Showing results by author "Dream audio books" in All Categories

Beowulf was composed by an anonymous Anglo-Saxon poet. Francis Barton Gummere translates this beautiful poem. Beowulf is an epic poem. The main character, Beowulf, proves himself a hero as he battles against supernatural demons and beasts. (Summary by Tad E.)

Women of Versailles: The Court of Louis XIV explores the influential women who shaped the Sun King’s reign. From Queen Maria Theresa to powerful mistresses like Madame de Montespan and Madame de Maintenon, these women played key roles in politics, culture, and intrigue. The book delves into courtly life, scandals, and the rigid etiquette of Versailles. It highlights the influence of women in diplomacy, patronage of the arts, and even governance. Through detailed portraits, it reveals their ambitions, rivalries, and impact on Louis XIV’s rule. A fascinating glimpse into the opulent yet ...

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes: The Illuminating Diary of a Professional Lady by Anita Loos is a satirical novel following the diary of Lorelei Lee, a beautiful but naïve blonde from Little Rock. She charms wealthy men, especially the older and generous kind, using her wit and beauty to secure a lavish lifestyle. With her friend Dorothy, a sharp-witted brunette, Lorelei travels from New York to Europe, indulging in diamonds, fine dining, and high society. Despite her apparent simplicity, she masterfully manipulates men for personal gain. The novel humorously critiques gender roles, materialism, and...

This a collection of poems recorded by LibriVox volunteers during the month of January 2009.

Leo Tolstoy’s Childhood (1852) is a semi-autobiographical novel that explores the innocence, joy, and emotional depth of youth. The story follows Nikolenka, a young boy from an aristocratic Russian family, as he navigates early experiences of love, loss, and self-awareness. Through vivid, nostalgic prose, Tolstoy captures the simplicity of childhood alongside its quiet sorrows, such as separation from a beloved mother and the realization of life's hardships. The novel blends keen psychological insight with lyrical descriptions, offering a poignant reflection on the fleeting nature of youth ...

The d'Artagnan Romances, Vol 1: The Three Musketeers (version 3)Alexandre Dumas (1802 - 1870)Translated by William Robson (1785 - 1863)The d'Artagnan Romances are six volumes that intertwine exciting events (real and fictionalized) from 17th-century Europe and the life of the most adored French musketeer of that period, Charles de Batz-Castelmore d'Artagnan. Volume 1 introduces d’Artagnan as a young man, seeking to earn the glory of serving in the King’s Musketeers. While in pursuit of this aim, d’Artagnan befriends three musketeers – Athos, Porthos, and Aramis – who aid him in ...

Bram Stoker (1847 - 1912)Dracula is an 1897 Gothic horror novel by Irish author Bram Stoker. It introduced Count Dracula, and established many conventions of subsequent vampire fantasy. The novel tells the story of Dracula's attempt to move from Transylvania to England so that he may find new blood and spread the undead curse, and of the battle between Dracula and a small group of men and a woman led by Professor Abraham Van Helsing. - Summary by Wikipedia

Carlo Collodi (1826 - 1890)Translated by Carol Della Chiesa (1887 - 1972)Do today's children still learn what a "marionette" is? The beloved story of Pinocchio may represent a last lingering picture of a world not dominated by plastic or electronic toys.Pinocchio is a puppet made from a piece of wood that curiously could talk even before being carved. A wooden-head he starts and a wooden-head he stays - until after years of misadventures caused by his laziness and failure to keep promises he finally learns to care about his family - and then he becomes a real boy.For those who have seen the ...

The Life of Buddha by A. Ferdinand Hérold presents a graceful and accessible retelling of the story of Siddhartha Gautama, the prince who renounced luxury to seek truth and enlightenment. Written with clarity and reverence, this work explores his spiritual journey, the trials he endured, and the wisdom he shared, which continues to inspire millions worldwide. Hérold’s account balances historical insight with timeless lessons, offering readers both an introduction to Buddhist philosophy and a moving portrait of the Buddha’s compassionate path. Description by Dream AudioBooks

Dick Brewster is implicated in a murder and comes to his aunt's farm to hide. His Aunt Sarah stands by him in his need and they all move to the city in the effort to clear his name. She investigates on her own account and.... - Summary by The AuthorCast list:Lily Ann, Help at the farm: Devorah AllenAaron Flint, the hired man: Alan MapstoneMrs. Brewster, from New York: TJ BurnsHelen Brewster, her daughter: Jenn BrodaLeonard Fillmore, a young country lawyer: skypigeonSarah Newcomb, sister of Mrs. Brewster: AvailleDick Brewster: David PurdyHenson, a butler: Adrian StephensRalph Deering: Matthew ...

Beowulf is an Early English legendary sonnet that recounts the tale of its gallant hero, Beowulf, a champion from Geatland. He goes to Denmark to help Lord Hrothgar, whose mead corridor is threatened by a beast named Grendel. Beowulf routs Grendel in fight and later kills Grendel's vindictive mother. He gets back a legend and ultimately becomes lord of the Geats. Years after the fact, Beowulf faces his last test: a furious mythical beast undermining his realm. However he kills the winged serpent, Beowulf is mortally injured and bites the dust. His kin grieve him, regarding his dauntlessness ...

Another installment in Carpenter's travels of the world. This time we visit Java, the East Indies, Sumatra, Borneo, The Moluccas, New Guinea, Celebes and the Malay Peninsula. (Summary by Betty)

The modern British philosopher, Anthony M. Ludovici, said that this text “is unquestionably Nietzsche’s opus magnum.” However, he warns the reader that since “the book with the most mysterious, startling, or suggestive title, will always stand the best chance of being purchased by those who have no other criteria to guide them in their choice than the aspect of a title-page … ‘Thus Spake Zarathustra’ is almost always the first and often the only one of Nietzsche’s books that falls into the hands of the uninitiated.” He therefore recommends reading this text alongside some ...

First published in Space Science Fiction May 1953. "The claws were bad enough in the first place—nasty, crawling little death-robots. But when they began to imitate their creators, it was time for the human race to make peace—if it could!" When future war becomes so horrific that humans turn to machines and computers to design ways to kill each other strange things may happen. And DO in this classic Philip K. Dick story! (summary from the story blurb and Phil Chenevert)

The Metamorphosis (German: Die Verwandlung, also sometimes translated as The Transformation) is a novella by Franz Kafka, first published in 1915. It has been cited as one of the seminal works of fiction of the 20th century and is studied in colleges and universities across the Western world. The story begins with a traveling salesman, Gregor Samsa, waking to find himself transformed (metamorphosed) into a large, monstrous insect-like creature. The cause of Samsa's transformation is never revealed, and Kafka never did give an explanation. The rest of Kafka's novella deals with Gregor's ...

This is a little volume of poetry by Canadian poet Virna Sheard. Published in 1917, its subject is the then ongoing first World War. - Summary by Carolin

Carmilla is a Gothic novella by Joseph Sheridan le Fanu. First published in 1872, it tells the story of a young woman's susceptibility to the attentions of a female vampire named Carmilla. Carmilla predates Bram Stoker's Dracula by over twenty years, had a strong influence on Stoker's famous novel. (Summary from Wikipedia)

Charlotte Bronte's classic novel Jane Eyre is narrated by the title character, an orphan who survives neglect and abuse to become a governess at the remote Thornfield Hall. She finds a kindred spirit in her employer, the mysterious and brooding Mr. Rochester, but he hides a terrible secret that threatens their chances of happiness. (Summary by Elizabeth Klett)

Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog), published in 1889, is a humorous account by Jerome K. Jerome of a boating holiday on the Thames between Kingston and Oxford.The book was intended initially to be a serious travel guide, with accounts of local history of places along the route, but the humorous elements eventually took over, to the point where the serious and somewhat sentimental passages now seem like an unnecessary distraction to the essentially comic novel. One of the most praised things about Three Men in a Boat is how undated it appears to modern readers. The jokes seem ...

Fred Jane, who later went on to publish his famous "Jane's Fighting Ships", doubtless was noting the success of other books that forecast a British defeat in the event of war in the late 19th century when he wrote this fictional account of "The Man Who Saved England." Jane tells of a possible war against both France and Russia with plenty of verve and derring-do amid naval battles, both small and large. - Summary by Mark