[Free eBook] Geisha: The Secret History of a Vanishing World by Lesley Downer [Japan Cultural History & Ethnographic Expat Memoir]

Geisha: The Secret History of a Vanishing World by English author Lesley Downer, a former expat in Japan, journalist and historical novelist, is an ethnographic cultural history and expat memoir, free for a limited time courtesy of publisher Endeavour Press.

This was originally published in 2000 by Headline Books.

The book presents an accessibly-written cultural history cum personal ethnographic memoir of Japan’s geisha—from the predecessors of the profession in the artistically accomplished ladies-in-waiting of the Heian period, to the courtesans of later eras, to the present day—and the various other professions that grew up around supporting them, some passing down the family business through centuries, with the author herself invited to spend several months experiencing the training and daily activities of the geisha in Kyoto while living among them.

Offered worldwide, available at Amazon.

[Free eBook] The Other Side of the Moon: The Life of David Niven by Sheridan Morley [Classic Actor Biography]

The Other Side of the Moon: The Life of David Niven by the late British author Sheridan Morley, a broadcaster and drama critic who briefly had a theatre biography prize named for him, is his show business celebrity biography, free for a limited time courtesy of publisher Dean Street Press.

This was originally published in 1985 by Weidenfeld & Nicolson.

This comprehensive biography of the classic Hollywood actor David Niven, who starred in many popular films including an installment of the James Bond franchise (and was author Ian Fleming’s preferred choice to play the role), draws upon specially-conducted interviews with many of Niven’s colleagues, as well as friends and members of his family, and was originally published shortly after his death.

Offered worldwide, available at Amazon.

[Free eBook] Walden Warming: Climate Change Comes to Thoreau’s Woods by Richard B. Primack [Nature Observations & Earth Science]

Walden Warming: Climate Change Comes to Thoreau’s Woods by Richard B. Primack, a Professor of Biology at Boston University, is his accessibly-written natural history book cum scientific memoir, free for a limited time courtesy of the University of Chicago Press

This explores climate change via seasonal nature observations, alongside scientific explanations, in a tribute to the classic nature experience memoir [Walden; or, Life in the Woods][subject-wiki-2] The author uses the device of tracking the effects of changing climate upon the modern flora and fauna of the famous site near the town of Concord, Massachussetts (hometown of philosopher and naturalist Henry David Thoreau by comparing them with Thoreau’s own journal notes from over a century ago. There are also a few illustrations in it, and a good deal of information and analysis about Thoreau and his methods, as well as the methods used by the recording team.

Offered worldwide through April, available from the university’s website as their featured Free Book of the Month selection.

[Free eBook] A World I Never Made by James LePore [Literary Crime Thriller]

A World I Never Made by James LePore the 1st novel in his Invictus Cycle quintet of literary noir suspense thrillers, free for a limited time courtesy of publisher Fiction Studio Books, an imprint created by award-winning editor Lou Aronica, who founded Random House’s Bantam Spectra and HarperCollins’ Avon Eos science fiction/fantasy lines.

The quintet comprises standalone noir suspense thrillers with strong literary fiction elements, which are linked by their exploration of variations upon the theme of organized crime and families trying to be ordinary despite their involvement. This is a dual story, divided betwen the viewpoints of a man teaming up with a detective, on the trail of his estranged daughter who has faked a suicide as a possible cry for help, and the daughter herself, a journalist who has discovered something sinister about a businessman she has a torrid affair with.

Offered worldwide, available at multiple retailers.

[Free eBook] Retribution at Black Gap by John Russell Fearn [Western Historical Action Novel]

Retribution at Black Gap by the late British author John Russell Fearn is his vintage standalone western historical action adventure novel, free for a limited time courtesy of publisher Endeavour Press.

This was originally published in 1950 by Scion under the title Bonanza and later reprinted by Robert Hale as part of their Black Horse Western line using the pseudonym Frank Russell. The story is centred around various conflicts as a small town is taken over by a murderous man who seizes a newly-discovered gold mine by offing the owner, and recruits local labour with the help of assorted ne’erdowells and his reluctant stepson, who of course decides to betray him for the beautiful daughter of an opposing rancher, only to find that his evil stepfather’s control may be harder to overturn.

Offered worldwide, available at Amazon.

[Free eBook] Paytime For A Good Man by Joseph McGraw [Western Historical Action Novel]

Paytime For A Good Man by Joseph McGraw is his standalone western historical action adventure novel, free for a limited time courtesy of publisher Endeavour Press’ Pioneering Press imprint.

This was originally published in 2011 by Robert Hale as part of their Black Horse Western line, credited as by Joseph John McGraw. The story stars a man experiencing hard times after a string of bad luck signing on to the dubious get rich quick scheme of an old friend who has fallen in with bandits whom he plans to betray, only to find that neither money nor friendship may be as easy to keep ahold of afterwards.

Offered worldwide, available at Amazon.

[Free eBook] Duel in the Dark by Marguerite Steen [Vintage Literary Novel]

Duel in the Dark by the late British author Marguerite Steen, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature whose works enjoyed a period of popularity in the 1930s and 1940s, is her vintage standalone literary drama novel with f/m romantic elements, free for a limited time courtesy of publisher Endeavour Press’ The Odyssey Press imprint.

This was originally published in 1928 by Geoffrey Bles. The story is a period-contemporary literary romantic drama (may not end in HEA) featuring a cross-generational competition between two strong-willed theatre women. An older actress in ill health is in the care of her ambitious granddaughter, whose affections become divided when a handsome scriptwriter begins paying more attention to the once-famous star than her love-smitten grandchild, who begins plotting to secure his affections for herself, with results that may prove farcical… or tragic.

Offered worldwide, available at Amazon.

[Free eBook] The Eyes of Sarsis by Andrew J. Offutt & Richard Lyon [Adventure Fantasy]

The Eyes of Sarsis by the late Andrew J. Offutt & the late Richard Lyon is the 2nd novel in their War of the Wizards trilogy of swashbuckling adventure fantasy, free for a limited time courtesy of publisher Endeavour Press’ Venture Press imprint.

This was originally published in 1980 by Pocket Books. The trilogy stars a young woman who goes adventuring on various fantastic quests to find items and defeat evil. This tale is a piratical adventure as the heroine, now become a pirate queen and Captain of her own ship, is asked to take up the quest of a King’s lost daughter and defeat the terrible magical thingamajig which was unleashed by an earlier attempt to regain her.

Offered worldwide, available at Amazon.

[Free eBook] Storm Over Mendaro by John Glasby [Western Historical Action Novel]

Storm Over Mendaro by the late British author John Glasby is his vintage standalone western historical action adventure novel, free for a limited time courtesy of publisher Endeavour Press’ Pioneering Press imprint.

This was originally published in 1971 by John Spencer under the title Lone Gun Renegade using the pseudonym Tex Kirby and later reprinted by Robert Hale as part of their Black Horse Western line using the pseudonym James Adams. This story stars a wandering gunslinger who finds himself in a tiny town along the Mexican border where bandits have taken over and the law is just as crooked, where he gets swept up in dirty deals and double crossing even as he tries to help a local cattle rancher protect his home from the villains which abound everywhere.

Offered worldwide, available at Amazon.

[Free eBook] The Grand Tour: A History of the Golden Age of Travel by Geoffrey Trease [Travel History]

The Grand Tour: A History of the Golden Age of Travel by the late British author Geoffrey Trease, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature who was known for his meticulous historical research and contributions to children’s literature, is his vintage sociological travel history study, free for a limited time courtesy of publisher Endeavour Press’ The Odyssey Press imprint.

This was originally published in 1967 by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. This explores the history of the Grand Tour, a traditional multi-national trip intended to broaden the life experiences of young European men and women via exposure to foreign art and culture. The book focuses on its practice by the English, from its development as an educational tool for providing young Elizabethan aristocrats with a touch of international polish for future official positions (or espionage) into a social convention engaged in by anyone with the proper means from the 18th century onwards, using period travel books and diaries, and spotlighting famous Grand Tourists of the past ages such as poet John Milton (Paradise Lost), historian Edward Gibbon (The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire), and more.

Offered worldwide, available at Amazon.