Biggest Website For Full Audiobooks in Classics, American Literature New Releases

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Typhoon

Author: Joseph Conrad

Narrator: Scott Brick

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 47 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-08-06

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 29 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Soon the steamship, her crew, and the human cargo are caught in the midst of a vicious typhoon. The impending disaster brings out the best and the worst in Whirr; Jukes, the chief mate; Solomon, the wise engineer; and the rest of the crew. Conrad shows that in the struggle for survival, true character will always be exposed.

Members Reviews:

Cooks a brilliant story out of a storm ...

"Don't you be put out by anything. Keep her facing it. They may say what they like, but the heaviest seas run with the wind. Facing it -- always facing it -- that's the way to get through. You are a young sailor. Face it. That's enough for any man. Keep a cool head."

Conrad can take a simple idea and gradually pull out of it the deep complexities of man. Typhoon is a novella that basically cooks a brilliant story out of a storm + a boat + Captain MacWhirr and his crew. Setting was fantastic. Characters were perfect. Story was tight. Narrative was interestingly rigged with letters from MacWhirr to his wife, Juke to his friend and Rout to his wife. These letters framed the narrative with a reflected look at the distance between those at sea and those who remain safe on land.

I only gave it four stars because I've read/listened to better novels by Conrad (Victory, Nostromo, Heart of Darkness, Lord Jim), not because I've read/listened to many better writers

Best of the Best

Five stars across the board! This is a great story told by a master story teller. It does not get any better than this.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: The Portrait of a Lady, Volume II

Author: Henry James

Narrator: Flo Gibson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 49 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-03-06

Publisher: Audio Book Contractors, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

When Isabel Archer, a beautiful, spirited American, is brought to Europe by her wealthy Aunt Touchett, it is expected that she will soon marry. But Isabel, resolved to determine her own fate, does not hesitate to turn down two eligible suitors. She then finds herself irresistibly drawn to Gilbert Osmond, who, beneath his veneer of charm and cultivation, is cruelty itself. A story of intense poignancy, Isabel's tale of love and betrayal still resonates with modern audiences.

Don't miss

of The Portrait of a Lady.

© Henry James; (P)2005 Audio Book Contractors, Inc.

Members Reviews:

Fragile book

The content itself needs little review as most know that this is Henry James' masterpiece. My review is concerned with the edition which is part of the Penguin Clothbound Classics collection. These are beautiful books but unfortunately, the imprinted design is fragile and does peel off. Mine was shipped to me with little bits of the leaves already coming off which was disappointing as I collect this series.

Five Stars

Classic

Content is what you expect, but the physical book itself is not great

The physical book is enormous and the formatting is really poorly done. The content is, of course, great, but I found it really difficult to read because of the formatting and the dimensions of the book made it very awkward to read publicly.

Enjoyed a rather long story.

I enjoyed this story very much. The ending was a bit abrupt but in keeping with the story.

Great transaction

Exactly as advertised

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Around the World in 80 Days

Author: Jules Verne

Narrator: Michael Prichard

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 10 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-14-06

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 30 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Translated by George Makepeace Towle.

Editorial Reviews:

Award-winning voice actor Michael Prichard triumphs in his performance of the beloved adventure novel Around the World in Eighty Days by the prolific French writer Jules Verne, a pioneer of the science fiction genre. One day at the Reform Club, Englishman Phileas Fogg accepts a wager of 20,000 pounds to travel the globe in 80 days. He departs London with his new valet, Passepartout, on the evening of October 2. By land and sea, he journeys to India, Hong Kong, Japan, and the United States. Is it possible for him to complete this Herculean task in the allotted time? (Translation by George Makepeace Towle.)

Members Reviews:

Around the World in 80 Days

Everyone knows the basic story, but reading the book was quite painful and not enjoyable for a middle schooler who chose it from the summer reading list. It's written in a stuffy, 19th century style, which is great if one enjoys such writing. As an adult, I love the stuff, but it really was hard to wade through the formal prose and starchy descriptions. I don't recommend modernizing it, although that would introduce it to a generation that will otherwise not make an effort.

Accompanies the Video Trip

Having seen this television series of Michael Palin's trip, this is a nice way to refresh the memory. I understand that the book follows the video series very closely. I intend to read it at some time. I got it for my late husband and he did enjoy reading it. Mr. Palin's observations of the world were very interesting.

David Niven was a perfect choice.

Wonderful book. It evoked my memories of the original movie I watched in younger days. It is also quite a lesson in changing perceptions AND realities. It was, after all, written 143 years ago, and the world has changed a bit. Now you can circumnavigate the globe without even an engine (solar airplane), but between Homeland Security, customs officials everywhere, infrastructure maintenance failures and other modern inconveniences, Mr. Fogg's record might beat yours if you attempted the same route. I wonder if TripAdvisor could set me up . . .

Good translation and nice themes

One of the more simple works of Verne in my opinion. Good translation and nice themes. The characters themselves didn't attract me a great deal. Fine quality book and a fairly easy read.

I Always Love This One

I give it five stars. It's always a favorite. I read it with my eleven year old in our homeschool. She said, "It's not my favorite book, but it's okay." I, on the other hand, love the beauty behind the message of Mr. Fogg's journey. It would seem as though there really are some things in life that mean more than glory and riches. ;)

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: SmartPass Audio Education Study Guide to Great Expectations (Dramatised)

Author: Jonathan Lomas, Charles Dickens

Narrator: Full-Cast featuring Joan Walker, Andy Greenhalgh, Coralyn Sheldon

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 16 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-14-06

Publisher: SmartPass

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Full-cast performance with comprehensive commentary and analysis for any student to fully understand and appreciate the novel. Dickens' tale of Pip, a young man "removed from his present sphere of life" and cast into a Victorian nightmare, is a powerful audio drama to be enjoyed and appreciated as an important piece of social criticism.

© and (P)2000 SmartPass Ltd.

Critic Reviews:

"Impressive teaching and study aid." (SNIP Magazine)

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: A Christmas Carol [One Voice Recordings Edition]

Author: Charles Dickens

Narrator: David Ian Davies

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs and 41 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-07-05

Publisher: One Voice Recordings

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 28 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

It's Christmas Eve at 221-B as Doctor Watson reads A Christmas Carol to his friend, and to us! In this all new, full-length, and unabridged One Voice Recordings production, listeners will enjoy his lusty-yet-reverent telling of Ebenezer Scrooge's moral redemption and return to the joyful possibilities within the human race.

Editorial Reviews:

Actor David Ian Davies gives a riveting performance of Victorian novelist Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol. His distinguished voice is the perfect complement to the classic text. One Christmas Eve, the miserable and miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his deceased business partner, Jacob Marley, as well as the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. He views scenes from his own past, present, and future, and in doing so, begins to understand the error of his ways.

Members Reviews:

A classic with fine narration

You know the story, but have you read Dicken's classic words? Fine narration of a story that, to my mind, needs to be heard in the King's English.

Scrooge Meets Holmes??

Few things ring in the holidays more warmly than A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens; indeed, many hold reading it with all the family circled round as a cherished tradition, without which the holiday would not feel complete.

'God bless us, every one!'

The listener will be blessed indeed, as this reading is a double delight : it is read to yet another literary favourite, Sherlock Holmes, by his good friend Dr John Watson upon Christmas Eve! This masterfully imaginative interpretation is read by the incomparable David Ian Davies, whose grasp and understanding of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's works is highly respected amongst Sherlockians worldwide; deservedly so. In this age of so many things being condensed and read speedily, it is lovely to hear this unabridged version coupled with Holmes and Watson. Mr Davies delivers all personas in the tale with style, flair, zest and great care to his craft. Destined to be a classic, this is a tasty holiday treat for all; highly recommended.

Very disappointing

I was really looking forward to this and thought I had chosen my reader carefully. I was disappointed however by the very jarring accents and silly voices used to denote differing characters. Must try to find a better reader for this Christmas classic.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Author: Mark Twain

Narrator: Mike McShane

Format: Abridged

Length: 2 hrs and 46 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-01-05

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

"Cordially hated and dreaded by all the mothers of the town because he was idle, and lawless, vulgar, and bad , and because all their children admired him so", Huckleberry Finn, the 14-year-old son of the town drunkard, joins runaway slave Jim on an exciting journey down the mighty Mississippi River on a raft.

To supplement the full text version of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, listen to

.

Members Reviews:

Great Bedtime Reader

All of the Illustrated Chosen Classics are great bedtime readers. My wife sits in the hall of the children's bedrooms and reads these stories to them at bedtime. The difference between these books and the traditional novels is that these stories move very fast. My son, in particular, will hear one of these abridged classic novels and, if he likes it, will then read the full unabridged version on his own. Kind of gives our kids a taste of the classics without having to start reading a really large and sometimes overwhelming looking book. My son is 10 and my daughter is 15. We have about 30 of these types of books in our library.

A Classic Still

Like many people of my age (62), I read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn as a child because at that time it was widely perceived to be a child's or young adult's book. This is unfortunate as it is not nor has it ever been directed at the young. In my rereading I discovered for the first time why it is still called the original great American novel. Huckleberry, like Twain, is opinionated and perceptive. His narration and point of view drive the novel forward. Rather than relegate this work to the children's shelves or castigate it as racist, folks should embrace this novel for what it is, a bildungsroman that shows the growth of a country as well as the growth of its young protagonist.

It captivated a classroom full of surly teens

I teach English, and the junior year in North Carolina is devoted to American literature. I approached Huck Finn with no small amount of trepidation because of Twain's use of vernacular. I ran into the same problem with "Their Eyes Were Watching God" and solved that by listening to Ruby Dee's audio recording, which students loved. I purchased this recording of Huck Finn, and it was to die for fabulous. Students read along in their books as we listened to the recording, and it helped bring the characters and the story alive for them. They laughed when I hoped they would laugh, and they understood the novel so much better by being able to listen to it. This recording was invaluable.

Reading this book as an adult is a whole different ...

Reading this book as an adult is a whole different experience. I'm fairly sure the versions I read as a child were watered down. I don't have any memory of murder and mayhem in the versions I read as a child. All the same it was highly entertaining and deserving of being a classic.

Friendship and mischieviousness.

I grew up reading this book, a story about Huckleberry Finn and his adventurous life on the Mississippi River as a boy. He would be considered a hoodlum in this day and age, at the time it was written he was an orphan and had no one to help him grow with morals however he is a rather a good boy with pretty good morals and this story is a classic. The story is also about friendship.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Author: Mark Twain

Narrator: Mike McShane

Format: Abridged

Length: 2 hrs and 51 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-01-05

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Mark Twain's classic tale recounts the adventures of the ever resourceful Tom Sawyer and his friend Huckleberry Finn in the little town of St Petersburg, Missouri, on the banks of the Mississippi. A story of robbers, graveyards at midnight, buried treasure, and a deep and mysterious cave, Tom Sawyer has lost none of its power to enthral and delight since it was first published in 1876.

(P)1994 HarperCollins UK

Members Reviews:

Great Bedtime Reader

All of the Illustrated Chosen Classics are great bedtime readers. My wife sits in the hall of the children's bedrooms and reads these stories to them at bedtime. The difference between these books and the traditional novels is that these stories move very fast. My son, in particular, will hear one of these abridged classic novels and, if he likes it, will then read the full unabridged version on his own. Kind of gives our kids a taste of the classics without having to start reading a really large and sometimes overwhelming looking book. My son is 10 and my daughter is 15. We have about 30 of these types of books in our library.

A Classic Still

Like many people of my age (62), I read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn as a child because at that time it was widely perceived to be a child's or young adult's book. This is unfortunate as it is not nor has it ever been directed at the young. In my rereading I discovered for the first time why it is still called the original great American novel. Huckleberry, like Twain, is opinionated and perceptive. His narration and point of view drive the novel forward. Rather than relegate this work to the children's shelves or castigate it as racist, folks should embrace this novel for what it is, a bildungsroman that shows the growth of a country as well as the growth of its young protagonist.

It captivated a classroom full of surly teens

I teach English, and the junior year in North Carolina is devoted to American literature. I approached Huck Finn with no small amount of trepidation because of Twain's use of vernacular. I ran into the same problem with "Their Eyes Were Watching God" and solved that by listening to Ruby Dee's audio recording, which students loved. I purchased this recording of Huck Finn, and it was to die for fabulous. Students read along in their books as we listened to the recording, and it helped bring the characters and the story alive for them. They laughed when I hoped they would laugh, and they understood the novel so much better by being able to listen to it. This recording was invaluable.

Reading this book as an adult is a whole different ...

Reading this book as an adult is a whole different experience. I'm fairly sure the versions I read as a child were watered down. I don't have any memory of murder and mayhem in the versions I read as a child. All the same it was highly entertaining and deserving of being a classic.

Friendship and mischieviousness.

I grew up reading this book, a story about Huckleberry Finn and his adventurous life on the Mississippi River as a boy. He would be considered a hoodlum in this day and age, at the time it was written he was an orphan and had no one to help him grow with morals however he is a rather a good boy with pretty good morals and this story is a classic. The story is also about friendship.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Uncle Tom's Cabin

Author: Harriet Beecher Stowe

Narrator: Ricco Ross

Format: Abridged

Length: 3 hrs and 11 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-01-05

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Published in 1852, Uncle Tom's Cabin was an immediate success, was influential in securing the abolition of slavery, and established Harriet Beecher Stowe as America's first major woman novelist. With a compelling narrative and memorable characters, the novel vividly explores the relationship between slave, trader, and owner, and exposes a system in which men, women, and even children were property to be bought and sold for profit or to settle debts. Still capable of arousing both compassion and anger, Uncle Tom's Cabin was described by Tolstoy as "one of the greatest productions of the human mind".

© Harriet Beecher Stowe; (P)1991 HarperCollins UK

Members Reviews:

Sobering still

I have heard about this book my whole life but never understood what it was about. If, like me you make the assumption that it is a book about a slave that "sells out his own race", which is the definition of Uncle Tom that I gathered by looking at television and hearing the term used, you will surely miss the entire point of this book. Instead, the book is about a slave that is steadfast in his beliefs and principles. A man that holds on to his faith in Jesus. I really don't get the common use of the term after reading this.

Every one should read this book. It can be a hard read as it is a glimpse into a dark period in history.

Great Abbreviated Version of a Classic

I debated whether to buy this or not. The description said for a 2-4 grader so that seemed pretty simplistic for me. On the other hand the length seemed too long for a little kid. I enjoy reading at night, but honestly I'm usually so tired I can only get thru a couple pages. I just read Robinson Crusoe which is fairly long and it took me a couple months to get thru it. So I was thinking this might actually fit my desire for a fun read, something not too long for night-time reading, and be a classic that I never actually read. I got the book and again had second thoughts, but after starting to read it I think it fits my needs perfectly. They kept enough of the original book that it flows nicely and I can get thru it in a reasonable amount of time.

If you are looking for the original version this is NOT it though!

Sublime

Many emotions ran through me as I read, and I appreciate the way in which the author wove poignant passages of Scripture into the narrative. In our current condition (in America), I believe this would be a good book for everyone to re-read, especially Christians. In the midst of our political divisiveness, it is easy to forget that each person is an eternal soul. After reading this book, I feel inspired to treat everyone around me much differently, knowing that God cares about my attitudes and actions toward others. For this reason alone, I highly recommend this book.

read me

Hear is another book everyone should read. Even in high school. Slavery a very nasty word in deed. But face the facts it happened. I am going to quote a phrase said from Richard Preyer. I saw myself on tv. I would rather be a ni ..... er than a slave. At least I get to come home. Amen to that one. But walkthrough of life is no walk way in the park. If u have a child that needs one hell of an butt wooping make him or her read this instead. And if need be try the Jews next. A story that will break your heart, in places. Read it for the love of its words. Please.

Amazing story

This is the book that started the American civil war.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: The Black Arrow

Author: Robert Louis Stevenson

Narrator: Shelly Frasier

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 59 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-24-04

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 34 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

The Houses of York and Lancaster are locked in a brutal struggle for England's crown and the fate of the kingdom is at stake. Shelton finds himself entangled in the conspiracy. In order to survive he must distinguish friend from foe and confront the tests of war, shipwreck, murder, and forbidden love.

Editorial Reviews:

With veteran narrator Shelly Frasier giving such an energetic performance, The Black Arrow is sure to entertain a whole host of new listeners for years to come. This classic from the great novelist, Robert Louis Stevenson takes place during the Wars of the Roses, and follows the adventures of a young man, Dick Shelton. Not only is Shelton tasked with saving his lady and avenging his father's murder, but he must also choose between his guardian and the secret fellowship "The Black Arrow". Shelly Frasier's enthusiasm for every character and each scene ensures listeners will keep their fingers far from the pause button with this audiobook.

Members Reviews:

Great adventure yarn

I loved this book while growing up, so just listened to it to remember. It's fully as good as Treasure Island--secret passages, intrigue, and a teenage hero, all against a colorful background of the War of the Roses. Even better than Treasure Island for those who like a love interest in the story.

An Enjoyable Tale

This was an engaging tale, well voiced by the narrator, and exciting from first to last. Of course there is a lot of terminology about knights and castles, but learning about that period (even if it is through the eyes of a 19th century author) is fascinating. If you enjoy stories about the "days of yore" with a sweet love story thrown in for good measure, this is for you.

Good story, pity about the narration

Any additional comments?

It took me multiple attempts to finish this audiobook. The story is great, but the narration was, for me anyway, difficult to stomach and spoils the whole experience. Ms Frasier's diction is reasonably paced and clear, but there's a jarring discordance between the American accented narration, and the (sometimes unsuccessful) British accent used for the voices. Her attempt at male voices also doesn't come off very well. All in all, not something I would recommend.

An English Tale

Read by an American Lady?.....some things don't work and I found this distracting .........is OK for US market no doubt

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: The Canterbury Tales (Unabridged Selections)

Author: Geoffrey Chaucer

Narrator: David Butler

Format: Abridged

Length: 8 hrs and 52 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-28-03

Publisher: Findaway World

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 173 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

This modern English edition of Chaucer's classic begins on a spring day in April. Sometime in the waning years of the 14th century, 29 travelers set out for Canterbury on a pilgrimage to the shrine of Saint Thomas Beckett. Among them are a knight, a monk, a prioress, a plowman, a miller, a merchant, a clerk, and an oft-widowed wife from Bath. Travel is arduous and wearing; to maintain their spirits, this band of pilgrims entertain each other with a series of tall tales that span the spectrum of literary genres.

© 2001 Sound Room Publishing, Inc.

Members Reviews:

Still enjoyable, relevant, and beautiful

By happenstance, I started listening to The Canterbury Tales on Palm Sunday, the same day that the narration begins. As I pulled out of my driveway on an April morning, I had Chaucer's famous description of spring in my ears as a Christian procession marched by, led by a bag-pipe player. I was on a trek to Niagara Falls, but I was hearing the account of a different sort of pilgramage, written 600 years ago, but still sounding beautiful to the ear. In fact, I much preferred listening to these tales rather than reading them silently myself from the page. This is poetry, and the scansion and lyricism can easily get lost as the modern reader struggles with the early spellings and olden vocabulary. Be advised that the first tale, that of the knight, is extraordinarily long, formalistic, predictable, and maybe even just kind of boring. It must be a purposeful tip of Chaucer's funny-looking hat to the epic poetry of Homer. But don't give up early! Chaucer rewards the patient with the following tale from the miller which is the exact opposite--short, mean, and bawdy! You'll be shocked at just how old some of the English language's four-letter words are. This pattern continues as Chaucer has each of his pilgrams take turns telling stories in their own voice, and the diversity and contrast is enjoyable. BEWARE: Although this is advertised as an unabridged reading, I was dubious when I saw its rather short length. After listening to the entire program, I looked at my very thick printed version and found several tales there that were not included in the audio reading. I have made Audible aware of this. Nonetheless, such editing may be for the best--except for purists and academics--as this version certainly offers the lay reader/listener a representative sample of what Chaucer could do with an earlier version of our language.

Not really unabridged

Even though the narration is excellent it is very disappointing ot find that the audio does not cover all the book only half of it.

impressive

Quite well narrated, more expressive than I expected. Also the quality of sound is also very good. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Are we there yet?

As a group of thirty pilgrims set out from London to Canterbury, the inkeeper of the Tabard Inn joins them, and persuades them that, to while the time away, each should tell four stories. A medieval version of games to play in the car on a long journey. Chaucer only completed a few of these tales before his death, and the audiobook only contains a selection of these. It's so well narrated by David Butler that it's a pity that it's not more complete, but it's pretty long nonetheless.