The Wonderful Wizard of Oz must be one of the best-known, charming and unique children's stories ever but it is also more than a children's story, Oz stands as a demarcation point between American's rural past and urban future, harmoniously uniting a democratic spirit and a utopian vision with a prescient dark undercurrent that foreshadowed the Great Depression. This centennial edition, elegantly designed for all ages, includes rare and illuminating materials of interest to both first-time Oz readers and bibliophiles alike. About the Author L. Frank Baum is the author of 14 Oz books, as well as many other classics of American fantasy. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is the best known of his legendary books.