Robinson crusoe

THE universal fame of The Life and Adventures of Rob-
inson Crusoe is second only to the Bible. Notwithstand-
ing its simple narrative style, as well as the absence of the
supposedly indispensable love motive, no modern book can
boast of such world-wide esteem.

Written by Daniel Defoe and published in England in
1719 by William Taylor, the Life and Adventures won imme-
diate popularity. Its phenomenal success called forth five re-
printings in rapid succession. In the following year came
translations into French, German and Dutch, marking the
beginning of an unprecedented series of translations into many
other languages and dialects.

And now, after two centuries, the story still stands secure
and enduring a monumental human document.

Hundreds of illustrated editions of The Life and Adven-
tures of Robinson Crusoe have been published, and many
more will follow, but I, like most illustrators enthusiastic in
their work, have anticipated for years the opportunity which
is now offered to me in the present edition.