Random Loyalbooks.com Podcasts

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 treck 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 has the distinction of being the first woman to become a member of the Royal Geographical Society in 1892.

Categories: Arts, Society & Culture

Tags: A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains, audio books, audiobook, Biography, ebooks, Essay/Short nonfiction, fiction, free audio books, History, Isabella L. Bird, Loyal Books, loyalbooks.com, Memoirs, nature, Non-fiction, travel

Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874–1936) has been called the “prince of paradox.” Time magazine observed of his writing style: “Whenever possible Chesterton made his points with popular sayings, proverbs, allegories—first carefully turning them inside out.” His prolific and diverse output included journalism, philosophy, poetry, biography, Christian apologetics, fantasy and detective fiction. The title of Chesteron’s 1910 collection of essays was inspired by a title given to him two years earlier by The Times newspaper, which had asked a number of authors to write on the topic: “What’s wrong with the world?”. Chesterton’s answer at that time was the shortest of those submitted – he simply wrote: “Dear Sirs, I am. Sincerely yours, G.K. Chesterton”. In this collection he gives a fuller treatment of the question, with his characteristic conservative wit.

Categories: Arts, Comedy, Society & Culture

Tags: audio books, audiobook, ebooks, Essay/Short nonfiction, fiction, free audio books, G. K. Chesterton, History, humor, Loyal Books, loyalbooks.com, Politics, What's Wrong With the World

The first book in the Psammead Trilogy, Five Children and It follows the fantastical adventures of five siblings who encounter an outlandish creature with a strange ability to grant wishes. Though the idea of having their wishes brought to life, the children quickly discover that not every wish turns out to be as wondrous as initially believed. The children’s novel offers a generous amount of fantasy, humor, and adventure, as the children are repeatedly subject to wishes gone amusingly awry. The magic begins when playful siblings Robert, Anthea, Cyril, Jane and their baby brother move to the countryside during the summer, not yet aware of the excitement to follow. One day, while digging at a sand pit to reach the other side of the world, the group comes across a bizarre furry creature with a misshapen body known as a Psammead, which they later learn has power to grant wishes. Subsequently, the Psammead agrees to grant one wish per day, but not without a catch, as he grants the wishes according to his own mischievous interpretation. He also informs them that each wish lasts until sunset. So, the siblings find themselves in quite the surprising predicaments, as their ambiguous wishes are manipulated by the Psammead, who in turn equips the children with wings, provides them with unrecognizable beauty, a useless treasure, and a terrifying encounter with Native Americans. Despite their initial thrill about their wishes being fulfilled, the siblings promptly discover the negative side of their desires, as Nesbit cleverly presents the notion that one must be careful what they wish for, because once granted, its accompanying consequences might not seem all that glorious. Celebrated throughout generations, Five Children and It has been able to sustain its magical appeal through its endearing characters and the vivid portrayal of the ingenuous wishes. In addition, Nesbit’s novel evocatively brings to life the imagination of its audience, as it awakens the child within with its effective use of witty language and descriptive imagery. Nevertheless, the novel presents a magical haven sure to be revisited time and time again. More great books at LoyalBooks.com

Categories: Arts, Kids & Family, Society & Culture

Tags: Adventure, audio books, audiobook, ebooks, Edith Nesbit, fantasy, fiction, Five Children and It, free audio books, History, Kids, Literature, Loyal Books, loyalbooks.com

A river memoir documenting Twain’s early days as an apprentice steamboat pilot on the Mississippi River before the American Civil War. Reminiscing about his happy experiences as a young man under the instruction of an experienced mentor, the autobiographical tale depicts one of the most vivid illustrations of river life. Furthermore, the book captures the author’s nostalgic emotions through his resonant depiction of one of the most notable periods of his life. Twain begins his memoir with a rich historical account of the Mississippi River including its exploration by early explorers, its evolution, and its vastness. He then proceeds to tell of his youthful experiences along the river, and its significant role in his life from early childhood right up to adulthood. Subsequently, the classic focuses on Twain’s time as a cub-pilot on a steamboat and the incidents that occur during his apprenticeship. Never depicting a dull moment, the author mentions various characters and encounters which further enrich the tale as he navigates along the river. Written from a personal point of view, the story offers insight as the audience is exposed to a different angle of river life through an enchanting travel log. He vibrantly describes the beauties of the Mississippi River with its twists, shallows, rapids, turns and landmarks, consequently bringing life to the river. In the second part of the book, however, Twain describes a different experience on the Mississippi River, conveying the harsh reality of progress as he travels along the river years later. In addition the book presents opposing images of a bucolic setting not yet altered by the inescapable grasp of industrialization, and the image of the consequences instigated by industrialization and automation. A stunning blend of autobiography, history and tall tales, the book has much to offer to its audience, and also includes humorous appendixes and commentaries. A well comprised piece of writing, Life on the Mississippi is full of imagery and descriptive language that portrays the beauty of nature, culture and heritage. Exploring themes such as inevitable change and progress in society, gratification gained from the simplicity of nature, and the deceptiveness of outward appearance, the book is a timeless classic portraying an important part of American history. More great books at LoyalBooks.com

Categories: Arts, Society & Culture

Tags: audio books, audiobook, Biography, ebooks, free audio books, Life on the Mississippi, Literature, Loyal Books, loyalbooks.com, Mark Twain, Memoirs, nature, Non-fiction, travel

First published in 1919 under his pseudonym Clive Hamilton, Spirits in Bondage, is also the first published book by the notorious novelist C.S. Lewis. This early piece of work represents Lewis’ youth, as it was written at a time when the author had just returned from his military service in the First World War. In addition it differentiates itself from his other works, not just in terms of style, but also in themes due to his agnostic stand at the time. Written in the form of poetry, the piece is divided into three sections of poetry, each intended to be read in chronological order to gain complete access to its themes and ideas. Divided into three parts, each provides a distinctive set of ideas, which all essentially come together to create a masterful poetical result. The poems are prominently concerned with Lewis’ world views dominated by his bitter outrage with the notion of God, although he does subtly appear to yearn for some sort of spiritual fulfillment and balance. Furthermore, the poetry offers strong imagery and descriptive language, used to highlight his unconvinced perception of a higher power. Interestingly though, the notion of dualism appears, as the author uses bitter irony as a tool to criticize the existence of God, yet he is quite open to acknowledge God for the purpose of blaming him for the asperity of the world. A slightly different book by one the most prominent lay theologians, Lewis offers a public view of his personal journey as he travels down the road of agnosticism and firmly clutches on to his pessimistic attitude towards God and religion. Addressing the atrocities of war, with an emphasis on grief and loss, the poetry reflects an honest output depicting a chapter in the author’s life. Nevertheless, an intriguing insight into his early career as a writer, the book is an essential to anyone who wishes to acquaint themselves with a rather surprisingly blasphemous piece of literature.

Categories: Arts

Tags: audio books, audiobook, C.S. Lewis, ebooks, free audio books, Literature, Loyal Books, loyalbooks.com, poetry, Spirits in Bondage: a cycle of lyrics

Cyril Gordon, a young and handsome secret service agent is running from pursuers who desperately want the information he holds. He hides out from them in a church, and then finds himself married to a woman he’s never seen before. A sweet and sometimes, funny, romance, with several exciting chases.

Categories: Arts, Religion & Spirituality

Tags: Adventure, audio books, audiobook, ebooks, fiction, free audio books, Grace Livingston Hill, Loyal Books, loyalbooks.com, religion, romance, Spy stories, The Best Man

Two young children arrive in a small frontier settlement on the wild and desolate plains of Nebraska, on the same day and by the same train. Jim Burden is a ten year old orphan from Virginia who has come to live with his grandparents, while Antonia Shimerda who’s the same age as Jim, arrives with her large, immigrant family from Eastern Europe to try and eke out a living in the New World. The children find themselves thrown together as they live in adjoining farms. Jim tutors Antonia in English and they become good friends as they grow up. However, life takes an unexpected turn when Mr. Shimerda commits suicide. The Burden family tries to help but things go badly wrong. They leave Nebraska to settle in town, while Antonia is forced to begin working as household help. The rest of the book poignantly traces the enduring friendship between the two. My Antonia is part of Willa Cather’s famous Prairie trilogy and the last book in the series. It is also considered one of her finest works. This beloved American writer documented the hardships and tough pioneering spirit of the first settlers in the inhospitable Midwest and the travails they had to endure in the early part of the 19th century. The book is written largely in the form of a memoir told by the first person narrator, Jim Burden, who goes on to become a wealthy and successful New York attorney. He is deeply humane, thoughtful and introspective with an abiding love for the unspoiled beauty of the Nebraska Plains. He never forgets his origins and his friendship with the little Bohemian girl of long ago. Antonia Shimerda is one of the most attractive characters in American literature and is bold, free spirited, independent and generous. She is based on a real person, a Polish girl whom Willa Cather had hired as house help. Her love of life and her warm hearted, carefree yet strong attitude make her a lovable and memorable character. The lyrical descriptions of the wild beauty of the landscape, Willa Cather’s humanitarian outlook and the soul stirring narrative all make this a book to be read and reread. The role of the past in our lives, our deep connection with our environment and how it shapes us and the immigrant experience in America are some of the themes that are wonderfully explored in My Antonia. This story of a paradise lost and in a sense, regained in the memory, is an absorbing read for both adults and older children.

Categories: Arts, Society & Culture

Tags: audio books, audiobook, ebooks, fiction, free audio books, Historical Fiction, Literature, Loyal Books, loyalbooks.com, My Antonia, westerns, Willa Cather

Charles Dickens is one of the most appreciated Victorian writers, his novels gaining worldwide recognition by both critics and readers. First published in 1850, David Copperfield begins with avid the tragedy of David’s brother dying when David is just a boy. After this episode he is sent by his step-father to work in London for a wine merchant. When conditions worsen he decides to run away and embarks on a journey by foot from London to Dover. On his arrival he finds his eccentric aunt, Betsey Trotwood who becomes his new guardian. Being witness to the formation of David’s character is quite fascinating. David begins as a strong child whose only aspiration is a better life. On the way to his adulthood, David sees how people enter and leave his life. Romanticism takes its place in David’s life as he gets married to Dora Spenlow who is not long for this world. Will David ever find stability and happyness? And what of his wife? Dickens proves to be a master in creating an autobiographical work that is a captivating page-turner.

Categories: Arts

Tags: audio books, audiobook, Charles Dickens, David Copperfield, ebooks, free audio books, Loyal Books, loyalbooks.com

The introduction to Hegel’s lectures on the philosophy of world history is often used to introduce students to Hegel’s philosophy, in part because Hegel’s sometimes difficult style is muted in the lectures, and he discourses on accessible themes such as world events in order to explain his philosophy. Much of the work is spent defining and characterizing Geist or spirit. Geist is similar to the culture of people, and is constantly reworking itself to keep up with the changes of society, while at the same time working to produce those changes through what Hegel called the “cunning of reason”. Another important theme of the text is the focus on world history, rather than regional or state history. The obscure writings of Jakob Böhme had a strong effect on Hegel. Böhme had written that the Fall of Man was a necessary stage in the evolution of the universe. This evolution was, itself, the result of God’s desire for complete self-awareness. Hegel was fascinated by the works of Spinoza, Kant, Rousseau, and Goethe, and by the French Revolution. Modern philosophy, culture, and society seemed to Hegel fraught with contradictions and tensions, such as those between the subject and object of knowledge, mind and nature, self and Other, freedom and authority, knowledge and faith, the Enlightenment and Romanticism. Hegel’s main philosophical project was to take these contradictions and tensions and interpret them as part of a comprehensive, evolving, rational unity that, in different contexts, he called “the absolute idea” or “absolute knowledge”. According to Hegel, the main characteristic of this unity was that it evolved through and manifested itself in contradiction and negation. Contradiction and negation have a dynamic quality that at every point in each domain of reality—consciousness, history, philosophy, art, nature, society—leads to further development until a rational unity is reached that preserves the contradictions as phases and sub-parts through an up-lifting (Aufhebung) into a higher unity. This whole is mental because it is mind that can comprehend all of these phases and sub-parts as steps in its own process of comprehension. It is rational because the same, underlying, logical, developmental order underlies every domain of reality and is ultimately the order of self-conscious rational thought, although only in the later stages of development does it come to full self-consciousness. The rational, self-conscious whole is not a thing or being that lies outside of other existing things or minds. Rather, it comes to completion only in the philosophical comprehension of individual existing human minds who, through their own understanding, bring this developmental process to an understanding of itself. More great books at LoyalBooks.com

Categories: Arts, Society & Culture

Tags: audio books, audiobook, ebooks, free audio books, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, History, Introduction to The Philosophy of History, Loyal Books, loyalbooks.com, Non-fiction, Philosophy

Boyhood is the second in Tolstoy’s trilogy of three autobiographical novels, including Childhood and Youth, published in a literary journal during the 1850s. (Introduction by Bill Boerst)

Categories: Arts, Education, Society & Culture

Tags: audio books, audiobook, Biography, Boyhood, ebooks, fiction, free audio books, Languages, Leo Tolstoy, Literature, Loyal Books, loyalbooks.com, Memoirs, Non-fiction

The Book of Martyrs, by John Foxe, is an English Protestant account of the persecutions of Protestants, many of whom had died for their beliefs within the decade immediately preceding its first publication. It was first published by John Day, in 1563. Lavishly illustrated with many woodcuts, it was the largest publishing project undertaken in Britain up to that time. Commonly known as, “Foxe’s Book of Martyrs”, the work’s full title begins with “Actes and Monuments of these Latter and Perillous Days, Touching Matters of the Church.” There were many subsequent editions, by Day, and by other editors down through the years. Foxe’s original work was enormous (the second edition filling two heavy folio volumes with a total of 2,300 pages, estimated to be twice as long as Edward Gibbon’s “Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.” This edition is much abridged from Foxe’s original. Proofed by Heart of Texas, coordinated and produced by Karen Merline.

Categories: Arts, Religion & Spirituality, Society & Culture

Tags: A History of the Lives, audio books, audiobook, ebooks, Foxe's Book of Martyrs, free audio books, History, John Foxe, Loyal Books, loyalbooks.com, Non-fiction, religion

As children, our first experience of the magic of talking animals, the conflict between good and evil, the battle of wits between the cunning and the innocent most probably came from Aesop’s Fables. These delightful, pithy and brief narratives are simple, easy to understand and convey their message in a memorable and charming fashion. Aesop’s Fables by Aesop consists of about 600 tales, some well-loved and familiar, others less known but just as entertaining and educative and help us map the perimeters of our moral universe. Fables have existed almost since the dawn of time. They hark back to a time when humans and animals lived in harmony and mutual respect. We humans could learn a great deal from the uncomplicated justice and the commonsense values of the animal kingdom. Animals are endowed with immutable personal traits like foxes being cunning, donkeys being patient, lions being proud and wolves being cruel. There is very little biographical information about Aesop. He is reputed to have been born a slave in Samos in ancient Greece in about 600 BC. He earned his liberty through his learning and wit and went on to become a respected diplomat and traveler. Ancient Greek philosophers like Aristotle, historians like Plutarch and Herodotus mention Aesop’s fables in their works. Today, these immortal fables have come down to us, as fresh and pristine as they were when they were first told. Aesop’s fables were known at the time of Socrates in the 5th century BC, when they were recounted in oral form. However, they were systematically compiled sometime in 300 BC by a Greek philosopher Demetrius Phalereus. The fables gradually vanished from popular literature till the 14th century AD when they re-surfaced in Byzantine Constantinople. Since then, they traversed with traders and diplomats to Europe and then to the rest of the world. Generations of children have enjoyed old favorites like The Ant and the Grasshopper, The Bear and Two Travelers, The Hare and the Tortoise, The Hen who laid Golden Eggs, The Thirsty Crow, The Lion and the Mouse and many others found in this volume along with less familiar ones. Their charm lies in their simplicity and the plain, straightforward way in which they deliver universal values of honesty, compassion and justice and teach us to shun pride, greed, envy and other negative qualities. They provide an enduring foundation for inculcating values and ethics in children and are at the same time, amusing and entertaining. More great books at LoyalBooks.com

Categories: Arts, Education, Kids & Family

Tags: Aesop, Aesop's Fables, animals, audio books, audiobook, ebooks, Fairy tales, fiction, free audio books, Kids, Languages, Loyal Books, loyalbooks.com, Philosophy, satire

This excellent book contains many great stories from the various mythologies of man throughout the ages. More great books at LoyalBooks.com

Categories: Arts, Religion & Spirituality

Tags: audio books, audiobook, ebooks, fiction, free audio books, Logan Marshall, Loyal Books, loyalbooks.com, Myths and Legends of All Nations, Myths/Legends, religion

William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice was probably written between 1596 and 1598, and was printed with the comedies in the First Folio of 1623. Bassanio, an impoverished gentleman, uses the credit of his friend, the merchant Antonio, to borrow money from a wealthy Jew, Shylock. Antonio pledges to pay Shylock a pound of flesh if he defaults on the loan, which Bassanio will use to woo a rich heiress, Portia. A subplot concerns the elopement of Shylock’s daughter Jessica with a Christian, Bassanio’s friend Lorenzo. In its focus on love and marriage, the play shares certain concerns with Shakespeare’s other comedies. Yet its depiction of the tensions between Jews and Christians in early modern Venice – and its highly dramatic trial scene in Act 4 – create darker currents in the play.

Categories: Arts, Comedy

Tags: audio books, audiobook, Comedy, Dramatic Works, ebooks, free audio books, Literature, Loyal Books, loyalbooks.com, play, The Merchant of Venice, William Shakespeare

This book, a reprint of a successful English publication, has been so enlarged as to be to all intents and purposes new. It has been carefully revised by a Reverend gentleman, who for some time filled the chair of Physics and Chemistry in one of our colleges. Recent inventions and improvements are described in a simple, popular style, so as to be easily understood by all, and short notices are given of prominent inventors and scientists. The paragraphs relating to doctrinal matters conform in every respect to the teachings of the Church. A feature which will commend the book to every teacher is the definitions of difficult words and terms, following the paragraphs in which such words occur. (from the Preface) More great books at LoyalBooks.com

Categories: Arts

Tags: A Catechism of Familiar Things; Their History, and the Events Which Led to Their Discovery, anonymous, audio books, audiobook, ebooks, free audio books, Loyal Books, loyalbooks.com, Non-fiction, science

A heady mix of thrills, mystery, atmosphere and memorable characters, Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson is a classic adventure story that has enthralled both young and old alike ever since it was first published in 1883. Right from the racy opening chapter where the young hero Jim Hawkins encounters a mysterious guest, Billy Bones, at the Admiral Benbow Inn run by his widowed mother, the tale carries the reader off on an edge-of-the-seat roller-coaster ride of non-stop action and drama. Set in 18th century England and told entirely from Jim Hawkins’ youthful perspective, the novel portrays how he is drawn unwittingly into the dark deeds of pirates and buccaneers on the English coast. The excitement begins when he discovers a cryptic treasure map in Billy Bones’ chest when the secretive Billy succumbs to a fatal heart attack. Jim takes the strange map to trusted elders in the village, Squire Trelawney and Doctor Livesey, who at once guess that the map marks the location of the lost treasure of an infamous pirate Captain Flint. They decide to immediately set sail in search of the fabled riches with Jim being invited to join them! What more could a young boy want! This is the prelude to a journey that will take young Jim and a band of intrepid seafarers half-way across the world. Traveling as part of the crew, in the guise of a ship’s cook, is a sinister yet admirable figure – Long John Silver. This one-legged, ruthless and avaricious man, whose shadowy past hides many a dark and evil secret, is one of the most colorful and remarkable characters in the story. Stevenson endows him with a host of unforgettable qualities – the most famous of which, is of course, the parrot strangely named “Captain Flint” who is constantly on Silver’s shoulder. His villainy gradually unfolds as the voyage progresses. The novel has retained its perennial charm for readers over the centuries and is perhaps one of the most adapted adventure stories on TV, film and stage. Recently, a video game has been created based on this eternally appealing tale. Intrigues, duels, escapades and Jim’s own transformation into a man, make this the ultimate thrills-spills-‘n’-chills fantasy. More great books at LoyalBooks.com

Categories: Arts, Kids & Family

Tags: Adventure, audio books, audiobook, ebooks, fiction, free audio books, Kids, Literature, Loyal Books, loyalbooks.com, Robert Louis Stevenson, Sea stories, Treasure Island

This is a collection of ten short, entertaining, informative picture-book biographies of famous composers. Each book tells about the childhood and great achievements of a composer, and includes a short musical example.

Categories: Arts, Kids & Family, Society & Culture

Tags: audio books, audiobook, Biography, ebooks, fiction, free audio books, Kids, Loyal Books, loyalbooks.com, music, Stories of Great Composers for Children, Teen/Young adult, Thomas Tapper

The Pre-Socratic Greek philosophers, that is, the philosopher-scientists who lived before or contemporaneously to Socrates, were the first men in the Western world to establish a line of inquiry regarding the natural phenomena that rejected the traditional religious explanations and searched for rational explanations. Even though they do not form a school of thought, they can be considered the fathers of philosophy and many other sciences as we have them now. None of their works is extant, so, in this collection, we present the textual fragments, when existing, of ten Pre-Socratic philosopher-scientists, and quotations and testimonials about them left by later authors. Texts collected by Leni. More great books at LoyalBooks.com

Categories: Arts, Society & Culture

Tags: Ancient Greek Philosopher-Scientists, audio books, audiobook, ebooks, Essay/Short nonfiction, fiction, free audio books, Loyal Books, loyalbooks.com, Non-fiction, Philosophy, Varous