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Bierce’s anonymous storyteller introduces us to an old man who lived alone, mixed with no-one, and had a terrible tragedy in his past that turned his dreams to dust. Bierce is a master of the very short story and tells a tale that comes back to us again and again, although we don't realise this until the final sentences. (1,345 words)

One of O. Henry’s funniest short stories about the kidnapping of a young boy which goes horribly – and often painfully – wrong. It will have you laughing from beginning to end and also show you why this long-dead author is still held in such high regard. (3,530 words)

O. Henry knew about robbing banks and going to prison, having done so himself. Here he tells a story about a young bank robber who, after many successful jobs and some time in prison, changes his lifestyle so that he can marry. However, he’s soon pulled back into crime – but not through his own fault. (2,265 words)

Thomas Edison left school as a child and became one of the richest and most successful businessmen in America. He was interested in everything and moved quickly from one idea to another. He left us with the electric light bulb, the telegraph, the first machine that could play music, moving films and many other inventions that have become part of our lives. (1,015 words)

Bill Slim fought bravely in the First World War and became an officer. When the Japanese entered the Second World War, he led the fight against them in South Asia and destroyed their armies before they could reach India. He was an excellent organiser and military tactician and he reinvented jungle warfare. (1,090 words)

The aquatic ape theory is an alternative to the savannah theory to explain how and why apes developed into human beings. It is a controversial subject that will anger people who believe we were created as we are now but it may also annoy others that have very definite opinions about human evolution! (1,110 words)

The Samurai warrior class of Japan has a very long history. They were once a powerful political and military force that saved Japan from the Mongol army twice and could make emperors bend to their will. However, they were also often accomplished poets and philosophers. (1,710 words)

In 1978 the Red Brigade kidnapped Aldo Moro, the Italian Prime Minister just as he was about to form a coalition Government including the communists. In the two months that the crisis played out, the whole world held its breath. (1,170 words)

Dickens is the most famous novelist ever to write in English. He was admired by contemporaries as diverse as Edgar Allan Poe and Leo Tolstoy. His novels teem with larger-than-life characters that have become part of the literary landscape. This article discusses the man behind the literary giant, his beliefs and personal life. (1,940 words)

A fascinating introduction to the camel. Camels have been used to help people travel and survive in the desert and they were used extensively during the two world wars in the last century. They are raced and people pay huge sums of money for the most beautiful and fastest animals. Their use is declining but they are great survivors. (1,320 words)

Despite many discoveries and theories dating back to ancient times, two hundred years ago we had not the slightest idea that fossils existed. A lot has changed since then, of course, and this is the story of the rapid development of modern knowledge about fossils. (2,050 words)

There is a myth that the human race is getting better: we have a far deeper understanding of science and medicine than a few decades ago, for instance. We have more hospitals, universities and schools. More countries abide by democratic ideals and people have more say in government. Yet this does not stop genocide and bigotry. (1,940 words)

Ever since the release of 'Catch Me If You Can', starring Leonardo di Caprio and Tom Hanks, the early life of Frank Abagnale has been well-known and his exploits pretending to be a pilot, doctor and lawyer envied by all of us who lead routine lives but long for adventure. (1,285 words)

The Vietnam War is remembered as the war that the United States lost at the height of its strength as a superpower. For the Vietnamese it was another episode in a long history of fighting invaders including the Chinese, French and Japanese. (1,360 words)

Simon Bolivar was a freedom fighter of enormous importance. He fought the Spanish and led six modern countries - Venezuela, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Panama - to independence. Bolivia in fact, is named after him. (930 words)