Showing results by narrator "Russell Jones" in All Categories

Ukrainian-born humorist, dramatist and novelist Nikolai Gogol is widely believed to have led the realist revolution in Russian literature. His surreal, absurdist satires liberated comedy from its sentimental traditions and influenced writers both within Russia and worldwide, among them Fyodor Dostoevsky, Franz Kafka and Flannery O’Connor.

First published in 1886, Robert Louis Stevenson's rollicking historical novel Kidnapped was an instant bestseller. It was followed by an 1893 sequel, Catriona, which Stevenson regarded as his 'high water mark', declaring that he would 'never do a better book'. Included here is the epic 10-part BBC radio dramatisation of both action-packed tales.

Jean-Baptiste Pocquelin, better known by his pen-name Molière, was France's greatest satirical dramatist. Such was his influence on the French language that it is often referred to as 'the language of Molière', and he has been dubbed 'the French Shakespeare'. A leading 17th Century comic actor and director, his genius encompassed all aspects of stage comedy, and his plays continue to appeal to audiences today. Included here are six of his masterpieces, as heard on BBC Radio.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle needed to take a break from his detective work and so created this fantastic tale. A group of Victorian explorers discovers a hidden plateau in the Amazon jungle that is populated by fearsome dinosaurs and dangerous ape-like creatures. Can they survive the experience?

Originally published in 1922 and translated by Takashi Kojima, this classic short story was the inspiration for Akira Kurosawa's 1950 film Rashomon, about the murder of a samurai. Told from the perspective of multiple witnesses.

The notorious pirate Captain Flint is dead, and his great horde of stolen treasure lies lost, stashed and buried on an island far, far away. Jim Hawkins, the humble son of a country innkeeper, comes into possession of the only map to Flint's treasure and is soon swept away on a high seas adventure of treachery and survival.

In addition to being a prolific writer of Theosophical and occult teachings, Madame Blavatsky also penned a few tales of short fiction; although, she often claimed the events of her tales to be true, for added effect. This one recounts the tale of a traveler abroad, while searching for her lost dog and with aid of the whirling dervishes, encounters a strange humanoid creature known as the Oracle of Damascus, which they attempt to subdue.

Originally published in 1906, this is the tale of a man who, while out on a leisurely drive, crashes his car. After he awakens he finds he is being watched by an unsettling young boy, whom he is forced to lodge with for the night.

Edward Plunkett, better known as Lord Dunsany, published this tale of the Wild Things in 1908. In this story one of the creatures desires to obtain a soul in order to partake in the joy of human music and worship, which she can't experience without it.

Algernon Blackwood was a prolific writer of weird and occult tales. This short ghost story from 1906 tells the tale of a traveler, who encounters an elderly man known as the Father of the Village, with precognition of when townspeople will die.

Originally published in 1891, it may be difficult for modern readers to accept that there was still a relatively strong belief in vampires, in what might usually seem like an age of blossoming spiritual enlightenment. But the author, an otherwise celebrated figure in Theosophy, discusses not just the folklore of this famed monster, but he recounts first-hand tales of reported vampire attacks.

Originally published in 1888, this short piece by Richard Garnett offers the reader a light-hearted approach to Lucifer becoming the Pope for a day, after approaching a young man, who would grow up to become Pope Sylvester II, and offering to purchase his soul.

William Hope Hodgson was an early British writer of supernatural and fantasy fiction, becoming an inspiration for later writers such as Clark Ashton Smith and others. Dating to 1904, this was his first published story, and it tells the tale of a mysterious marble statue coming to life and murdering the townspeople.

How many times have we heard a parent say "I did the best I could", yet the tone is that of regret, disappointment, worry, or even heartache about how things have played out? Part of that is the result of unrealistic expectations for sure. Yet, maybe the biggest part is not having a comprehensive, holistic approach to parenting.

Russell Jones is a living example of what is possible in physical fitness and wellness. At 66 years old, he looks and feels better than people half his age. This book was created to help offer a solution to the many people who live their day to day lives feeling sick and tired and are ready to make some changes and live their best life in the only body they'll ever have.

Ston, Ivy, and Uncle are sent to the Sixth Circle to hunt for the Knave, underling of the Controller. This is a strange world of grassy plains and nomadic tribes with flocks of animals called Shaperoo. There is only one source of water left now, and it is controlled by two tribes that have fallen under the influence of a mysterious architect who has convinced them that to survive, they must carve an enormous reservoir out of the solid rock of a mountain.

Ston, Uncle, and Ivy continue their quest to find out who or what is affecting the key-stones that give some people the ability to redirect the flow of natural energy. The Source of Truth sends them to a strange world, ruled by the evil Controller. Along the way, they meet an unexpected ally, who is not quite what she seems.

This is the third book in the Seven Circles Series. Ston, Ivy, and Uncle find themselves in the Fifth Circle, Uncle's original home, where the inhabitants feel that honor and the keeping of oaths is all-important. At least, most of them do. Ston is treacherously betrayed after joining the Areon, a military organization of "lifter" that is responsible for enforcing law and order.

In this second book of the Seven Circles Series, Ston and Ivy arrive in the Fourth Circle, a world perceived as ruined by contamination brought in during an Alignment of the Circles. They are taken prisoner by the evil and corrupt regime of the Judicial. In the course of helping one of the last of the deposed royal family, they form an unexpected alliance in the fight to overthrow the dictator and save the world. Meanwhile, their budding romance continues to grow.

In this exciting first installment of the Seven Circles series, we are introduced to Ston, Son of the Manse and keeper of a key-stone of power, and to Ivy, a seemingly ordinary girl whose all-important role will soon be discovered. They face a conspiracy of evil that threatens to destroy the Seventh Circle along with everyone they care for.