Showing results by author "Mc bill frank" in All Categories

The framing story concerns a man who dreams of speaking to Venus about love while she wears furs. The unnamed narrator tells his dreams to a friend, Severin, who tells him how to break him of his fascination with cruel women by reading a manuscript, Memoirs of a Supersensual Man. This manuscript tells of a man, Severin von Kusiemski, so infatuated with a woman, Wanda von Dunajew, that he requests to be treated as her slave, and encourages her to treat him in progressively more degrading ways. At first Wanda does not understand or relate to the request, but after humouring Severin a bit she ...

"One of the most inspired chronicles written in English" was the verdict of William Butler Yeats on the novel Castle Rackrent by Maria Edgeworth which was first published in 1800. It is recognised as the first true historical novel in English as well as the first Big-House novel. Written at the time when there was much debate about the Act of Union which proposed to unite Great Britain with Ireland, the book satirised the mismanagement of their Irish estates by Anglo-Irish landlords. Maria Edgeworth's writing is wonderful - informative, entertaining and amusing by turns. Just before ...

In this popular American book from the 1920s, accomplished public speaker and self-help charlatan Elsie Lincoln Benedict outlines her pseudo-scientific system of "Human Analysis". She proposes that, within the human race, five sub-types have developed through evolutionary processes, each with its own distinct character traits and corresponding outward appearance. She offers to teach the reader how to recognise these five types of people and understand their innate differences. Her ideas have never been taken seriously by the scientific community, but this book is considered a classic within ...

Romeo and Juliet is perhaps the most famous of Shakespeare’s plays and is thought to be the most famous love story in Western history. It concerns the fate of two very young lovers who would do anything to be togetherThe Montagues and the Capulets of Verona, Italy, are in the midst of a long-standing feud when Romeo Montague drops in on a masquerade party at the Capulets’. While there he meets and woos the daughter of the house, Juliet. She likewise returns his passion, and their secret meeting later that night on her bedroom balcony begins a series of tragic events that no one could have ...

Among the most “banned” books in the United States, Uncle Tom’s Cabin; or, Life Among the Lowly is a novel by American author Harriet Beecher Stowe which treats slavery as a central theme. Stowe was a Connecticut-born teacher at the Hartford Female Academy and an active abolitionist. The novel is believed to have had a profound effect on the North’s view of slavery. In fact, when he met Harriet Beecher Stowe, President Lincoln is said to have commented, “So you’re the little lady whose book started the Civil War.” First published on March 20, 1852, the story focuses on the tale ...

Genji Monogatari, or The Tale of Genji, is a Japanese classic novel from the eleventh century. Supposedly commissioned by members of the Imperial Family, it tells the story of the son of the Emperor's favorite concubine and his role as a privileged boy and man, but not quite recognized as royal. He is placed in a loveless marriage, but continues a number of 'friendships' with the women of the court. This translation brings us the first seventeen chapters, and there is some dispute over the authorship of later (not included) chapters. The book gives us a fascinating insight into court life of ...

A mysterious map, pirates, and pieces of eight! When young Jim Hawkins finds a map to pirates’ gold he starts on an adventure that takes him from his English village to a desert island with the murderous Black Dog, half-mad Ben Gunn, and (of course) Long John Silver. Arr Jim lad! R.L. Stevenson (1850-1894) was born in Scotland and travelled extensively in California and the south Pacific. (Summary by Adrian Praetzellis)

Tom Sawyer, Detective is an 1896 novel by Mark Twain. It is a sequel to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876), Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884), and Tom Sawyer Abroad (1894). Tom Sawyer attempts to solve a mysterious murder in this burlesque of the immensely popular detective novels of the time. Tom and Huck find themselves with Uncle Silas and his family again (see "Huck Finn"), and much of the drama ends up focusing on Uncle Silas. Like the two preceding novels, the story is told using the first-person narrative voice of Huck Finn. (Summary by Wikipedia & John Greenman)

This collection of articles by and about Mark Twain and his family was compiled by Barbara Schmidt, publisher of twainquotes.com. Included in Part Three of this chronological listing (1890-1899) are some of Twain’s short stories, speeches and letters, as they appeared in the New York Times in that decade. The original microfiche articles are available at the New York Times “Times Machine” website: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/browser/. - Summary by John Greenman and Barbara Schmidt

Edward I (1239 – 1307), was King of England from 1272 to 1307. The eldest son of Henry III, Edward was involved from an early age in the political intrigues of his father's reign. Edward spent much of his reign reforming royal administration and common law. After suppressing a minor conflict in Wales in 1276–77, Edward responded to a second one in 1282–83 by conquering Wales. Edward's temperamental nature and height (6'2") made him an intimidating figure. He often instilled fear in his contemporaries, although he held the respect of his subjects for the way he embodied the medieval ideal...

Cleopatra by Jacob AbbottA biography of the famous Cleopatra of Egypt, written in a manner, equally interesting to children and to adults.

This is the 36th Coffee Break Collection, in which Librivox readers select and read stories or poems, fiction or non-fiction pieces of fifteen minutes' duration or less, suitable for short commutes and coffee breaks. The subject for this collection is "CATS" . Michele Fry.

An historical account of the settlement of Upper and Lower Canada, with notes about the indigenous inhabitants of those areas of Eastern Canada, who intersected with English, Irish, Scottish and French settlers. The history originally accompanied remarkable black and white sketches by W.H. Bartlett. (Summary by Czandra)

A beautiful play perfect for Christmas time by Robert Hugh Benson. (Summary by Mozartjr) Cast List Narrator: Mozartjr Narrator: Larry Wilson Abel: Inkell Balthazar / Uzziel: Greg Giordano Ben-Ezra / Appendix: Rapunzelina Choir Member: Gillian Hendrie Choir Member: Anna Goss Choir Member: llamaart David: David Purdy Eliphaz: redrun Ezra: Wayne Cooke Gaspar / Nadab: Agnes Robert Behr Herald: Larry Wilson Martha: blueriveriris Mary: Therese Lindholm Melchoir: Adrian Stephens Tobias / Zachary: Alan Mapstone

“This story is true. It tells the eternally new tale of the matchless charm of our Lord Jesus Christ. One look at that loveliness, and, though the one who looked did not even remember His name, she was his forever. It [speaks] in a clear glad voice and it [says] ‘Fear not at all. Where your hands cannot reach and your love cannot help, His hands can reach and His love can help. So why are you afraid?’ And it is said that miles of space and solid walls and locked doors are nothing to Love. Nothing at all. And it is said—and we set it down with a great hope that it may cheer some other, ...

Mr. Moffatt owns a chemist's business in suburban Sydney, Australia, where he lives with his wife, Florence, and adult daughter, Naomi. The story begins with a painting that Mr. Moffatt received as security for a debt and comes to believe may be an old master. He embarks on a trip to England to have the painting valued, but on returning to Australia he finds his life has changed in ways that challenge everything he believes in. Published in England and now largely forgotten, Mr. Moffatt was Australia's first modernist novel, notable for its psychological intensity and Cobb's use of a ...

A new Professor Challenger Story! When Mr. Peerless Jones, artesian borer, is contact by the great but eccentric Professor Challenger with an urgent request, his curiosity and the endorsement of his friend Malone who had previous dealings with Challenger convinces him to meet with the Professor. Challenger's plan is as absurd as it is potentially Earth-shattering... Will Jones experience the sound of WHEN THE WORLD SCREAMED? - Summary by Ben Tucker

Sammlung von Aufsätzen über die gesellschaftlichen Verhältnisse im jungen Sowjet-Rußland. Der Autor bereiste als Journalist Rußland in den Jahren 1921/22 und ist um eine objektive Darstellung seiner Eindrücke bemüht. Als Zeitzeuge liefert er uns wertvolle Informationen, die zum Verständnis der Vorgänge in Rußland nach der Oktoberrevolution und dem anschließenden Bürgerkrieg beitragen. Zusammenfassung von Friedrich

Conspiracy on Callisto - Frederik Pohl Revolt was flaring on Callisto, and Peter Duane held the secret that would make the uprising a success or failure. Yet he could make no move, could favor no side—his memory was gone—he didn't know for whom he fought! Prison of a Billion Years -CH Thames A prison that it is literally impossible to break free from? How could this be? Watchbird - Robert Sheckley Machines that can accurately predict when crimes will happen? What a great money spinner? But where's Tom Cruise when you need him? The Incomplete Theft - Ralph Burke A grand new spaceship, tech ...

This story will allow both young and old to learn about some of Mexico's history, customs, daily life, and beautiful places through the eyes and experiences of Juanita, a young Mexican girl, and her friends. (Summary by Sue Gill)