Audio Books Podcasts

Librivox: Fêtes galantes by Verlaine, Paul show

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Fêtes galantes est un recueil de poèmes de Paul Verlaine, publié en 1869. (English translation): Fêtes galantes is a collection of poetry by Paul Verlaine, published in 1869. (Summary by Jc)

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Librivox: Fairyland of Science, The by Buckley, Arabella B. show

Librivox: Fairyland of Science, The by Buckley, Arabella B.Join Now to Follow

"I have promised to introduce you today to the fairy-land of science, -- a somewhat bold promise, seeing that most of you probably look upon science as a bundle of dry facts, while fairy-land is all that is beautiful, and full of poetry and imagination. But I thoroughly believe myself, and hope to prove to you, that science is full of beautiful pictures, of real poetry, and of wonder-working fairies; ..." (From the Introduction to The Fairyland of Science )

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Librivox: Strange Pages from Family Papers by Dyer, T. F. Thiselton show

Librivox: Strange Pages from Family Papers by Dyer, T. F. ThiseltonJoin Now to Follow

“Among other qualities which have been supposed to belong to a dead man’s hand, are its medicinal virtues, in connection with which may be mentioned the famous ‘dead hand,’ which was, in years past, kept at Bryn Hall, Lancashire… Thus the case is related of a woman who, attacked with the smallpox, had this dead hand in bed with her every night for six weeks, and of a poor lad living near Manchester who was touched with it for the cure of scrofulous sores.” Though not all chapters have such gruesome subjects as The Dead Hand, all are full of a curious mixture of superstition and local history that will delight and amuse the modern listener. (Summary by David Barnes).

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Librivox: Emma (version 2) by Austen, Jane show

Librivox: Emma (version 2) by Austen, JaneJoin Now to Follow

Emma is a comic novel by Jane Austen, first published in 1816, about the perils of misconstrued romance. The main character, Emma Woodhouse, is described in the opening paragraph as "handsome, clever, and rich" but is also rather spoiled. Prior to starting the novel, Austen wrote, "I am going to take a heroine whom no-one but myself will much like." (Summary by Wikipedia)

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Librivox: Blackfeet Indian Stories by Grinnell, George Bird show

Librivox: Blackfeet Indian Stories by Grinnell, George BirdJoin Now to Follow

The Blackfeet were hunters, travelling from place to place on foot. They used implements of stone, wood, or bone, wore clothing made of skins, and lived in tents covered by hides. Dogs, their only tame animals, were used as beasts of burden to carry small packs and drag light loads. The stories here told come down to us from very ancient times. Grandfathers have told them to their grandchildren, and these again to their grandchildren, and so from mouth to mouth, through many generations, they have reached our time.

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Librivox: Hurlbut's Story of the Bible Part Five by Hurlbut, Jesse Lyman show

Librivox: Hurlbut's Story of the Bible Part Five by Hurlbut, Jesse LymanJoin Now to Follow

Some years ago, the editor of an English magazine sent a communication to "the hundred greatest men in Great Britain" asking them this question: "If for any reason you were to spend a year absolutely alone, in a prison for instance, and could select from your library three volumes to be taken with you as companions in your period of retirement please to inform us what those three books would be." The inquiry was sent to peers of the realm, prominent leaders in politics, judges, authors, manufacturers, merchants, gentlemen of leisure—men who would represent every aspect of successful life. In the answers it was found that ninety-eight of the hundred men named "The Bible" first on the list of the three books to be chosen. (From Book introduction)

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Librivox: Story of Abraham Lincoln, The by Hamilton, Mary A. show

Librivox: Story of Abraham Lincoln, The by Hamilton, Mary A.Join Now to Follow

In this biography for young adults, Mary A. Hamilton gives a British person’s perspective on the 16th President of the United States. A glowing tribute to “Honest Abe”, the author traces Lincoln’s ancestral roots and recounts his birth in Kentucky, his youth in Indiana, his adult life in Illinois and his years in the White House. She also provides a good background on the causes and course of the American Civil War. Hamilton is not always historically precise. For example, she erroneously names Jefferson Davis as the Southern Democratic candidate for president running against Lincoln and Douglas in 1860 rather than John C. Breckinridge. However, overall “The Story of Abraham Lincoln” is a good summarization and interesting account of the life, values and politics of Lincoln. Cautions: Chapter 7 contains a single use of an epithet for African-Americans in a quotation from a British magazine. Chapter 8 ends with an example of a stereotypical Southern black dialect which many may find offensive. (Summary by John Lieder.)

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Librivox: Bear Creek Collection Volume 1 by Howard, Robert E. show

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Breckinridge Elkins is the roughest, toughest, fastest-shootin', hardest-fightin' feller in the Bear Creek settlement, and probably in the entire Humbolt Mountains. As he travels further from home, he single-handedly takes on outlaws, settles (and starts) feuds and tries his hand at romancing the girls. He also discovers a lot of strange customs among other folks, such as building houses out of boards and wearing clothes that ain't buckskins. Set in Nevada during the late 1800's, this collection of stories is a great rollicking romp through the American frontier as seen through the eyes of one of the most enjoyable characters created in the history of tall tales. (Summary by RK Wilcox)

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Librivox: O Solitude! if I must with thee dwell by Keats, John show

Librivox: O Solitude! if I must with thee dwell by Keats, JohnJoin Now to Follow

LibriVox volunteers bring you 16 different recordings of O Solitude! if I must with thee dwell by John Keats. This was the weekly poetry project for the week of May 11th, 2008.

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Librivox: Bible (ASV) 35: Habakkuk by American Standard Version show

Librivox: Bible (ASV) 35: Habakkuk by American Standard VersionJoin Now to Follow

Practically nothing is known about Habakkuk's personal history, except for what can be inferred from the text of his book, which consists of five oracles about the Chaldeans (Babylonians) and a song of praise to God. Since the Chaldean rise to power is dated c. 612 BC, it is assumed he was active about that time, making him an early contemporary of Jeremiah and Zephaniah. Jewish sources, however, do not group him with those two prophets, who are often placed together, so it is possible that he was slightly earlier than they. Because the final chapter of his book is a song, it is sometimes assumed in Jewish tradition that he was a member of the tribe of Levi, which served as musicians in Solomon's Temple. According to the Zohar (Volume 1, page 8b) Habakkuk is the boy born to the Shunamite woman through Elisha's blessing. Habakkuk is unique among the prophets in that he openly questions the wisdom of God.[citation needed] In the first part of the first chapter, the Prophet sees the injustice among his people and asks why God does not take action: "1:2 Yahweh, how long will I cry, and you will not hear? I cry out to you 'Violence!' and will you not save?" - (World English Bible). (Summary by Wikipedia)

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