The Spirit of Christmas
A collection of short Christmas works by the author of The Story of the Fourth Wise Man [chương_files]
A collection of short Christmas works by the author of The Story of the Fourth Wise Man [chương_files]
“The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” is an 1865 short story by Mark Twain. It was also published as “The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” and “Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog.” In it, the narrator retells a story he heard from a bartender, Simon Wheeler, at the Angels Hotel in Angels Camp, California, about the gambler Jim Smiley. Upon discovering a French translation of this story, Twain re-translated the story, word for word and keeping the French grammar structure, back into English. He then published all three versions under the title “The Jumping Frog: In English, Then in French, and Then Clawed Back Into A Civilized Language Once More by Patient, Unremunerated Toil.” [chương_files]
Miniature wargaming got its start with the publication in 1913 of this thoroughly entertaining little account of how H.G. Wells, with certain of his friends, took their childhood toys and turned play into acceptable middle-aged sport by subjecting the exercise to the civilizing influence of actual rules. While wargaming progressed far past these beginnings, Wells observes how “little wars” with even his elementary rules can suggest the wholesale crudity of the real thing. “You have only to play at Little Wars three or four times to realise just what a blundering thing Great War must be. Great War is at present, I am convinced, not only the most expensive game in the universe, but it is a game out of all proportion. Not only are the masses of men and material and suffering and inconvenience too monstrously big for reason, but–the available heads we have for it, are too small. That, I think, is the most pacific realisation conceivable, and Little War brings you to it as nothing else but Great War can do.” Wells leaves almost hanging the tantalizing concept that we might someday simulate war, as an instrument of international decision-making, rather than practice actual combat. But most of this book is just the fun of evicting the boys from the playroom and spending happy days there, away from the “skirt-swishers”, developing the framework under which two gentlemen might meet and accumulate boastable victories! [chương_files]
In this celebration of diversity, learn about the myriad histories and cultures behind our volunteers. [chương_files]
The 2022 Christmas collection brings some old favourites along with some new selections, from the traditional to the bizarre. Among the selections, there’s a man who revels in having been born on Christmas, and a man who believes he’ll die on Christmas; wild animals who set up their own Christmas tree, and a wild town that’s tamed for one Christmas celebration; the faith of two small children’s prayers, and faith in the existence of Santa Claus affirmed. Enjoy! (Summary by TriciaG) “My Uncle Peter” is taken from two texts. Part 1 is listed below; Part 2 is HERE. [chương_files]
This is the 35th 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 “BIRDS” (includes bird watching, training, pets, migratory patterns, filming, fantasy fiction, etc) … and the collection is full after 20 pieces have been submitted. [chương_files]
“LibriVox is a hope, an experiment, and a question: can the net harness a bunch of volunteers to bring books in the public domain to life…” Hugh McGuire, LibriVox’s founder, August 9, 2005 In celebration of LibriVox’s seventeenth anniversary, here is collection of short works of various kinds and from varied authors which include in their title the words ‘seventeen’ or ‘seventeenth’ or the number ’17.’ Each piece is selected and read by a LibriVox volunteer. [chương_files]
Auszug aus Das Lied von der Glocke Friedrich Schiller Fest gemauert in der Erden Steht die Form, aus Lehm gebrannt. Heute muß die Glocke werden. Frisch Gesellen, seid zur Hand. Von der Stirne heiß Rinnen muß der Schweiß, Soll das Werk den Meister loben, Doch der Segen kommt von oben. Zum Werke, das wir ernst bereiten, Geziemt sich wohl ein ernstes Wort; Wenn gute Reden sie begleiten, Dann fließt die Arbeit munter fort. So laßt uns jetzt mit Fleiß betrachten, Was durch die schwache Kraft entspringt, Den schlechten Mann muß man verachten, Der nie bedacht, was er vollbringt. Das ist’s ja, was den Menschen zieret, Und dazu ward ihm der Verstand, Daß er im innern Herzen spüret, Was er erschafft mit seiner Hand. Nehmet Holz vom Fichtenstamme, Doch recht trocken laßt es sein, Daß die eingepreßte Flamme Schlage zu dem Schwalch hinein. Kocht des Kupfers Brei, Schnell das Zinn herbei, Daß die zähe Glockenspeise Fließe nach der rechten Weise. Was in des Dammes tiefer Grube Die Hand mit Feuers Hülfe baut, Hoch auf des Turmes Glockenstube Da wird es von uns zeugen laut. Noch dauern wird’s in späten Tagen Und rühren vieler Menschen Ohr Und wird mit dem Betrübten klagen Und stimmen zu der Andacht Chor. Was unten tief dem Erdensohne Das wechselnde Verhängnis bringt, Das schlägt an die metallne Krone, ¨ Die es erbaulich weiterklingt. [chương_files]
This is the 33rd Coffee Break Collection, in which Librivox readers select and read Public Domain 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 “GARDENING”. [chương_files]
A delightful collection of stories and poems, with several interesting selections discussing various Christmas and holiday traditions, and a lovely Christmas play, featuring a full cast. All selections have been chosen and narrated by LibriVox volunteers to commemorate Christmas 2018. Cast of Ola, or A Christmas Present for Mother: Alta Good: Devorah Allen Henry Good: TJ Burns Leon Good: Tomas Peter Mrs. Good: Foon Ola: Jasmin Salma Narrator: Maria Kasper [chương_files]
Copyright © 2024 | FreeAudible