Michael Sims Books

Michael Sims brings together the very best vampire stories of the Victorian era-from England, America, France, Germany, Transylvania, and even Japan-into a unique collection that highlights their cultural variety. Beginning with the supposedly true accounts that captivated Byron and Shelley, the stories range from Edgar Allan Poe's "The Oval Portrait" and Sheridan Le Fanu's "Carmilla" to Guy de Maupassant's "The Horla" and Mary Elizabeth Braddon's "Good Lady Ducayne." Sims also includes a nineteenth-century travel tour of Transylvanian superstitions, and rounds out the collection with Stoker's own "Dracula's Guest"-a chapter omitted from his landmark novel.Vampires captivated the Victorians, as Sims reveals in his insightful introduction: In 1867, Karl Marx described capitalism as "dead labor, which, vampire-like, lives only by sucking living labor"; while in 1888 a London newspaper invoked vampires in trying to explain Jack the Ripper's predations. At a time when vampires have been re-created in a modern context, Dracula's Guest will remind readers young, old, and in between of why the undead won't let go of our imagination.

A revealing chronicle of the iconic American writer's formative years evaluates the decade between his graduation from Harvard and his departure for his Walden Pond cabin to describe the influences that rendered him an advocate for non-violent activism and environmentalism. 30,000 first printing.

Take a trip back to a time when criminals armed themselves with wit rather than with guns, and the pinnacle of crime-fighting technology was represented by Sherlock Holmes's magnifying glass. Edited by award-winning author and editor Michael Sims, The Penguin Book of Gaslight Crime presents, for the first time, the best crime fiction from the gaslight era gathered in a single volume. All the legendary thieves are present - from Colonel Clay to Get Rich Quick Wallingford - burgling London and Paris, coming New York and Ostend, laughing all the way to the bank. Also featured are stories by distinguished writers from outside the mystery and detective genres, including Sinclair Lewis, Arnold Bennett, and William Hope Hodgson.

Broken Pieces is a drama that will captivate you as a reader. Spencer is a world-renowned lawyer who experiences situations in his life. Spencer grows up in a middle-class environment with both parents. However, he is faced with obstacles that he does not fully understand or have any prior experience with. Spencer is known for getting the job done whatever the cost. Spencer understands that friends are important and is keenly aware that his college buddies provide him with a feeling of belonging, bring fun and laughter, lend an extra hand, offer emotional support, and give guidance when he needs it. However, Spencer doesn't realize that their influence goes well beyond the moment. Spencer's identity is further shaped by his close friends and the women he has dated. However, his humility does take a toll on his relationships with the people in his life. He doesn't try to be vindictive with situations that occur in his life, but in the end, he has to take a stance. By the end of the book, you will have praised Spencer, cried on behalf of Spencer, and relate to many of the life experiences he encounters in the book. How will it all end? What would you do if you were Spencer? This is a must-read!

Focusing on personal transformation, the narrative chronicles Michael Sims' journey from a violent gang member to a dedicated activist. His story serves as a powerful message to the younger generation, encouraging them to channel their anger and aggression into constructive actions. Through his experiences, Sims aims to inspire change and promote a life free from violence, offering hope and guidance to those facing similar struggles.