"1984" and "Animal Farm", two of the most disturbing and powerful novels ever written, are presented here in one volume.

"1984": Winston Smith is a hardworking member of the Party, the ruling government of Oceania. Laboring in the Ministry of Truth, the Party's propaganda arm, he is in charge of revising history, the Party's way of controlling the past as well as the present. And Big Brother, the Party's all-powerful leader, is always watching, always making sure that everyone does exactly what they are supposed to do. This makes for an orderly society, but individuality is crushed. Even love is forbidden, with procreation under the strict supervision of the Party. But then Winston meets Julia and learns of "The Book," a forbidden publication that seems to promise a different way of life.

1984's ominous depiction of a repressive, totalitarian regime shocked contemporary readers, but ensures that the book remains perhaps the preeminent dystopian novel of modern literature. 1984's brilliance comes from Orwell's prescient understanding of modern life—the power of the media, the loss of privacy, the distortion of language for the sake of "political correctness," and the suppression of individual thought and expression. Required reading for students since it was first published, it is one of the most disturbing and powerful novels ever written. 

"Animal Farm": Manor Farm is run by its drunken owner, Mr. Jones, and his incompetent workers. Chafing under their exploitation, the animals rise up against their human masters and take over the farm. Under the guidance of the intellectually superior pigs, the animals then set out to create a paradise of progress, justice, and equality. But as time passes, their labors don't have quite the results they expected, and they begin to realize that their porcine leaders may have other purposes in mind. On one level, Animal Farm is a simple tale about barnyard animals. On a deeper level, it is a pointed political satire about corrupted ideals, class conflict, and misdirected revolution—themes as valid today as when the book was first published. As we continue to wrestle with these issues, the cutting clarity of Orwell’s masterpiece delivers an enduring warning for all who care about justice, freedom, and equality. Animal Farm is recognised as a classic of modern political satire and is simultaneously an engaging story and convincing allegory.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Eric Arthur Blair (1903-1950) was an English novelist, essayist, journalist, and critic who wrote under the name George Orwell. He is one of England's most famous writers and social commentators.

Orwell's fiercely moral writing has consistently struck a chord with each passing generation. The intense honesty and insight of his essays and non-fiction made Orwell one of the foremost social commentators of his age. Added to this, his ability to construct elaborately imaginative fictional worlds, which he imbued with this acute sense of morality, has undoubtedly assured his contemporary and future relevance.

His unique political allegory, Animal Farm was published in 1945, and it was this novel, together with Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949), which brought him world-wide fame.

Orwell was also a prolific essayist, and it is for these works that he was perhaps best known during his lifetime. They include Why I Write and Politics and the English Language. His writing is at once insightful, poignant and entertaining, and continues to be read widely all over the world.