A revised omnibus edition of the author's retelling of Arthurian legends. The first three sections of this book were originally published separately: The Sword in the Stone (1939), The Witch in the Wood (1939; here called "The Queen of Air and Darkness"), The Ill-Made Knight (1940), and the previously unpublished section, "The Candle in the Wind." It is the magical epic of King Arthur and his shining Camelot; of Merlin and Owl and Guinevere; of beasts...

Wart is ignored by everyone except his tutor, Merlin, until he pulls the sword from the stone that declares him rightful king of England.

This magical account of King Arthur's last night on earth spent weeks on the New York Times best-seller list following its publication in 1977. Even in addressing the profound issues of war and peace, The Book of Merlyn retains the life and sparkle for which White is known. The tale brings Arthur full circle, an ending, White wrote, that "will turn my completed epic into a perfect fruit, 'rounded off and bright and done.'"

King Arthur, under the instruction of Merlin the magician, is transformed into a fish, a squirrel, and a bird, and explains how he is returned to normal and named king.

The English king dies leaving no heir. In the churchyard of a cathedral in London, a sword appears imbedded in a stone. It is inscribed with a prophecy. Although many try, no one can budge the sword from the stone. Deep in the dark woods, Merlin the Magician begins to teach 11-year-old Arthur, who lives in the castle of Sir Ector where he's an apprentice squire to Sir Kay. Arthur learns the basic truths of life, but he also runs into the evil Madam...