Publisher Description
L. Frank Baum’s timeless classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was the first uniquely American fairy tale. A combination of enchanting fantasy and piercing social commentary, this remarkable story has entertained and beguiled readers of all ages since it was first published in 1900. Ray Bradbury writes in his Introduction, “Both [Baum and Shakespeare] lived inside their heads with a mind gone wild with wanting, wishing, hoping, shaping, dreaming,” and it is this same hunger that makes all of us continue to seek out the story of Oz—and be nourished by it.
This Modern Library Paperback Classic is set from the text of the definitive first edition and includes the New York Times review of that edition as well as the original Preface by the author.
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Baum was a true educator, and those who read his Oz books are often made what they were not—imaginative, tolerant, alert to wonders, life.
—
Gore Vidal
About L. Frank Baum
Lyman Frank Baum (1856–1919), born in Chittenango, New York, was a journalist, dramatist, and writer best known for his fantasies about the land of Oz, the first being The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The success of this book led to his writing thirteen sequels. He wrote about sixty books in all, mostly for children.
About the Narrators
Brooke Shields is an award-winning actress and New York Times bestselling author. She lives in New York City with her husband, writer and producer Chris Henchy, and their two daughters.
Paul Rudd is an actor, comedian and screenwriter known for his roles in Clueless, The Cider House Rules, Wet Hot American Summer, Anchorman, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Dinner for Schmucks, and I Love You, Man.
He has also appeared on the NBC sitcom Friends and is frequently
featured on the Tim and Eric show.