or modern-day treasure—you''ll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

The CliffsNotes study guide on Krakauer''s Into the Wild supplements the original literary work, giving you background information about the author, an introduction to the work, a graphical character map, critical commentaries, expanded glossaries, and a comprehensive index, all for you to use as an educational tool that will allow you to better understand the work. This study guide was written with the assumption that you have read Into the Wild. Reading a literary work doesn’t mean that you immediately grasp the major themes and devices used by the author; this study guide will help supplement your reading to be sure you get all you can from Krakauer''s Into the Wild. CliffsNotes Review tests your comprehension of the original text and reinforces learning with questions and answers, practice projects, and more. For further information on Krakauer''s Into the Wild, check out the CliffsNotes Resource Center at www.cliffsnotes.com.

The Scarlet Letter: The Manga Edition will be a hit with both manga readers and in the classroom. A four-page essay at the beginning ties the novel and manga together; the rest of the book is taken up with the manga novel itself. So, there should be strong carryover between those people who are manga readers and those teachers/students who want a new and unique way to read the plays. Our The Scarlet Letter manga is true to the original context of the play--we don''t take Hester and Pearl and set them in a setting/time that''s not relevant to Hawthorne''s original and intended time/setting. You could say that ours is "true" to the novel.

The CliffsNotes study guide on Coehlo''s The Alchemist supplements the original literary work, giving you background information about the author, an introduction to the work, a graphical character map, critical commentaries, expanded glossaries, and a comprehensive index, all for you to use as an educational tool that will allow you to better understand the work. This study guide was written with the assumption that you have read The Alchemist. Reading a literary work doesn’t mean that you immediately grasp the major themes and devices used by the author; this study guide will help supplement your reading to be sure you get all you can from Coehlo''s The Alchemist. CliffsNotes Review tests your comprehension of the original text and reinforces learning with questions and answers, practice projects, and more. For further information on Coehlo''s The Alchemist, check out the CliffsNotes Resource Center at www.cliffsnotes.com. IN THIS BOOK • Learn about the Life and Background of the author • An Introduction to The Alchemist • Explore themes, character development, and recurring images in the Critical Commentaries • Learn new words from the Glossary at the end the document • Examine in-depth Character Analyses • Acquire an understanding of The Alchemist with Critical Essays • Reinforce what you learn to further your study online at www.cliffsnotes.com

Huck Finn: The Manga Edition will be a hit with both manga readers and in the classroom. A four-page essay at the beginning ties the novel and manga together; the rest of the book is taken up with the manga novel itself. So, there should be strong carryover between those people who are manga readers and those teachers/students who want a new and unique way to read the plays. Our Huck Finn manga is true to the original context of the play--we don''t take Huck, Jim, and the rest of the characters and set them in a setting/time that''s not relevant to Twain''s original and intended time/setting. Also, we don''t shy away frm the controversial language that you find in Twain''s original work. You could say that ours is "true" to the novel.

The sudden death of the king, later revealed to be murder. The queen’s all-too-sudden remarriage to the king’s brother, the murderer. The grieving, suspicious Prince Hamlet. Supernatural visitations. Plots, leaks, and counterplots. Poisoned wine. A rigged sword fight. Revenge. With a four-page introduction and an abridged text that remains true to Shakespeare’s wording, setting, and time, this fast-paced, graphic manga edition gets you caught up in the conflicts and passions that make this one of Shakespeare’s most beloved tragedies.

Witches and prophesies. Fate and fortune.. Murders and atrocities. Insomnia and insanity. Unchecked aspirations and even decapitation. Power-crazed and convinced of his own invincibility, Macbeth, the Scottish war hero, turns into a serial killer, annihilating anybody who gets in his way. A four-page introduction gets you involved, and an abridged text makes the action fast-paced. The text is true to Shakespeare’s original language, setting, and time. This manga edition gets you quickly engrossed in Macbeth’s blood-soaked path to power.

Soothsayers and premonitions. Power-hungry politicians. The Ides of March. Conspiracy, betrayal, and assassination. The battle for control of the Roman Empire. Enjoy the non-stop intrigue of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar in this action-packed manga edition. The text is abridged so it’s fast-paced, but the original Shakespearean wording is used so you’ll recognize famous quotations. A four-page introduction sets the stage. You’ll be amazed to discover that the power plays and schemes of today’s political scene are nothing new.

Do you want to take your fiction writing to the next level? LEARN FROM THE MASTERS "Adam Sexton taught me how to read like a writer--and, in a way, how to write like a reader. For without first considering the experience of reading stories--seriously, thoroughly, the way Sexton does--you can''t possibly write one worth reading." --Tara McCarthy, author of Love Will Tear Us Apart Many writers believe that if they just find the right teacher or workshop, their writing will reach new heights of skill. But why not learn from the best? In his popular workshops in New York City, creative writing instructor Adam Sexton has found that the most effective way for any writer to grasp on the elements of fiction is to study the great masters. Master Class in Fiction Writing is your personal crash course in creative writing, with the world''s most accomplished fiction writers as your guides. You will learn: The art of characterization from Jane Austen Style and voice from Ernest Hemingway Dialogue from Iris Murdoch Description from Vladimir Nabokov The timeless techniques of plotting in the work of Joseph Conrad The ingenious structure of James Joyce Point of view from Toni Morrison Over the course of just ten chapters you can master all the components of great short story and novel writing. These are the most important lessons any writer can learn--a truly "novel" approach to writing that will enrich, inform, and inspire.

Feuding families—the Montagues and Capulets. Star-crossed lovers—Romeo and Juliet. A street brawl and a masquerade ball. Comedy and tragedy. Murder and revenge. True romance. A secret marriage. A double suicide. This manga edition features a four-page introduction that sets the stage and a text that’s abridged, but retains Shakespeare’s original language, setting, and time. Packed with action and emotion, it is the ideal way to explore Shakespeare’s timeless themes and appreciate his immortal love scenes.

Huck Finn: The Manga Edition will be a hit with both manga readers and in the classroom. A four-page essay at the beginning ties the novel and manga together; the rest of the book is taken up with the manga novel itself. So, there should be strong carryover between those people who are manga readers and those teachers/students who want a new and unique way to read the plays. Our Huck Finn manga is true to the original context of the play--we don''t take Huck, Jim, and the rest of the characters and set them in a setting/time that''s not relevant to Twain''s original and intended time/setting. Also, we don''t shy away frm the controversial language that you find in Twain''s original work. You could say that ours is "true" to the novel.

Feuding families--the Montagues and Capulets. Star-crossed lovers--Romeo and Juliet. A street brawl and a masquerade ball. Comedy and tragedy. Murder and revenge. True romance. A secret marriage. A double suicide. This manga edition features a four-page introduction that sets the stage and a text that''s abridged, but retains Shakespeare''s original language, setting, and time. Packed with action and emotion, it is the ideal way to explore Shakespeare''s timeless themes and appreciate his immortal love scenes.