Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee is an 18th-century Chinese gong’an detective novel by an anonymous author, “Buti zhuanren” (Chinese: 不题撰人). It is loosely based on the stories of Di Renjie, a county magistrate and statesman of the Tang court, who lived roughly 630–700. The novel contains cultural elements from later dynasties, rather than Tang Dynasty China, however. (Summary by Vivienne Wong) [chương_files]
A fantastical story of personal growth and a warning against the dangers of keeping secrets. This novel by George MacDonald is a deceptively easy read aimed to be accessible to teens, but the ideas will remain in your mind long afterwards. Beautifully written in the style of Gothic Novels of the nineteenth century, a story about relationships and redemption, secrets and confessions and an inspiring example of how to live in the light. [chương_files]
Originally published by the Norwegian-American economist Thorstein Veblen while he was a professor at the University of Chicago in 1898, the Theory of the Leisure Class is considered one of the great works of economics as well as the first detailed critique of consumerism. In the book, Veblen argues that economic life is driven not by notions of utility, but by social vestiges from pre-historic times. [Summary modified from Wikipedia.] [chương_files]
‘The Pretty Lady’ is considered to be one of Bennett’s most revealing and under-rated works. It is the story of a French prostitute, Christine, who has escaped from wartime Ostend, and set herself up in business in London. Though a refugee, she demands no pity; she is self-sufficient, practical and realistic. Christine is not a harpy preying on innocent soldiers, but a canny businesswoman, doing the best she can with the opportunities life has given her. Her main relationship is with G.J. Hoape, a wealthy man above the military age. Bennett in this novel presents a disturbing image of wartime society, fragmented, uneasy and divided. There are references to industrial unrest and to social injustices, and hints that the British press is less than frank about the war. [chương_files]
As contemporary today as it was over a century ago, this relatively unsentimental tale of labor relations still packs a punch. [chương_files]
Paul Morphy, born in New Orleans in 1837, was considered the greatest chess player of his era. He was a child prodigy who learned playing chess simply by watching family members play, and when he was only 9 years old, he was hailed as the best chess player in New Orleans. This book describes Morphy’s trip to Europe, i.e., England and France, where he wanted to play the European Champion Staunton, a match that never came about as the correspondence included in this book shows. He did play – and beat – virtually every other strong player in Europe though, and tales of these matches and people make up a large part of this book. After his triumphs in Europe, Paul Morphy was considerd the unofficial World Chess Champion, as official championship tournaments were only held from 1886. Morphy retired from chess in 1859 in order to devote himself to his law practice. He died from a stroke in 1884. [chương_files]
An overview of the positions, tactics, and history of association football written by one of the game’s early stars. John Cameron was a most interesting figure who played for both Everton and Tottenham, was a P.O.W. during the First World War and a mighty contributor to the organization of football among his fellow prisoners, and made his living as a journalist in later life. [chương_files]
Cowboy Poetry began as a 19th Century Performance Art staged around a crackling campfire, referencing tall tales and personal stories, lost girlfriends, and love of the vast unboundaried West. It was best accompanied by a hot tin cup of boiled coffee, dunked biscuits, and beef jerky. The rhymed couplets were easy to remember, and once the day’s drive was done, everybody had a few hours to listen to friends and wonder at the stars. Badger Clark gave voice and record to this unique American folk art, and built on it to express his own creative genius. He was declared the first Poet Laureate of South Dakota, or as he liked to say, “Poet Lariat.” [chương_files]
Invited on a skiing trip with her wealthy neighbours, the de Vignes, Dinah delights at her first, and possibly only, taste of freedom from her difficult home life. Whilst enjoying the alps, she meets a trio of siblings: the rakish Eustace, self-effacing Scott and frail Isabel. Isabel and Dinah soon become close friends and the brothers both develop a keen interest in the youthful and spirted young woman who has so eased the heart of their grief-stricken sister. Which brother will win Dinah’s heart and will she be able to return to England in happiness? – Summary by Helena Dunstone NOTE: There are issues of race in the telling of Greatheart, particularly anti-Black stereotypes and derogatory language. It is LibriVox’s policy to record texts as written. [chương_files]
Jane Addams was the first American woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. In a long, complex career, she was a pioneer settlement worker and founder of Hull-House in Chicago, public philosopher (the first American woman in that role), author, and leader in woman suffrage and world peace. She was the most prominent woman of the Progressive Era and helped turn the nation to issues of concern to mothers, such as the needs of children, public health and world peace. She emphasized that women have a special responsibility to clean up their communities and make them better places to live, arguing they needed the vote to be effective. Addams became a role model for middle-class women who volunteered to uplift their communities. This recording of her memoir Twenty Years at Hull-House commemorates the 100th anniversary of its publication, the 150th anniversary of Addams’ birth, and was released on December 10th, the anniversary of Addams receiving her Nobel Prize. [chương_files]
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