Showing results by narrator "Paul Spera" in All Categories

"On the Top of the Tower" is a short story in the "The Eight Strokes of the Clock" collection of eight short stories by Maurice Leblanc. Their main character: Arsène Lupin, the beloved gentleman thief, one of the most famous characters of the detective genre. All eight stories are independent but brought together by a leading thread. Posing as Prince Rénine, Lupin uses his legendary wit to free a young woman from a tedious destiny before having her make him a promise: she will become his bride if together, they manage to solve seven other mysteries before the eighth stroke of the clock, three months from then.

Alongside Baudelaire, Mallarmé, and Rimbaud, with whom he had a stormy relationship, Paul Verlaine is one of the most influential poets of the "fin de siècle". He was one of the greatest representatives of the Decadent movement that began in the 1870s, and a leader of the "Symbolists". His stylistic innovations brought a new musicality to French poetry; it was he who paved the way for modern poetry with its experiments in free verse and new techniques.

When Nathan Garrideb enlists Holmes' help to find others who share his unusual surname, a simple quest for fortune quickly turns into a web of deception, crime, and clever trickery. With every twist, Holmes races to uncover the truth before greed and danger claim their next victim.

First published in 1752, "Micromegas" is one of Voltaire’s best-known works. It is a tale of mordant irony, and actually the original science-fiction short story. Arriving on Earth from the star Sirius, the gigantic explorer Micromegas discovers the people of Earth, so small compared to him that he first believes that no creature this size can hope to achieve any degree of intelligence; he will soon discover the ways and thoughts of these diminutive people, who clearly have an over-inflated idea of their own importance in the universe. Voltaire's extrapolations of sun-powered interstellar flight, alien civilizations, and the two moons of Mars, are designed to make us see ourselves in a new light and laugh at what we find.

"The Temple." Howard Phillips Lovecraft (1890-1937) is a novelist famous for his horror stories, fantasy and science fiction. Although he was not famous during his lifetime, his work is now considered a classic of literature. Lovecraft's work has influenced many authors, including Stephen King, who considers him "the greatest craftsman of the classic horror story of the 20th century."

"The Art of War", by the Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu, was written in fifth century BC and remains one of the most influential strategy treatises of all time. It was held as the most important military treatise for 1500 years, and has now a pervasive influence on Eastern and Western military thinking, business tactics, legal strategy and beyond. The ancient wisdom of this ultimate guide to combat strategy is indeed applicable in all areas of life by anyone willing to ensure every kind of victory.

The myth of King Midas is a cautionary tale about the dangers of believing that gold should be coveted above all things, and the foolishness of wishing without thinking. It appeared in Ovid's "Metamorphosis", and has inspired many works of art and literature through the centuries. This is a retelling of the complete tale of "The King with the Golden Touch", from the Gordian knot to the ears of an ass, in great detail and with an elegant style that will edify children and adults alike.

The fictional gentleman thief is a master of disguise, a criminal genius and a moral figure well-set in righting a few wrongs himself when Justice can't be bothered. Arsène Lupin is traveling under an alias when he gets attacked and robbed by a mysterious thief. The police is under strong suspicion that the thief is the wanted Lupin. The real one will have to go along with the detectives in search of the impostor.

August Strindberg belongs to the same generation of authors as the Russian Chekhov and the Norwegian Ibsen. Strindberg stands at the crossroads of such decisive influences as those of Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, Schiller, Zola, Byron, or Freud's precursors such as Bernheim. He absorbed the aesthetic trends of his time, particularly naturalism. Four of his short stories are presented in this audiobook: The German Lieutenant; Unwelcome; Over-refinement; Paul & Peter.

A mysterious cipher brings Holmes a chilling warning, just moments before a man named Douglas is found murdered at his country estate. Join Holmes and Watson as they unravel a deadly plot filled with secrets, danger, and a cunning mind behind it all. Will you uncover the truth before it's too late?

A mysterious tenant, her face hideously disfigured, haunts her landlady with midnight cries of "Murder! You cruel beast!" Holmes must unravel the dark past behind Mrs. Ronder's torment, an unsettling tale of tragedy, vengeance, and the human heart's darkest secrets.

With their magic book, Jade and Adam shrink to the size of an insect and spend a fascinating day with the animals: the Bees, the Butterflies, the Ants and the Ladybirds.

The fictional gentleman thief is a master of disguise, a criminal genius and a moral figure well-set in righting a few wrongs himself when Justice can't be bothered. Fear and scandal in the French aristocracy: the "Queen's necklace" has disappeared! This priceless work of art was said to have been presented to Marie-Antoinette, Queen of France, in 1785, and it was kept by the Dreux-Soubise family for four generations. Its inexplicable disappearance is a total mystery, until a no less mysterious stranger comes up with a clever explanation.

Herbert George Wells was an English writer. He was prolific in many genres, writing dozens of novels, short stories. He is now best remembered for his science fiction novels and is often called a "father of science fiction". Discover H. G. Wells best short stories and science fiction classics.

This gripping tale, "the Seven of Hearts", begins with a mysterious message: "From the moment you open this letter, whatever happens, whatever you may hear, do not move, do not utter one cry. Otherwise you are doomed." This is the beginning of a very strange tale, in which Arsene Lupin will have to prove himself very clever indeed.

A classic crime caper featuring the daring gentleman-thief turned detective, Arsène Lupin, a master of disguise, a criminal genius, and a man intent on righting wrongs when Justice can't be bothered. In this gripping tale, Lupin has set himself a challenge: to rob the millions stashed in Madame Imbert's safe. But Imbert’s private mansion is a fortress. Can Lupin outwit the police and unlock the secrets within the safe? Guaranteed to keep you guessing until the very end, this tale is perfect for fans of ´Knives Out´ and ´Glass Onion´.

Phaeton is the son of Apollo and a mortal woman, and his heart's desire is to be seen but once driving his father's chariot, the one used by the god to make the sun travel in the sky. This myth is an ageless story of failure at the hands of pride, similar to that of Icarus. It is a fundamental part of Greek mythology and of modern culture. This short story is a retelling of the myth in great detail and with an elegant style that will edify children and adults alike.

"The Water Bottle" is a short story in the "The Eight Strokes of the Clock" collection of eight short stories by Maurice Leblanc. Their main character: Arsène Lupin, the beloved gentleman thief, one of the most famous characters of the detective genre. All eight stories are independent but brought together by a leading thread. Posing as Prince Rénine, Lupin uses his legendary wit to free a young woman from a tedious destiny before having her make him a promise: she will become his bride if together, they manage to solve seven other mysteries before the eighth stroke of the clock, three months from then.

Ten grippling short stories of Arsène Lupin: one of the most famous and intriguing figures of French detective literature. He was created by Maurice Leblanc, a brilliant journalist, writer and storyteller, and is the hero of a total of 24 books, novels and short stories alike. The fictional gentleman thief is a master of disguise, a criminal genius and a moral figure well-set in righting a few wrongs himself when Justice can't be bothered.

In this audiobook, read by Paul Spera, each historical event is replaced into context and presented in clear and easy-to-read snippets, so that younger and older readers can deepen their understanding of how modern France came to be and broaden their culture.