Author
Henry Lee
1826-1888
Henry Lee (1826-1888) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
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Books by Henry Lee
Sea Monsters Unmasked, and Sea Fables Explained
"Sea Monsters Unmasked" by Henry Lee is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The work explores the existence and descriptions of various mythic sea creatures, including the Kraken and the sea serpent, delving into their origins in folklore and the evolution of their depiction in literature and scientific discourse. The book seeks to separate fact from fiction regarding these legendary creatures, drawing on personal observations and historical accounts. The opening of the text begins with a preface where Lee expresses his intention to contribute to the existing body of literature on sea monsters, acknowledging the works of others who have tackled the subject previously. He references the historical fascination with creatures like the Kraken, detailing its size and habits as described by various writers, including Bishop Pontoppidan. Lee emphasizes that while these accounts blend fact with fiction, there is a possibility that some stories may have originated from real marine animals, specifically classifying them within the cephalopod family, such as cuttles and squids, thereby setting the framework for his later discussions on mythological sea creatures.
The Vegetable Lamb of Tartary: A Curious Fable of the Cotton Plant. To Which Is Added a Sketch of the History of Cotton and the Cotton Trade
"The Vegetable Lamb of Tartary: A Curious Fable of the Cotton Plant" by Henry Lee is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The book explores the mythical legend of the "Vegetable Lamb," which was believed to be a hybrid of plant and animal that bore living lambs as fruit. Lee aims to trace the origins of this fable and connect it to the actual cotton plant, elucidating the misconceptions that prevailed in the Middle Ages. At the start of the book, the author introduces the fable of the "Vegetable Lamb," providing detailed descriptions of this mythological entity as well as its various iterations, including its depiction as both fruit-bearing tree-lambs and living lambs tethered to the ground. Lee discusses how these stories evolved and propagated, starting from ancient historical accounts through the interpretations of medieval writers, leading to what he argues is a distortion of a true botanical phenomenon—namely, the cotton plant. Through this initial chapter, he establishes a foundation for analyzing the interplay between truth, folklore, and the evolution of the myths surrounding the origins of cotton in Western Europe.
The octopus : $b or, The "devil-fish" of fiction and of fact
"The Octopus; or, The 'Devil-Fish' of Fiction and of Fact" by Henry Lee is a scientific publication written in the late 19th century. The work serves as an observational study of the octopus, providing insights into its behavior, anatomy, and significance in both natural history and popular culture. Throughout the book, Lee contrasts scientific knowledge with fictional representations, particularly drawing comparisons to Victor Hugo's portrayal of the creature. The opening portion of the text introduces the reader to Lee's role as a naturalist at the Brighton Aquarium, where he reflects on his observations of octopuses. He shares anecdotes about the public's fascination with the "devil-fish" and recounts a notable incident involving an octopus that was tragically consumed by a dogfish, sparking significant media attention. Following this, he outlines the book's aim to merge his previous writings and new observations, establishing a foundation for his scientific analysis of the octopus in relation to its mythical narratives and characteristics.
Forced Move
"Forced Move" by Henry Lee is a science fiction novella that was published in the mid-20th century, specifically in the 1950s. The story takes place during a time of interstellar conflict wherein humanity is engaged in a war against alien invaders. The narrative likely explores themes of sacrifice, strategy in warfare, and the interplay between human decision-making and computer algorithms which dictate military tactics. The plot follows Ruy, a theoretical mathematics officer, who makes a bold and dangerous move to take manual control of the decision-making process within his fleet's computer during an ongoing space battle. Believing that the reliance on computers has led to a stalemate, Ruy gambles his life by sacrificing his own ship to disrupt the enemy's strategy. As he orchestrates a series of 'forced moves,' he aims to exploit the computer's inability to account for human sacrifice in warfare, ultimately leading to victory. His actions initially result in the loss of many ships, but they also shift the balance of the battle as the enemy falls for the trap he sets, illustrating the critical role of human intuition and desperation in war against a backdrop of cold, calculated computation.