Literature Podcasts
Librivox: Memoirs of Colonel John S. Mosby, The by Mosby, John S.Join Now to Follow
This is not a work of fiction! These are the actual memoirs of a legendary leader of partisans who bedeviled the Union army for years, almost within sight of the capitol. With only a few local men under command, John Singleton Mosby's ability to strike fast and then melt away before an effective pursuit could be organized kept the Yankee forces awake and often snarled in knots. With daring feats like capturing a Yankee general out of his bed within his defended headquarters, Mosby made his name a synonym for guerrilla warfare. Even today you can purchase in Middleburg, Virginia, a map showing "Mosby's Confederacy." The mettle of the man may be judged by the enemies he kept. Said General Joseph Hooker, "I may here state that while at Fairfax Court House my cavalry was reinforced by that of Major-General Stahel. The latter numbered 6,100 sabres. . . . The force opposed to them was Mosby's guerrillas, numbering about 200, and, if the reports of the newspapers were to be believed, this whole party was killed two or three times during the winter. From the time I took command of the army of the Potomac, there was no evidence that any force of the enemy, other than the above-named, was within 100 miles of Washington City; and yet the planks on the chain bridge were taken up at night the greater part of the winter and spring." Mosby outraged many of his Southern admirers after the war when he publicly endorsed General U.S. Grant for President. After an appointment as U.S. Consul to Hong Kong and a 16-year career with the Southern Pacific Railroad, he came to Washington as an assistant attorney in the Department of Justice. Loyal to the end to his commander, J.E.B. Stuart, Mosby also answered accusations that Stuart's grandstanding cost Lee the battle of Gettysburg.
By LibriVox
Librivox: Ruth by Gaskell, Elizabeth CleghornJoin Now to Follow
The book is a social novel, dealing with Victorian views about sin and illegitimacy. It is a surprisingly compassionate portrayal of a 'fallen woman', a type of person normally outcast from respectable society. The title of the novel refers to the main character Ruth Hilton, an orphaned young seamstress who is seduced and then abandoned by gentleman Henry Bellingham. Ruth, pregnant and alone, is taken in by a minister and his sister. They conceal her single status under the pretence of widowhood in order to protect her child from the social stigma of illegitimacy. Ruth goes on to gain a respectable position in society as a governess, which is threatened by the return of Bellingham and the revelation of her secret. (Wikipedia)
By LibriVox
Librivox: Varied Types by Chesterton, G. K.Join Now to Follow
Another delightful and sharply pointed excursion into the topics of the day, and of our day as well, with Gilbert Keith Chesterton. Here he uses his wit and mastery of paradox to bring into focus a number of historical persons who in many ways typify the people who presently shape our world and who in their own right have already shaped Western civilization. These reprinted magazine articles are filled with his good natured wit and devastating ability to use reductio ad absurdum to destroy the popular myths that drive our society at full-speed into, and expose the utter nonsense that underlies, secular humanism. You will come away with yet another new collection of wonderful quotes. - Summary by Ray Clare)
By LibriVox
Librivox: Famous Men of Greece by Haaren, John H.Join Now to Follow
Famous Men of Greece is a series of biographical sketches written for the purpose of making the study of history lively and interesting by giving insight into the men who lived during this time. (Summary by Laura Caldwell)
By LibriVox
Librivox: Bible (ASV) 19: Psalms by American Standard VersionJoin Now to Follow
"Psalms is a book of the Hebrew Bible included in the collected works known as the Writings. Psalms were written by various writers, including Israel's King David. The Book of Psalms is divided into five books: Book 1 -- Psa. 1-41; Book 2 -- Psa. 42-72; Book 3 -- Psa. 73-89; Book 4 -- Psa. 90-106; and Book 5 -- Psa. 107-150. The collection includes the following types of psalm, among others: Psalms for praise, guidance, consolation, recognition of God's creation, the need for repentance. Certain Psalms, such as Psa. 22 and Psa. 110 are accepted by Christians and certain Jews as messianic or containing messianic prophecies." (From Wikipedia, modified by Sam Stinson)
By LibriVox
Librivox: Way of All Flesh, The by Butler, SamuelJoin Now to Follow
The Way of All Flesh (1903) is a semi-autobiographical novel by Samuel Butler which attacks Victorian-era hypocrisy. Written between 1873 and 1884, it traces four generations of the Pontifex family. It represents the diminishment of religious outlook from a Calvinistic approach, which is presented as harsh. Butler dared not publish it during his lifetime, but when it was published it was accepted as part of the general revulsion against Victorianism. This novel ranks number 12 of the 100 Great Novels of the 20th Century as chosen by the Modern Library Board of Editors (Summary from Wikipedia)
By LibriVox
Librivox: Mare au diable, La by Sand, GeorgeJoin Now to Follow
Sur l'avis de son beau-père, malgré sa réticence, le laboureur Germain, veuf de vingt-huit ans, va se rendre à Fourche pour rencontrer celle qui deviendra peut-être la nouvelle mère de ces trois petits enfants, la fille du père Léonard, jeune veuve elle aussi. Apprenant ce déplacement, la mère Guillette demande qu'il emmène avec lui sa fille, Marie, qui s'en va travailler comme bergère dans la région. En cours de route, la nuit tombe. Le brouillard se lève et les voilà perdus, dans les bois, au bord d'une mare... His father-in-law insisting upon it, Germain goes to Fourche to meet a young widow who might become the new mother of his three children. Doing so, he accompanies Marie, a young girl from his village, who is going to work on a farm in that area. As the night comes, they get lost in a wood, next to a pool... (Summary by Ezwa)
By LibriVox
Librivox: Renascence and Other Poems by Millay, Edna St. VincentJoin Now to Follow
Summary text The following is a recording of the first volume of poetry published by Edna St. Vincent Millay. When the author had graduated from high school, she couldn't afford to go to college. In the summer of 1912, Vincent's sister, Norma, found work as a waitress at a hotel near where they lived. One night, Norma insisted that Vincent attend a masquerade ball, given at the hotel, if only to get Vincent out of the house and to meet people. Vincent finally gave in, and while there, sang songs and recited "Renascence," the first poem in this collection. This immediately won over the support of one "Miss Dow," who would help Vincent raise enough money to attend Vassar College. From there, she would meet others and become fully entrenched in, and later a major influence on, the literary community. (According to Savage Beauty, by Nancy Milford.) (Summary by Linda Leu)
By LibriVox
Librivox: Importance of Being Earnest, The (version 2) by Wilde, OscarJoin Now to Follow
Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff discover the perils of love, assumed identities, and telling the truth in Oscar Wilde's classic play. (Summary by Toby Paradis)
By LibriVox
Librivox: Adresse à l'Assemblée nationale, pour l'abolition de la traite des Noirs by Société des Amis des NoirsJoin Now to Follow
La Société des Amis des Noirs est une association créée le 19 février 1788 qui avait pour but l'abolition immédiate de la traite des Noirs et non de l'esclavage; d'une part dans le souci de maintenir l'économie des colonies françaises, et d'autre part dans l'idée qu'avant d'accéder à la liberté, les Noirs devaient y être préparés, et donc éduqués. L'adresse à l'Assemblée nationale qui vous est proposée ici date du 5 février 1790. The Society of the Friends of the Blacks (French: Société des amis des Noirs or Amis des noirs) was a group of French men, mostly white, which were abolitionists (opponents of Black slavery and the African slave trade). The association was created on February 19, 1788, and was led by Jacques-Pierre Brissot, with advice from Thomas Clarkson who headed the abolitionist movement in the Kingdom of Great Britain. At the beginning of 1789, it had 141 members. The reply to the National Assembly which is presented here dates from the 5th February 1790 (from Wikipedia)
By LibriVox
