The Three Musketeers is a novel by the French writer, Alexandre Dumas, first published in serial form in 1844. Set in the 17th century, it recounts the adventures of a young man named d'Artagnan after he leaves home to become a guard of the Musketeers (a "musketeer" was a type of infantry soldier equipped with a musket). The poor d'Artagnan travels to Paris to join the Musketeers. He suffers misadventure and is challenged to a duel by each of three musketeers (Athos, Aramis and Porthos). Attacked by the Cardinal's guards, the four unite and escape. They become inseparable friends who live by the motto "all for one, one for all." The novel recounts their adventures as they become embroiled in various intrigues with the royalty of the day, including the French Queen, King Louis XIII, the Duke of Buckingham as well as other memorable characters, including Cardinal Richelieu and Milady de Winter. The novel has earned a place in literary history and been adapted to stage and film. This publication of The Three Musketeers is part of the Qualitas Classics Fireside Series, where pure, ageless classics are presented in clean, easy to read reprints. For a complete list of titles, see: http://www.qualitaspublishing.com