Arts Podcasts

Librivox: בחורף In Winter by יוסף חיים ברנר Brenner, Yosef Haim show

Librivox: בחורף In Winter by יוסף חיים ברנר Brenner, Yosef HaimJoin Now to Follow

This reading is in Hebrew. Yosef Haim Brenner (1881-1921) was a Ukrainian-born Hebrew-language author, one of the pioneers of modern Hebrew literature. Born to a poor family, Brenner grew up in grinding poverty. Brenner immigrated to Palestine (then part of the Ottoman Empire) in 1909. He worked as a farmer, eager to put his Zionist ideology into practice. Later he devoted himself to literature and teaching at the Gymnasia Herzliya in Tel Aviv. He was murdered in southern Tel Aviv in May 1921 in the course of the anti-Jewish Arab riots known as the “massacres of 1921″. Brenner published his second book, "In winter", in 1904. It is a collection of 4 stories about hardships of simple poor Jews living in small towns in Eastern Europe, at the time of anti-Jewish massacres in Russia at the turn of the 20s century. (summary by Wikipedia and Omri Lernau)

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Librivox: Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm by Wiggin, Kate Douglas show

Librivox: Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm by Wiggin, Kate DouglasJoin Now to Follow

Rebecca goes to live with her two stern aunts in a village in Maine. Her joy for life ends up inspiring them. (summary from Wikipedia)

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Librivox: Life in a Thousand Worlds by Harris, William Shuler show

Librivox: Life in a Thousand Worlds by Harris, William ShulerJoin Now to Follow

A jolly romp, which could be described as Gulliver's Travels Through Our Solar System and Beyond, as written by C. S. Lewis on a rainy Sunday afternoon after one too many mugs of cocoa.

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Librivox: In Chancery (Forsyte Saga Vol. 2) by Galsworthy, John show

Librivox: In Chancery (Forsyte Saga Vol. 2) by Galsworthy, JohnJoin Now to Follow

'The Forsyte Saga' is the story of a wealthy London family stretching from the eighteen-eighties until the nineteen-twenties. In Chancery is the second book in the saga. Five years have passed since Irene left Soames and the death of Bosinney. Old Jolyon meets Irene and is enchanted by her. At his death he leaves her a legacy sufficient for her to live an independent life in Paris. Soames who is desperate for a son, attempts to effect a rapprochement but is rejected by her. Meanwhile Young Jolyon, now a widower,who is Irene’s trustee falls in love with her. Soames suspects Young Jolyon and Irene of adultery and sues for divorce. His action is successful. Young Jolyon and Irene marry. She bears him a son, John. Soames remarries. His wife Annette bears him a daughter, Fleur. (Summary by Andy Minter)

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Librivox: Floor Games by Wells, H. G. show

Librivox: Floor Games by Wells, H. G.Join Now to Follow

H.G. Wells had so much fun playing with his children on the floor of their playroom, he decided to write a jovial little book to inspire other parents in their pursuit of quality time with the kids. While the raw materials available from hobby stores of his day were woefully short of the variety and quality of what can be bought easily now, he and his sons created their own worlds to rule. This short work describes two games of imagination played out upon the floor of his home - an archipelago of islands, and a thoroughly integrated city, conveniently organized with two mayoral positions for his sons “G.P.W.” and “F.R.W.” While the toy people appearing in their worlds were often of martial nature, Wells decided to leave decription of military games to a later book: “Little Wars.”

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Librivox: Raggedy Ann Stories by Gruelle, Johnny show

Librivox: Raggedy Ann Stories by Gruelle, JohnnyJoin Now to Follow

To the millions of children and grown-ups who have loved a Rag Doll, the author dedicated these stories. Now listen as eight voices read to you Raggedy Ann's exciting adventures, as gentle and charming today, as they were when first published in 1918. Find out what is written on her candy heart, what was the gift the fairies brought, and all about Raggedy Ann's new sisters. (summary by Cori)

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Librivox: Passionate Pilgrim, The by Shakespeare, William show

Librivox: Passionate Pilgrim, The by Shakespeare, WilliamJoin Now to Follow

The Passionate Pilgrim was published by William Jaggard, later the publisher of Shakespeare's First Folio. The first edition survives only in a single fragmentary copy; its date cannot be fixed with certainty since its title page is missing, though many scholars judge it likely to be from 1599, the year the second edition appeared with the attribution to Shakespeare. This version of The Passionate Pilgrim, contains 15 romantic sonnets and short poems. The works contained, while disputed as to authorship are in this writer's most humble opinion, among the best of the age. (Summary by Caliban and Wikipedia)

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Librivox: Sonnet 028 by Shakespeare, William show

Librivox: Sonnet 028 by Shakespeare, WilliamJoin Now to Follow

LibriVox volunteers bring you 12 different recordings of Sonnet 28 by William Shakespeare. This was the weekly poetry project for the week of August 26th, 2007.

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Librivox: Love-Songs of Childhood by Field, Eugene show

Librivox: Love-Songs of Childhood by Field, EugeneJoin Now to Follow

This book contains verse for young and old. It is full of fantastic stories, breathtaking images, and brilliant rhymes. Including classics from "The Duel" to "The Delectable Ballad of Walter Lot," the author, a devout Christian, keeps his religious overtones to a minimum. When listening, please keep in mind that the text was originally written in the 1800s. -- Summary by Squid Varilekova

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Librivox: Tarzan of the Apes by Burroughs, Edgar Rice show

Librivox: Tarzan of the Apes by Burroughs, Edgar RiceJoin Now to Follow

Tarzan of the Apes is Burroughs’ exciting, if improbable, story of an English lord, left by the death of his stranded parents in the hands of a motherly African ape who raises him as her own. Although he is aware that he is different from the apes of his tribe, who are neither white nor hairless, he nevertheless regards them as his “people.” When older, larger, stronger apes decide that he an undesirable to be killed or expelled from the tribe, it is fortunate that Tarzan has learned the use of primitive weapons. Although small and weak by ape standards, Tarzan is a human of god-like strength and agility to men who discover him. By studying these people, he gradually decides he is not an ape at all, but human. And when he meets Jane, a beautiful American girl marooned with her father and friends on the hostile coast of Africa, Tarzan conceives love for her. When they are unexpectedly rescued before Tarzan can find a way to reveal his feelings to Jane, he determines to become civilized and follow her into the world of people – to find her and wed her, though he must cross continents and oceans, and compete with two other suitors for her hand. This story was the subject of a successful film in 1932, with Tarzan being played by Johnny Weissmuller, who acted in a further eleven Tarzan films. According to Weissmuller in an interview with Mike Douglas, his famous ape-call was audio stitched together from a soprano, an alto, and a hog-caller! Summary by Mark F. Smith

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