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War of the Worlds

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Science Fiction
Chapter: 27 | Listen:

H. G. Wells wrote The War of the Worlds in 1898, when there was much speculation about life on the planet Mars. The book is considered to be one of the first science fiction novels. In the story, an English gentleman narrates the events of a violent and fast paced Martian invasion. The frightening images of people fleeing from gigantic tripod machines and the prospect of life under Martian rule have served as a bottomless well of inspiration for popular culture. The novel has served as a template for many derivative or inspired works, including comics, countless books, a TV series, several films, a bestselling musical, and the famous Orson Wells broadcast. Overall, The War of the Worlds has become an early milestone in and inspiration for the invasion genre. The novel demonstrates Wells’ typical pessimistic outlook on human nature and offers a good deal of criticism on society and people’s ignorance and vanity. The War of the Worlds can be read as an indictment of European colonial actions around the globe at that time – with which the injustice of the Martian invasion can be compared. Wells has since been credited with predicting quite a number of technologies, such as laser-like rays, industrial robot-like machines, and chemical-warfare. (Summary by Stephan Möbius and Annie Coleman) Illustrations by Stephan Möbius Book 1 – Chapter 1: Map of Surrey Book 1 – Chapter 5: The Cylinder Opens – 1, The Cylinder Opens – 2 Book 1 – Chapter 11: In the Storm […]

Time Machine

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Science Fiction
Chapter: 13 | Listen:

The Time Machine is a novel by H. G. Wells, first published in 1895, later made into two films of the same title. This novel is generally credited with the popularization of the concept of time travel using a vehicle that allows an operator to travel purposefully and selectively. (Summary from wikipedia.org) Note: This audiobook contains readings of chapter 1 by two different readers. Variety is the spice of life. [chương_files]

Machine Stops

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Science Fiction
Chapter: 3 | Listen:

The Machine Stops is a short science fiction story. It describes a world in which almost all humans have lost the ability to live on the surface of the Earth. Each individual lives in isolation in a ‘cell’, with all bodily and spiritual needs met by the omnipotent, global Machine. Most humans welcome this development, as they are skeptical and fearful of first-hand experience. People forget that humans created the Machine, and treat it as a mystical entity whose needs supersede their own. Those who do not accept the deity of the Machine are viewed as ‘unmechanical’ and are threatened with “Homelessness”. Eventually, the Machine apocalyptically collapses, and the civilization of the Machine comes to an end. (Wikipedia) Comment by book coordinator: A condensed rapidfire of details and ideas imagining a dystopian world. Good thing he made it a short story. And the world he describes feels so appalling, although we are good on the way to be where Forster imagined us – shocker. So imaginative for 1909! Staying at home with the telly and internet and instant messaging and videoconferencing, google and pizza delivery and all flats and all cities look alike. And the loss of Patience! Damn this is good and so true – with one big exception the many buttons for all the machines functions. But how would Forster know of digital interfaces? That would have been too much to foresee. [chương_files]

Colors of Space

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Science Fiction
Chapter: 15 | Listen: 2

Bart Steele, Space Academy graduate, is on his way home to his father’s business – he runs a fleet of spaceships for interstellar travel. The secret for fast interstellar travel though is still tightly kept by the alien race Lhari. An agreement between humans and Lhari has been made that permits humans only to travel in cold sleep as passengers aboard Lhari vessels as to not reveal the secret. Some humans – the Mentorians – have had a slight genetic shift which enhanced their vision to withstand the light levels that the aliens Lhari use and live in. Mentorians perceive a wider optical spectrum than ordinary humans – some can see the ‘eighth color’. Mentorians act as translators, middleman and interpreters between the two races. But their ability sets them apart from the rest of humanity. Bart, half Mentorian, has this ability. Bart, surgically altering his appearance to hire as a Lhari on a homeworld bound Lhari vessel, attempts to steal the secret of the Warp Drive – an attempt on which countless humans spies have failed before. (Summary by Stephan Möbius) [chương_files]

Short Science Fiction Collection 001

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Science Fiction, Short Stories
Chapter: 10 | Listen:

Science fiction (abbreviated SF or sci-fi with varying punctuation and case) is a broad genre of fiction that often involves sociological and technical speculations based on current or future science or technology. This is a reader-selected collection of short stories originally published between 1931 and 1963, that entered the US public domain when their copyright was not renewed. Summary by Cori Samuel, with Wikipedia input. [chương_files]

Marion Harland’s Complete Etiquette

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Self Help, Social Science (Culture & Anthropology)
Chapter: 44 | Listen:

Haven’t you always wondered how to properly accept a formal dinner invitation? Perhaps you have a débutante under your wing, in which case you need to make sure her appearance in society goes perfectly, to increase her chances of a brilliant match. And what exactly would be your duties as her chaperon? These and many other questions are expertly answered by Marion Harland in this little volume. – Summary by Carolin [chương_files]

Putting the Most Into Life

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Self Help
Chapter: 6 | Listen: 1

The chapters in this little book were originally part of a series of Sunday Evening Talks given by the Principal to the students of the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute. They have been recast from the second to the third person, and many local allusions have been cut out. They are now sent out, in response to repeated requests, to a larger audience than that to which they were first spoken. – Summary by Booker T. Washington [chương_files]

Way of Peace (version 3)

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Self Help
Chapter: 7 | Listen:

‘The Way of Peace’ is the second part of James Allen’s first published work titled ‘From Poverty to Power’ alternatively titled ‘The Realization of Prosperity and Peace’ (1901). Where part one focused more on the power an individual possesses over their circumstances and environment, part two dives deeper into that pathway which leads to what every soul inwardly seeks. The simplicity of these teachings make them accessible to everyone and invaluable to those with an interest in practical transcendentalism. Focusing on meditation and ascension without favouritism toward any school of thought or religion. ‘The Way of Peace’ explores and explains divine truths by drawing on examples from nature. Can be read on its own or as an extension to part one (titled ‘The Path to Prosperity’), this is a powerful volume which invites us to prove itself true through our own experiences and reflection. Written to appeal to readers with an interest in attaining a higher state of consciousness, its timeless wisdom provides a pathway, in plain English, without the confusion of subjective narratives. This is a recording of part two – The Way of Peace. – Summary by Sonnie Abdalla – Summary by Sonnie Abdalla [chương_files]

28/10/2024

Redburn: His First Voyage

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Sea Stories
Chapter: 14 | Listen:

Melville wrote of some of his earliest experiences at sea in the story of Wellingborough Redburn, a wet-behind-the-ears youngster whose head was filled with dreams of foreign travel and adventure. In Redburn, the protagonist enlists for a stint as a seaman aboard Highlander, a merchant ship running between New York and London. As with many of Melville’s works, this one is as much about class and race as it is about the sea. [chương_files]

Etiquette Made Easy

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Self Help
Chapter: 25 | Listen:

“A complete dictionary [sic] containing the right information for any and all occasions.” (From the book’s dust jacket.) – Summary by KevinS [chương_files]