Telltale

Tao Te Ching

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:49:07 -0500

by Lao Tzu
1 hour, 18 minutes
Unabridged Taoist Classic
400 BC

The classic Taoist text and the most translated Chinese work of all time. The title is sometimes translated/spelled as "Dao De Jing" or "Tao Teh King." Translation by James Legge. Read by Alex Wilson.

Note: Only part 1 (of 2) is included in the podcast MP3. Both parts are included in the AAC, MP3, and Ogg Vorbis zipped downloads above.

Originally for sale on June 25, 2004, and released free with a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial License five years later. See the Mission page for why.

To Build a Fire

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 18:27:06 -0500

by Jack London
36 minutes, 37 seconds
Unabridged Short Story
1902

"All a man had to do was to keep his head, and he was all right. Any man who was a man could travel alone. But it was surprising, the rapidity with which his cheeks and nose were freezing. And he had not thought his fingers could go lifeless in so short a time. Lifeless they were, for he could scarcely make them move together to grip a twig, and they seemed remote from his body and from him. When he touched a twig, he had to look and see whether or not he had hold of it."

The classic man vs. nature story. Read by Max Miller.

Originally for sale on June 18, 2004, and released free with a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial License five years later. See the Mission page for why.

The Destiny of Colored Americans

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:31:03 -0500

by Frederick Douglass
8 minutes, 13 seconds
Unabridged Essay
1849

"The white man's happiness cannot be be purchased by the black man's misery." A prophetic essay first published in his abolitionist newspaper, the North Star. Douglass started adding his initials "F.D." at the end of his writing when it was questioned that such thoughtful, well-reasoned work could come from an ex-slave. Read by Alex Wilson.

Originally for sale on June 11, 2004, and released free with a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial License five years later. See the Mission page for why.

The War of the Worlds

Sat, 30 May 2009 16:36:13 -0500

Book 1 of 2

Book 2 of 2

by H G Wells
5 hours, 53 minutes
Unabridged Science Fiction Novel
1898

"There's a slightly old-fashioned quality to his speech that compliments Wells' old-fashioned brand of science fiction ... rises above the source material, making these audio editions a great way to experience these two classics." - John Joseph Adams, Locus

"Worth buying." - The New York Times

The classic alien invasion novel by "The Father of Science Fiction" H.G. Wells. Read by James Spencer and produced by Active Voicing. Note: the Spoken Alexandria podcast includes only the first chapter of WotW. The full book is included in the zipped download options.

"No one would have believed in the last years of the nineteenth century that this world was being watched keenly and closely by intelligences greater than man's and yet as mortal as his own..."

Originally for sale on May 28, 2004, and released free with a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial License five years later (though please note restrictions based on internationally diverse copyright standards). See the Mission page for why.

The Vacant Lot

Wed, 27 May 2009 16:12:30 -0500

$1.50
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by Mary E Wilkins Freeman
32 minutes, 40 seconds
Unabridged Mystery/Ghost Story
1902

"David gave one stride toward the black veil, but it rose from the floor and moved away before him across the room at exactly the same height as if suspended from a woman's head..."

First published in Everybody's Magazine. Performed by Susie Berneis.

The Lady or the Tiger?

Tue, 26 May 2009 21:07:06 -0500

by Frank R. Stockton
14 minutes, 24 seconds
Unabridged Short Story
1884

"When a subject was accused of a crime of sufficient importance to interest the king, public notice was given that on an appointed day the fate of the accused person would be decided in the king's arena..."

A short fable about a young hero who angers a ruthless king who forces him to make an ultimate choice. But does the king's semi-barbaric daughter make the choice for him? Read by Max Miller.

Originally for sale on May 14, 2004, and released free with a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial License five years later. See the Mission page for why.

Extracts from Adam's Diary

Tue, 26 May 2009 21:05:08 -0500

by Mark Twain
27 minutes
Unabridged Short Story
1904

"This new creature with the long hair is a good deal in the way. It is always hanging around and following me about. I don't like this; I am not used to company. I wish it would stay with the other animals..."

The battle of the sexes begins in the Garden of Eden, as humourously told by Mark Twain, who "translated a portion" of "Adam's hieroglyphics." Note that the word "Extracts" is actually part of the title; this is the full, unabridged short story. Read by Alex Wilson.

Originally for sale on May 14, 2004, and released free with a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial License five years later. See the Mission page for why.

Merlin & Merlin II

Tue, 19 May 2009 14:25:59 -0500

by Ralph Waldo Emerson
6 minutes
Unabridged Formal Poetry
1846

Two poems based on the Arthurian legend, written by the founder of trancendentalism. Podcast only includes the original "Merlin." Downloads include both poems, zipped. Read by Alex Wilson.

Originally for sale on May 7, 2004, and released free with a Creative Commons Attribution License five years later. See the Mission page for why.

Leaves of Grass Book II: Starting from Paumanok

Sun, 17 May 2009 12:09:00 -0500

by Walt Whitman
25 minutes, 8 seconds
Unabridged Free Verse Poetry
1855

The second book (of 35 total) of Walt Whitman's legendary Leaves of Grass. "Starting from Paumanok" is a longform poem in 19 parts. Read by Alex Wilson.

Originally for sale on April 30, 2004, and released free with a Creative Commons Attribution License five years later. See the Mission page for why.

Hymn to Intellectual Beauty

Sun, 17 May 2009 10:50:05 -0500

by Percy Shelley
5 minutes, 13 seconds
Unabridged Formal Poetry
1816

A confessional poem by Shelley, written during the summer he spent on the shores of Lake Geneva. Read by Alex Wilson.

Originally for sale on April 30, 2004, and released free with a Creative Commons Attribution License five years later. See the Mission page for why.

Lecture to Art Students

Sun, 10 May 2009 22:56:46 -0500

by Oscar Wilde
20 minutes, 6 seconds
Unabridged Lecture
1883

With a professional's insight, an opinionated mind, and not a small amount of trademark wit, Oscar Wilde offers his advice on "what makes an artist and what does the artist make; what are the relations of the artist to his surroundings, what is the education the artist should get, and what is the quality of a good work of art." Read by Damian Hess.

"Art is the science of beauty, and Mathematics the science of truth: there is no national school of either... Nor is there any such thing as a school of art even. There are merely artists, that is all."

Originally for sale on April 23, 2004, and released free with a Creative Commons Attribution License five years later. See the Mission page for why.

The Raven

Sat, 09 May 2009 17:48:22 -0500

by Edgar Allan Poe
8 minutes, 29 seconds
Unabridged Formal Poetry
1845

The archetype of dark poetry by the master of macabre. Read by Alex Wilson.

Once upon a midnight dreary,
while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious
volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping,
suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping,
rapping at my chamber door.
"'Tis some visitor," I muttered,
"tapping at my chamber door--
Only this, and nothing more..."

Originally for sale on April 23, 2004, and released free with a Creative Commons Attribution License five years later. See the Mission page for why.

The Ransom of Red Chief

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:51:24 -0500

by O Henry
22 minutes, 4 seconds
Unabridged Short Story
1907

"It looked like a good thing: but wait till I tell you. We were down South, in Alabama--Bill Driscoll and myself-when this kidnapping idea struck us. It was, as Bill afterward expressed it, during a moment of temporary mental apparition; but we didn't find that out till later."

The classic humorous tale about a kidnapping gone awry by the beloved O Henry. Read by Alex Wilson.

Originally for sale on April 9, 2004, and released free with a Creative Commons Attribution License five years later. See the Mission page for why.

New Testament: Epistles of John

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:35:06 -0500

from the King James Bible
18 minutes, 49 seconds
Unabridged Religous Work
First Century AD

Three books from the King James Bible New Testament:

I John
II John
III John

All three are included in the downloaded zip files, but the podcast is I John only. Read by Alex Wilson.

Originally for sale on April 2, 2004, and released free with a Creative Commons Attribution License five years later. See the Mission page for why.

Lost Hearts

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 11:52:09 -0500

$1.00
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by M R James
24 minutes, 24 seconds
Unabridged Ghost Story
1895

An early ghost story by James about a kidnapper/dabbler in the occult who has a keen interest in removing the hearts of children. You're welcome. Performed by Susie Berneis.