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Delve into the gripping real-life tale of Fanny Loviot, a young, affluent French maiden abducted at sea. Embark on a journey back to 1855 when Fanny set sail for California, only to find her ship seized by Chinese pirates demanding a kings ransom. This poignant podcast chronicles her harrowing captivity and her dramatic rescue by the hands of British officials. This narrative is brought to life by Mary Kay.

Dive into the life and times of Johannes Kepler, as we start from the pre-Keplerian era of astronomy and move through his formative years. Learn about his intriguing work partnership with Tycho Brahe and the groundbreaking Keplers laws that changed our understanding of the cosmos. Journey with us to his final years in this engaging biography. (Summary by Bill Boerst)

Discover the inspiring journey of Clarissa Harlowe Barton in Volume 2 of her biography. Born on Christmas Day in 1821, Barton was a formidable figure in American history who wore many hats - a self-taught nurse, a teacher, a patent clerk and most notably, the founder of the American Red Cross. Her contributions during the American Civil War, her relentless civil rights advocacy during a time when women were yet to gain voting rights, and her induction into the National Womens Hall of Fame in 1973, cement her place as a pioneer in American history. This volume delves into her tireless efforts ...

Dive into the riveting autobiography of Josiah Henson, a man who was once a slave but broke his chains to become a free citizen of Canada. His life story, as penned by Samuel Atkins Eliot, was the powerful inspiration behind Harriet Beecher Stowes groundbreaking novel, Uncle Toms Cabin. Hensons journey from the hardships of slavery in Maryland to his daring escape to Canada paints a vivid picture of the era. His experiences, from the heartbreak of seeing fellow slaves sold off to the South to the deceit of his owner reneging on his freedom, give a personal perspective on the harsh realities of...

In Volume 3 of The Life of Washington, journey through the pivotal years of the Revolutionary War, from the 1778 incursion into Jersey to the triumphant surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown in 1781. Experience history in the making, with a special emphasis on the pivotal role played by George Washington, the indomitable Commander-in-Chief of the United States forces.

Immerse yourself in the gripping narrative of Isaac Mason, a man who was born into the chains of slavery but managed to break free. In his later years, he shared his harrowing experiences through enlightening lectures and was eventually persuaded to etch his life in the pages of a book. This podcast brings to life his inspiring journey from bondage to freedom. - Summary by Lynne Thompson

Join Elbert Hubbard as he takes us on an intriguing journey, visiting the homes of renowned authors, poets, social reformers, and other distinguished personalities. In these engaging short essays, part biography and part critique, Hubbard reflects on the lives of eminent artists, including Raphael, Leonardo, Thorwaldsen, Velasquez, Cellini, and Whistler. He explores how their environments might have shaped their work and personal lives. This is the sixth volume in a captivating series of 14 books.

Travel alongside the Reverend Francis Asbury, one of the pioneering bishops of the Methodist church in America, in his intriguing journal entries. From his heartfelt decision to journey to America in 1771, until December 1815, mere months before his passing, Asbury provides an intimate, firsthand account of his adventures. His journal captures the essence of his travels across the ocean, over mountain ranges, through rivers, and up and down the length of the young United States of America. Brace yourself for an extraordinary journey into the spread of Methodism with this enlightening narrative...

Delve into the life of Harriet Beecher Stowe, the Cincinnati-born author who stirred the world with her powerful literature. Best known for her groundbreaking novel, Uncle Toms Cabin, Stowes work revealed the harsh realities of slavery, and is said to have ignited the American Civil War. A prolific writer, Stowe authored 30 books, articles, travelogues, poems, hymns, and speeches, all reflecting her deep commitment to social issues. Born into a family of ministers, teachers, and social activists, Stowe and her family were instrumental in the Underground Railroad, often facing fierce criticism ...

Experience the American Revolution through the eyes of Abigail Adams, the wife of one of the key players, John Adams. Her intimate letters, paired with a memoir by her grandson Charles Francis Adams, offer a vivid and eloquent glimpse into an era of tumult and transformation. Abigail’s letters reveal what it meant to live in the midst of battle, to grapple with food shortages, disease, and economic instability, all while raising four children singlehandedly and managing a household when her husband was engaged in political affairs miles away. These private letters, intended to be burned ...

Dive into the life of the romantic era composer, Chopin. Penned by Liszt, a close friend and contemporary, this memoir offers an intimate look into Chopins personality and his creations. Discover Liszts analyses of Chopins polonaises, with a focus on the grand polonaise in F sharp minor, and understand the unique emotion ZAL found in his works. Explore the lives of other monumental figures that crossed paths with Chopin. From his early years to the height of his fame, and finally, his battles with poor health leading to his untimely death, this memoir paints a comprehensive picture of this ...

Delve into the intriguing world of Henry David Thoreau, an eminent American essayist, poet, and philosopher, celebrated for his contributions to the transcendentalist movement. Noted for his masterpieces - Walden and Civil Disobedience - Thoreaus profound reflections on simple living amidst nature and his advocacy for resistance against unfair governance continue to resonate. This podcast explores Thoreaus detailed journals, written from the age of 20 until his last days. Unearth his keen observations of nature, insights from his daily walks, and his strongly held viewpoints. This first volume...

Dive into the captivating final journal entries of British naturalist Bruce Frederick Cummings. This poignant narrative stretches from March 1918 to June 1919, a tumultuous period that saw the end of WWI. It’s a book that follows the successful publication of Cummings previous journal, The Journal of a Disappointed Man. In this more concise volume, Cummings offers his contemplative reflections on the end of the war, tinged with the realization that while the world celebrated peace, he was grappling with failing health. His body may have been succumbing to multiple sclerosis, but his ...

Journey back in time with Edgar Allan Poes unfinished serial novel, The Journal of Julius Rodman. This captivating tale offers an account of the first ever crossing of North Americas Rocky Mountains by a civilized man. Published in Burtons Gentlemans Magazine from January to June 1840, Poe was a contributing editor at the time. However, due to conflicts with William Burton, Poe abruptly ended his contributions to the novel in June 1840.

Explore the captivating life of Saint Monica, a woman of nobility and greatness, who found her strength in her humility. Known for her selfless sacrifices, she embodied the ideal woman, bravely enduring suffering and always putting others before herself. Her influence was significant, but she was oblivious to it, perhaps the very reason for its immense impact. Her life was marked by her unwavering faithfulness to her noble ideals. While seemingly rare in todays world, Monicas still exist, silently fostering goodness. If their number were to increase, the world would undoubtedly become a better...

In an effort to construct an in-depth biography of the renowned author, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, her son, Sir Percy Shelley, entrusted Florence Marshall with letters and journal excerpts from Shelleys life. Beyond her most famous work, Frankenstein, Shelley also penned travel books and biographies, and held a reputation as a political radical. This exploration, beautifully summarized by Phyllis Vincelli, shines a light on the fascinating life of this literary legend.

Join Freddie Threepwood and his uncle as they navigate through a series of comical financial difficulties. Desperate to kickstart a bookmaker’s business and win the hand of his beloved Eve, Freddie needs a thousand pounds. His uncle, driven by a secret mission to assist a runaway daughter, needs to raise three times that amount. Their plan? Steal his wife’s necklace. Enter Psmith, a charismatic character who responds to Freddies newspaper ad, offering his services to commit the theft. As their scheme unfolds, plots and counterplots ensue in this humorous, engaging narrative. Leave ...

Lay Down Your Arms, originally titled Die Waffen Nieder, is a captivating fictional autobiography that paints the horrors of four wars through the eyes of a soldiers wife. This globally-acclaimed book is considered a cornerstone of the peace movements we see today. Its author, von Suttner, was a notable candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize since its inception, according to Alfred Nobel himself. She predicted the advent of the First World War and tirelessly campaigned against it, but tragically passed away before it began. Her final words, passed on by close friend and fellow Nobel laureate ...

Delve deep into the clandestine world of submarine warfare during WWI with the Journal of Submarine Commander Von Forstner. As the commander of the German U-boat U-28, Forstner provides an unvarnished account of the gritty realities of life under the sea, including detailed descriptions of torpedo attacks on Allied ships. First published in 1916, this 1917 English translation aimed to support the Allied war effort by revealing the fearsome nature of their invisible enemy. Inspired by a visit to the captured WWII German U-505 submarine at Chicagos Museum of Science and Industry, this audio ...

Uncover the intimate lives and inspirations of renowned artists and composers through Volume 5 of the Little Masterpieces of Autobiography series, first published in 1913. This collection features personal excerpts from the letters, diaries, and autobiographies of iconic figures such as Jean François Millet, James Nasmyth, Felix Mendelssohn, and Edvard Grieg, amongst others. Enriched with editorial introductions, each chapter is a journey into the creative minds that have shaped our cultural landscape. Please note that subsequent revisions of the series in 1922 and 1926 differ in content ...