Homer's The Iliad, Part 1 (Books 1-16)—the epic tale of Achilles' rage, Hector's honor, and the Trojan War. Translated by Samuel Butler, narrated by Mark Cassidy with full subtitles.

📖 About the Work

Composed in the 8th century BCE, The Iliad recounts the climactic weeks of the Trojan War, focusing on the rage of Achilles and the struggles of Hector as gods intervene in mortal affairs. A powerful meditation on fate, glory, loyalty, and human suffering, Samuel Butler's prose translation renders Homer's poetry into clear, accessible English.

✍️ About Homer

Homer is the legendary Greek poet credited with The Iliad and The Odyssey, foundational texts of Western literature. Though little is known about his life, his influence on epic storytelling, myth, and moral reflection remains immense.

🎙️ Narration

Mark Cassidy brings steady, reflective narration to Homer's characters and battles, with full on-screen subtitles—ideal for reading along, studying, or experiencing the epic in a tranquil environment.

📚 Timestamps

• 00:00 – The Iliad by Homer (Books 1-16)
• 00:13 – Book 1: The Quarrel Between Agamemnon and Achilles
• 32:50 – Book 2: The Dream, the Catalogue of Ships
• 1:19:12 – Book 3: Paris and Menelaus Duel
• 1:42:05 – Book 4: The Truce Broken
• 2:10:01 – Book 5: The Exploits of Diomedes
• 2:57:23 – Book 6: Hector and Andromache
• 3:23:32 – Book 7: Hector Duels Ajax
• 3:47:30 – Book 8: The Trojans Press Forward
• 4:16:04 – Book 9: The Embassy to Achilles
• 4:52:37 – Book 10: The Night Raid
• 5:21:41 – Book 11: Agamemnon's Valor
• 6:06:30 – Book 12: The Trojans Storm the Wall
• 6:31:15 – Book 13: The Fight at the Ships
• 7:15:21 – Book 14: Hera Deceives Zeus
• 7:43:00 – Book 15: The Greeks Driven Back
• 8:21:14 – Book 16: The Death of Patroclus

📘 At Chillbooks, we present fully subtitled audiobooks of classic literature, philosophy, and historical texts.

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Seneca's Letters from a Stoic, Volume 1 (Letters 1-65)—practical Stoic wisdom on courage, tranquility, and living well. Translated by Richard M. Gummere, narrated by Mark Cassidy with full subtitles.

📖 About the Work

In this first volume, Seneca shares personal letters to his friend Lucilius, offering guidance on happiness, adversity, and the value of philosophy in daily life. Through practical reflection and ethical insight, these letters provide a Stoic toolkit for navigating the human condition with discipline, integrity, and inner freedom.

✍️ About Seneca

Lucius Annaeus Seneca (c. 4 BCE – 65 CE) was a Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, and playwright. As one of Stoicism's most influential voices, his writings on ethics, resilience, and self-mastery remain deeply personal yet universally applicable.

🎙️ Narration

Mark Cassidy brings steady, expressive narration to Seneca's philosophical reflections, with full on-screen subtitles—ideal for reflection, study, or meditative listening.

📚 Timestamps

• 00:00 – Letters from a Stoic by Seneca (Vol. 1)
• 00:11 – Introduction
• 10:20 – Letter 1: On Saving Time
• 13:14 – Letter 2: On Discursiveness in Reading
• 16:23 – Letter 3: On True and False Friendship
• 19:54 – Letter 4: On the Terrors of Death
• 25:37 – Letter 5: On the Philosopher's Mean
• 30:13 – Letter 6: On Sharing Knowledge
• 33:47 – Letter 7: On Crowds
• 40:20 – Letter 8: On the Philosopher's Seclusion
• 45:52 – Letter 9: On Philosophy and Friendship
• 58:10 – Letter 10: On Living to Oneself
• 1:01:04 – Letter 11: On the Blush of Modesty
• 1:05:52 – Letter 12: On Old Age
• 1:12:17 – Letter 13: On Groundless Fears
• 1:22:29 – Letter 14: On the Reasons for Withdrawing from the World
• 1:33:00 – Letter 15: On Brawn and Brains
• 1:39:42 – Letter 16: On Philosophy, the Guide of Life
• 1:45:12 – Letter 17: On Philosophy and Riches
• 1:51:48 – Letter 18: On Festivals and Fasting
• 1:59:31 – Letter 19: On Worldliness and Retirement
• 2:06:47 – Letter 20: On Practicing What You Preach
• 2:14:02 – Letter 21: On the Renown Which My Writings Will Bring You
• 2:21:07 – Letter 22: On the Futility of Halfway Measures
• 2:30:16 – Letter 23: On the True Joy Which Comes from Philosophy
• 2:36:23 – Letter 24: On Despising Death
• 2:51:16 – Letter 25: On Reformation
• 2:55:36 – Letter 26: On Old Age and Death
• 3:00:47 – Letter 27: On the Good Which Abides
• 3:05:40 – Letter 28: On Travel as a Cure for Discontent
• 3:10:29 – Letter 29: On the Critical Condition of Marcellinus
• 3:17:15 – Letter 30: On Conquering the Conqueror
• 3:26:58 – Letter 31: On Siren Songs
• 3:33:39 – Letter 32: On Progress
• 3:36:43 – Letter 33: On the Futility of Learning Maxims
• 3:43:29 – Letter 34: On a Promising Pupil
• 3:45:23 – Letter 35: On the Friendship of Kindred Minds
• 3:47:59 – Letter 36: On the Value of Retirement
• 3:54:44 – Letter 37: On Allegiance to Virtue
• 3:57:22 – Letter 38: On Quiet Conversation
• 3:59:01 – Letter 39: On Noble Aspirations
• 4:02:39 – Letter 40-49
• 5:02:26 – Letters 50-59
• 6:25:28 – Letters 60-65

📘 At Chillbooks, we present fully subtitled audiobooks of classic philosophy, literature, and historical texts.

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P. T. Barnum's The Art of Money Getting—practical wisdom on earning, managing, and keeping wealth from America's most famous showman-entrepreneur. Read by Mark Cassidy with full subtitles.

📖 About the Work

Originally published in 1880, The Art of Money Getting offers straightforward guidance on building and managing wealth. Barnum distills decades of business experience into practical lessons on avoiding debt, selecting the right career, treating customers well, advertising effectively, and staying grounded. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or seeking timeless financial wisdom, this short classic still speaks volumes.

✍️ About P. T. Barnum

Phineas Taylor Barnum (1810–1891) was a self-made American businessman, entertainer, and philanthropist. Though best known for founding the Barnum & Bailey Circus, his career spanned multiple industries. Barnum's unique blend of showmanship and sharp business instincts made him one of the most fascinating figures in American history—and a surprisingly humble financial thinker.

🎙️ Narration

Read by Mark Cassidy with clear narration and full on-screen subtitles—ideal for focused listening and note-taking.

📚 Timestamps

• 00:00 – The Art of Money Getting by P. T. Barnum
• 00:11 – Introduction
• 16:02 – Persevere
• 19:53 – Don't Mistake Your Vocation
• 22:21 – Select the Right Location
• 26:03 – Avoid Debt
• 33:13 – Whatever You Do, Do It With All Your Might
• 39:35 – Use the Best Tools
• 41:30 – Don't Get Above Your Business
• 49:49 – Learn Something Useful
• 50:15 – Let Hope Predominate, But Be Not Too Visionary
• 50:42 – Do Not Scatter Your Powers
• 51:25 – Be Systematic
• 54:56 – Read the Newspapers
• 55:24 – Beware of "Outside Operations"
• 57:16 – Don't Indorse Without Security
• 1:01:02 – Advertise Your Business
• 1:05:26 – "Don't Read the Other Side"
• 1:08:11 – Be Polite and Kind to Your Customers
• 1:10:16 – Be Charitable

📘 At Chillbooks, we present fully subtitled audiobooks of classic literature, philosophy, and historical texts.

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Al-Ghazali's The Niche of Lights—a profound Sufi exploration of divine light, spiritual perception, and the soul's journey toward enlightenment. Translated by W.H.T. Gairdner, narrated by Mark Cassidy.

📖 About the Work

The Niche of Lights (Mishkat al-Anwar) draws inspiration from the Qur'anic Light Verse (24:35) to unveil layers of symbolic meaning about how divine light illuminates believers' hearts. Al-Ghazali explores the nature of intellect, levels of human perception, and the veils obscuring divine truth—creating one of the most mystical and philosophical treatises in Islamic spirituality.

✍️ About Al-Ghazali

Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali (1058–1111) was a Persian polymath, theologian, philosopher, and Sufi mystic. Regarded as one of the greatest thinkers in Islamic history, he reconciled reason with revelation. His works—including The Revival of the Religious Sciences, The Incoherence of the Philosophers, and The Alchemy of Happiness—continue to influence Eastern and Western philosophy.

🎙️ Narration & Translation

Mark Cassidy's clear, composed narration brings W.H.T. Gairdner's elegant English translation to life, preserving the beauty and depth of Al-Ghazali's Arabic while making his luminous metaphors accessible for spiritual study, contemplation, or peaceful listening. Full on-screen subtitles included.

📚 Timestamps

• 0:00:00 – The Niche of Lights by Al-Ghazali
• 0:00:13 – Introduction
• 0:04:21 – Part I: Light and Lights (Preliminary Studies)
• 0:04:26 – 1. "Light" as Physical Light
• 0:18:59 – 2. The Qur'an as the Sun of the Intelligence
• 0:21:24 – 3. The Worlds Visible and Invisible: With Their Lights
• 0:26:27 – 4. These Lights as Lamps Terrestrial and Celestial
• 0:29:43 – 5. The Source of All These Grades of Light: God
• 0:33:21 – 6. The Mystic Verity of Verities
• 0:39:03 – 7. The "God-Aspect"
• 0:47:34 – 8. The Relation of These Lights to God
• 0:53:27 – Part II: The Science of Symbolism
• 0:54:26 – 1. The Outward and the Inward in Symbolism
• 1:17:57 – 2. The Psychology of the Human Soul: Its Five Faculties or Spirits
• 1:24:59 – Part III: Application to the Light-Verse and the Veils Tradition
• 1:25:06 – 1. The Exposition of the Symbolism of the Light-Verse
• 1:30:20 – Epilogue: The Darkness Verse
• 1:33:12 – 2. The Exposition of the Symbolism of the Seventy Thousand Veils
• 1:34:44 – Those Veiled by Pure Darkness
• 1:39:39 – Those Veiled by Mixed Light and Darkness

📘 At Chillbooks, we present fully subtitled audiobooks of classic literature, philosophy, and historical texts.

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Aristotle's Politics—a foundational examination of government, justice, citizenship, and the ideal state. Translated by William Ellis, narrated by Mark Cassidy with full subtitles.

📖 About the Work

Written in the 4th century BCE, Politics explores different types of political systems—monarchy, aristocracy, oligarchy, democracy, and tyranny—and examines the nature of citizenship, ethics in governance, and the foundations of a well-ordered society. Aristotle's analysis remains a cornerstone of political thought over two millennia later.

✍️ About Aristotle

Aristotle (384–322 BCE) was a Greek philosopher whose works laid the foundation for political science, ethics, logic, and metaphysics. A student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great, his writings on government continue to shape political philosophy today.

🎙️ Narration

Mark Cassidy brings articulate, clear narration to Aristotle's complex discussions on government and political organization, with full on-screen subtitles for enhanced comprehension.

📚 Timestamps

• 00:00 – Politics: A Treatise on Government by Aristotle
• 00:11 – Book 1: The Origins of the City-State and Household
• 56:58 – Book 2: Ideal and Flawed Constitutions
• 2:26:10 – Book 3: Citizenship and Government
• 3:53:27 – Book 4: Types of Governments and Their Stability
• 5:12:18 – Book 5: Political Revolutions and Instability
• 6:48:18 – Book 6: Democracy and Its Challenges
• 7:27:01 – Book 7: The Ideal State and Education
• 8:50:04 – Book 8: Education as the Foundation of a Just Society

📘 At Chillbooks, we present fully subtitled audiobooks of classic philosophy, literature, and historical texts.

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Plato's Symposium—a timeless dialogue on love, beauty, and the soul. Speeches by Socrates and companions explore Eros from physical desire to pure beauty. Translated by Benjamin Jowett, narrated by Mark Cassidy.

📖 About the Work

Set during an Athenian banquet, Symposium features a series of speeches exploring the nature of Eros (love). Reflections range from humorous to profound, culminating in Socrates' retelling of Diotima's mystical teaching on love as a ladder ascending from physical desire to the contemplation of pure beauty. More than a philosophical treatise, this is a dramatic, poetic, and deeply human work that continues to influence ideas about love, desire, and the relationship between body and soul.

✍️ About Plato

Plato (c. 428–348 BCE) was a Greek philosopher and student of Socrates who founded the Academy in Athens. His writings laid the foundations of Western philosophy, covering ethics, metaphysics, politics, and epistemology. Symposium, along with The Republic and Phaedrus, is among his most celebrated dialogues.

🎙️ Narration & Translation

Mark Cassidy brings steady, accessible narration to Benjamin Jowett's elegant English translation, preserving the clarity and rhetorical style of the original Greek. Each voice is distinct, making the philosophical ideas easy to follow with full on-screen subtitles—ideal for study, reflection, or relaxed listening.

📚 Timestamps

• 00:00 – Symposium by Plato
• 00:13 – Persons of the Dialogue
• 00:35 – Scene: The House of Agathon
• 03:00 – Apollodorus' Preface: Recounting the Story
• 07:30 – Phaedrus on Love as the Oldest of the Gods
• 15:00 – Pausanias: Heavenly vs. Common Love
• 24:00 – Eryximachus: Love in Harmony and Medicine
• 33:00 – Aristophanes: The Myth of Soulmates
• 45:00 – Agathon: Love as Young, Beautiful, and Virtuous
• 58:30 – Socrates: Questioning Agathon & Introducing Diotima
• 1:13:30 – Diotima's Ladder of Love
• 1:31:30 – Alcibiades Interrupts: Praising Socrates
• 1:46:30 – Closing: Aftermath and Reflections

📘 At Chillbooks, we present fully subtitled audiobooks of classic literature, philosophy, and historical texts.

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H. G. Wells' The War of the Worlds—humanity's struggle against a terrifying Martian invasion with heat rays and towering war machines. Illustrated by Warwick Goble, narrated by Mark Cassidy with full subtitles.

📖 About the Work

First published in 1898, The War of the Worlds is one of the most iconic science fiction novels ever written. It follows a man's survival during a Martian invasion that brings humanity to the brink of extinction. More than an alien invasion story, this novel powerfully reflects on colonialism, human arrogance, and the fragility of civilization.

✍️ About H. G. Wells

Herbert George Wells (1866–1946) is often called the father of science fiction. Known for visionary works like The Time Machine, The Invisible Man, and The Island of Doctor Moreau, Wells combined scientific imagination with sharp social critique, influencing literature, film, and philosophy for generations.

🎙️ Narration & Illustrations

Mark Cassidy delivers calm, clear narration that lets the story unfold naturally. Enhanced by Warwick Goble's classic illustrations—his ethereal, atmospheric artwork brings the Martians and Victorian setting vividly to life. Full on-screen subtitles with no background music for immersive, focused listening.

📚 Timestamps

• 0:00:00 – The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells
• 0:00:11 – Book One: The Coming of the Martians
• 0:00:15 – Chapter 1: The Eve of the War
• 0:13:30 – Chapter 2: The Falling Star
• 0:20:50 – Chapter 3: On Horsell Common
• 0:26:27 – Chapter 4: The Cylinder Opens
• 0:32:42 – Chapter 5: The Heat-Ray
• 0:41:06 – Chapter 6: The Heat-Ray in the Chobham Road
• 0:45:52 – Chapter 7: How I Reached Home
• 0:53:14 – Chapter 8: Friday Night
• 0:58:56 – Chapter 9: The Fighting Begins
• 1:10:12 – Chapter 10: In the Storm
• 1:22:33 – Chapter 11: At the Window
• 1:34:07 – Chapter 12: What I Saw of the Destruction of Weybridge and Shepperton
• 1:56:17 – Chapter 13: How I Fell in with the Curate
• 2:06:49 – Chapter 14: In London
• 2:29:19 – Chapter 15: What Had Happened in Surrey
• 2:46:21 – Chapter 16: The Exodus from London
• 3:11:34 – Chapter 17: The "Thunder Child"
• 3:31:26 – Book Two: The Earth Under the Martians
• 3:31:26 – Chapter 1: Under Foot
• 3:46:35 – Chapter 2: What We Saw from the Ruined House
• 4:06:51 – Chapter 3: The Days of Imprisonment
• 4:18:00 – Chapter 4: The Death of the Curate
• 4:27:12 – Chapter 5: The Stillness
• 4:32:40 – Chapter 6: The Work of Fifteen Days
• 4:39:53 – Chapter 7: The Man on Putney Hill
• 5:10:49 – Chapter 8: Dead London
• 5:28:28 – Chapter 9: Wreckage
• 5:38:58 – Chapter 10: The Epilogue

📘 At Chillbooks, we present fully subtitled audiobooks of classic literature, philosophy, and historical texts.

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H. G. Wells' The Island of Doctor Moreau—a haunting tale of science gone wrong, where a shipwreck survivor discovers a remote island of horrifying animal-human experiments. Narrated by Tom Haire with full subtitles.

📖 About the Work

First published in 1896, The Island of Doctor Moreau is a chilling blend of science fiction and gothic horror. Edward Prendick, a shipwreck survivor, washes up on a remote island governed by the enigmatic Dr. Moreau. In a hidden laboratory, Moreau performs disturbing experiments, turning animals into humanoid creatures. As Prendick unravels the island's horrors, he confronts the boundaries of science, morality, and what it means to be human. This novel explores identity, cruelty, and the fragility of civilization.

✍️ About H. G. Wells

Herbert George Wells (1866–1946) is often called the father of science fiction. Known for visionary works like The War of the Worlds, The Time Machine, and The Invisible Man, Wells combined speculative science with sharp social critique, influencing literature, film, and philosophy for generations.

🎙️ Narration

Tom Haire captures the eerie tension and psychological complexity of Wells' original work, with full on-screen subtitles and no background music—ideal for immersive, focused listening.

📚 Timestamps

• 0:00:00 – The Island of Doctor Moreau by H. G. Wells
• 0:00:13 – Introduction
• 0:03:02 – Chapter 1: In the Dingey of the "Lady Vain"
• 0:09:27 – Chapter 2: The Man Who Was Going Nowhere
• 0:16:12 – Chapter 3: The Strange Face
• 0:28:39 – Chapter 4: At the Schooner's Rail
• 0:36:43 – Chapter 5: The Man Who Had Nowhere to Go
• 0:45:50 – Chapter 6: The Evil-Looking Boatmen
• 0:57:45 – Chapter 7: The Locked Door
• 1:09:50 – Chapter 8: The Crying of the Puma
• 1:17:28 – Chapter 9: The Thing in the Forest
• 1:41:12 – Chapter 10: The Crying of the Man
• 1:50:20 – Chapter 11: The Hunting of the Man
• 2:04:30 – Chapter 12: The Sayers of the Law
• 2:24:43 – Chapter 13: A Parley
• 2:35:16 – Chapter 14: Doctor Moreau Explains
• 3:02:19 – Chapter 15: Concerning the Beast Folk
• 3:15:39 – Chapter 16: How the Beast Folk Taste Blood
• 3:45:57 – Chapter 17: A Catastrophe
• 3:58:15 – Chapter 18: The Finding of Moreau
• 4:08:21 – Chapter 19: Montgomery's "Bank Holiday"
• 4:27:02 – Chapter 20: Alone with the Beast Folk
• 4:39:07 – Chapter 21: The Reversion of the Beast Folk
• 5:07:13 – Chapter 22: The Man Alone

📘 At Chillbooks, we present fully subtitled audiobooks of classic literature, philosophy, and historical texts.

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Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis—a surreal masterpiece where Gregor Samsa wakes to find himself transformed into a monstrous insect. Translated by Ian Johnston, narrated by Bob Neufeld with full subtitles.

📖 About the Work

Published in 1915, The Metamorphosis (Die Verwandlung) follows Gregor Samsa, who awakens one morning transformed into a giant insect. As Gregor struggles with his new reality, Kafka explores alienation, identity, and the quiet horror of dehumanization within family and society. This haunting novella remains one of the most studied and influential works of modern literature.

✍️ About Franz Kafka

Franz Kafka (1883–1924) was a German-speaking Bohemian writer whose works delve into themes of isolation, bureaucracy, guilt, and existential dread. Though he published little during his lifetime, his posthumous works—including The Trial, The Castle, and The Metamorphosis—profoundly influenced 20th-century literature and philosophy.

🎙️ Narration & Translation

Bob Neufeld brings clarity and emotional depth to Ian Johnston's faithful English translation, with full on-screen subtitles and no background music—ideal for focused, immersive listening.

📚 Timestamps

• 00:00 – The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
• 00:13 – Chapter I
• 44:44 – Chapter II
• 1:32:07 – Chapter III

📘 At Chillbooks, we present fully subtitled audiobooks of classic literature, philosophy, and historical texts.

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Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet—a timeless collection of poetic essays on love, marriage, freedom, joy, sorrow, and death. Narrated by Mark Smith with full subtitles.

📖 About the Work

First published in 1923, The Prophet is Gibran's most famous work—26 poetic essays delivered by the fictional prophet Almustafa before his departure from the city of Orphalese. Each chapter offers profound reflections on life's essential themes: love, work, children, pain, beauty, and more. Its lyrical style and philosophical depth have made it a global literary treasure, translated into over 100 languages.

✍️ About Kahlil Gibran

Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931) was a Lebanese-American poet, artist, and philosopher. Though rooted in Maronite Christianity, his work draws on many spiritual traditions—including Sufi mysticism, Christian ethics, and Eastern philosophy—making his message universally resonant across cultures and faiths.

🎙️ Narration

Mark Smith's clear, soothing voice brings perfect weight to Gibran's poetic prose, letting each line breathe with calm intensity and emotional truth. Full on-screen subtitles with no background music—ideal for reflection and meditation.

📚 Timestamps

• 00:00 – The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
• 00:08 – Chapter 1: The Coming of the Ship
• 07:44 – Chapter 2: On Love
• 10:45 – Chapter 3: On Marriage
• 12:15 – Chapter 4: On Children
• 13:34 – Chapter 5: On Giving
• 17:14 – Chapter 6: On Eating and Drinking
• 19:11 – Chapter 7: On Work
• 23:16 – Chapter 8: On Joy and Sorrow
• 24:57 – Chapter 9: On Houses
• 28:22 – Chapter 10: On Clothes
• 29:45 – Chapter 11: On Buying and Selling
• 31:31 – Chapter 12: On Crime and Punishment
• 36:52 – Chapter 13: On Laws
• 39:14 – Chapter 14: On Freedom
• 42:11 – Chapter 15: On Reason and Passion
• 44:34 – Chapter 16: On Pain
• 46:00 – Chapter 17: On Self-Knowledge
• 47:30 – Chapter 18: On Teaching
• 48:52 – Chapter 19: On Friendship
• 50:42 – Chapter 20: On Talking
• 52:19 – Chapter 21: On Time
• 53:52 – Chapter 22: On Good and Evil
• 56:51 – Chapter 23: On Prayer
• 59:23 – Chapter 24: On Pleasure
• 1:03:08 – Chapter 25: On Beauty
• 1:06:05 – Chapter 26: On Religion
• 1:08:32 – Chapter 27: On Death
• 1:10:28 – Chapter 28: The Farewell

📘 At Chillbooks, we present fully subtitled audiobooks of classic literature, philosophy, and historical texts.

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