His first book of poems, 'Insurrections,' was published in 1909. Stephens began his career as a poet with the tutelage of 'Æ' (George William Russell). 'Crock of Gold,' in particular, achieved enduring popularity and was reprinted frequently throughout the author's lifetime. He also wrote several original novels (Crock of Gold, Etched in Moonlight, Demi-Gods) based loosely on Irish fairy tales. His retellings are marked by a rare combination of humour and lyricism (Deirdre, and Irish Fairy Tales are often especially praised). James Stephens produced many retellings of Irish myths and fairy tales. His growing nationalism brought a schism with his adopted family. He was a close friend of the 1916 leader Thomas MacDonagh, who was then editor of 'The Irish Review', manager of the Irish Theatre and deputy headmaster in St Enda's, the radical bilingual Montessori school run by PH Pearse, and spent most with MacDonagh in 1911.

By the early 1900s James was increasingly inclined to socialism and the Irish language (he could speak and write Irish) and by 1912 was a dedicated Irish Republican. He was much enthralled by tales of military valour of his adoptive family and would have been a soldier except for his height. He was known affectionately as 'Tiny Tim'. They competed and won several athletic competitions despite James' slight stature (he stood 4'10' in his socks). He attended school with his adopted brothers Thomas and Richard (Tom and Dick) before graduating as a solicitor's clerk.

James' mother worked in the home of the Collins family of Dublin and was adopted by them. We regularly offer a large variety of their books for your consideration - most in pristine condition.James Stephens was an Irish novelist and poet. We realize the availability of titles at Barnes & Noble comes and goes. In addition, this volume includes tales of ghosts, witches and fairy doctors, priests and saints, encounters with the devil, titans of Ireland's historical past, as well as popular treasure legends. Its pages are animated with colorful tales of the fairy folk in all their many guises: the changeling, the banshee, the headless dullahan, the leprechaun, the merrow, and the ever-mischievous pooka. 'A Treasury of Irish Fairy and Folk Tales' collects more than 200 stories from the rich folk legacy of the Emerald Isle. Bound in bonded leather, distinctive gilt edging, decorative endpapers, and a colorful ribbon bookmark. The textblock is clean with no writing, bookplate, stamp, or markings. The unread, pristine book is tight and square with solid hinges, sharp corners, and clean unmarred boards.

Irish Fairy and Folk Tales by Various