Certain tales stick in our memories and remain timeless as the years march on--and they shine like never before in this compilation from Reader's Digest. Our editors have carefully selected narratives readers have adored throughout the past century; humorous slices of life in decades past, captivating tales of survival against the odds, sweet stories about cherished animal companions and side-splitting commentaries on everyday annoyances. Each remains as resonant and meaningful today as it was when it first appeared in the pages of Reader's Digest magazine, such as:

• A man's chance meeting with Einstein at a chamber music performance, and another's encounter with Hemingway
• A harrowing account of a courageous skydiving instructor's determination to save an unconscious diver
• A woman's first-person tale of remaining awake as she received a brain operation

In addition, the book features bonus material never before published in the magazine, along with full-color illustrations and inspiring quotes.