Showing results by author "Dream audio books" in All Categories

René Descartes’ Six Metaphysical Meditations (1641) explores fundamental philosophical questions. He begins by doubting all beliefs to establish certainty (Meditation 1). He then proves his own existence (Meditation 2: "I think, therefore I am") and argues for the existence of God (Meditations 3 & 5). He distinguishes mind from body (Meditation 6), establishing dualism. His work laid the foundation for modern philosophy and rationalist thought. Summary by Dream Audiobooks

"William Blake" by G.K. Chesterton is a thoughtful exploration of the life and works of the iconic poet, artist, and mystic William Blake. Chesterton delves into Blake’s unique vision, profound spirituality, and rebellious creativity that defied conventions of his time. With sharp wit and deep admiration, Chesterton examines Blake's artistic philosophy, his vivid imagery, and his impact on art and literature. The audiobook captures Blake’s genius and his struggles, offering insights into his revolutionary ideas about imagination, religion, and the human spirit. A timeless tribute to an ...

Charlotte Bronte's classic novel Jane Eyre is narrated by the title character, an orphan who survives neglect and abuse to become a governess at the remote Thornfield Hall. She finds a kindred spirit in her employer, the mysterious and brooding Mr. Rochester, but he hides a terrible secret that threatens their chances of happiness. (Summary by Elizabeth Klett)

Beautiful Joe by Marshall SaundersBeautiful Joe is a real dog, and "Beautiful Joe" is his real name. He belonged during the first part of his life to a cruel master, who mutilated him in the manner described in the story. He was rescued from him, and is now living in a happy home with pleasant surroundings, and enjoys a wide local celebrity.The character of Laura is drawn from life, and to the smallest detail is truthfully depicted. The Morris family has its counterparts in real life, and nearly all of the incidents of the story are founded on fact. (Summary by Marshall Saunders)

Cranford is set in a small market town populated largely by a number of respectable ladies. It tells of their secrets and foibles, their gossip and their romances as they face the challenges of dealing with new inhabitants to their society and innovations to their settled existence. It was first published between 1851 and 1853 as episodes in Charles Dickens’ Journal Household Words. Appended to this recording is a short sequel, The Cage at Cranford, written ten years later and published in the journal All the Year Round. In a letter to Mrs. Gaskell, Charlotte Bronte wrote: “Thank you for ...

The Far Country by Winston Churchill (not to be confused with the British leader) is a romantic and political novel set in the 20th century. The story follows Victoria "Torie" Randolph, a young woman from an aristocratic British family, as she navigates love, societal expectations, and personal growth. Torie moves to the Australian outback, where she discovers resilience and passion while forging a new life. Through vivid landscapes and contrasting cultural norms, Churchill explores themes of identity, class, and the pursuit of freedom in a rapidly changing world.Summary by Dream AudioBooks

Women of Versailles: The Court of Louis XIV explores the influential women who shaped the Sun King’s reign. From Queen Maria Theresa to powerful mistresses like Madame de Montespan and Madame de Maintenon, these women played key roles in politics, culture, and intrigue. The book delves into courtly life, scandals, and the rigid etiquette of Versailles. It highlights the influence of women in diplomacy, patronage of the arts, and even governance. Through detailed portraits, it reveals their ambitions, rivalries, and impact on Louis XIV’s rule. A fascinating glimpse into the opulent yet ...

A parody of its famous predecessor, this short piece was written by Owen Wister for the Harvard Lampoon

Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions by Edwin Abbott Abbott is a satirical novella that explores dimensions through the lens of a two-dimensional world. The story follows A. Square, a resident of Flatland, who discovers the existence of a third dimension when visited by a Sphere from Spaceland. As he struggles to comprehend higher dimensions, he faces resistance from his rigid, class-based society. Abbott cleverly critiques Victorian social hierarchy and limited perspectives while introducing readers to mathematical concepts of dimensions, making Flatland both a fascinating philosophical ...

Isabella Bird began travelling while in her early twenties to help alleviate illness that had plagued her since childhood. She was a single woman in her early forties when she made her trek through the Rocky Mountains. A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains details this fascinating account of her travels through a series of letters written to her sister, Henrietta. These letters are filled with beautiful, vivid descriptions of the scenery, the people she encountered, the way of life, and a mountain man named Jim Nugent, that was as rough as they come, but a complete gentleman with Ms. Bird. She ...

Ferdinand Count Understand by Tobias Smollett is a picaresque novel that follows the existence of the shrewdness and deceitful Ferdinand Comprehend. Raised by a manipulative mother, Understand develops into an expert of misdirection, gifted in control and misrepresentation. He plots his direction through society, taking advantage of others for individual addition. Be that as it may, his presumptuousness and indecent conduct lead to his defeat. After various turns, double-crossings, and brushes with death, he faces equity. The original features subjects of ravenousness, trickery, and the ...

The Enchanted April is an enchanting novel around four ladies from various different backgrounds who get away from their troubling, unacceptable lives in 1920s Britain by leasing a delightful Italian palace for a month. The ladies — Lotty, Rose, Woman Caroline, and Mrs. Fisher — look for harmony, change, and joy. Encircled by the quiet excellence of the Italian Riviera, they experience self-awareness, recharged connections, and recuperating. Von Arnim's novel investigates subjects of fellowship, self-revelation, and the helpful force of nature, making it a great and elevating read for ...

Persuasion by Jane Austen follows Anne Elliot, a gentlewoman persuaded years earlier to break off an engagement with Frederick Wentworth, a naval officer of modest means. Eight years later, Wentworth returns as a wealthy captain, stirring unresolved feelings. Anne, overlooked by her vain family, grows in self-awareness as she witnesses the contrasting fates of others who follow their hearts. Through misunderstandings and quiet longing, Anne and Wentworth reconcile, rediscover love, and prove that steadfast affection can triumph over societal pressures and past mistakes. Summary by Dream ...

Fisher’s treatment of the history of Finland, in the context of its relations with Russia, was released in 1899—at the start of the first attempted wave of Russification. At this time, it seems, many Finns regarded it as a misunderstanding. A mistake. Not a contrivance of Nicholas II, but a villainy emanating instead, fen-sucked, from the sinister Russian state machinery—the fief of a myopic and obdurate cadre of supremacists and absolutists. Men like the rabid anti-semite Konstantin Pobedonostsev who, by the camera's harsh testimony, seems to have died long before he stopped coming in ...

Cleopatra by Georg Ebers is a historical novel that delves into the life of Cleopatra VII, the last queen of Egypt. Ebers paints a vivid portrait of Cleopatra as a complex and charismatic leader, torn between her duties as a ruler and her personal desires. The novel explores her relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, highlighting her political acumen and romantic entanglements. Ebers captures the grandeur and turmoil of Cleopatra's reign, leading to her ultimate downfall and the fall of Egypt to Rome. The book combines historical detail with rich character development, offering a ...

An elderly woman tells her grandchildren an old family story on Christmas Eve. - Summary by Rachel Tevis

British author Richard Hughes is perhaps most well-known for his sea-faring adventure novel A High Wind in Jamaica, but a dive into his short fiction reveals a much more multi-faceted author, fusing the gothic literature of the 19th century with modern touches, often with a twist in the tale. This collection showcases his ability to blend the dark and spooky with romance, tragedy and humor into an altogether enjoyable concoction of smart and literary stew. (Summary by Ben Tucker)

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes: The Illuminating Diary of a Professional Lady by Anita Loos is a satirical novel following the diary of Lorelei Lee, a beautiful but naïve blonde from Little Rock. She charms wealthy men, especially the older and generous kind, using her wit and beauty to secure a lavish lifestyle. With her friend Dorothy, a sharp-witted brunette, Lorelei travels from New York to Europe, indulging in diamonds, fine dining, and high society. Despite her apparent simplicity, she masterfully manipulates men for personal gain. The novel humorously critiques gender roles, materialism, and...

This a collection of poems recorded by LibriVox volunteers during the month of January 2009.

Leo Tolstoy’s Childhood (1852) is a semi-autobiographical novel that explores the innocence, joy, and emotional depth of youth. The story follows Nikolenka, a young boy from an aristocratic Russian family, as he navigates early experiences of love, loss, and self-awareness. Through vivid, nostalgic prose, Tolstoy captures the simplicity of childhood alongside its quiet sorrows, such as separation from a beloved mother and the realization of life's hardships. The novel blends keen psychological insight with lyrical descriptions, offering a poignant reflection on the fleeting nature of youth ...