Author: molly

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All books are now available without a subscription

This website contains a treasure trove of wonderful, educational, classic audio books. Unfortunately, technology has come a long way since my children and I built this site in 2009, and keeping it up to date is no longer feasible for me. We no longer charge for a subscription and have unblocked all the content so that it can be accessed without logging in. We have kept it running at our own expense, unwilling to let this library of sorts go the way of the dinosaur. Some links are broken but most of the content is still good. If the content is a Libravox book, I recommend streaming it through their app. There is an ad free version that is very inexpensive, as well as an ad-supported app, both available in the app store.

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Works and Days, The Theogony, and The Shield of Heracles by Hesiod

MAS works_days_1509

Works and Days provides advice on agrarian matters and personal conduct. The Theogony explains the ancestry of the gods. The Shield of Heracles is the adventure of Heracles accepting an enemy’s challenge to fight. – Summary by Arthur Krolman for Librivox

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Running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes

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Works and Days

The Theogony

The Shield of Heracles

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Gorgias by Plato

MAS gorgias_1211

This dialogue brings Socrates face to face with the famous sophist Gorgias and his followers. It is a work likely completed around the time of “Republic” and illuminates many of the spiritual ideas of Plato. The spirituality, as Jowett points out in his wonderful introduction, has many ideas akin to Christianity, but is more generous as it reserves damnation only for the tyrants of the world. Some of the truths of Socrates, as presented by Plato, shine forth in this wonderful work on sophistry and other forms of persuasion or cookery. (Summary by Kevin Johnson for Librivox)

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Run time: 7 hours, 6 minutes

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Introduction Part 1

Introduction Part 2

Introduction Part 3

Introduction Part 4

Gorgias Part 1

Gorgias Part 2

Gorgias Part 3

Gorgias Part 4

Gorgias Part 5

Gorgias Part 6

Gorgias Part 7

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Meno by Plato, translated by Benjamin Jowett

MAS meno_1303

Meno (Ancient Greek: ?????) is a Socratic dialogue written by Plato. Written in the Socratic dialectic style, it attempts to determine the definition of virtue, or arete, meaning in this case virtue in general, rather than particular virtues, such as justice or temperance. The goal is a common definition that applies equally to all particular virtues. Socrates moves the discussion past the philosophical confusion, or aporia, created by Meno’s paradox (aka the learner’s paradox) with the introduction of new Platonic ideas: the theory of knowledge as recollection, anamnesis, and in the final lines a movement towards Platonic idealism.. (Introduction by Wikipedia)

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Run time: 2 hours, 24 minutes

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1 – Meno

2 – On the Ideas of Plato

3 – Part 1 of the Dialogs of Meno

4 – Part 2 of the Dialogs of Meno

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Henry V by William Shakespeare

Queen Katherine of France by Laura T. Alma-Tadema
Queen Katherine of France by Laura T. Alma-Tadema

After the turmoil and uncertainty of Henry IV a new era appears to dawn for England with the accession of the eponymous Henry V. In this sunny pageant Chorus guides us along Henry’s glittering carpet ride of success as the new king completes his transformation from rebellious wastrel to a truly regal potentate. Of course, there is an underlying feeling that the good times won’t last, and this is all the more reason to enjoy the Indian summer before the protracted and bitter fall of the house of Lancaster. (Introduction by Algy Pug for Librivox)

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Run time: 3 hours, 4 minutes

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Act 1

Act 2

Act 3

Act 4

Act 5

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The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare

MAS Macbeth_by_Thomas_Beach
Macbeth is a play written by William Shakespeare. It is considered one of his darkest and most powerful tragedies. Set in Scotland, the play dramatizes the corroding psychological and political effects produced when its protagonist, the Scottish lord Macbeth, chooses evil as the way to fulfill his ambition for power. He commits regicide to become king and then furthers his moral descent with a reign of murderous terror to stay in power, eventually plunging the country into civil war. In the end, he loses everything that gives meaning and purpose to his life before losing his life itself. (Summary by Wikipedia)
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Lady Macbeth by Cattermole
Lady Macbeth by Cattermole

Dramatis Personae and Act 1
Act 2
Act 3
Act 4
Act 5
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Hamlet by Shakespeare, simplified for school children and baffled adults

Benjamin_West_-_Hamlet-_Act_IV,_Scene_V_(Ophelia_Before_the_King_and_Queen)_-_Google_Art_Project

Hamlet by Shakespeare, simplified for school children?by Shakespeare Lynch Multimedia is performed by Michael Matus.

Description from iTunes:

Shakespeare made easier for schoolchildren and baffled adults with an easy to understand narrative adaptation and parallel text with the original. Why adapt Shakespeare? Well, it’s hard! A lot of actors in Shakespeare productions can act it, confusing audiences. A lot of teachers can’t teach it, confusing pupils. A lot of parents lack confidence helping with homework. This is for students of all ages and parents, too. The purpose is to make Shakespeare comprehensible and accessible. Shakespeare is the greatest of writers, for that reason everyone must attempt to grasp his genius. Read the original first and then consult this adaptation to help you. Use this as an aid. The poetry of the original cannot be matched. The action of Book One, Chapter 1 corresponds with Act One, Scene 1, (for the podcasts Episode 1 is 1-1) and so on This recording of Hamlet is read by Michael Matus, who has acted extensively with the RSC and will be appearing at the Globe in London during the Summer 2008 season.

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