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In this important book, G.K. Chesterton offers a remarkably perceptive analysis of social and moral issues, even more relevant today than in his own time. With a light, humorous tone but a deadly serious philosophy, he comments on errors in education, on feminism vs. true womanhood, on the importance of the child, and other issues, using incisive arguments against the trendsetters’ assaults on the common man and the family.
Greed, betrayal, and vengeance set the stage for this Sir Arthur Conan Doyle classic. Sherlock Holmes is rescued from boredom by the strange case of Jonathan Small and the tragedy of Pondicherry Lodge. The mystery leads Holmes and Dr. Watson into an intricate plot regarding a lost treasure belonging to four convicts on the Andaman Islands.
A natural storyteller and raconteur in his own right - just listen to Paddle Your Own Canoe and Gumption - actor, comedian, carpenter, and all-around manly man Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) brings his distinctive baritone and a fine-tuned comic versatility to Twain's writing. In a knockout performance, he doesn't so much as read Twain's words as he does rejoice in them, delighting in the hijinks of Tom - whom he lovingly refers to as a "great scam artist" and "true American hero".
The sacred cat of Bubastes has accidentally been slain; now young Chebron must pay for the offense with his own life, as this is the law of the Pagans in Egypt, 1250 BC. Chebron, the son of a high Egyptian priest, flees for his life taking his sister Mysa, one of the household slaves Amuba, and several companions with him.
One of the best-known stories in American culture, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has stirred the imagination of young and old alike for over 100 years. Best Actress nominee Anne Hathaway (Rachel Getting Married, Alice In Wonderland), fresh from filming one of this year’s most anticipated films, The Dark Knight Rises, lends her voice to this uniquely American fairy tale.
Based on historical fact, full of intrigue and chivalry at a time when Normandy was not part of France, this is the romantic childhood history of Richard the Fearless, Duke of Normandy. After his father was assassinated, when he was just nine years old, he is kidnapped and imprisoned by Louis of France, who wanted to annex Normandy. But thanks to the bravery and daring of Richard's loyal squire and knight, Osmond de Centeville, he makes good his escape.
In this important book, G.K. Chesterton offers a remarkably perceptive analysis of social and moral issues, even more relevant today than in his own time. With a light, humorous tone but a deadly serious philosophy, he comments on errors in education, on feminism vs. true womanhood, on the importance of the child, and other issues, using incisive arguments against the trendsetters’ assaults on the common man and the family.
Greed, betrayal, and vengeance set the stage for this Sir Arthur Conan Doyle classic. Sherlock Holmes is rescued from boredom by the strange case of Jonathan Small and the tragedy of Pondicherry Lodge. The mystery leads Holmes and Dr. Watson into an intricate plot regarding a lost treasure belonging to four convicts on the Andaman Islands.
A natural storyteller and raconteur in his own right - just listen to Paddle Your Own Canoe and Gumption - actor, comedian, carpenter, and all-around manly man Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) brings his distinctive baritone and a fine-tuned comic versatility to Twain's writing. In a knockout performance, he doesn't so much as read Twain's words as he does rejoice in them, delighting in the hijinks of Tom - whom he lovingly refers to as a "great scam artist" and "true American hero".
The sacred cat of Bubastes has accidentally been slain; now young Chebron must pay for the offense with his own life, as this is the law of the Pagans in Egypt, 1250 BC. Chebron, the son of a high Egyptian priest, flees for his life taking his sister Mysa, one of the household slaves Amuba, and several companions with him.
One of the best-known stories in American culture, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has stirred the imagination of young and old alike for over 100 years. Best Actress nominee Anne Hathaway (Rachel Getting Married, Alice In Wonderland), fresh from filming one of this year’s most anticipated films, The Dark Knight Rises, lends her voice to this uniquely American fairy tale.
Based on historical fact, full of intrigue and chivalry at a time when Normandy was not part of France, this is the romantic childhood history of Richard the Fearless, Duke of Normandy. After his father was assassinated, when he was just nine years old, he is kidnapped and imprisoned by Louis of France, who wanted to annex Normandy. But thanks to the bravery and daring of Richard's loyal squire and knight, Osmond de Centeville, he makes good his escape.
Spirited, romantic, and full of danger, Kidnapped is Robert Louis Stevenson's classic of high adventure. Beloved by generations, it is the saga of David Balfour, a young heir whose greedy uncle connives to do him out of his inherited fortune and plots to have him seized and sold into slavery. But honor, loyalty, and courage are rewarded.
A great listen for children! American Fairy Tales by L. Frank Baum includes classic stories that will keep your child riveted. In fact, it will keep the average adult entranced! The story lines and scenery created by the author are a thing of beauty. Vivid conversations between characters create an imaginary paradise your son or daughter can wander through for ages to come.
In Northanger Abbey, a young woman's penchant for sensational Gothic novels leads to misunderstandings in the matters of the heart. Austen's first, this is considered by many to be among her most charming novels.
A classic of faith, fortitude, and inspiration, this faithful New Testament tale combines the events of the life of Jesus with grand historical spectacle in the exciting story of Judah of the House of Hur, a man who finds extraordinary redemption for himself and his family. Judah Ben-Hur lives as a rich Jewish prince and merchant in Jerusalem at the beginning of the first century. His old friend, Messala, arrives as commanding officer of the Roman legions.
God did not mean for salvation to be a deep, complicated subject that man could not understand. But sometimes man's words confuse God's simple truths. D. L. Moody, one of the 19th century's greatest evangelists, shows how simple salvation is. Avoiding heavy philosophy, he simply shows "the way to God."
Compiled by American essayist, editor, critic, and lecturer Hamilton Wright Mabie, here is a fantastic collection of classic legends from ancient mythology, The classical work of Hawthorne has been generously drawn upon. Included are "Three Golden Apples"; "Pomegranate Seeds"; "Chimera"; "Golden Touch"; "Gorgon's Head"; "Dragon's Teeth"; "Miraculous Pitcher"; "Paradise of Children", and more.
Uncle Tom's Cabin was the best-selling novel of the 19th century and the second best-selling book of that century, following the Bible. It is credited with helping fuel the abolitionist cause in the 1850s. In 1855, three years after it was published, it was called "the most popular novel of our day." A thrilling and important piece of American literature!
Here are 22 charming Japanese Fairy Tales, translated by Yei Theodora Ozaki, including "My Lord Bag of Rice", "The Tongue-Cut Sparrow", "The Story of Urashima Taro, the Fisher Lad", "The Farmer and the Badger", "The Shinansha, or the South Pointing Carriage", "The Adventures of Kintaro, the Golden Boy", "The Story of Princess Hase", "The Story of the Man Who Did Not Wish to Die", "The Bamboo-Cutter and the Moonchild", "The Mirror of Matsuyama", and more.
The compelling tale of a spirited young Thoroughbred. Anna Sewell said that her purpose in writing this novel was "to induce kindness, sympathy, and an understanding treatment of horses." The book broke records for sales and is the sixth best seller in the English language.
Tales of Mowgli, the boy raised by animals in the exotic jungles of India; Rikkitikkitavi, a courageous young mongoose who battles the sinister black cobra Nag; Toomai, the boy who works with elephants; and more will delight listeners both young and old. These classic stories brim with adventure and thrills as the lively characters fend off ferocious tigers and deadly snakes, slip through the jungle to watch elephants dance, and seek refuge from dangerous hunters.
In his introduction to The Life of Abraham Lincoln, Henry Ketcham notes that there has been so much written about Lincoln that the legend has begun to obscure, if not to efface, the man. “In this biography the single purpose has been to present the living man with such distinctness of outline that the reader may have a sort of feeling of being acquainted with him.”
When Alice tumbles down, down, down a rabbit-hole one hot summer's afternoon in pursuit of a White Rabbit, she finds herself in Wonderland. And there begin the fantastical adventures that will see her experiencing extraordinary changes in size, swimming in a pool of her own tears, and attending the very maddest of tea parties.
Hank Morgan is a normal guy from Hartford, Connecticut. One day in 1889, Hank wakes up in early medieval England, in the domain of King Arthur. Discovered by a knight, he is brought to Arthur’s court, ridiculed, and promptly sentenced to burn at the stake. Does Hank have any opportunity here? Of course he does, because his author is that opportunistic master, Mark Twain.
As performed with perfect Twainian irony by Norman Dietz, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court shows how a normal American man at the end of the 19th century can be the smartest man in the world if only he carries his knowledge to a bygone time. Filled with satire, dark philosophy, and antic comedy, this is Twain at his best.
I wish I could convey the delight I felt listening to this presentation of Twain's astute critique of society -- past and present. While written over 100 years ago, its insights and wisdom are as timely, perhaps even more so, than they were then. The reading of this book is also a joy -- the reader is sharp, witty, and brings the first-person of this narrative not only to life, but to a engaging seat next you. By the time I was hour into it, he was my friend, charmingly relating his unbelievable tale to me. Do yourself a favor -- listen to this book.
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
If all you know of this book is the silly Danny Kaye movie, you have denied yourself a true treat. His humor and wit are as sharp here as anything he ever wrote. You will both laugh and be astounded. Listen, it's a gem.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
I've enjoyed Norman Dietz's version of Connecticut Yankee and Life on the Mississippi, and it's hard to imagine that anyone could read these works better. He may read slower, but I never noticed it. Unless you are intent on blitzing through these texts as fast as you can, Dietz's readings are a real treat. It really is possible to imagine yourself sitting on a steamboat listening to Clemens himself.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Norman Dietz usually does a good job with Mark Twain, and he does so here; but the pace could be faster. (Compared with one of the other unabridged recordings available here, it's a full hour longer.) I hadn't remembered that the story is chock full of the Yankee's thoughts about politics and economy, and at times this gets tedious. But stay with the story through the scenes involving slavery: the context is totally different, but Twain's anger still burns white hot. And the conclusion, for all the satire that comes before it, is shockingly brutal.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
God created Mark Twain to puncture the pomposity of the human race. This audiobook gives us a whole new perspective on the "gallantry" of the Middle Ages. With typical tongue in cheek, Twain guides us through the mythology of King Arthur and his Round Table. This audiobook would be worth the price if you only got the passages where Merlin is discredited by having his tower is blown up using modern day explosives. Sandy's tale in Chapter 15 is nothing short of perfect. I laughed till I cried.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
over and over, I can listen to this over and over... it's fantastic.
wit and wisdom, tremendous and commonplace, as it is to be expected with Twain, is no surprise and hence not outstanding. yes, as is usual with his mature novels, Yankee is a pleasure for the humors, an expose of the natures.
what is truly exceptional here is the performance.
I have dozens of Twain audiobooks, lots of experience. I believe no one delivers him as well as Norman Dietz. his timing and timbre capture the soul of the story perfectly. and that is a necessity for Twain's works because his writing has a soul, a personality that delivers the meaning as much as the prose.
here Dietz delivers, more than on any other, with Sandy's monologues. she yammers train wreck worthy sentences, and Dietz nails them. everytime is a riot.
this book is a brilliantly delivered comic gem written with wisdom and stirred with emotion.
NOTE: not the best recording, sadly. for me all that is wonderful and entertaining in this novel outshine the sound quality. I hope that will be your experience as well.
cheers
A time travel book, the first? Clemens' view of the 6th century from the 19th is amazing. And, I was in awe that the words he used in the 19th century are good in the 21st...slang for example. This is really a story of about the biggest problems Mark Twain observed in his time period, including slavery, abuses of political power, unchecked factory growth, child labor, and frightening new war technology. And,the final battle scene aptly predicts the great war (WWI). All of it applied with wit!
Norman Dietz's reading is absolutely spot-on. His dry sense of humor and sarcastic drawl makes me feel like I'm sitting on Mark Twain's front porch listening to the author himself read. If your only introduction to this story is the Bing Crosby musical (shudder) or if you've only ever read Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn, PLEASE do yourself a huge favor and listen to this book. Heck! Even listening to the free preview is worth the time!
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
a 19th century american writing about 6th century england. how much more dated can you get?
yet, time and again, passage after passage, i wished that mr. clemens were here to point out the buffoonery of our own high-minded 'leaders' of all persuasions.
"Men are all fools. Born so, I guess."
oppression and justice, intolerance, the power of training, and the fallibility of humans. it's all there, in the 6th, the 19th, or the 21st century.
the narrator, Norman Dietz, is very good but perhaps not outstanding. he certainly did not take anything away from the story. the quality, format 2, was fine (i was listening at night before sleep with headphones).
so, four stars. a good listen.
2 of 4 people found this review helpful
This is very centered on the anachronistic features but the characters are not very interesting or well-developed. The reader sounds like he's from MD or VA not Connecticut.
1 of 9 people found this review helpful
If you could sum up A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court in three words, what would they be?
Surprising, entertaining, funny
What was one of the most memorable moments of A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court?
There is lots of memorable moments in this book, though I like the piece where he went on a knights quest with a fair maiden to save her mistress from a wicked witch
What about Norman Dietz’s performance did you like?
Normans voice and pace gives life to the story, and he makes it easy for the listener to create immages of the action
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Yes - but I did'nt have the time.
Any additional comments?
It is a light hearted story with loads of wondering, ingenuity, warmth, ignorance, love and intollerance. Read it or listen to it. :-)