Audio Books Podcasts

Librivox: Pirates of Panama by Exquemelin, AlexandreJoin Now to Follow
This volume was originally written in Dutch by John Esquemeling, and first published in Amsterdam in 1678 under the title of De Americaeneche Zee Roovers. It immediately became very popular and this first hand history of the Buccaneers of America was soon translated into the principal European languages. The first English edition was printed in 1684. Esquemeling served the Buccaneers in the capacity of barber-surgeon, and was present at all their exploits. Little did he suspect that his first hand observations would some day be cherished as the only authentic and true history of the Buccaneers and Marooners of the Spanish Main. From time to time new editions of this work have been published, but in many cases much new material, not always authentic, has been added and the result has been to mar the original narrative as set forth by Esquemeling. In arranging this edition, the original English text only has been used, and but few changes made by cutting out the long and tedious description of plant and animal life of the West Indies of which Esquemeling had only a smattering of truth. But, the history of Captain Morgan and his fellow buccaneers is here printed almost identical with the original English translation, and we believe it is the first time this history has been published in a suitable form for the juvenile reader with no loss of interest to the adult. (Summary excerpted from the Introduction)
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Librivox: Great Expectations (Version 1) by Dickens, CharlesJoin Now to Follow
This classic tale tells of an orphan, Pip, who through a series of strange circumstances first finds a trade as a blacksmith's apprentice and then learns that he has "great expectations" of a future inheritance from an anonymous benefactor. He soon learns to live the profligate life of a gentleman as he gradually sheds his associations with the gentle souls of his past, Joe (the blacksmith) and Biddy (a level-headed young lady). He throws his money at improving the prospects of his roommate and friend Herbert and his heart at an "ice princess" whose heart will never respond. But then an escaped convict from his distant past comes calling, and all Pip's hopes dissolve. (Summary by Mark F. Smith)
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Librivox: Julia Ried by Alden, IsabellaJoin Now to Follow
Authored by Isabella M. Alden under the pen name "Pansy." Sequel to "Ester Ried." Julia Ried must take a job as a bookkeeper in a factory to earn a living. The mistress of her boardinghouse influences her in a negative way, drawing her into a life and attitude displeasing to God. Will her family and friends be able to convince her stand up for what's right? (Summary written by TriciaG)
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Librivox: Auf Schneeschuhen übers Gebirge by Nansen, FridtjofJoin Now to Follow
Fridtjof Nansen erzählt hier in Ich Form von einer Expedition mit Scheeschuhen in den Norwegischen Bergen. Die Reise führte ihn von Bergen nach Kristiania und nach Voss.
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Librivox: Bible (KJV) NT 03: Luke by King James VersionJoin Now to Follow
The Gospel of Luke is the most literary of the four gospels which recount the life and work of Jesus Christ. Although anonymous, the book is generally attributed to Luke, a physician and a missionary companion of the Apostle Paul. His account contains events which are unique in the four gospels including the visits of Gabriel to Mary and Zacharias, the visit of the shepherds to the birth of Jesus, and the story of the young Jesus at the temple. This gospel contains the most references to women and is favorable to the Gentiles for whom it was written. Perhaps the most well-known of all New Testament passages is the second chapter of Luke which tells of the birth of Christ. (Summary by Susan Denny)
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Librivox: Chronicles of Canada Volume 15 - The War Chief of the Ottawas : A chronicle of the Pontiac war by Marquis, Thomas GuthrieJoin Now to Follow
This is the history of Pontiac's Conspiracy, 1763-1765. It includes the siege of Detroit and his ultimate defeat. Summary by Esther.
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Librivox: Willem Roda by Heimans, EliJoin Now to Follow
Het leven van Willem Roda, zoon van een rijke Amsterdamse bankier, verandert drastisch als zijn vader plotseling al zijn geld verliest. Er volgt een aaneenschakeling van avonturen, die hem ondere andere voeren naar een jongensgesticht bij Doetinchem, een hutje op de Veluwe, de mergelgrotten bij Maastricht en de binnenlanden van Australie (waar de oorspronkelijke bewoners met een negentiende eeuwse blik beschreven worden). Een klassieker uit de Nederlandse jeugdliteratuur.
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Librivox: Reinaart de Vos by AnonymousJoin Now to Follow
Het episch dierdicht "Van den Vos Reynaerde", geschreven in het Middelnederlands in de 13e eeuw, geldt als een hoogtepunt in de Nederlandse middeleeuwse literatuur. Het epos verhaalt van de schurkenstreken van Reinaert de Vos, die zo listig is dat hij iedereen weet beet te nemen. Deze vertaling uit 1885 is van Julius de Geyter. Uit zijn inleiding: "Reinaart de Vos, dat meesterstuk onzer Letterkunde, bestaat uit twee deelen: het eene, dat men gewoonlijk het eerste boek noemt, is omtrent den jare 1250 in Vlaanderen geschreven door een man van genie; het zoogenaamde tweede boek , ongeveer 150 jaren later waarschijnlijk ook door een Vlaming opgesteld, is nauwelijks het werk van een man van talent. De eerste onzer beide dichters, zooals d'eposschrijvers immer deden, had al d'avonturen van zijnen held bijeengezameld, er met een meesterhand de grondstof uitgegrepen, en ze tot een kunstjuweel verwerkt. Naar zijn eigen oordeel, was zijn gedicht gansch de geschiedenis van Reinaart, wat er dan ook over dezen nog meer was geschreven of in den mond des volks voortleefde. Onze tweede schrijver, anderhalv' eeuw nadien, heeft nu juist dat overtollig geoordeelde ook te boek gesteld, en begin en slot van zijns voorgangers meesterstuk veranderd, om er zijn vervolg min of meer passend te kunnen aansluiten." Deze vertaling omvat alleen het zogenaamde "eerste boek". Reading of a 19th century Dutch translation of a 13th century Middle Dutch rhymed version of the story of Reynard the Fox.
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Librivox: Childhood's Favorites and Fairy Stories by VariousJoin Now to Follow
Since this series of books is intended for all young people from one to one hundred, it opens with about eighty of the old MOTHER GOOSE RHYMES. Nothing better was ever invented to tell to little folks who are young enough for lullabies. Their rhythm, their humor, and thei pith will always cause us to prize them as the Babies' Classics. Editors: Hamilton Wright Mabie, Edward Everett Hale, William Byron Forbush.(Gutenberg Text)
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Librivox: Old Peter's Russian Tales by Ransome, ArthurJoin Now to Follow
Arthur Ransome is best known for his Swallows and Amazons series of children’s books. This is the only example of his fiction in the public domain. These stories are all from Russian folklore, some comparatively well-known, others less so. Ransome spent some years in Russia as a newspaper correspondent for the Daily News and the Manchester Guardian and was peripherally involved in the revolution. In the late twenties he married Evgenia Shvelpina, Trotsky's secretary, retired from newspapers and started writing his children’s books. (Summary by AJM)
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