Maxim Gorky (1868-1936) came from the poorest of backgrounds and received only a fragmented education. During extensive wanderings, which he later referred to as his "universities," he became acquainted with the almost boundless poverty of the Russian population. He drew upon this wealth of experience for his numerous realistic stories and plays, which earned him the reputation of a popular writer. This volume contains some of the best stories from the author's early period, including the longer novellas "Cain and Artem" and "Warenjka Ollessowa.".