Podcast Directory

Librivox: Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, A by Twain, Mark show

Librivox: Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, A by Twain, MarkJoin Now to Follow

Come and hear the strange tail of The Boss Hank Morgan, a modern day (at the time of publication) Connecticut Yankee who inexplicably finds himself transported to the court of the legendary King Arthur (as the title of the book implies). Hank, or simply, The Boss, as he comes to be most frequently known, quickly uses his modern day knowledge and education to pass himself off as a great magician, to get himself out of all sorts of surprising, (and frequently amusing) situations, as well as to advance the technological and cultural status of the nation in which he finds himself. In the rather un-subtle sub-text of the story, Twain uses The Boss to express a surprisingly pragmatic and frequently contradictory philosophy. The Boss explores the relative merits of Democracy, and Monarchy, he expresses his views on the “Nature v. Nurture” debate, he frequently speaks forcefully against an established Church, but just as strongly advocates for religion and a variety of churches (just not a compulsory one) and he devotes at least one afternoon to introducing his companions to the concept of inflation. In a far more subtle, yet no less forceful manner, the Boss shares with the reader some views about taxation, slavery (both literal and wage slavery), trade unions, the origins of the German language, the nature of marriage, and probably most powerfully, death. It is a tall order for a relatively brief text, but Twain manages it all with surprising clarity. No one will agree fully with the Boss on all of these matters, and I would be surprised if Twain himself would. In fact the Boss’s views are so pragmatic, and often contradictory, the reader is left to wonder if Twain himself is alternately speaking through the Boss, and setting him up as a straw man. Either way it is a delightful story and a great piece of American Literature, to say nothing of an excellent argument for education. (Review written by Steve Andersen)

By LibriVox

Librivox: Parenticide Club, The by Bierce, Ambrose show

Librivox: Parenticide Club, The by Bierce, AmbroseJoin Now to Follow

Ambrose Bierce (1842 - 1914?), best known as journalist, satirist and short story writer. Cynical in outlook, economical in style; Bierce vanished while an observer with Pancho Villa's army. Four grotesque short stories about murder within the family, seen through the gently innocent eyes of family members ... usually the murderer himself. (Summary written by Peter Yearsley)

By LibriVox

Librivox: Awful German Language, The by Twain, Mark show

Librivox: Awful German Language, The by Twain, MarkJoin Now to Follow

If you’ve ever studied German (and maybe even if you haven’t), you’re likely to find this short essay to be hilarious. Published as Appendix D from Twain’s 1880 book A Tramp Abroad , this comedic gem outlines the pitfalls one will encounter when trying to wrap one’s mind around the torturous German cases, adjective endings, noun genders, and verb placement. (Summary by Kara)

By LibriVox

Librivox: Happy Prince and Other Tales, The by Wilde, Oscar show

Librivox: Happy Prince and Other Tales, The by Wilde, OscarJoin Now to Follow

Collection of children’s stories written in 1888, dealing primarily with love and selfishness. These stories are generally sad, with a moralistic message. The collection includes: The Happy Prince, The Nightingale and the Rose, The Selfish Giant, The Devoted Friend, and The Remarkable Rocket. (Summary written by Joy Chan)

By LibriVox

Librivox: Twas the Night Before Christmas (A Visit From St. Nicholas) by Moore, Clement Clarke show

Librivox: Twas the Night Before Christmas (A Visit From St. Nicholas) by Moore, Clement ClarkeJoin Now to Follow

Librivox volunteers bring you nine different readings of Clement C. Moore's 'Twas the Night Before Christmas , a weekly poetry project. (Summary by Annie Coleman)

By LibriVox

Librivox: Märchen 1 by Grimm, Jacob & Wilhelm show

Librivox: Märchen 1 by Grimm, Jacob & WilhelmJoin Now to Follow

Anfang des 19. Jahrhunderts begannen die Brüder Jacob und Wilhelm Grimm, traditionelle, bisher vor allem mündlich weitergegebene Erzählungen zusammenzutragen. Diese Sammlung ist als die Märchen der Gebrüder Grimm weltbekannt geworden und umfaßt so berühmte Geschichten wie Rapunzel, Hänsel und Gretel, Rumpelstilzchen, Rotkäppchen und viele andere. Diese Märchen wurden später stark editiert und 'beschönt'. Die hier vorliegenden Versionen entsprechen aber stärker den originalen, teils drastischen Fassungen. (Zusammenfassung von Rainer)

By LibriVox

Librivox: Tristan and Iseult by Bédier, Joseph show

Librivox: Tristan and Iseult by Bédier, JosephJoin Now to Follow

This is the Arthurian legend of Tristan and Iseult. It is a tale of love, honour, intrigue, betrayal and jealousy, ending ultimately in tragedy. This story predates that of Lancelot and Guinevere, and is one of the most influential romances of the medieval period, inspiring many artists, from story-tellers to painters to composers. (Summary by Joy Chan)

By LibriVox

Librivox: Leaves of Grass by Whitman, Walt show

Librivox: Leaves of Grass by Whitman, WaltJoin Now to Follow

American poet Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass, is a collection of poems notable for its frank delight in and praise of the senses, during a time when such candid displays were considered immoral. Where much previous poetry, especially English, relied on symbolism, allegory, and meditation on the religious and spiritual, Leaves of Grass exalted the body and the material world. Whitman was inspired to begin Leaves of Grass after reading an essay by Ralph Waldo Emerson which expressed a need for a uniquely American poet. When the book was first published, Whitman sent a copy to Emerson, whose praiseful letter of response helped launch the book to success. Whitman’s hero, Abraham Lincoln, read and enjoyed an early version of Leaves of Grass. Despite such high recommendations, Whitman faced charges of obscenity and immorality for his work, but this only led to increased popularity of the book. Whitman continually revised and republished Leaves of Grass throughout his lifetime, notably adding the “Drum-Taps” section after Lincoln’s assassination. The book grew from 12 poems in its first publication, which Whitman paid for and typeset himself, to nearly 400 poems in its final, “Death Bed Edition.” This recording is of the final edition. (Summary adapted from wikipedia.org by Annie Coleman)

By LibriVox

Librivox: Aesop's Fables, Volume 07 (Fables 151-175) by Aesop show

Librivox: Aesop's Fables, Volume 07 (Fables 151-175) by AesopJoin Now to Follow

Dating back to the 6th century BC, Aesop's Fables tell universal truths through the use of simple allegories that are easily understood. Though almost nothing is known of Aesop himself, and some scholars question whether he existed at all, these stories stand as timeless classics known in almost every culture in the world. This is volume 7 of 12. (Summary by Chip)

By LibriVox

Librivox: Pride and Prejudice by Austen, Jane show

Librivox: Pride and Prejudice by Austen, JaneJoin Now to Follow

Pride and Prejudice is the most famous of Jane Austen’s novels, and its opening is one of the most famous lines in English literature - “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” Its manuscript was first written between 1796 and 1797, and was initially called First Impressions , but was never published under that title. Following revisions it was published on 28 January 1813 by the same Mr. Egerton of the Military Library, Whitehall, who had brought out Sense and Sensibility . Like both its predecessor and Northanger Abbey , it was written at Steventon Rectory. (Summary from wikipedia)

By LibriVox