Botchan by Sōseki NATSUME (1867 - 1916), translated by Yasotaro MORRI (1882 - ) Genre(s): General Fiction, Published 1900 onward Read by: Availle in English Chapters: 00:00:00 - 00 - A Note by the Translator 00:08:19 - 01 - Chapter 01 00:35:28 - 02 - Chapter 02 00:58:08 - 03 - Chapter 03 01:22:26 - 04 - Chapter 04 01:48:21 - 05 - Chapter 05 02:13:07 - 06 - Chapter 06 02:45:18 - 07 - Chapter 07 03:16:49 - 08 - Chapter 08 03:39:57 - 09 - Chapter 09 04:07:42 - 10 - Chapter 10 04:34:45 - 11 - Chapter 11 Botchan is the story of a young math teacher from Tokyo whose first assignment takes him to a middle school in the country side. His arrival there is not very lucky: The pupils are bound to test his perseverance and cheerily comment every one of his perceived missteps. In the teacher's room, he soon finds himself in the middle of an intrigue between the jovial 'Porcupine' and the fat 'Hubbard Squash' on one side, and the effeminate 'Red Shirt' and his follower 'Clown' on the other. Will Botchan choose the right side in the end?Botchan - with morality as the main theme - is one of the most popular novels in Japan. Sōseki Natsume bases the story on his own experiences as teacher in Matsuyama, his first assignment away from Tokyo. (Summary by Availle) More information: http://librivox.org/botchan-by-soseki-natsume/

The Journey of Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca by Alvar Núñez Cabeza de VACA (c. 1488 - 1558), translated by Fanny BANDELIER (1869 - 1936) Genre(s): History , Travel & Geography Read by: Sue Anderson in English Chapters: 00:00:00 - 00 - Chapter 0 00:24:01 - 01 - Chapter 1 00:45:52 - 02 - Chapter 2 01:13:16 - 03 - Chapter 3 01:38:20 - 04 - Chapter 4 02:08:33 - 05 - Chapter 5 02:36:30 - 06 - Chapter 6 03:02:56 - 07 - Chapter 7 03:26:56 - 08 - Chapter 8 03:51:11 - 09 - Chapter 9 Few stories of shipwreck and survival can equal that of the 16th century Spaniard Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca who, cast ashore near present day (USA) Tampa Bay, Florida, in 1528, survived eight years of hand-to-mouth existence among the Indians of the South and Southwest, and who walked on foot across the plains to the Pacific Coast, arriving in Mexico in 1536. In 1542 he published an account of his adventures, and the present reading is based on Fanny Bandelier's English translation of that text.Cabeza de Vaca, along with three other survivors, two Spaniards and a North African (Estévanico, a black slave) endured incredible hardships. Cabeza da Vaca was, himself, at first enslaved by the Indians, forced to dig roots with his bare hands for food. However, he soon showed powers of adaptation that allowed him to survive. He became a trader, bartering 'seashells and cockles' from the coast for hides, red ochre, flint, and deer hair tassels from the inland tribes. 'Trade suited me well,' he writes, 'because it gave me liberty to go where I pleased.' The Indians 'rejoiced greatly when seeing me and I would bring them what they needed, and those who did not know me would desire and endeavor to meet me for sake of my fame.' Cabeza de Vaca's 'fame' soon grew to include a reputation as a healer. In return for his 'cures,' the Indians gave him 'all that they had,' which included food, often in perilously short supply.The success of the survivors' final overland treck in search of Spanish settlement reflected their comprehension of Indian customs and values. They were passed along from one tribe to another, accompanied by an ontourage of friendly natives. At each stop, Cabeza de Vaca saw to it that the food and presents he received were distributed to his followers by their chiefs, thus ensuring their loyalty.After eight years among the Indians, Cabeza de Vaca had a hard time adjusting to 'civilization.' He writes that the Spanish governor in Mexico 'received us very well, giving us what he had, for us to dress in; but for many days I could bear no clothing, nor could we sleep except on the bare floor.' His first person narrative is an exciting tale of survival 'against the odds.'(Introduction by Sue Anderson) More information: http://librivox.org/the-journey-of-alvar-nunez-cabeza-de-vaca-by-alvar-nunez-cabeza-de-vaca/