Audio Books Podcasts

Librivox: Western United States, The by Fairbanks, Harold W. show

Librivox: Western United States, The by Fairbanks, Harold W.Join Now to Follow

"In preparation of this book the author has had in mind the needs of the upper grammar grades. The subject matter has not been selected with the object of covering the field of Western geography in a systematic manner, but instead the attempt has been made to picture as graphically as may be some of its more striking and interesting physical features, and the influence which these features have exerted upon its discovery and settlement." (from the Preface of The Western United States)

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Librivox: Cuore by De Amicis, Edmondo show

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ENGLISH: Heart (Italian: Cuore) was a children's novel written by Italian author Edmondo De Amicis. It is set during the Italian unification, and includes several patriotic themes. It was issued by Treves on October 17, 1886, the first day of school in Italy, and rose to immediate success. The novel is written in a diary form as told by Enrico Bottini, a 10-year old primary school student in Italy with an upper class background who is surrounded by classmates of working class origin. The entire chronological setting corresponds to the third-grade season. Enrico's parents and older siblings sometimes correspond with Enrico through the means of his diary: his teacher assigns him with homework dealing with stories of children throughout the Italian states, who should serve as role models - the stories are then given in full as Enrico is supposed to have written them. Most topics revolve around moral values, and the predilect ones include helping those in need, love for family and friends, and patriotism. ITALIAN: Cuore è un romanzo scritto nel 1886 da Edmondo de Amicis, pubblicato nel 1888. Fu un grande successo, tanto che de Amicis divenne lo scrittore più letto d'Italia. L'ambientazione è l'indomani dell'unità d'Italia, e il testo ha il chiaro scopo di insegnare ai giovani cittadini del Regno le virtù civili, ossia l'amore per la patria, il rispetto per le autorità e per i genitori, lo spirito di sacrificio, l'eroismo, la carità, la pietà, l'obbedienza e la sopportazioni delle disgrazie. (Summary from Wikipedia)

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Librivox: Famous Men of Modern Times by Haaren, John H. show

Librivox: Famous Men of Modern Times by Haaren, John H.Join Now to Follow

Famous Men of Modern Times 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

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Librivox: Lilith by MacDonald, George show

Librivox: Lilith by MacDonald, GeorgeJoin Now to Follow

Lilith, written by the father of fantasy literature, George MacDonald, was first published in 1895. Its importance was recognized in its later revival in paperback by Ballantine Books as the fifth volume of the celebrated Ballantine Adult Fantasy series in September, 1969. Lilith is considered among the darkest of MacDonald's works, and among the most profound. It is a story concerning the nature of life, death and salvation. Many believe MacDonald is arguing for Christian universalism, or the idea that all will eventually be saved. (Summary from Wikipedia)

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Librivox: Selected Poems by Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell by Brontë sisters show

Librivox: Selected Poems by Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell by Brontë sistersJoin Now to Follow

Poems by Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell was a volume of poetry published jointly by the three Bronte sisters, Charlotte, Emily and Anne in 1846, and their first work to ever go in print. To evade contemporary prejudice against female writers, the Bronte sisters adopted androgynous first names. Marked by profound sentiments, gravity and melodious harmony, the poems are strewn on the fields of soulful love, rueful reminiscence and the immortal yearnings of a Christian soul, and represent a fragrant assemblage of noetic flowers from the glebes of olden England. For those not familiar with the Bronte sisters' poetry, it should be noted that many of their poems were written in the context of their fictional, shared worlds of Gondal and Angria. (Written by Ellis Christoff)

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Librivox: Life of Charlemagne, The (Notker) by Notker the Stammerer show

Librivox: Life of Charlemagne, The (Notker) by Notker the StammererJoin Now to Follow

Notker's work consists of anecdotes relating chiefly to the Emperor Charlemagne and his family. It was written for Charles the Fat, great-grandson of Charlemagne, who visited Saint Gall in 883. Traditionally, it has been scorned by traditional historians, who refer to the Monk as one who "took pleasure in amusing anecdotes and witty tales, but who was ill-informed about the true march of historical events". However, several of the Monk's tales, such as that of the nine rings of the Avar stronghold, have been used in modern biographies of Charlemagne. (Summary abstracted from Wikipedia by Karen Merline.)

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Librivox: As a Man Thinketh by Allen, James show

Librivox: As a Man Thinketh by Allen, JamesJoin Now to Follow

Allen's books illustrate the use of the power of thought to increase personal capabilities. Although he never achieved great fame or wealth, his works continue to influence people around the world, including the New Thought movement. Allen's most famous book, As a Man Thinketh, was published in 1902. It is now considered a classic self-help book. Its underlying premise is that noble thoughts make a noble person, while lowly thoughts make a miserable person. (Summary by Wikipedia)

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Librivox: Moral Equivalent of War, The by James, William show

Librivox: Moral Equivalent of War, The by James, WilliamJoin Now to Follow

The Moral Equivalent of War, the last public utterance of William James, is significant as expressing the opinions of a practical psychologist on a question of growing popular interest. For the past fifteen years the movement for promoting international peace has been enlisting the support of organizations and individuals the world over. That this is a question on which much may be said for the opposition, James, though a pacificist, admits with his usual fair-mindedness, pointing out that militarism is the sole nourisher of certain human virtues that the world cannot let die, and that until the peace party devises some substitute, some moral equivalent, for the disciplinary value of war, their utopian goal is neither desirable nor possible. His own solution is advanced not as a practical measure, but merely as an illustration to show that the world is full of opportunities for the peaceful development and continuation of the martial qualities of human life. This essay was written for general dissemination as a publication of the American Association for International Conciliation, February, 1910. As it not only presents a peace program but defines as well the most familiar arguments of the war party, no militarist article has been included, although it may be mentioned that a suggestive apology for war is to be found among De Quincey's Essays and also in Ruskin's Crown of Wild Olive. Additional documents on conciliation, approaching the question from innumerable points of view, are published by the Association mentioned above. (Summary by Harrison Ross Steeves and Frank Humphrey Ristine, editors.)

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Librivox: I see His Blood upon the Rose by Plunkett, Joseph Mary show

Librivox: I see His Blood upon the Rose by Plunkett, Joseph MaryJoin Now to Follow

LibriVox volunteers bring you 12 different recordings of I see His Blood upon the Rose by Joseph Mary Plunkett. This was the weekly poetry project for the week of March 9th, 2008.

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Librivox: Dick Sands the Boy Captain by Verne, Jules show

Librivox: Dick Sands the Boy Captain by Verne, JulesJoin Now to Follow

Dick Sands, a youth of fifteen, must assume command of a ship after the disappearance of its captain. Nature’s forces combined with evil doings of men lead him and his companions to many dangerous adventures on sea and in Central Africa.

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