"Project Gutenberg is well known for offering free electronic versions of famous public-domain texts.
Now Telltale Weekly wants to be its audiobook equivalent." - Pamela O'Connell, The New York Times
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 The Spoken Alexandria Project is creating a free Creative Commons library of spoken word recordings, consisting of classics in the public domain and modern works (with permission). AAC, Ogg Vorbis, and MP3 audiobooks available for free download and redistribution. Learn more on the Mission page. June 30, 2009 Tao Te Ching
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.
Keep reading for more info about "Tao Te Ching" 
June 28, 2009 To Build a Fire
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. Keep reading for more info about "To Build a Fire"
June 27, 2009 The Destiny of Colored Americans
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.
Keep reading for more info about "The Destiny of Colored Americans"
May 30, 2009 The War of the Worlds
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.Keep reading for more info about "The War of the Worlds"
May 26, 2009 The Lady or the Tiger?
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.
Keep reading for more info about "The Lady or the Tiger?"
Extracts from Adam's Diary
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. Keep reading for more info about "Extracts from Adam's Diary"
May 19, 2009 Merlin & Merlin II
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.
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May 17, 2009 Leaves of Grass Book II: Starting from Paumanok
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.
Keep reading for more info about "Leaves of Grass Book II: Starting from Paumanok"
Hymn to Intellectual Beauty
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.
Keep reading for more info about "Hymn to Intellectual Beauty"
May 10, 2009 Lecture to Art Students
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.
Keep reading for more info about "Lecture to Art Students"
May 9, 2009 The Raven
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,
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.
Keep reading for more info about "The Raven"
April 14, 2009 New Testament: Epistles of John
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.
Keep reading for more info about "New Testament: Epistles of John"
March 21, 2009 A Modest Proposal
18 minutes, 27 seconds Unabridged Essay 1729  "A Modest Proposal for preventing the children of poor people in Ireland from being a burden to their parents or country, and for making them beneficial to the public." A satiric essay read by Alex Wilson.
Originally for sale on March 19, 2004, and released free with a Creative Commons Attribution License five years later. See the Mission page for why.
Keep reading for more info about "A Modest Proposal"
March 20, 2009 Leaves of Grass Book I: Inscriptions
19 minutes, 12 seconds Unabridged Free Verse Poetry 1855  The first book (of 35 total) of Walt Whitman's legendary Leaves of Grass. Contains 24 poems including... One's Self I SingThe podcast MP3 includes the entire recording in one file. The MP3, AAC, and Ogg Vorbis downloads splits the poems into individual, numbered files. Read by Alex Wilson.
Originally for sale on March 19, 2004, and released free with a Creative Commons Attribution License five years later. See the Mission page for why.
Keep reading for more info about "Leaves of Grass Book I: Inscriptions"
March 19, 2009 The Magic Shop
22 minutes, 2 seconds Unabridged Fantasy Story 1903 Every speculative fiction author sooner or later writes about a trip to a magic shop. Here's the short story that might have started that trend by "The Father of Science Fiction" H.G. Wells. Read by Alex Wilson.
Originally for sale on March 19, 2004, and released free with a Creative Commons Attribution License five years later. See the Mission page for why.
Keep reading for more info about "The Magic Shop"
March 7, 2009 Songs of Robin Hood
11 minutes, 52 seconds Unabridged Formal Poetry 1820  A lyrical nursery rhyme of a story in three parts. Includes "Robin Hood, A Child," "Robin Hood's Flight," and "Robin Hood, an Outlaw." Read by Alex Wilson.
Originally for sale on March 5, 2004, and released free with a Creative Commons Attribution License five years later. See the Mission page for why.
Keep reading for more info about "Songs of Robin Hood"
February 27, 2009 A Dog's Tale
20 minutes, 55 seconds Unabridged Short Story 1904  "My father was a St. Bernard, my mother was a collie, but I am a Presbyterian. This is what my mother told me, I do not know these nice distinctions myself..." A funny, sweet short story by the incomparable Mark Twain. Read by Alex Wilson.
Originally for sale on February 27, 2004, and released free with a Creative Commons Attribution License five years later. See the Mission page for why.
Keep reading for more info about "A Dog's Tale"
December 24, 2008 The Night Before Christmas
3 minutes, 18 seconds Unabridged Christmas Verse 1823  "A Visit from St Nicholas" (or "The Night Before Christmas"), since first published anonymously in the Troy Sentinel, widely introduced the modern concept of Santa Claus to the Western world. The classic verse was later attributed to both Clement Clarke Moore and Henry Livingston, Jr., depending on who you ask. Keep reading for more info about "The Night Before Christmas"
December 7, 2008 Bulfinch's Mythology: The Age of Fable 05: Phaeton
19 minutes, 23 seconds Unabridged Mythology/Literature 1913  Young Phaeton finds out he's the son of the god who drives the Sun around, and suddenly he feels all entitled to take the family car out for a cruise. What could possible go wrong? Read by Alex Wilson. Keep reading for more info about "Bulfinch's Mythology: The Age of Fable 05: Phaeton"
November 3, 2008 Casey at the Booth
3 minutes, 16 seconds Unabridged SF poem/parody 2008  A Filk of the Republic Sung in the Year 2088. A political parody based on Ernest L Thayer's Casey at the Bat. First appeared in Inconsequential Art #4. Text online here. Cover art by Constantine Markopoulos. Keep reading for more info about "Casey at the Booth"
September 15, 2008 Bulfinch's Mythology: The Age of Fable 04: Juno and Her Rivals, Etc
23 minutes, 33 seconds Unabridged Mythology/Literature 1913 Juno and her Rivals, Io and Callisto, Diana and Actaeon, and Latona and the Rustics: an action-packed chapter in which we learn...
Read by Alex Wilson.
January 23, 2008 An Encounter with an Interviewer
8 minutes, 42 seconds Unabridged Humor/Literature 1874  Mark Twain deals with the media. Performed by Alex Wilson. Keep reading for more info about "An Encounter with an Interviewer"
December 13, 2007 Bulfinch's Mythology: The Age of Fable 03: Apollo and Daphne, Etc
23 minutes, 11 seconds Unabridged Mythology/Literature 1913 Here we have Apollo and Daphne and how one of them refuses the other's advances and becomes a laurel tree. Then we have Pyramus and Thisbe, the love story that inspired Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, or at least the bloody parts of it. And finally: Cephalus and Procris and how the wind is slutty and how misunderstanding can inspire uxoricide. Read by Alex Wilson. Keep reading for more info about "Bulfinch's Mythology: The Age of Fable 03: Apollo and Daphne, Etc"
November 7, 2007 Bulfinch's Mythology: The Age of Fable 02: Prometheus and Pandora
18 minutes, 40 seconds Unabridged Mythology/Literature 1913 Creation myths! Read by Alex Wilson. Keep reading for more info about "Bulfinch's Mythology: The Age of Fable 02: Prometheus and Pandora"
October 12, 2007 Bulfinch's Mythology: The Age of Fable 01: Introduction
24 minutes, 44 seconds Unabridged Mythology/Literature 1913 An introduction to the stories and legends of ancient Greece and Rome, and an overview of the pantheon. Read by Alex Wilson. Keep reading for more info about "Bulfinch's Mythology: The Age of Fable 01: Introduction"
February 3, 2007 The Kiss
6 minutes, 24 seconds Unabridged Short Story 1895  A short story about a woman believing and hoping (and manipulating) that she may have both her security in marriage and passions outside of it. Read by Alex Wilson. Keep reading for more info about "The Kiss"
November 16, 2006 Metamorphosis
2 hours, 15 minutes Unabridged Novella 1915 
"One morning, when Gregor Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin." So begins the classic existential tale about the traveling salesman who too late realizes what he's become.
Translation by David Wyllie. Read by Alex Wilson. Keep reading for more info about "Metamorphosis"
November 5, 2006 The Morals of Chess
8 minutes, 52 seconds Unabridged Essay 1786  American essaysist and humorist Benjamin Franklin on the game of chess, and its application to life. Read by Alex Wilson. Keep reading for more info about "The Morals of Chess"
October 4, 2006 NIMH: Social Phobia
13 minutes, 37 seconds Unabridged NIMH Informational Brochure 1999  Full text (including printable and redistributable brochures) available at the NIMH website. Keep reading for more info about "NIMH: Social Phobia"
August 30, 2006 The Girl Detective
46 minutes, 45 seconds Unabridged Short SF Story 1999  "Think of the underworld as the back of your closet, behind all those racks of clothes that you don't wear anymore. Things are always getting pushed back there and forgotten about. The underworld is full of things that you've forgotten about." First published in Event Horizon in 1999. Later reprinted in The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror: Thirteenth Annual Collection and Link's short story collection Stranger Things Happen, a Salon Book of the Year and one of the Village Voice's 25 Favorite Books of 2001. Read by Alex Wilson. Keep reading for more info about "The Girl Detective"
June 23, 2006 Clarion My Wayward Son 1 of 2
48 minutes, 4 seconds Unabridged SF-related podcast 2006  Telltale founder Alex Wilson, preparing to attend the famous Clarion Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers' Workshop, gives an introduction and "before" picture. Featuring Michael A. Burstein and Jason Erik Lundberg. Follow along with the adventures in Alex's Clarion Journal. The theme song "Untitled Pretention Pontificated by a Passive Voice" is available separately here. Photo by Jamie Bishop. Expect the second and final Clarion podcast in the first half of 2007. Keep reading for more info about "Clarion My Wayward Son 1 of 2"
May 31, 2006 Waiting for the Zephyr
13 minutes, 19 seconds Unabridged Short SF Story 2000  When the fuel went, Mara's town turned to windpower. They struggled on as the lights left, as the cities fell fallow, and plastic became a memory. Their only link to the outside world is the Zephyr, and now it too has not shown up. Originally published in Jackhammer. Narrated by Mary Robinette Kowal of the Willamette Radio Workshop. Keep reading for more info about "Waiting for the Zephyr"
April 28, 2006 Dulce et Decorum Est
2 minutes, 5 seconds Unabridged Formal Poetry 1920 The classic war poem written by a British soldier during World War I. Read by Alex Wilson. Keep reading for more info about "Dulce et Decorum Est"
March 15, 2006 The Gettysburg Address
2 minutes, 22 seconds Unabridged Speech 1863  "Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth upon this continent a new n | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
