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Ὕμνοι ἤτοι προοίμια (Homeric Hymns)Homer (c. 8th cen - c. 8th cen)Οἱ Ὁμηρικοὶ Ὕμνοι ἐντάσσονται στὰ πλαίσια τῶν ἐργασιῶν πού ξεκίνησα ἐδῶ καὶ μερικὰ χρόνια στὴν ἰστοσελίδα μου Projet Homere (Σχέδιο Ὁμήρου (γιὰ τὴν ἑλληνικὴ γλῶσσα στὸ σύνολό της)) - http://www.projethomere.comὍπως ἦταν φυσικό, ξεκίνησα τὴν προσπάθεια μου μὲ τὴν ἠχογράφηση τῆς Ὁμηρικῆς ποιήσεως διότι πιστεύω ὅτι βρίσκεται στὴν κορυφὴ τῆς ἑλληνικῆς καὶ τῆς δυτικῆς λογοτεχνίας ἀφοῦ πρόκειται γιὰ τὰ πρῶτα λογοτεχνικὰ ἔργα - Ἐπίσης θεωρῶ ὅτι αὐτὰ τὰ σπουδαῖα ἀρχαῖα ἑλληνικὰ λογοτεχνικὰ ἔργα πρέπει νὰ ἠχογραφηθοῦν ἀπὸ ἑλληνικὲς φωνὲς .The Homeric Hymns are part of the work that I started a few years ago on my website, Projet Homere (Homer Project (For the Greek language as a whole)) - http://www.projethomere.comAs I naturally started my effort with the recording of Homeric poetry because I believe it is at the top of Greek and Western literature Since they are the first literary works. Ι also believe that these great ancient Greek literary works must be recorded by Greek voices.Les Hymnes Homériques font partis des travaux que j'ai commencés il y a quelques années sur mon site Projet Homère( sur la langue grecque dans sa globalité) : http://www.projethomere.comComme il était naturel , j'ai débuté les enregistrements avec la poésie homérique qui est au somment de la littérature grecque et occidentale puisqu'il s'agit des premières œuvres littéraires. Je suis persuadée qu'il est important que les anciennes œuvres littéraires grecques soient enregistrées par des voix grecques.Summary by Ἑλένη Κεμικτσή.Genre(s): Classics (Greek & Latin Antiquity), Elegies & OdesLanguage: Ancient GreekKeyword(s): homer, homeric hymns

Herodotus' Histories Vol 1Herodotus (c.484 BCE - 425 BCE)Translated by A. D. Godley (1856 - 1925)The Histories of Herodotus of Halicarnassus is considered the first work of history in Western literature. Written about 440 BC, the Histories tell the story of the war between the Persian Empire and the Greek city-states in the 5th century BC. Herodotus traveled extensively around the ancient world, conducting interviews and collecting stories for his book. The rise of the Persian Empire is chronicled, and the causes for the conflict with Greece. Herodotus treats the conflict as an ideological one, frequently contrasting the absolute power of the Persian king with the democratic government of the Greeks. (Summary adapted from Wikipedia.)Genre(s): AntiquityLanguage: EnglishKeyword(s): history , classics , Europe , greece , ancient history ), greek history 

Henry VWilliam Shakespeare (1564 - 1616)After the turmoil and uncertainty of Henry IV a new era appears to dawn for England with the accession of the eponymous Henry V. In this sunny pageant Chorus guides us along Henry's glittering carpet ride of success as the new king completes his transformation from rebellious wastrel to a truly regal potentate. Of course, there is an underlying feeling that the good times won't last, and this is all the more reason to enjoy the Indian summer before the protracted and bitter fall of the house of Lancaster. (Introduction by Algy Pug)Cast:Alice: Caroline SophieArchbishop of Canterbury: Sean RandallBardolph: John FrickerBates: David LawrenceBishop of Ely: Algy PugBoy: AldorChorus: Elizabeth KlettConstable of France: Lars RolanderCourt: Dale BurgessDuke of Bedford: Dale BurgessDuke of Bourbon: Algy PugDuke of Burgundy: Algy PugDuke of Exeter: David GoldfarbDuke of Gloucester: Tadhg HynesDuke of Orleans: Ric FDuke of York: Algy PugEarl of Cambridge: Algy PugEarl of Salisbury: Algy PugEarl of Warwick: Algy PugEarl of Westmoreland: Timothy FergusonFirst Ambassador: Dale BurgessFluellen: Martin GeesonFrench soldier: Nadine Eckert-BouletGovernor of Harfleur: Dale BurgessGower: Bruce PirieGrandpre: Dale BurgessHenry V: Arielle LipshawHerald: Maria ThereseHostess Quickly: Elizabeth KlettJamy: lennichKatharine: ezwaKing of France: Paul AdamsLewis the Dauphin: Nadine Eckert-BouletLord Scroop: Bruce PirieMacmorris: Tadhg HynesMessenger: Elizabeth KlettMontjoy: Amy GramourNym: Sandra GPistol: Algy PugQueen Isabel: KalyndaRambures: Elizabeth KlettSir Thomas Erpingham: Dale BurgessSir Thomas Grey: Dale BurgessWilliams: Ty UnglebowerNarrator: Elizabeth KlettAudio edited by: Elizabeth KlettGenre(s): PlaysLanguage: EnglishKeyword(s): history , historical play

HamletWilliam Shakespeare (1564 - 1616)Hamlet is commonly regarded as one of the greatest plays ever written. Drawing on Danish chronicles and the Elizabethan vogue for revenge tragedy, Shakespeare created a play that is at once a philosophic treatise, a family drama, and a supernatural thriller. In the wake of his father's death, Prince Hamlet finds that his Uncle Claudius has swiftly taken the throne and married his mother, Queen Gertrude. The ghost of the dead king then appears and charges Claudius with 'murder most foul.' Hamlet is called to revenge his father's death: but will he be able to act before it is too late?Cast:Claudius, King of Denmark - Michael SiroisGertrude, Queen of Denmark, and Mother of Hamlet - Elizabeth KlettGhost Of Hamlet, the Late King of Denmark - dolohovHamlet, Son to the former, and Nephew to the present King - John GonzalezPolonius, Lord Chamberlain - Andy MinterLaertes, Son to Polonius - Denny SayersOphelia, Daughter to Polonius - Kristin HughesReynaldo, Servant to Polonius - Thomas WellsHoratio, Friend to Hamlet - David NicolRosencrantz, Courtier - Kara ShallenbergGuildenstern, Courtier - Karen SavageFrancisco, a Soldier - Andrew LebrunBernardo, Officer - David O'ConnellMarcellus, Officer - Jordan MuellerVoltimand, Courtier - Thomas WellsOsric, Courtier - allexA Gentleman, Courtier - David JaquayAnother Gentleman - mbClown One, Grave-digger - Brennan HoltzclawClown Two, Grave-digger - Christie NowakA Priest - Kevin O'CoinFortinbras, Prince of Norway - mbA Captain & his Army - Andrew LebrunEnglish Ambassador - Andrew LebrunFirst Player - Rosalind WillsPlayer King - Denny SayersPlayer Queen - Kirsten FerreriPlayer Lucianus - allexGroup Of Danes - David O'ConnellLord - LaurenTServant - Christie NowakStage Direction - Rosalind WillsEditors - mb & Jc GuanDedicated Proof-Listeners - Elizabeth Klett & mbBook Coordinators - J.C., Scott Sherris, Jc Guan, Elizabeth Klett & mbGenre(s): Plays, Drama, TragedyLanguage: English

A Guide to Modern Cookery (Le Guide Culinaire) Part I: Fundamental ElementsAuguste Escoffier (1846 - 1935)Translated by James B. HerndonLe Guide Culinaire can be regarded as the ‘Bible' of modern cooking. It was Escoffier's attempt to codify and streamline the French restaurant food of the day. The original text was printed for the use of professional chefs and kitchen staff; Escoffier's introduction to the first edition explains his intention that the book be used toward the education of the younger generation of cooks. This usage of the book still holds today; many culinary schools still use it as their core textbook. The book overall is 900 pages long and contains over 2500 recipes. Part 1 is 120 pages long and describes the basic principles and techniques required for the chef, including descriptions of more than 250 recipes and preparations. (Summary by Chris Cartwright adapted from Wikipedia)Genre(s): *Non-fiction, CookingLanguage: EnglishKeyword(s): cooking , food , recipes , kitchen , cookery , recipe , cuisine , chef , gastronomy

The Adventures of a Grain of DustHallam Hawksworth (1863 - )This charming book for children is full of interesting facts about all sorts of plants, insects, birds and animals and how they all help to enrich the soil for farmers - each in its own special way. Join our narrator, The Grain of Dust on a fascinating journey around the planet to meet them."I don't want you to think that I'm boasting, but I do believe I'm one of the greatest travellers that ever was; and if anybody, living or dead, has ever gone through with more than I have I'd like to hear about it. Not that I've personally been in all the places or taken part in all the things I tell in this book—I don't mean to say that—but I do ask you to remember how long it is possible for a grain of dust to last, and how many other far-travelled and much-adventured dust grains it must meet and mix with in the course of its life. ...Finally, if what we call flesh and blood can think and talk, why not a grain of dust? In fact, what is flesh and blood but dust come back to life? Says the poet—and the poets know:'The very dust that blows along the street Once whispered to its love that life is sweet.'You see it's as likely a thing as could happen—this whole story."Summary by J. M. Smallheer with quotes from the Preface of the bookGenre(s): Children's Non-fiction, ScienceLanguage: EnglishKeyword(s): nature , animals , birds , insects , farming ), agriculture , geology , worms , natural science , soil

Glinda of Oz is the fourteenth Land of Oz book and is the last one written by the original author L. Frank Baum, although the series was continued after his death by several other authors.Dorothy and Ozma discover that a war is brewing in a distant and unexplored part of Oz, between two mysterious races, the Flatheads and the Skeezers. The girls set out to try to prevent the fighting, not knowing what dangers await them. (Summary by Lucy Perry.)Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Action & AdventureLanguage: EnglishKeyword(s): literature , children (1126), adventure , fantasy  baum Group: Oz books

The Gift of the Magi is an O. Henry short story in which a young couple are very much in love with each other but can barely afford their one-room apartment. For Christmas, they each make a sacrifice to purchase a gift for the other, with ironic results.The moral of the story is that physical possessions, however valuable they may be, are of little value in the grand scheme of things. The true unselfish love that the characters, Jim and Della, share is greater than their possessions.O. Henry ends the story by clarifying the metaphor between the characters in the story, Della and James (or Jim), and the Biblical Magi. The Gift of the Magi features O. Henry's characteristic twist ending and use of flowery diction.(Summary adapted from Wikipedia.org)Genre(s): Short StoriesLanguage: EnglishKeyword(s): literature  Christmas 

Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions is an 1884 science fiction novella by the English schoolmaster Edwin Abbott Abbott. As a satire, Flatland offered pointed observations on the social hierarchy of Victorian culture. However, the novella's more enduring contribution is its examination of dimensions; in a foreword to one of the many publications of the novella, noted science writer Isaac Asimov described Flatland as "The best introduction one can find into the manner of perceiving dimensions." As such, the novella is still popular amongst mathematics, physics and computer science students. (Summary by Wikipedia)Genre(s): General Fiction, Satire, Science FictionLanguage: EnglishKeyword(s): literature (1964), science fiction (469), satire (306), women (92), mathematics (32), geometry (8), Victorian society (3), dimensions (2)

The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals is a book by Charles Darwin, published in 1872, concerning genetically determined aspects of behaviour. It was published thirteen years after On the Origin of Species and alongside his 1871 book The Descent of Man, it is Darwin's main consideration of human origins. In this book, Darwin seeks to trace the animal origins of human characteristics, such as the pursing of the lips in concentration and the tightening of the muscles around the eyes in anger and efforts of memory. Darwin sought out the opinions of some eminent British psychiatrists, notably James Crichton-Browne, in the preparation of the book which forms Darwin's main contribution to psychology. - Summary by AvailleGenre(s): Animals, ScienceLanguage: EnglishKeyword(s): evolution (37), emotions (10), darwinism (3), mimic (1), facial expression (1)

EutifrónPlato (Πλάτων) (c. 428 BCE - c. 347 BCE)Translated by Patricio de Azcárate Corral (1800 - 1886)La naturaleza de la santidad, o usando el lenguaje de Platón, lo santo, ocupa el fondo del diálogo; y un supuesto encuentro del adivino Eutifrón con Sócrates es lo que da origen a la cuestión. Eutifrón pretende realizar un acto santo, reclamado por la justicia, pidiendo, con ocasión de la muerte de un esclavo, una condena contra su padre. Sócrates representa en este caso la conciencia moral y la razón. (Patricio de Azcárate) Grabación realizada en colaboración: Tux, Epachuko y KevinS. La composición se terminó durante la pandemia del Covid-19, en abril de 2020.Genre(s): AncientLanguage: Spanish

An Essay on Criticism was the first major poem written by the English writer Alexander Pope (1688-1744). However, despite the title, the poem is not as much an original analysis as it is a compilation of Pope's various literary opinions. A reading of the poem makes it clear that he is addressing not so much the ingenuous reader as the intending writer. It is written in a type of rhyming verse called heroic couplets. (Summary from Wikipedia)Genre(s): Poetry, Essays & Short Works, Literary CriticismLanguage: EnglishKeyword(s): poetry (1842), poems (208), essay (83), criticism (18), pope (16), alexander (8), recordings (4)

Neben berühmten Erzählungen wie "Max und Moritz - Eine Bubengeschichte in sieben Streichen" von Wilhelm Busch und zwei der weniger bekannten Texten von Heinrich Hoffmann (Autor von Struwwelpeter) enthält diese Sammlung insgesamt 20 kurze Erzählungen, Gedichte und Märchen für Kinder. (Zusammenfassung von Elli)Genre(s): Short worksLanguage: GermanKeyword(s): children (1126), short stories (751), German (353), Deutsch (319), teen (128), Kurzgeschichten (23), Grimm (17), Kinder (14), Erzählungen (7), Wilhelm Busch (2), Heinrich Hoffmann (1), Max und Moritz (1), Sibylle von Olfers (1), Frank Adams (1), Else Dorn (1), Johannes Trojan (1), Elsa Maartman Beskow (1), adelbert von chamisso (1), leonhard diefenbach (1), else birkenstock (1), will vesper (1), karl storch (1), heinrich schlitt (1), gertrud caspari (1)

Emma, "belle, intelligente et riche" a une fâcheuse tendance a vouloir marier les autres. Ce qu'elle va d'abord faire pour sa sœur, puis sa gouvernante, miss Taylor. Mais la voilà seule, avec son père âgé, veuf et très craintif, voir hypocondriaque. Son ami, M. Knightley essaie de la raisonner en l'empêchant d'avoir cette manie de marier ses proches. Pourtant, ses plans semblent relativement bien fonctionner. Qui sera donc sa prochaine protégée ? Et elle, songera-t-elle à se marier un jour ? - Summary by LauretteGenre(s): Literary Fiction, RomanceLanguage: French

Emma (French Version) Pt.1Jane Austen (1775 - 1817)Translated by Pierre de PuligaEmma, "belle, intelligente et riche" a une fâcheuse tendance a vouloir marier les autres. Ce qu'elle va d'abord faire pour sa sœur, puis sa gouvernante, miss Taylor. Mais la voilà seule, avec son père âgé, veuf et très craintif, voir hypocondriaque. Son ami, M. Knightley essaie de la raisonner en l'empêchant d'avoir cette manie de marier ses proches. Pourtant, ses plans semblent relativement bien fonctionner. Qui sera donc sa prochaine protégée ? Et elle, songera-t-elle à se marier un jour ? - Summary by LauretteGenre(s): Literary Fiction, RomanceLanguage: FrenchKeyword(s): Roman (57), 19e siècle (7), roman sentimental (1), mr woodhouse (1), mr knightley (1), weston (1), l'entremetteuse (1), highbury (1), hartfield (1), donwell abbey (1), randalls (1)

The Elements of Style (1918) by William Strunk, Jr. is an American English writing style guide. It is one of the best-known and most influential prescriptive treatment of English grammar and usage, and often is required reading in U.S. high school and university composition classes. The original 1918 edition of The Elements of Style detailed eight elementary rules of usage, ten elementary principles of composition, “a few matters of form”, and a list of commonly "misused" words and expressions. This book, printed as a private edition in 1918 for the use of his students, became a classic on the local campus, known as "the little book", and its successive editions have since sold over ten million copies. This version is based on the public-domain text from 1918, which was originally uploaded to Wikibooks and wikified by Wikibooks:User:Lord Emsworth in 2003. In January 2006, Kernigh transwikied the text from Wikibooks:Elements of Style to Wikisource.” (Summary by Wikipedia and Wikisource)Genre(s): *Non-fiction, Education, Language learningLanguage: EnglishKeyword(s): languages (29)

In this classic of H. G. Wells, Edward Prendick is shipwrecked on a beautiful island in the South Seas and is drawn into the wild and cruel world of Doctor Moreau, who aspires to play God with animals. Summary by Bob NeufeldGenre(s): Action & Adventure Fiction, Fantastic FictionLanguage: EnglishKeyword(s): science fiction ), vivisection 

Dorothy is swallowed by an earthquake! And that is just the start of Dorothy's adventures in this exciting and fun book. She and her kitten, Eureka are on their way home and stop to visit a relative in California. But the earthquake opens the ground under their feet and everyone, including the horse and buggy and her cousin Zeb fall deep, deep into the earth. Down there they find they can walk on air, but are attacked by the strange and dangerous vegetable creatures. But who should drop in but Dorothy's old friend the Wizard of Oz with 9 tiny piglets! And all the animals can talk! From there the adventure really begins to get strange but in the end all is well when Ozma rescues them but I won't tell you how. Whew! what an exciting book! (Summary by Phil Chenevert)Genre(s): GeneralLanguage: EnglishKeyword(s): literature (1964), children (1126), Oz (37), baum (22), dorothy (12), wizard of oz (9)Group: Oz books

Don Quijote, Vers 1 (Pt2)Don Quijote de la Mancha (ortografía y título original —1605—, El ingenioso hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha) es una de las obras cumbre de la literatura española y la literatura universal, el libro más traducido después de la Biblia, escrito por Miguel de Cervantes.La novela consta de dos partes: la primera, El ingenioso hidalgo don Quijote de la Mancha, fue publicada en 1605; la segunda, El ingenioso caballero don Quijote de la Mancha, en 1615.La primera parte se imprimió en Madrid, en casa de Juan de la Cuesta, a fines de 1604. Salió a la venta en enero de 1605 con numerosas erratas, a causa de la celeridad que imponía el contrato de edición. Esta edición se reimprimió en el mismo año y en el mismo taller, de forma que hay en realidad dos ediciones de 1605 ligeramente distintas. Se sospecha, sin embargo, que existió una novela más corta, que sería una de sus futuras Novelas ejemplares. (Resumen de Wikipedia)Genre(s): Action & Adventure Fiction, General FictionLanguage: SpanishKeyword(s): literature (1964), adventure (1092), spanish (49)

Don Quijote de la Mancha (ortografía y título original —1605—, El ingenioso hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha) es una de las obras cumbre de la literatura española y la literatura universal, el libro más traducido después de la Biblia, escrito por Miguel de Cervantes.La novela consta de dos partes: la primera, El ingenioso hidalgo don Quijote de la Mancha, fue publicada en 1605; la segunda, El ingenioso caballero don Quijote de la Mancha, en 1615.La primera parte se imprimió en Madrid, en casa de Juan de la Cuesta, a fines de 1604. Salió a la venta en enero de 1605 con numerosas erratas, a causa de la celeridad que imponía el contrato de edición. Esta edición se reimprimió en el mismo año y en el mismo taller, de forma que hay en realidad dos ediciones de 1605 ligeramente distintas. Se sospecha, sin embargo, que existió una novela más corta, que sería una de sus futuras Novelas ejemplares. (Resumen de Wikipedia)

Don Quijote 2Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (1547 - 1616)Don Quijote de la Mancha (ortografía y título original —1605—, El ingenioso hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha) es una de las obras cumbre de la literatura española y la literatura universal, el libro más traducido después de la Biblia, escrito por Miguel de Cervantes.La novela consta de dos partes: la primera, El ingenioso hidalgo don Quijote de la Mancha, fue publicada en 1605; la segunda, El ingenioso caballero don Quijote de la Mancha, en 1615.La primera parte se imprimió en Madrid, en casa de Juan de la Cuesta, a fines de 1604. Salió a la venta en enero de 1605 con numerosas erratas, a causa de la celeridad que imponía el contrato de edición. Esta edición se reimprimió en el mismo año y en el mismo taller, de forma que hay en realidad dos ediciones de 1605 ligeramente distintas. Se sospecha, sin embargo, que existió una novela más corta, que sería una de sus futuras Novelas ejemplares. (Resumen de Wikipedia)Genre(s): Action & Adventure Fiction, General FictionLanguage: SpanishKeyword(s): literature (1964), adventure (1092), spanish (49), quijote (2)

Don Quijote de la Mancha (ortografía y título original —1605—, El ingenioso hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha) es una de las obras cumbre de la literatura española y la literatura universal, el libro más traducido después de la Biblia, escrito por Miguel de Cervantes.La novela consta de dos partes: la primera, El ingenioso hidalgo don Quijote de la Mancha, fue publicada en 1605; la segunda, El ingenioso caballero don Quijote de la Mancha, en 1615.La primera parte se imprimió en Madrid, en casa de Juan de la Cuesta, a fines de 1604. Salió a la venta en enero de 1605 con numerosas erratas, a causa de la celeridad que imponía el contrato de edición. Esta edición se reimprimió en el mismo año y en el mismo taller, de forma que hay en realidad dos ediciones de 1605 ligeramente distintas. Se sospecha, sin embargo, que existió una novela más corta, que sería una de sus futuras Novelas ejemplares. (Resumen de Wikipedia)Genre(s): Action & Adventure Fiction, General FictionLanguage: SpanishKeyword(s): literature (1964), adventure (1092), spanish (49), quijote (2)

Don Quijote 2Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (1547 - 1616)Don Quijote de la Mancha (ortografía y título original —1605—, El ingenioso hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha) es una de las obras cumbre de la literatura española y la literatura universal, el libro más traducido después de la Biblia, escrito por Miguel de Cervantes.La novela consta de dos partes: la primera, El ingenioso hidalgo don Quijote de la Mancha, fue publicada en 1605; la segunda, El ingenioso caballero don Quijote de la Mancha, en 1615.La primera parte se imprimió en Madrid, en casa de Juan de la Cuesta, a fines de 1604. Salió a la venta en enero de 1605 con numerosas erratas, a causa de la celeridad que imponía el contrato de edición. Esta edición se reimprimió en el mismo año y en el mismo taller, de forma que hay en realidad dos ediciones de 1605 ligeramente distintas. Se sospecha, sin embargo, que existió una novela más corta, que sería una de sus futuras Novelas ejemplares. (Resumen de Wikipedia)Genre(s): Action & Adventure Fiction, General FictionLanguage: SpanishKeyword(s): literature (1964), adventure (1092), spanish (49), quijote (2)

The Voyages of Doctor DolittleHugh Lofting (1886 - 1947)Doctor John Dolittle is the central character of a series of children's books by Hugh Lofting. He is a doctor who shuns human patients in favour of animals, with whom he can speak in their own languages. He later becomes a naturalist, using his abilities to speak with animals to better understand nature and the history of the world.(summary from Wikipedia)Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Action & AdventureLanguage: EnglishKeyword(s): children (1126), adventure (1092), animals (417), lofting (1)Group: Newbery Medal and Honor Books

"David Copperfield" or "The Personal History, Adventures, Experience and Observation of David Copperfield the Younger of Blunderstone Rookery" was first published in 1850. Like all except five of his works, it originally appeared in serial form. Many elements within the novel follow events in Dickens' own life, and it is probably the most autobiographical of all of his novels. It is also Dickens' "favorite child." (Summary adapted from Wikipedia)Genre(s): Published 1800 -1900Language: EnglishKeyword(s): ⁠⁠novel⁠⁠ (163), ⁠⁠dickens⁠⁠ (67), ⁠⁠Victorian novel⁠⁠ (24)

"David Copperfield" or "The Personal History, Adventures, Experience and Observation of David Copperfield the Younger of Blunderstone Rookery" was first published in 1850. Like all except five of his works, it originally appeared in serial form. Many elements within the novel follow events in Dickens' own life, and it is probably the most autobiographical of all of his novels. It is also Dickens' "favorite child." (Summary adapted from Wikipedia)

"David Copperfield" or "The Personal History, Adventures, Experience and Observation of David Copperfield the Younger of Blunderstone Rookery" was first published in 1850. Like all except five of his works, it originally appeared in serial form. Many elements within the novel follow events in Dickens' own life, and it is probably the most autobiographical of all of his novels. It is also Dickens' "favorite child." (Summary adapted from Wikipedia)Genre(s): Published 1800 -1900Language: EnglishKeyword(s): ⁠novel⁠ (163), ⁠dickens⁠ (67), ⁠Victorian novel⁠ (24)

"David Copperfield" or "The Personal History, Adventures, Experience and Observation of David Copperfield the Younger of Blunderstone Rookery" was first published in 1850. Like all except five of his works, it originally appeared in serial form. Many elements within the novel follow events in Dickens' own life, and it is probably the most autobiographical of all of his novels. It is also Dickens' "favorite child." (Summary adapted from Wikipedia)Genre(s): Published 1800 -1900Language: EnglishKeyword(s): novel (163), dickens (67), Victorian novel (24)

This is a volume of short stories by the famous Arthur Conan Doyle. - Summary by CarolinGenre(s): Single Author CollectionsLanguage: EnglishKeyword(s): short stories (751), danger (12)

The Dancing ManiaJustus Hecker (1795 - 1850)Translated by Benjamin G. Babington (1794 - 1866)Numerous theories have been proposed for the causes of dancing mania, and it remains unclear whether it was a real illness or a social phenomenon.One of the most prominent theories is that victims suffered from ergot poisoning, which was known as St Anthony's Fire in the Middle Ages. During floods and damp periods, ergots were able to grow and affect rye and other crops. Ergotism can cause hallucinations, but cannot account for the other strange behaviour most commonly identified with dancing mania.Many sources discuss how dancing mania, and tarantism, may have simply been the result of stress and tension caused by natural disasters around the time, such as plagues and floods…people may have danced to relieve themselves of the stress and poverty of the day, and in doing so, attempted to become ecstatic and see visions. Sources agree that dancing mania was one of the earliest forms of mass hysteria, and describe it as a "psychic epidemic", with numerous explanations that might account for the behaviour of the dancers.Another popular theory is that the outbreaks were all staged, and the appearance of strange behaviour was down to its unfamiliarity. Religious cults may have been acting out well-organised dances, in accordance with ancient Greek and Roman rituals. Despite being banned at the time, these rituals could be performed under the guise of uncontrollable dancing mania. (Introduction from Wikipedia, slightly adapted.)Genre(s): *Non-fiction, History, PsychologyLanguage: EnglishKeyword(s): psychology (127), medieval history (10), History of Medicine (4), medieval religion (1), mass hysteria (1)

The Dance of DeathAugust Strindberg (1849 - 1912)Translated by Edwin Björkman (1866 - 1951)The Dance of Death is a play in two parts by the Swedish dramatist August Strindberg, written in 1900. It depicts the dissolution of a marriage between Edgar, an artillery captain, and Alice, a former actress. Increasingly isolated in their fort-like house, they manipulate and bait each other, until the unexpected arrival of Curt, Alice's cousin. His presence creates a tense triangular relationship that escalates throughout Part One, and is complicated with the introduction of two of the trio's children, Allan and Judith, in Part Two. (Summary by Elizabeth Klett)CastEdgar: Bob NeufeldAlice: Elizabeth KlettCurt: Bruce PirieJenny: AvailleOld Woman: Bev J. StevensAllan: mbJudith: Arielle LipshawLieutenant: VictoriaNarrator: Sean DaleyAudio edited by Elizabeth KlettGenre(s): PlaysLanguage: EnglishKeyword(s): marriage (159), relationships (54)

No matter how enlightened, chances are you've been raised around superstitious lore of one kind or another. Fanny Dickerson Bergen was one of the original researchers of North American oral traditions relating to such key life events and experiences as babyhood and childhood, marriage, wishes and dreams, luck, warts and cures, death omens and mortuary customs, and "such truck," as Huck Finn would say.You'll be surprised at how many of these old saws you'll know. Here's a quote from Chapter One, Babyhood:Monday's child is fair of face,Tuesday's child is full of grace,Wednesday's child is sour and sad,Thursday's child is merry and glad,Friday's child is loving and giving,Saturday's child must work for a living;But the child that is born on the Sabbath dayIs blithe and bonny, good and gay.--Baldwinsville, N. Y.All of these readings are as short as 5 minutes and no longer than 15 minutes, with plenty of pithy one-liners in the form of proverbs, always given with the locale they came from in Canada or the United States (with clear influences in British tradition). (summary by Denny Sayers)Genre(s): *Non-fiction, Social Science (Culture & Anthropology)Language: EnglishKeyword(s): classic (43), tradition (6)

The Cruise of the Snark (1913) is a memoir of Jack and Charmian London's 1907-1909 voyage across the Pacific. His descriptions of "surf-riding", which he dubbed a "royal sport", helped introduce it to and popularize it with the mainland. London writes:Through the white crest of a breaker suddenly appears a dark figure, erect, a man-fish or a sea-god, on the very forward face of the crest where the top falls over and down, driving in toward shore, buried to his loins in smoking spray, caught up by the sea and flung landward, bodily, a quarter of a mile. It is a Kanaka on a surf-board. And I know that when I have finished these lines I shall be out in that riot of colour and pounding surf, trying to bit those breakers even as he, and failing as he never failed, but living life as the best of us may live it.(Excerpted from Wikipedia)Genre(s): MemoirsLanguage: EnglishKeyword(s): literature (1964), memoir (103), island (23), Pacific (8)

"Civilisations as yet have only been created and directed by a small intellectual aristocracy, never by crowds. Crowds are only powerful for destruction. Their rule is always tantamount to a barbarian phase. A civilisation involves fixed rules, discipline, a passing from the instinctive to the rational state, forethought for the future, an elevated degree of culture — all of them conditions that crowds, left to themselves, have invariably shown themselves incapable of realising. In consequence of the purely destructive nature of their power crowds act like those microbes which hasten the dissolution of enfeebled or dead bodies. When the structure of a civilisation is rotten, it is always the masses that bring about its downfall." - Gustave Le Bon, from IntroductionGenre(s): Psychology, Social Science (Culture & Anthropology)Language: EnglishKeyword(s): democracy (17), communism (14), aristocracy (13), criminology (5), Fascism (5), group psychology (1), oligarcy (1)

Crome Yellow, published in 1921 was Aldous Huxley's first novel. In it he satirizes the fads and fashions of the time. It is the witty story of a house party at ‘Crome' where there is a gathering of bright young things. We hear some of the history of the house from Henry Wimbush, its owner and self appointed historian; Apocalypse is prophesied, virginity is lost, and inspirational aphorisms are gained in a trance. Our hero, Denis, tries to capture it all in poetry and is disappointed in love.The author, Aldous Huxley, was born in 1894 and began writing poetry and short stories in his early twenties; this was his first novel and established his literary reputation. (Summary by Martin Clifton)Genre(s): SatireLanguage: EnglishKeyword(s): literature (1964)

he Crimson Fairy Book contains thirty-six stories collected from around the world and edited by Andrew Lang. Many tales in this book are translated, or adapted, from those told by mothers and nurses in Hungary; others are familiar to Russian nurseries; the Servians are responsible for some; a rather peculiarly fanciful set of stories are adapted from the Roumanians; others are from the Baltic shores; others from sunny Sicily; a few are from Finland, and Iceland, and Japan, and Tunis, and Portugal. No doubt many children will like to look out these places on the map, and study their mountains, rivers, soil, products, and fiscal policies, in the geography books. The peoples who tell the stories differ in colour; language, religion, and almost everything else; but they all love a nursery tale. The stories have mainly been adapted or translated by Mrs. Lang, a few by Miss Lang and Miss Blackley. (Summary from the preface)Genre(s): Myths, Legends & Fairy TalesLanguage: EnglishKeyword(s): children (1119), fairy tales (283), andrew lang (8), crimson fairy book (1)Group: Andrew Lang's Fairy Books

Crime and Punishment (Pt.3)Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1821 - 1881)Translated by Constance Garnett (1861 - 1946)Crime and Punishment focuses on the mental anguish and moral dilemmas of Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov, an impoverished St. Petersburg student who formulates and executes a plan to kill a hated, unscrupulous pawnbroker for her money, thereby solving his financial problems and at the same time, he argues, ridding the world of evil. Crime and Punishment is considered by many as the first of Dostoevsky's cycle of great novels, which would culminate with his last completed work, The Brothers Karamazov, shortly before his death. (Summary from Wikipedia)Genre(s): Published 1900 onwardLanguage: EnglishKeyword(s): literature (1959)

Crime and Punishment (Pt.2)Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1821 - 1881)Translated by Constance Garnett (1861 - 1946)Crime and Punishment focuses on the mental anguish and moral dilemmas of Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov, an impoverished St. Petersburg student who formulates and executes a plan to kill a hated, unscrupulous pawnbroker for her money, thereby solving his financial problems and at the same time, he argues, ridding the world of evil. Crime and Punishment is considered by many as the first of Dostoevsky's cycle of great novels, which would culminate with his last completed work, The Brothers Karamazov, shortly before his death. (Summary from Wikipedia)Genre(s): Published 1900 onwardLanguage: EnglishKeyword(s): literature (1959)

Crime and Punishment (Pt.1)Crime and Punishment focuses on the mental anguish and moral dilemmas of Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov, an impoverished St. Petersburg student who formulates and executes a plan to kill a hated, unscrupulous pawnbroker for her money, thereby solving his financial problems and at the same time, he argues, ridding the world of evil. Crime and Punishment is considered by many as the first of Dostoevsky's cycle of great novels, which would culminate with his last completed work, The Brothers Karamazov, shortly before his death. (Summary from Wikipedia)

CreditorsAugust Strindberg (1849 - 1912)Translated by Edwin Björkman (1866 - 1951)Creditors is a tragicomedy by August Strindberg that plumbs the depths of the twisted triangular relationship between Tekla, her husband Adolph, and her ex-husband Gustav. (Summary by Elizabeth Klett)Cast:Tekla: Elizabeth KlettAdolph: mbGustav: Bruce PirieNarrator: Diana MajlingerAudio edited by: Elizabeth KlettGenre(s): Comedy, TragedyLanguage: EnglishKeyword(s): drama (199), strindberg (4), creditors (2)

The Cowardly Lion of Oz (version 2)Ruth Plumly Thompson (1891 - 1976)Mustafa of Mudge has heard of the famous Cowardly Lion of Oz, and decides to capture him and put him into a zoo! He enlists the help of Bob Up and a clown called Notta Bit More - the master of disguise! The Cowardly Lion meanwhile travels though Oz and meets a stone man, who offers to turn the Cowardly Lion into stone: after all, a stone lion doesn't feel fear! Is this the solution to the Cowardly Lion's quest for courage? Or is it a trap, and does the stone man want to trick him for reasons of his own?The Cowardly Lion of Oz was published in 1923, and is the seventeenth in the Oz series created by L. Frank Baum. It is the third by Ruth Plumly Thompson, and comes directly after "Kabumpo in Oz". The main themes are disguises, honesty, and being true to who you are. (Summary by Beth Thomas)Genre(s): GeneralLanguage: EnglishKeyword(s): Oz (37), l. frank baum (2)Group: Oz books

How can you tell when your pig is fat enough? Why should you never buy mustard? What's wrong with eating potatoes? Which is better, beer or tea? And what type of straw makes the best bonnets? William Cobbett is the man to ask. Here is his book of practical advice to the rural labouring 'cottager' (first published as a part-work in 1821-22), the precursor in many ways to the handbooks on self-sufficiency that today entice so many city-dwellers.A champion of the rural working class at a time of huge social and industrial change, a radical politician and a prolific writer, Cobbett is opinionated, passionate and enlightening, making 'Cottage Economy' a fascinating and entertaining window on daily life for the smallholders of his day, and still inspirational, almost 200 years later, to those who seek 'a good living' as the foundation of happiness. (Introduction by Philippa)The figures referred to in the section on ice houses can be viewed hereGenre(s): *Non-fiction, House & HomeLanguage: EnglishKeyword(s): advice (81), farming (33), agriculture (31), bread (14), beer (9), pigs (8), self-sufficiency (5), Bacon (4), brewing (3), livestock (2), 19th century life (2), smallholding (1), cows (1)

Robert Hugh Benson was the youngest son of Edward White Benson, the Archbishop of Canterbury and his wife Mary. Benson was was a prolific and popular writer during his time, and in 1903 he became a prominent convert to the Roman Catholic Church from Anglicanism . In 1904 he was ordained a Catholic priest.This book is his personal story of his journey to the Catholic faith, containing comparisons between Catholicism and the Anglican religion. (Summary by Maria Therese)Genre(s): Biography & Autobiography, Christianity - BiographiesLanguage: EnglishKeyword(s): Catholic (225), priest (23), Anglican (15), convert (3)

“Thou hast the keys of Paradise, O just, subtle, and mighty Opium!”Though apparently presenting the reader with a collage of poignant memories, temporal digressions and random anecdotes, the Confessions is a work of immense sophistication and certainly one of the most impressive and influential of all autobiographies. The work is of great appeal to the contemporary reader, displaying a nervous (postmodern?) self-awareness, a spiralling obsession with the enigmas of its own composition and significance. De Quincey may be said to scrutinise his life, somewhat feverishly, in an effort to fix his own identity.The title seems to promise a graphic exposure of horrors; these passages do not make up a large part of the whole. The circumstances of its hasty composition sets up the work as a lucrative piece of sensational journalism, albeit published in a more intellectually respectable organ – the London Magazine – than are today's tawdry exercises in tabloid self-exposure. What makes the book technically remarkable is its use of a majestic neoclassical style applied to a very romantic species of confessional writing - self-reflexive but always reaching out to the Reader. (Summary by Martin Geeson)Genre(s): MemoirsLanguage: EnglishKeyword(s): memoir (101), autobiography (94), alcohol (21), opium (12), addiction (5), confessional (2), laudanum (1)

Conceptions of Divine LoveSaint Teresa of Avila (1515 - 1582)Translated by John Dalton (1709 - 1763)Conceptions of Divine Love was written in 1577. St. Teresa wrote this with the idea of explaining certain words found in the Book of Canticles. When her confessor read the title of her work, he ordered her to immediately burn it, which, of course, she did. But one of her nuns had copied the first seven chapters, which was then published in 1612. Here, Father John Dalton has translated only four of those chapters in 1852. (Summary by Ann Boulais)Genre(s): Christianity - CommentaryLanguage: EnglishKeyword(s): religion (744), Catholicism (32), Saint Teresa of Jesus (2)

Common Sense, How to Exercise ItYoritomo Tashi (1147 - 1199)Translated by Lily Berthelot De La BoileverieOne of three seminal philosophical works by the twelfth century Japanese Shogun, Yoritomo-Tashi. (From the Preface) He knows how to clothe his teachings in fable and appealing legend, and his exotic soul, so near and yet so far, reminds one of a flower, whose familiar aspect is transmuted into rare perfume.By him the sternest questions are stripped of their hostile aspects and present themselves in the alluring form of the simplest allegories of striking poetic intensity.When reading his works, one recalls unconsciously the orations of the ancient philosophers, delivered in those dazzling gardens, luxuriant in sunlight and fragrant with flowers.In this far-away past, one sees also the silhouette of a majestic figure, whose school of philosophy became a religion, which interested the world because it spoke both of love and goodness.But in spite of this fact, the doctrines of Yoritomo are of an imaginative type. His kingdom belongs to this world, and his theories seek less the joys of the hereafter than of that tangible happiness which is found in the realization of the manly virtues and in that effort to create perfect harmony from which flows perfect peace.He takes us by the hand, in order to lead us to the center of that Eden of Knowledge where we have already discovered the art of persuasion, and that art, most difficult of all to acquire—the mastery of timidity.Following him, we shall penetrate once more this Eden, that we may study with Yoritomo the manner of acquiring this art—somewhat unattractive perhaps but essentially primordial—called Common Sense. - Summary by B. Dangennes.Genre(s): PhilosophyLanguage: EnglishKeyword(s): philosophy (997), Japanese (25), self help (10), medeval (1)

St. John Chrysostom (c. 349 - c. 407)Translated by Gross Alexander (1852 - 1915)St. Chrysostom's Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians is continuous, according to chapter and verse, instead of being arranged in Homilies, with a moral or practical application at their close, as in his exposition of other Epistles. It was written in Antioch, as Montfaucon infers from a reference which the Author, makes upon Chap. i., ver. 16 to other of his writings, which certainly were written about the same time in that city. (Introduction from the preface by John Henry Newman)Genre(s): Christianity - CommentaryLanguage: EnglishKeyword(s): religion (744), bible (494), Christianity (382), commentary (61), Galatians (8)

Dole briefly sketches the history of life, and shows how it has a definite direction - toward the survival of the kind and gentle people. It's a challenging, and quite persuasive argument, and also a much needed one in light of the dog-eat-dog theories out there. Dole shows that in our evolving society, our traditional understanding of "survival of the fittest" needs to be updated. A book that was way ahead of its time, yet so suited to it. Some may argue that - since he was writing The Coming People before the first two world wars - that he was obviously wrong. However, his argument remains valid given current scientific evidence cited in such books as "Evolution and Empathy", and "The Age of Empathy", and it's noteworthy that he wrote another book after World War I (see, A Religion for the New Day, 1920, where he states that while society is still quite barbaric, he retains his powerful conviction that it "is improving and improvable". ). Also, Dole points to the many flaws of his time (and ours too), and stresses the need to fix them in a peaceful, intelligent manner. Many of the issues he grappled with remain just as strong today, and he stated that it might be such. "The Coming People" is a universal, important message, and will continue to find home in the hearts of agnostics, believers, and atheists (at least for its strong social argument). (Introduction by Max Cusimano)Genre(s): PhilosophyLanguage: EnglishKeyword(s): philosophy (997), religion (744), politics (209)

This text takes the reader on a comical journey from the time of the first European settlement through the Civil War. The author's caustic wit is evident throughout the book in his numerous sarcastic and humorous remarks. The reader will enjoy a "different" type of history book based on facts, yet caustically embellished for entertainment purposes.(Summary by Allyson Hester)Genre(s): History, HumorLanguage: EnglishKeyword(s): history (910), comedy (201), civil war (155), slavery (149), USA (96), Indians (47), pioneers (21), new world (7), comic (6), us (6), united (3), states (3)

The Colored Patriots of the American Revolution (Pt.2)William Cooper Nell (1816 - 1874)A study of the black patriots of the American Revolution, with introductions by Harriet Beecher Stowe and Wendell Phillips.Genre(s): War & Military, Biography & AutobiographyLanguage: EnglishKeyword(s): revolution (58)

The Colored Patriots of the American Revolution (Pt. 1)William Cooper Nell (1816 - 1874)A study of the black patriots of the American Revolution, with introductions by Harriet Beecher Stowe and Wendell Phillips.Genre(s): War & Military, Biography & AutobiographyLanguage: EnglishKeyword(s): revolution (58)