A compelling story by one of the most prolific authors of the Victorian 'sensational novel' serves up the perfect blend of murder, greed, madness, secrets and romance. The characters interlace throughout, and are as always interesting and entertaining. Braddon's multi-layered plot has just the right amount of suspense to hold your interest to it's very satisfying ending. - Summary by Celine Major
Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset MAUGHAM (1874 - 1965)
Genre(s): General Fiction
Read by: Tom Weiss in English
Chapters:
00:00:00 - 01 - Chapters 1 through 6
00:48:02 - 02 - Chapters 7 through 12
01:41:47 - 03 - Chapters 13 through 16
02:29:27 - 04 - Chapters 17 through 20
03:10:55 - 05 - Chapters 21 through 23
03:53:00 - 06 - Chapters 24 through 28
04:43:55 - 07 - Chapters 29 through 32
05:28:03 - 08 - Chapters 33 through 35
06:18:41 - 09 - Chapters 36 through 39
Of Human Bondage, published in 1915, is considered to be W. Somerset Maugham's best work. Many believe the novel to be one of the world's literary masterpieces. The story follows Phillip Carey from early childhood through his 30's. Orphaned at 9, Phillip spends his early years raised by his childless aunt and uncle. His aunt tries to be a mother to Philip, but she is unsure how to behave whereas his uncle, a vicar, takes a cold disposition towards him. Philip is sent to a boarding school but his shyness and his club foot make it difficult for him to fit in. The novel follows this theme throughout as Phillip travels to Germany, France, and England, makes new acquaintances, searches for his life's calling, and experiences romantic episodes. Mildred in particular, will leave you wondering about Phillip's obsession and passion for such a woman. More than a few of us have had 'our Mildred'. The characters in Of Human Bondage are real-life with faults, qualities, and feelings that Maugham describes so vividly. It would not be unusual that we have encountered individuals with traits similar to the characters in this book. At times the emotions in this novel, so simply but purely written, will leave you either sad or happy and even perhaps, teary-eyed as the enthusiasm of youth is met with reality as Phillip tries to discover the meaning of HIS life through the dreams of others. (Summary by the Tom Weiss)
More information: http://librivox.org/of-human-bondage-by-somerset-maugham/
Orjien vapauttaminen Pohjois-Amerikassa by Alexandra GRIPENBERG (1857 - 1913)
Genre(s): *Non-fiction, History
Read by: Andy Bay in Finnish
Chapters:
00:00:00 - 01 - Ensimmäinen osa
00:43:13 - 02 - Toinen osa
Tämä lyhyt esitys orjien vapauttamisesta Pohjois-Amerikan Yhdysvalloissaon kirjoitettu siinä toivossa, että se voisi olla lukemisenavarttuneemmalle nuorisolle sekä kansanopiston oppilaille heidänharjoittaessaan historian opintoja. Jos se, niin puutteellinen kuin seonkin, voisi jossakin määrin herättää myötätuntoisuutta niinhyvin yhtämaailmanhistorian merkillisimpää tapahtumaa kuin niitä aatteita kohtaan,jotka siitä saivat eloa, olisi tarkoitus täytetty.(Summary byAlexandra Gripenberg)
More information: http://librivox.org/orjien-vapauttaminen-pohjois-amerikassa-by-alexandra-gripenberg/
Four Months in a Sneak-Box by Nathaniel H. Bishop (1837 - 1902)
Genre(s): Travel & Geography
Read by: tjfria, Brian Fullen in English
Cover design by Annise}.
Parts:
Part 2 https://youtu.be/WHrKMz5xpmc
Chapters:
00:00:00 - 01 - Chapter I, THE BOAT FOR THE VOYAGE
00:29:13 - 02 - Chapter II, SOURCES OF THE OHIO RIVER
00:45:57 - 03 - Chapter III, FROM PITTSBURGH TO BLENNERHASSET'S ISLAND
01:27:45 - 04 - Chapter IV, FROM BLENNERHASSET'S ISLAND TO CINCINNATI
02:07:12 - 05 - Chapter V, FROM CINCINNATI TO THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER
03:06:42 - 06 - Chapter VI, DESCENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER
04:00:48 - 07 - Chapter VII, DESCENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI TO NEW ORLEANS (Part 1)
04:28:00 - 08 - Chapter VII, DESCENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI TO NEW ORLEANS (Part 2)
05:04:54 - 09 - Chapter VIII, NEW ORLEANS
05:29:38 - 10 - Chapter IX, ON THE GULF OF MEXICO
06:19:53 - 11 - Chapter X, FROM BILOXI TO CAPE SAN BLAS
The kind reception by the American press of the author's first journey to the great southern sea, and its republication in Great Britain and in France ... have encouraged him to give the public a companion volume, 'FOUR MONTHS IN A SNEAK-BOX' ... a relation of ... a second cruise to the Gulf of Mexico ... by a different route from that followed in the 'VOYAGE OF THE PAPER CANOE.' This time the author procured one of the smallest and most comfortable of boats... the BARNEGAT SNEAK-BOX. This curious and stanch little craft, though only twelve feet in length, proved a most comfortable and serviceable home while the author rowed in it more than 2600 miles down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, and along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, until he reached the goal of his voyage — the mouth of the wild Suwanee River — which was the terminus of his 'VOYAGE OF THE PAPER CANOE.' - Summary by Nathaniel H. Bishop
NOTE: There are issues of race in the telling of 'Four Months in a Sneak-box', particularly anti-Black stereotypes and derogatory terms. It is LibriVox's policy to record texts as written.
More information: https://librivox.org/four-months-in-a-sneak-box-by-nathaniel-h-bishop/
LibriVox - free public domain audiobooks (https://librivox.org/)
Men, Women and Guns by SAPPER (1888 - 1937)
Genre(s): Historical Fiction
Read by: Beth Thomas, NoelBadrian, wish2bflying, Denise Nordell, Peter John Keeble, John Burlinson, Dorothy Godfrey-Smith, fzarate in English
Chapters:
00:00:00 - 00 - Prologue
00:11:06 - 01 - Part 1, Chapter 1 - The Motor Gun
00:49:34 - 02 - Part 1, Chapter 2 - Private Meyrick - Company Idiot
01:25:05 - 03 - Part 1, Chapter 3 - Spud Trevor of the Red Hussars
01:55:17 - 04 - Part 1, Chapter 4 - The Fatal Second
02:20:36 - 05 - Part 1, Chapter 5 - Jim Brent's V.C
03:01:23 - 06 - Part 1, Chapter 6 - Retribution
03:53:43 - 07 - Part 1, Chapter 7 - The Death Grip
04:42:14 - 08 - Part 1, Chapter 8 - James Henry
05:25:07 - 09 - Part 2, Chapter 1 - The Grey House
05:31:53 - 10 - Part 2, Chapter 2 - The Women and the Men
05:40:08 - 11 - Part 2, Chapter 3 - The Woman and the Man
05:47:52 - 12 - Part 2, Chapter 4 - 'The Regiment'
05:56:56 - 13 - Part 2, Chapter 5 - The Contrast
06:03:23 - 14 - Part 2, Chapter 6 - Black, White and Grey
06:20:53 - 15 - Part 2, Chapter 7 - Archie and Others
06:26:01 - 16 - Part 2, Chapter 8 - On the Staff
06:36:12 - 17 - Part 2, Chapter 9 - No Answer
06:43:12 - 18 - Part 2, Chapter 10 (The Madness) and Chapter 11 (The Grey House Again)
World War I stories, as told through the eyes of someone who was there, but leavened with humour and an eye for the ridiculous side of human nature. This is a collection of McNeile's early short stories, drawing on his experiences with the Royal Engineers Corps. These are the memoirs which describe the experiences that made him who he was, and gave him his famous name 'Sapper'. The first half is made up of separate stories, the second half is selected accounts from the life of 'Jim Denver' in Ypres and France. (summary by Beth Thomas)
More information: http://librivox.org/men-women-and-guns-by-sapper/
LibriVox - free public domain audiobooks (https://librivox.org/)
Effi Briest (abridged) by Theodor FONTANE (1819 - 1898), translated by William A. COOPER (1868 - 1939)
Genre(s): Published 1800 -1900
Read by: Margaret Espaillat in English
Chapters:
00:00:00 - 20 - Chapter 32
00:31:04 - 21 - Chapters 33 and 34
00:55:06 - 22 - Chapter 35
01:14:12 - 23 - Chapter 36
Effi Briest is a classic of Prussian Realism, relatively unknown in the English speaking world, but widely taught in German schools. This tragic tale tells the story of Effi, a young woman from an old and respectable family who, due to a sense of duty, marries Geert von Instetten, a much older Prussian official. The tragedy unfolds as a consequence of Instetten's strict following of his duties in society in response to his wife's indiscretions.Thomas Mann once wrote that if one's library had to be reduced to six books, Effi Briest should be one of them. (Summary by Margaret )
More information: http://librivox.org/effi-briest-abridged-by-theodor-fontane/
LibriVox - free public domain audiobooks (https://librivox.org/)
The Rome Express by Arthur GRIFFITHS (1838 - 1908)
Genre(s): Detective Fiction, *Non-fiction, Travel & Geography
Read by: Rapunzelina, Carmen H, April Gonzales, Robert Hoffman, Tara Dow, genierose, K.G.Cross, Patti Cunningham, spiritualbeing, Nichole Karl, Linda Jenner, Crln Yldz Ksr, Gabriela Cowan in English
Chapters:
00:00:00 - 01 - 01 - Chapter I
00:11:24 - 02 - 02 - Chapter II
00:20:52 - 03 - 03 - Chapter III
00:29:47 - 04 - 04 - Chapter IV
00:42:40 - 05 - 05 - Chapter V
00:56:34 - 06 - 06 - Chapter VI
01:08:16 - 07 - 07 - Chapter VII
01:19:45 - 08 - 08 - Chapter VIII
01:33:05 - 09 - 09 - Chapter IX
01:44:58 - 10 - 10 - Chapter X
01:55:40 - 11 - 11 - Chapter XI
02:04:52 - 12 - 12 - Chapter XII
02:15:06 - 13 - 13 - Chapter XIII
02:26:14 - 14 - 14 - Chapter XIV
02:34:08 - 15 - 15 - Chapter XV
02:47:38 - 16 - 16 - Chapter XVI
03:00:30 - 17 - 17 - Chapter XVII
03:11:03 - 18 - 18 - Chapter XVIII
03:22:51 - 19 - 19 - Chapter XIX
03:37:47 - 20 - 20 - Chapter XX
The passengers in the sleeping car of the Rome Express were just woken and informed that they will reach Paris soon, and a bustle ensues. Only one passenger cannot be awoken by the porter, no matter how loudly he knocks. At last, when the door is forced open, the occupant of the compartment is found dead - stabbed to the heart. The murderer must be found among the passengers... (Summary by Carolin)
More information: http://librivox.org/the-rome-express-by-arthur-griffiths/
LibriVox - free public domain audiobooks (https://librivox.org/)
Essays book 3 by Michel Eyquem de MONTAIGNE (1533 - 1592), translated by Charles COTTON (1630 - 1687)
Genre(s): Essays, Early Modern
Read by: Malone, beeveeo, Erin McKelle, Cynthia Moyer, lewildesen in English
Chapters:
00:00:00 - 15 - 15 - OF THE INCONVENIENCE OF GREATNESS
00:17:00 - 16 - 16 - OF THE ART OF CONFERENCE, part 1
01:05:34 - 17 - 17 - OF THE ART OF CONFERENCE, part 2
01:51:08 - 18 - 18 - OF VANITY, part 1
02:28:16 - 19 - 19 - OF VANITY, part 2
03:07:04 - 20 - 20 - OF VANITY, part 3
03:48:58 - 21 - 21 - OF VANITY, part 4
04:29:39 - 22 - 22 - OF VANITY, part 5
05:09:25 - 23 - 23 - OF VANITY, part 6
05:40:19 - 24 - 24 - OF MANAGING THE WILL, part 1
06:20:19 - 25 - 25 - OF MANAGING THE WILL, part 2
06:58:35 - 26 - 26 - OF CRIPPLES
Michel Eyquem de Montaigne is one of the most influential writers of the French Renaissance, known for popularising the essay as a literary genre. He is also known as the father of Modern Skepticism. His pieces became famous for his apparent effortless ability to merge serious intellectual speculation with casual anecdotes and autobiography. His main work, Essais (translated literally as 'Attempts' but traditionally as 'Essays'), contains some of the still most widely influential essays ever written. This is the third volume of that important work. (Summary adapted from the Wikipedia by Leni)
More information: http://librivox.org/essays-book-3-by-michel-eyquem-de-montaigne/
LibriVox - free public domain audiobooks (https://librivox.org/)
Nature's Miracles Volume 1: World Building and Life by Elisha GRAY (1835 - 1901)
Genre(s): *Non-fiction, Nature, Science
Read by: Steve Belleguelle, Lazuli, Matthew Reece, Garth Burton, Lonelle Yoder, sparks0314, Edith van der Have-Raats, Stephanie Lee, Bev J Stevens, MitchHerd, Guero in English
Chapters:
00:00:00 - 00 - 00 - Introduction
00:05:47 - 01 - 01 - Earth - Chapter I. World-building and Life
00:21:01 - 02 - 02 - Earth - Chapter II. Limestone
00:36:06 - 03 - 03 - Earth - Chapter III. Coal
00:49:49 - 04 - 04 - Earth - Chapter IV. Slate and Shale
00:57:25 - 05 - 05 - Earth - Chapter V. Salt
01:04:09 - 06 - 06 - Air - Chapter VI. The Atmosphere
01:16:54 - 07 - 07 - Air - Chapter VII. Air Temperature
01:28:57 - 08 - 08 - Air - Chapter VIII. Cloud Formation
01:41:46 - 09 - 09 - Air - Chapter IX. Cloud Formation (Continued)
01:55:02 - 10 - 10 - Air - Chapter X. Wind -- Why it Blows
02:06:52 - 11 - 11 - Air - Chapter XI. Wind (Continued)
02:21:09 - 12 - 12 - Air - Chapter XII. Local Winds
02:35:08 - 13 - 13 - Air - Chapter XIII. Weather Predictions
02:42:14 - 14 - 14 - Air - Chapter XIV. How Dew is Formed
02:54:57 - 15 - 15 - Air - Chapter XV. Hailstones and Snow
03:02:31 - 16 - 16 - Air - Chapter XVI. Meteors
03:09:29 - 17 - 17 - Air - Chapter XVII. The Sky and its Color
03:24:10 - 18 - 18 - Air - Chapter XVIII. Liquid Air
03:31:56 - 19 - 19 - Water - Chapter XIX. Rivers and Floods
03:43:39 - 20 - 20 - Water - Chapter XX. Tides
03:50:07 - 21 - 21 - Water - Chapter XXI. What is a Sponge?
04:06:00 - 22 - 22 - Water - Chapter XXII. Water and Ice
04:13:10 - 23 - 23 - Water - Chapter XXIII. Stored Energy in Water
04:29:12 - 24 - 24 - Water - Chapter XXIV. Why does Ice Float?
04:39:23 - 25 - 25 - Water - Chapter XXV. Glaciers
04:53:07 - 26 - 26 - Water - Chapter XXVI. Evidences and Theories of an Ice Age
05:08:45 - 27 - 27 - Water - Chapter XXVII. Glacial and Preglacial Lakes and Rivers
05:25:08 - 28 - 28 - Water - Chapter XXVIII. Some Effects of the Glacial Period
05:39:11 - 29 - 29 - Water - Chapter XXIX. Drainage Before the Ice Age
Elisha Gray (August 2, 1835 - January 21, 1901) was an American electrical engineer who co-founded the Western Electric Manufacturing Company. Gray is best known for his development of a telephone prototype in 1876 in Highland Park, Illinois and is considered by some writers to be the true inventor of the variable resistance telephone, despite losing out to Alexander Graham Bell for the telephone patent. Nature's Miracles: Familiar Talks on Science, published in 1900, is a discussion of science and technology for the general public. Volume I is subtitled World Building and Life: Earth, Air and Water. (Summary from Wikipedia)
More information: http://librivox.org/natures-miracles-familiar-talks-on-science-vol-1-by-elisha-gray/
The Story of a White Rocking Horse by Laura Lee HOPE ( - )
Genre(s): General
Read by: Nan Dodge in English
Chapters:
00:00:00 - 01 - Ready for a Race
00:02:13 - 02 - The Rude Boy
00:04:18 - 03 - A Nice Man
00:12:37 - 04 - The Surprise
00:24:59 - 05 - A Night Ride
00:37:14 - 06 - The Broken Leg
00:46:34 - 07 - In the Toy Hospital
00:54:03 - 08 - Home Again
01:04:59 - 09 - Two Bad Men
01:12:45 - 10 - The Grass Party
The White Rocking Horse is another of the wonderful, magical toys who were made in Santa's workshop in North Pole Village. They 'make believe' come alive, but only when no people are around to see them, and they have all sorts of adventures! This is the second in the series of 12 Make Believe Stories. - Summary by Nan Dodge
More information: https://librivox.org/the-story-of-a-white-rocking-horse-by-laura-lee-hope/
LibriVox - free public domain audiobooks (https://librivox.org/)