Classic Essays

An experiment. A declaration. A spiritual awakening. Noted transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau spent two years, two months, and two days chronicling his near-isolation in a small cabin he built in the woods near Walden Pond, on land owned by his mentor and the father of Transcendentalism, Ralph Waldo Emerson. Immersing himself in nature and solitude, Thoreau sought to develop a greater understanding of society amidst a life of self-reliance and simplicity. Originally published in 1854, Walden remains one of the most celebrated works in American literature.

The Federalist Papers are a series of 85 articles, written between 1897 and 1888, advocating for the ratification of the United States Constitution. They serve as a primary source for interpretation of the Constitution, as they outline the philosophy and motivation of the proposed system of government.

This collection gathers James Salter's thoughts on writing and profiles of famous writers, observations of the changing American military life, evocations of Aspen winters, musings on mountain climbing and skiing, and tales of travels to Europe and Asia which first appeared in the New Yorker, Esquire, People magazine, Conde Nast Traveler, the Aspen Times, and many other publications.

Marcia actively mourned the death of her son Metilius for over three years. In Of Consolation to Marcia, Seneca attempts to convince her that the fate of her son, while tragic, should not have been a surprise. She knew many other mothers who had lost their sons; why should she expect her own son to survive her? The acknowledgement, even expectation, of the worst of all possible outcomes is a tenet of Seneca's Stoic philosophy.

This collection marks the return to print of John Lardner, one of America's press box giants, a classic stylist whose wry humor and tireless reporting helped elevate sportswriting to art. The brilliant W. C. Heinz called Lardner "the best of us." This book shows why. Lardner applied his singular touch not only to his era's icons - Joe Louis, Ted Williams, Satchel Paige - but to the scamps, eccentrics, hustlers, and con men in the shadow of sports.

Die Michael-Ende-Hörbuchedition versammelt neben einem bisher unvertonten Kapitel der Unendlichen Geschichte Erzählungen, Essays, Gedichte und Gedankensplitter. Ausdrucksstarke Stimmen führen durch Michael Endes vielschichtiges Werk. In bisher unveröffentlichten Originaltönen ist der passionierte Erzähler Michael Ende selbst zu hören. Diese vielstimmige Sammlung lädt zum Eintauchen in den ganzen Kosmos des berühmten Wortmagiers ein und führt seine Geschichten, die danach verlangen, erzählt zu werden, ihrer eigentlichen Bestimmung zu.

Das vorliegende Hörbuch enthält folgende Produktionen: "Goethes Frühlingsanfang" und "Duett im Garten" (Lesung, 1962, Sprecher: Wolfgang Reinsch, Regie: Hans-Bernd Müller), "Die Herbstzeitlose" (Lesung, 1961, Sprecher: Joachim Nottke, Regie: Hans-Bernd Müller), "Schlaflos" (Lesung, 1962, Sprecher: Kurt Lieck, Regie: Julius Albert Flach) uvm.

Jerome K Jerome began writing in 1888 with "On the Stage and Off', followed the next year by his familiar classic "Three Men in a Boat". In this delightful collection of stories, narrated by Hubert Gregg, the author reveals all too well why these stories should only be "told after supper". Listener beware!

Embark on a journey into the imaginative and whimsical world of "The Curious Republic of Gondour and Other Whimsical Sketches" by Mark Twain. This audiobook offers a delightful collection of Twain's satirical and humorous essays and sketches that explore a wide range of topics, from politics to society to the absurdities of everyday life. With Twain's trademark wit and clever storytelling, you'll find yourself transported to a place where irony reigns, and laughter is guaranteed. These sketches provide a sharp and often hilarious commentary on the quirks and follies of the human experience.

As any fan of Jo Walton's Among Others might guess, Walton is both an inveterate reader of SF and fantasy, and a chronic rereader of books. In 2008, then-new science fiction mega-site Tor.com asked Walton to blog regularly about her rereading—about all kinds of older fantasy and SF, ranging from acknowledged classics, to guilty pleasures, to forgotten oddities and gems. These posts have consistently been among the most popular features of Tor. Now this volume presents a selection of the best of them, ranging from short essays to long reassessments of some of the field's most ambitious series.

"Es gibt nichts Langweiligeres auf dieser Erde als die Lektüre einer italienischen Reisebeschreibung", warnt Heinrich Heine und verspricht, sie dadurch "einigermaßen erträglich zu machen, dass er von Italien selbst so wenig als möglich darin redet". So sind "Die Bäder von Lucca" eher bissige Anekdoten über die geistigen und politischen Zustände im Deutschland des frühen 19. Jahrhunderts. Obwohl Heine in der Restaurationszeit verboten wurde, waren seine Reisebilder und Gedichte so erfolgreich, dass er als freier Schriftsteller im Pariser Exil leben konnte.

한중록은 혜경궁 홍씨가 사도세자와 결혼하여 뒤주에 갇혀 죽을 때까지의 비극적인 역사 사건을 그린 수필집이다. 초등학생들이 이해할 수 있도록 다소 어려운 궁중 용어를 쉬운 단어로 고르는 대신 정확하게 알게 하기 위해 그대로 쓰고 상세한 주석으로 이해를 높이고 있다. 또한, 책 후반에 사도세자의 죽음에 얽힌 임오화변에 대해 기술된 역사와 한중록의 내용과의 다른 점을 비교하게 하였다. 역사가들 사이에서도 설왕설래하는 비극의 역사 속 미스터리를 푸는 것도 또 하나의 재미를 줄 것이다.

Stephan Paryla-Raky versteht es meisterhaft, Kuhs geradezu "magische Prophetie" und heutige Aktualität aufleben und den satirischen Funken auf das Publikum überspringen zu lassen.

"L'ensemble de textes lus ici, n'est nullement un rassemblement au hasard, et ses différentes parties ont pris formes et sens sous le regard les unes des autres. Une différence, toutefois. [...] Le passage du temps dans une vie, les événements qui s'y associent ont déplacé cette réflexion, restée fondamentale, vers ce qui se joue dans les existences. La pensée de la poésie se nourrit des situations de l'existence. Le poème naît dans la voix. Il s'arrime à elle par la longue chaîne d'une ancre, son écriture." (Yves Bonnefoy)

Endspurt der großen Europareise: Nach einigen Tagen in Genf folgen Turin, Mailand, Venedig und Rom, inklusive unzähliger Abenteuer, Abschweifungen, Irrungen und Wirrungen...

Notable author Seth Pancoast, a theosophist and regular contributor to theosophical, esoteric, and occult journals and periodicals, writes on the topic of the cabalistic sciences. Here, we have collected two of his essays entitled "The Kabbalah" and "The Mystery of Numbers", written from a theosophical perspective. Please enjoy.

These passages from the writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson on religion and spiritual philosophy reveal a metaphysical thought that is quintessentially American and universally relevant to the spiritual needs of today's world. It is seldom that an American philosopher is found among the gurus, mystics, and masters present in the spiritual milieu. Emerson combined the spiritual intuition of the East with the philosophical acumen of the West.

Rolf Boysen liest Heinrich von Kleist. In seinem Essay "Über die allmähliche Verfertigung der Gedanken beim Reden" gibt Kleist den Rat, Probleme durch das "Darüber reden" mit anderen Menschen zu lösen. Allein schon das Formulieren bringt uns einer Lösung näher, denn "die Idee kommt beim Sprechen". In der Novelle "Das Erdbeben in Chili" droht den Liebenden Jeronimo und Josephe die Hinrichtung, als ein Erdbeben ihnen unverhofft zur Freiheit verhilft.

Mark Twain's marvelous short work relating how to tell a story - an American story that is humorous, not comic as the British or witty as the French. The work also includes four marvelous but little-known essays: "The Wounded Soldier", "The Golden Arm", "Mental Telegraphy", and "The Invalid's Story". Canadian listeners will particularly enjoy "Mental Telegraphy", set in Quebec.

Toward the end of the Hundred Years War between France and England, as Merlin predicted, a great warrior emerged, uniting a beleaguered nation and leading it to improbable victories. It was said this warrior was a messenger of God. And it may have been, for a country was saved and a kingdom restored. This great leader of men, this messenger who united a nation, was a 17-year-old maiden named Joan.