Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) was a major English poet and novelist; his works, often set in the fictional county of Wessex, are memorable for their realism and criticism of social constraints. This book, the first volume of a two volume selected collection of his works, includes 'Under the Greenwood Tree', 'A Pair of Blue Eyes', 'Far From the Madding Crowd', 'The Return of the Native', 'The Trumpet-Major' and 'The Mayor of Casterbridge'.