05 Feb 2012
Memoirs of a Revolutionist, Vol. 2 by Kropotkin, Peter
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Peter Kropotkin was a Russian anarcho-communist and scientist. This is his autobiography, and he writes not only about his own life, but also about 19th century Russian society and politics. He was born into the nobility and had a military education, but he gradually abandoned the values of his social class and became an anti-authoritarian socialist, opposed to both the rule of the Tsars and to the seizing of power by the authoritarian Bolsheviks. He was also interested in literature, biology, economics and geographical exploration. This second and last volume of his memoirs covers his time in St Petersburg, his time in prison, and his journeys in Western Europe. ( Summary by Elin )
05 Feb 2012
Na wzgórzu róż by Grabiński, Stefan
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Drugi zbiór opowiadań przedwojennego pisarza specjalizującego się w opowieściach niesamowitych.
Tym razem czytelnik otrzymuje 6 historii, które udzielą zaskakujących odpowiedzi na takie pytania jak: co to za dziwny zapach unosi się w miejscu pełnym róż? czy miejsce może przesiąknąć szaleństwem? co oznacza niezwykła scena widziana w oknie pewnego domu? a także kilka innych. (Summary by Piotr Nater)
04 Feb 2012
Grand Inquisitor, The (dramatic reading) by Dostoyevsky, Fyodor
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The Grand Inquisitor is a parable told by Ivan to Alyosha in Fyodor Dostoevsky's novel The Brothers Karamazov (1879–1880). Ivan and Alyosha are brothers; Ivan questions the possibility of a personal, benevolent God and Alyosha is a novice monk. The Grand Inquisitor is an important part of the novel and one of the best-known passages in modern literature because of its ideas about human nature and freedom, and because of its fundamental ambiguity. In the tale, Christ comes back to earth in Seville at the time of the Inquisition. He performs a number of miracles (echoing miracles from the Gospels). The people recognize him and adore him, but he is arrested by Inquisition leaders and sentenced to be burnt to death the next day. The Grand Inquisitor visits him in his cell to tell him that the Church no longer needs him. The main portion of the text is the Inquisitor explaining to Jesus why his return would interfere with the mission of the church. (Summary by Wikipedia)
04 Feb 2012
Anleitung zur Zimmer-Gärtnerei by Jubisch, Max
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In seiner 1880 erschienenen Anleitung zur Zimmer-Gärtnerei gibt Max Alfred Jubisch leicht verständliche Ratschläge zur richtigen Aufstellung, Pflege und Vermehrung von Zimmerpflanzen. Dabei geht er auch auf die zu dieser Zeit erst in Mode gekommenen Terrarien und Aquarien ein.
Wer nicht sofort zur Bekämpfung von Pflanzenkrankheiten die Chemiekeule schwingen will, wird hier sicherlich einige gute Tipps finden. Und wer einfach nur wissen will, wie es anno 1880 in Deutschen (Blumen)-Zimmern ausgesehen haben mag, wird hier sicherlich auch einen kleinen Einblick bekommen.
Auf den fünften Abschnitt der Druckausgabe wurde in diesem Hörbuch verzichtet, da es sich im Wesentlichen nur um eine Aufzählung lateinischer Blumennamen handelt. (Wassermann)
04 Feb 2012
Fairies and the Christmas Child, The by Gask, Lilian
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The worst of being a Christmas Child[2] is that you don’t get birthday presents, but only Christmas ones. Old Naylor, who was Father’s coachman, and had a great gruff voice that came from his boots and was rather frightening, used to ask how I expected to grow up without proper birthdays, and I thought I might have to stay little always. When I told Father this he laughed, but a moment later he grew quite grave.
“Listen, Chris,” he said. And then he took me on his knee—I was a small chap then—and told me things that made me forget old Naylor, and wish and wish that Mother could have stayed with us. The angels had wanted her, Father explained; well, we wanted her too, and there were plenty of angels in heaven, anyway. When I said this Father gave me a great squeeze and put me down, and I tried to be glad that I was a Christmas child. But I wasn’t really until a long time afterwards, when I had found the Fairy Ring, and met the Queen of the Fairies... (Summary by PG)
04 Feb 2012
On the Heavens by Aristotle
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On the Heavens (Greek: Περί ουρανού, Latin: De Caelo or De Caelo et Mundo) is Aristotle's chief cosmological treatise. In it Aristotle argues that the Earth is a sphere by pointing to the evidence of lunar eclipses. Aristotle also provides a detailed explanation of his theory of 'gravity' arguing that things which contain 'earth' fall towards the centre of the Universe because 'earth' is naturally attracted to the centre of the Universe. Aristotle argues that if the planet Earth was moved to the location of the Moon then objects which contain 'earth' would not fall towards the centre of the Earth but rather towards the centre of the Universe. Aristotle believed that the more 'earth' an object contained the faster it would fall. Aristotle argues that there is another type of matter called 'fire' which is naturally repelled from the centre of the Universe. In addition to his own theories Aristotle expounds the theories of the Pythagoreans (that the Earth is one of the stars and that numbers are the literal building blocks of our world) and Democritus (that matter is made of atoms and objects float because of the motions of these atoms). (Summary by Geoffrey Edwards)
04 Feb 2012
Batalla de los Arapiles, La by Pérez Galdós, Benito
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"La batalla de los Arapiles" -continuación de "Juan Martín El Empecinado"- es la décima y última novela de la primera serie de los Episodios Nacionales de Benito Pérez Galdós. Culmina la narración de las aventuras del gaditano Gabriel Araceli durante la Guerra de Independencia entre España y Francia. En esta ocasión, Gabriel participa en la decisiva batalla de los Arapiles, que marcó el fin de la dominación francesa. El ejército aliado, formado por españoles, portugueses y británicos al mando de Lord Wellington, se encuentra en las proximidades de Salamanca, que todavía está en poder de los franceses. Una noble intelectual inglesa, miss Fly, se pasea libremente entre las tropas respetada por sus compatriotas y ante el estupor de los españoles, poco acostumbrados a que las mujeres dispongan de este tipo de libertades. Miss Fly es una romántica enferma de literatura, y enseguida cree ver en Gabriel la reencarnación de los viejos ideales medievales del honor, la virtud y el sacrificio, de modo que se encapricha de él. Gabriel se entera de que Inés y Santorcaz están viviendo en Salamanca, de modo que se presenta voluntario para una suicida misión de espionaje al lugar, ya que Wellington quiere conocer las defensas que los franceses han preparado antes de proceder al asalto. Miss Fly se empeña en acompañar a Gabriel, pero éste la despista al poco de partir y llega solo a Salamanca, disfrazado de campesino. El resto de tramas secundarias de la primera serie se resuelven al final de esta novela. (Resumen adaptado de Wikipedia)
04 Feb 2012
Naval War of 1812, The by Roosevelt, Theodore
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Somewhat detailed history of naval engagements between the United States and England during the War of 1812, from a decidely American perspective. Completed by the author as a young man at age 24. After 120 years, it remains a standard study of the war. (Summary by JCarson)
04 Feb 2012
Königsgaukler, Der by Kyber, Manfred
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In diesem "indischen Märchen" erzählt Manfred Kyber die Geschichte von Mantao, der als Sohn armer, einfacher Leute geboren wird, aber in Wahrheit ein Königssohn ist. Wir begleiten Mantao auf seinem Lebensweg, auf dem uns Wiedergeburt und Bestimmung, Versuchung und die Erfüllung einer göttlichen Aufgabe, die ewige Verkettung der Dinge und die Verantwortung für die Schöpfung begegnen. Mit einer poetischen Sprache schafft Kyber eine schöne, leicht mystische Atmosphäre.
(Zusammenfassung von Karlsson)
03 Feb 2012
Contos Fluminenses e Histórias da Meia-Noite by Machado de Assis, Joaquim Maria
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Contos Fluminenses, originalmente publicado em 1870, e Histórias da Meia-Noite, publicado em 1873, são os dois primeiros livros de contos de Machado de Assis, famoso escritor brasileiro. Nestes livros encontram-se alguns de seus contos que viriam a se tornar clássicos da literatura brasileira, como Miss Dollar e Ponto de Vista. (Sumário escrito por Leni)
03 Feb 2012
Wessex Tales by Hardy, Thomas
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Wessex Tales is a collection of six short stories written by Hardy in the 1880’s. If you’ve never read Hardy they’ll serve as a good introduction to his writing. Though not as comprehensive as his major works they do contain all the ingredients that make him instantly recognisable. (Introduction by T. Hynes.)
02 Feb 2012
Old Greek Stories by Baldwin, James
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A retelling of old Greek stories involving mythological heroes and their adventures. Tales include those of Prometheus, Io, Perseus and Theseus. (Introduction by Iris McLeod)
02 Feb 2012
Kindness by Faber, Frederick William
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Father Frederick William Faber was a beloved spiritual writer, preacher, and superior of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in London. An Oxford scholar and Anglican priest since 1839, Faber converted to Roman Catholicism in 1845 following his mentor John Henry (later Cardinal) Newman. During the 1850s, Father Faber published several popular spiritual books, which have been treasured by Catholics ever since: All for Jesus, Growth in Holiness, The Blessed Sacrament, The Creator and the Creature, The Foot of the Cross, Spiritual Conferences, The Precious Blood, and Bethlehem. The present work, Kindness, which bears an imprimatur, is taken in part from Spiritual Conferences, which was published in 1859. (Introduction by dave7)
01 Feb 2012
How I Filmed the War by Malins, Geoffrey H.
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An account of World War I and the experience of filming it by an early cinematographer (and, after the war, successful director) who was there. (Summary by R. S. Steinberg)
01 Feb 2012
Philosophy 4: A Story of Harvard University by Wister, Owen
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Owen Wister's wry humor enlivens this comedic story of three sophomores during exam week at Harvard. (Summary by David Wales)
01 Feb 2012
Pentecost of Calamity, The by Wister, Owen
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Nonfiction. Appalled by the savagery of World War I, Owen Wister in 1915 published an attempt to move the United States out of neutrality into joining the Allies against Germany. His aim was the quicker defeat of that nation. (Wister: “the new Trinity of German worship – the Super-man, the Super-race, and the Super-state.”) He was but one of many literary personages who joined in this effort. A moving quote: “Perhaps nothing save calamity will teach us what Europe is thankful to have learned again – that some things are worse than war, and that you can pay too high a price for peace; but that you cannot pay too high for the finding and keeping of your own soul.” (Summary by David Wales)
01 Feb 2012
Book of Concord Preface by Unknown
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The Christian Book of Concord was published in 1580 as a collection of eleven documents: Three Ecumenical Creeds and eight documents from the Reformation Era. Here is the Preface to the entire work together with the Saxon Visitation Articles from 1592. (Summary by Jonathan Lange)
31 Jan 2012
Grace Harlowe's Problem by Flower, Jessie Graham
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The four series follow Grace Harlowe and her friends through high school, college, abroad during World War I, and on adventures around America. The College Girls Series sees the friends part ways: Grace, Anne, and Miriam depart for Overton College, while Jessica and Nora attend a conservatory. The Eight Originals gather on holidays, but the seven College books focus on the three at Overton, along with new friends like J. Elfreda Briggs. They form Semper Fidelis, a society devoted to aiding less fortunate students at Overton. Following graduation, Grace rebuffs offers of marriage for "what she had firmly believed to be her destined work," managing Harlowe House at Overton. (Summary by Wikipedia)
31 Jan 2012
History of England from the Accession of James II - (Volume 5, Chapter 23 by Macaulay, Thomas Babington
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This is volume 5 chapter 23 of a series of books written by the Baron Macaulay (1800-1859) and published after his death. To quote from the preface - 'I HAVE thought it right to publish that portion of the continuation of the "History of England" which was fairly transcribed and revised by Lord Macaulay. It is given to the world precisely as it was left: no connecting link has been added; no reference verified; no authority sought for or examined. It would indeed have been possible, with the help I might have obtained from his friends, to have supplied much that is wanting; but I preferred, and I believe the public will prefer, that the last thoughts of the great mind passed away from among us should be preserved sacred from any touch but his own. Besides the revised manuscript, a few pages containing the first rough sketch of the last two months of William's reign are all that is left. From this I have with some difficulty deciphered the account of the death of William. No attempt has been made to join it on to the preceding part, or to supply the corrections which would have been given by the improving hand of the author. But, imperfect as it must be, I believe it will be received with pleasure and interest as a fit conclusion to the life of his great hero.'
31 Jan 2012
Viuvinha, A by Alencar, Jose de
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A Viuvinha é um romance de autoria de José de Alencar, escritor brasileiro, publicado em 1857. A obra inclui-se entre os chamados romances urbanos, que retratam os costumes da sociedade carioca do Segundo Reinado. Jorge, um jovem que herdara uma boa fortuna do pai, planeja casar-se com Carolina, uma bela moça que conhecera na igreja. Um dia antes do casamento, porém, ele descobre que a empresa do pai estava falida, em função dos gastos demedidos do rapaz. O suicídio lhe parece a única solução, e a graciosa Carolina é deixada viúva no dia seguinte ao seu próprio casamento.(Resumo escrito por Leni)
31 Jan 2012
Mr. Justice Raffles by Hornung, E. W.
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A. J. Raffles is a British gentleman thief of some renown who, in this, the hero's final adventure, ironically demonstrates a sense of morality by teaching a London East End loan shark a lesson. The book was later made into a movie, as well as a British television series. (Summary by Cathy Barratt)
30 Jan 2012
Prefaces and Prologues to Famous Books by Eliot, Charles William
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Charles W. Eliot, 21st President of Harvard University, edited this volume of prefaces ... authored by a Who's Who of World Literature: Bacon, Calvin, Caxton, Condell, Copernicus, Dryden, Fielding, Goethe, Heminge, Hugo, Johnson, Knox, Newton, Raleigh, Spenser, Taine, Whitman and Wordsworth. Eliot wrote in his preface to these prefaces, "No part of a book is so intimate as the Preface. Here, after the long labor of the work is over, the author descends from his platform, and speaks with his reader as man to man, disclosing his hopes and fears, seeking sympathy for his difficulties, offering defence or defiance, according to his temper, against the criticisms which he anticipates." (Summary by DSayers)
30 Jan 2012
History of England from the Accession of James II - (Volume 5, Chapter 25) by Macaulay, Thomas Babington
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This is volume 5, chapter 25 of a series of books written by the Baron Macaulay (1800-1859) and published after his death.
To quote from the preface - 'I HAVE thought it right to publish that portion of the continuation of the "History of England" which was fairly transcribed and revised by Lord Macaulay. It is given to the world precisely as it was left: no connecting link has been added; no reference verified; no authority sought for or examined. It would indeed have been possible, with the help I might have obtained from his friends, to have supplied much that is wanting; but I preferred, and I believe the public will prefer, that the last thoughts of the great mind passed away from among us should be preserved sacred from any touch but his own. Besides the revised manuscript, a few pages containing the first rough sketch of the last two months of William's reign are all that is left. From this I have with some difficulty deciphered the account of the death of William. No attempt has been made to join it on to the preceding part, or to supply the corrections which would have been given by the improving hand of the author. But, imperfect as it must be, I believe it will be received with pleasure and interest as a fit conclusion to the life of his great hero.'
30 Jan 2012
Short Poetry Collection 104 by Various
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This is a collection of poems read by LibriVox volunteers for January 2012.
30 Jan 2012
Princess, The by Tennyson, Alfred Lord
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The Princess is a serio-comic blank verse narrative poem, written by Alfred Tennyson, published in 1847. The poem tells the story of an heroic princess who forswears the world of men and founds a women's university where men are forbidden to enter. The prince to whom she was betrothed in infancy enters the university with two friends, disguised as women students. They are discovered and flee, but eventually they fight a battle for the princess's hand. (Summary by Wikipedia)
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