Herman Melville, renowned for his epic novel Moby-Dick, also crafted a collection of short stories that stand as American classics. These stories, filled with intense emotion, dark humor, and striking beauty, showcase Melville’s exceptional storytelling prowess. Through tales like “Billy Budd, Sailor,” “Benito Cereno,” and “Bartleby, the Scrivener,” Melville explores themes of race, class, capitalism, and globalism, addressing issues that remain relevant today. This definitive edition, featuring the Reading Text of “Billy Budd, Sailor” and the authoritative text of “The Piazza Tales,” highlights Melville’s enduring legacy as one of the greatest writers of both the nineteenth century and our time.

Why You Should Read?

1. Discover Melville’s mastery beyond “Moby-Dick” with his profound and thought-provoking short stories.
2. Engage with narratives that tackle timeless themes of race, class, and capitalism, resonating with contemporary issues.
3. Experience the full “The Piazza Tales” and the meticulously edited “Billy Budd, Sailor” in this authoritative edition.
4. Trust Penguin Classics for its commitment to providing high-quality, scholarly texts with insightful introductions and notes.
5. Appreciate the global reach and diverse collection of Penguin Classics, a trusted source for classic literature.