December Quote of the Month: "I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. "

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!" 
- A Christmas Carol (from The Complete Works of Charles Dickens)

Cosimo is continuing our month of all things Dickens with The Complete Works of Charles Dickens as our December Quote of the Month!

Charles Dickens is iconic, legendary, and masterfully clever. In these thirty beautiful volumes, which include each and every work written by Charles Dickens, readers can immerse themselves in the mind of one of history's most celebrated literary geniuses. He is entirely responsible for the popular image of Victorian London that still lingers today, and his many celebrated characters are mentioned time and time again. But it was his stirring portraits and his fervent cries for social, moral, and legal justice for the working poor in the grim early decades of the Industrial Revolution that powerfully impacted social concerns well into the 20th century.

This essential collector's set will excite librarians, professors, students of literature, and the passionate reader. Cosimo offers this series by individual volume at leading online bookstores or as a full 30-volume set in hardcover or paperback. If you are interested in purchasing the full set, please contact us.

The Night Before Christmas, Now Available from Cosimo!

"'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house / Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse"
 - From The Night Before Christmas

Just in time for holiday celebrations, all of us at Cosimo are very excited to announce a new Classic we have added to our catalog.

The Night Before Christmas, originally published as A Visit from St. Nicholas on December 23, 1823, in the Troy Sentinel, became America's favorite Christmas poem. After the poem was published anonymously, it was attributed to Clement Clark Moore in 1837. However, scholars have debated the identity of the author of this poem and some believe it was written by Henry Livingston, Jr., (1748-1828), a New York farmer who also wrote poetry.

The Night Before Christmas has had a great influence on the American notion of Santa Claus and on its tradition of Christmas gift-giving, which, before the poem, had been inspired by the Dutch figure of St. Nicholas. This unique edition of the famed Christmas poem, features the original engravings, from 1849, by T.C. Boyd.

This American classic is a great gift for the Christmas season as well as for collectors of traditional American literature.

December Organization of the Month: The Charles Dickens Museum

We are happy to announce The Charles Dickens Museum as our December Organization of the Month!

Located at 48 Doughty Street in London and open seven days of the week from 10am until 5pm, The Charles Dickens Museum is the perfect place to stop by this holiday season! Current exhibits include performances of A Christmas Carol,  costumed Christmas walks, ghost story retellings, and much more.

Explore the great author's dining room, servants' quarters, and even study, where you can see the very desk where many of his books and articles were written. Learn more about his family, his legacy, and the history of England during your visit.

Plan your visit today!

December eBook of the Month: George Washington’s Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior

In the spirit of giving during this holiday season, we are highlighting George Washington's Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior as our eBook of the month.

The history of George Washington’s Rules of Civility &Decent Behavior is a bit unusual and unclear; scholars seem to agree that Washington’s 110 rules are the result of a penmanship exercise, in which a teenage Washington copied a set of maxims originally compiled by French Jesuits in the 1590s. Somehow the translated text found its way to Virginia, and somehow it was assigned to a young Washington as an educational exercise. The result is a collection of maxims (with either Washington’s or his instructors’ additions) that dictate the behavior of a young man in civil society.

Washington’s Rules of Civility were part of his personal papers, purchased by Congress and now housed in the Library of Congress. Many historians consider this document a sort of “foundational  document” that details the tenets which later governed Washington's behavior as an adult. Indeed, Washington was known for his kindness and deportment, though it is mere speculation that the Rules contained in this penmanship exercise are the root of Washington's civility.

Statesman or no, George Washington's Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior is a fascinating and informative historical text detailing the rules of behavior for a bygone era—many of which are still pertinent today. Rules dictates the behavior of one in company, emphasizing kindness, conscience, and cleanliness. While today’s reader may not need reminding to keep their feet away from “the fire, especially if there be meat before it,” many of the Rules hold true today.

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December Series of the Month: The Complete Works of Charles Dickens

With Christmas only a few weeks away, it's inevitable that Scrooge and Oliver Twist will be popping up on everyone's television. However, Charles Dickens' fascinating works are truest in their original form--books. This month, Cosimo is excited to present The Complete Works of Charles Dickens as our December Series of the Month.

Charles Dickens is iconic, legendary, and masterfully clever. In these thirty beautiful volumes, which include each and every work written by Charles Dickens, readers can immerse themselves in the mind of one of history's most celebrated literary geniuses. He is entirely responsible for the popular image of Victorian London that still lingers today, and his many celebrated characters are mentioned time and time again. But it was his stirring portraits and his fervent cries for social, moral, and legal justice for the working poor in the grim early decades of the Industrial Revolution that powerfully impacted social concerns well into the 20th century.

This essential collector's set will excite librarians, professors, students of literature, and the passionate reader. Cosimo offers this series by individual volume at leading online bookstores or as a full 30-volume set in hardcover or paperback. If you are interested in purchasing the full set, please contact us.

The paperback retail list price for this series is: $389.70 but now our price is: $311.99 (you save $77.71 or a 20 percent discount) and free shipping.

The hardcover retail list price for this series is: $899.70, but now our price is: $719.99 (you save $179.71 or a 20 percent discount) and free shipping.

December Classic of the Month: Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates

This December, pick up a classic for the little one in your life! We recommend our Book of the Month, Hans Brinker by Mary Mapes Dodge and illustrated by Alice Carsey as the perfect stocking stuffer.

A beloved childhood favorite for a century and a half (and a book that readers continue to enjoy and appreciate long into adulthood), Hans Brinker, or The Silver Skates went through more than 100 editions during the author's lifetime alone.

First published in 1865, this replica of the 1917 edition features the exquisite illustrations by Alice Carsey, whose sensitive eye and delicate pen-and-ink lines enliven the tale of the poor but virtuous Dutch boy in a way that few other artists have achieved. This replica edition brings the enchanting work of Dodge and Carsey to a new generation of children.

Dodge's book takes place in the Netherlands and is a fictional portrait of early 19th-century Dutch life. The perfect gift for the children's lit lover, young adult reader, and avid bookworms in your life.

About the Author
Author and editor Mary Mapes Dodge (1831-1905) was born in New York City. She served as editor of the children's magazine St. Nicholas, to which she attracted such writers as Mark Twain, Louisa May Alcott, Robert Louis Stevenson, Frances Hodgson Burnett, and Rudyard Kipling. She also authored the short-fiction collection Irvington Stories (1864).

December Book of the Month: The Joy of Ritual by Barbara Biziou

December is upon us and we are getting into the holiday spirit! Prepare for Christmas and Hanukkah by reading our Book of the Month, The Joy of Ritual by Barbara Biziou.

Ritual is a universal language that gives substance and meaning to our lives. People are eager to honor the significant moments in their lives and Barbara Biziou, one of America's foremost ritual experts, teaches us how to restore ritual to its rightful place as food for the soul through practical, easy-to-use ritual recipes that are inspiring and fun.

Rituals can enhance daily routines, enrich milestones, and guide us through difficult transitions. Whether you're releasing fear, bringing deeper meaning to a family or community gathering, or celebrating an important event, The Joy of Ritual is like a wise best friend that reconnects us to our hearts and souls.

About the Author
Barbara Biziou is an interfaith minister, motivational speaker, and a life-strategy coach. She is the author of The Joy of Ritual & The Joy of Family Rituals, as well as a Huffington Post blogger, executive consultant, dynamic public speaker, and national TV personality. Biziou has a deep commitment to integrating practical spirituality into people's lives, both personally and professionally. She is a frequent guest on radio and television and has appeared in the New York Times, Body and Soul, Harper's Bazaar and Parent's Magazine.

Cosimo offers this title in paperback at leading online bookstores including Barnes & Noble and Amazon, and also as an eBook.

Consider 1% for the Planet as You Plan Your Philanthropic Gifts

As we approach the holiday season when many citizens make charitable donations, please keep in mind an organization Cosimo often works with, 1% for the Planet during your selections this month.

Cosimo joined 1% for the Planet in 2012, an organization of over 1,200 companies in 48 countries that support sustainable causes by donating 1% of their sales to a network of almost 3,700 approved environmental organizations worldwide. To date over $100 million has been donated to this network of environmental organizations.

As Cosimo's mission is to create a smart and sustainable society by publishing books covering wisdom through the ages, it was a natural step to join 1% for the Planet. In recent years, Cosimo has helped support the following organizations:

- EcoHealth Alliance
- charity:water
- Green Map System
- ioby
- Just Food
- Oceana
- Solar One
- The Turtle Conservancy
- World Monuments Fund
- and more!



About 1% for the Planet
Started in 2002 by Yvon Chouinard, founder and owner of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, owner of Blue Ribbon Flies, 1% for the Planet is a growing global movement of member companies that donate to environmental organizations worldwide. As a network, the 1% community has become a front runner in funding the work of environmental groups around the world. Readers can find out more, straight from Yvon and Craig, in this video.

1% is Looking Ahead

This summer, 1% will be launching their first consumer-facing campaign to inspire individuals to take measurable actions on behalf of our planet. Watch their Facebook page for the latest news and updates.