the world's best literature, free!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the free downloads?
I clicked on the link, but just got a sent to another site. What happened?
I've downloaded the file, now how do I read it?
What's the book list for?
Why do I need an account?
What's the link with Amazon? Do you get a commission?
What information do you pass on to Amazon?
Where does Project Gutenberg fit it?
Which 3 countries border the Iguazu falls?
I found an error on the site. Who do I tell about it?

Where are the free downloads?

On the detail page for a book you will intially see any reviews we have for it. After a short pause (while the website sorts itself out) you'll see a list of links to other works by the author, hardcopy available and the bit you're after: a link saying 'Download the e-text of ...'

Click on this link and select 'Save the file to disk' (don't forget to jot down the file name and directory where you've saved it)

I clicked on the link, but just got a sent to another site. What happened?

Occasionally we cannot find the exact location of a text, but we know approximately where it is, so we send you to the source.
Just enter the book title or author name into the site's search engine and you'll find the download there. For extra kama: let us know the location on the feedback form and we'll update our link for future visitors.

I've downloaded the file, now how do I read it?

The text files are all compressed (zipped). To open a file for reading you will need a decompression program like WinZip

What's the book list for?

As you browse the site you'll find there are links to hardcopy books that exist in the real world. Some of them well worth having on your bookshelf. We're hoping you'll add these to your booklist and purchase them from our partner: Amazon.com.

People also use the bookslist to help them research titles and authors.
As you browse the hardcopy books you'll come across comments by amazon reviewers, many of them filled with useful facts and observations. Using the booklist you can collect these into one location before inflating them into that 1,500 word report that was due last Wednesday :-)

Why do I need an account?

You don't need an account to use the site, but having one will allow you to retain your booklist between visits and also post comments on the titles and authors (we stopped anonymous postings to deter the scribblers).

What's the link with Amazon? Do you get a commission?

Yes, we are an amazon affiliate. This means we can mine their information and link it with the free downloads here. In exchange, they receive customers from us and we receive a commission from every sale. This pays for running this site, allows us to donate a tithe to Project Gutenberg, and will allow us to retire in luxury one day (note: this has not happened yet).

What information do you pass on to Amazon?

Nothing personal. We just set up and fill a shopping trolley on the amazon.com site using your current book list. From there you will need to log into (or create) an Amazon account and provide them with your shipping and billing details.
In case you're wondering, amazon don't pass us back any info about you either, so your Mills and Boone buying habits are still a secret :-)

Where does Project Gutenberg fit it?

Project Gutenberg provides the downloadable e-texts you'll find on Abacci. For years PG have been scanning out-of-copyright texts and giving them away free on the web. We donate 20% of our profits to these tireless champions of classic literature.

Which 3 countries border the Iguazu falls?

Not that many people have asked this, but just in case someone does: the Iguazu falls are located between Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina and are reputed to be the best waterfalls in the world. I've never been there, but wouldn't mind a visit one day...

I found an error on the site. Who do I tell about it?

The seed pages for this site were generated automagically by a not-quite-perfect program and an uncaring computer, so there are bound to be a few o-oh's in here. If/when you find one, please click on the Contact Us link at the side of the offending page and you will get a form pre-filled with some of the pertinent information. Send it off and we'll get to work on rectifying the problem.
Our thanks in advance for pointing it out.