Written in 1910, this “cyclopedia” is full of information that was quite useful at the time. A hundred years later, its text is more humorous than practical — although some advice never goes out of style. (Summary by Rachelellen) [chương_files]
This book is all about the fictional country called Utopia. It is a country with an ‘ideal’ form of communism, in which everything really does belong to everybody, everyone does the work they want to, and everyone is alright with that. This country uses gold for chamber pots and prison chains, pearls and diamonds for children’s playthings, and requires that a man and a woman see each other exactly as they are, naked, before getting married. This book gave the word ‘utopia’ the meaning of a perfect society, while the Greek word actually means ‘no place’. Enjoy listening to this story about a country that really is too good to be true. (Summary by Jenilee.) This is the 17th century translation by Gilbert Burnet, edited in the 19th century by Henry Morley. [chương_files]
Bird World is a children’s guide to New England Birds. It explores the characteristics, habitat, and songs of native birds. – Summary by Jennifer Dallman [chương_files]
Set in the early 1890s, at a fashionable summer resort somewhere on the East Coast of the United States, this book tells the story of Mr. Twelvemough, an author who has been selected to function as host to a visitor from the faraway island of Altruria. The visitor, Mr. Homos, has come all the way to the United States, a country which prides itself on democracy and equality, to experience everyday life in America firsthand, and to see for himself how the principle that “All men are created equal” is being put into practice. Due to Altruria’s secluded existence, very little is known about the island, so Twelvemough and his circle of acquaintances, all of whom are staying at the same resort hotel, seem more eager to learn about Altruria than to explain American life and institutions. To their dismay, it becomes gradually clear that the United States is greatly lagging behind Altruria in practically every aspect of life, be it political, economic, cultural or moral. Summary from Wikipedia [chương_files]
This is the first book of a trilogy (A Child of the Jago, To London Town) set in the harsh world of London’s East End. Violence and poverty are everywhere, but the universal human emotions prevail despite the rawness of life. We come to love the characters and suffer with them in their misery, yet share in their joys and minor triumphs. – Summary by Lynne Thompson [chương_files]
Many novels, most notably Hannah Webster’s The Coquette, focused on how terrible it is for a woman to flirt before her marriage. “I did not speak 20 sentences before sir Robert proposed to me”, explained Lady Bidulph while teaching her daughter how to court properly in “Memoirs of Miss Sidney Bidulph”. A coquette must be a fool, wicked, and immoral. But Peggy is none of these. She sees things as they are, sometimes too much for her own good, and flirts with men she finds interesting. She decides to tell about them, from her point of view. The feelings, the reasons they did not keep in touch, and her “notions” about them. This is her way to examine late Victorian society including the lives of other oppressed minorities. This novel is considered semi autobiographical. – Summary by Stav Nisser. [chương_files]
This is a sequel to Kidnapped. Many thought Kidnapped ended quite abruptly. The reason is Stevenson planned on writing a sequel. Catriona takes up the story of David Balfour on the same day Kidnapped ends. He must now try to clear his name and the name of James Stewart of the Appin murder. This will not be easy because the Campbells want James Stewart to hang. “Catriona: Being Memoirs of the Further Adventures of David Balfour at Home and Abroad, in which are set forth his misfortunes anent the Appin Murder, his troubles with Lord Advocate Grant: captivity on the Bass Rock, Journey into Holland and France, and singular relations with James More Drummond or MacGregor, a son of the notorious Rob Roy, and his daughter Catriona: written by himself, and now set forth by Robert Louis Stevenson.” (Summary by Wayne Cooke and from the title page) [chương_files]
This is the twenty-fifth Coffee Break Collection, in which Librivox readers select English language public domain works of about 15 minutes or less in duration — perfect to listen to during commutes, workouts or coffee breaks. The topic for this collection is water, a subject that has attracted Archimedes, Shelley and Masefield, to name but a few. [chương_files]
Can starving children be grateful for the education they receive if, when they ask for food, rich people give them a stone? This is the question in the heart of this rich psychological novel. Lady Lashmore is a typical lady of her time, ruling every aspect of her household and constantly complaining that the poor people in the factory ten miles away bother her. Things change when her son, Lord Lashmore, falls in love with a poor woman. Only then does he understand what is the one thing they need most. Only then does he mature, develop empathy, and see what are the real important things in life. This is a coming of age story, a love story, but, most of all, a story about prejudice and small revolutions. For the world would never be the same and the young generation sees social classes differently. This novel is perfect for fans of Charlotte Bronte and Elizabeth Gaskell. Readers who love Mary Elizabeth Braddon’s other novels will not be disappointed. – Summary by Stav Nisser. [chương_files]
A collection of 8 short stories for children, written by Mary Mapes Dodge, author of “Hans Brinker, or The Silver Skates”. This was her first book, and the stories were written to entertain her children. A Christmas story, tales of the Civil War, and an Indian tale are among the offerings. (Summary by Krista Zaleski) [chương_files]
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