The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

L. Frank Baums 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.

L. FRANK BAUM  was born on May 15, 1856, in Chittenango, New York. He grew up on a country estate called 'Rose Lawn', his father having made a fortune. As an adult, he worked in the theatre, newspapers, and magazines, manufactured an axel grease, managed a general store, and raised chickens! In 1900, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was published and became an overnight success. Two years later a musical of the book was produced on stage with Baum writing the lyrics.  Baum wrote 13 Oz books and nine other fantasies. More authors contributed to the Oz series, making a total of 40! The famous movie starring Judy Garland came out in 1939, 20 years after Baum's death in 1919.