Download Best Sellers Audiobooks in Classics, American Literature

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Title: The Short Stories of Ambrose Bierce, Volume 1

Author: Ambrose Bierce

Narrator: Charton Griffin

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 9 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-04-05

Publisher: Audio Connoisseur

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 40 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce (1842 ¿ 1914?) was the tenth child in a family of thirteen born on a simple farm in Meigs County, Ohio. He joined the Union army as a private and distinguished himself in many engagements throughout the War Between the States, including the horrific battle of Shiloh. By war's end, he had been commissioned a major. But Bierce despised war and grew to see in it nothing but pain and wasted lives. He moved to San Francisco in the 1870s and drifted into a career as a journalist and then as a writer of short stories. To his friends he was known as "Bitter" Bierce. A well-traveled and troubled man, he constantly relived the horror of war, and was obsessed by the specter of sudden death. Disappearing into Mexico in 1913, he was never seen again.

Included in Volume 1 is "The Moonlit Road", one of the most unforgettable ghost stories ever written. Other examples in this volume of his power to chill are "Beyond the Wall", "An Adventure at Brownville", and "An Inhabitant of Carcosa". "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" draws on Bierce's war experiences and the ever-present reality of death. Masterpieces of this genre include "One of the Missing", "Parker Adderson", and "A Baffled Ambuscade".

Members Reviews:

Death is fascinating

It is September, the start of hunting season in Michigan, and I listened to Ambrose Bierce as I skinned squirrels and made a stew. My son had shot the squirrels, and he was quite proud of it. I had been with him, and watched as they fell from the trees. I watched one squirrel, looking as he fell as if he was quite confident that he could handle it, that he would survive if he could just negotiate the branches... the ground broke his fall, and his neck. He had looked so competent, so eager, so certain of his survival. I mourned him as I listened to this collection of short stories. Ambrose Pierce is a great read if one is wanting to look at the thin line between now and, what happens last. The quality of the reading was great. The sound effects in the background stabilized the stories, where, without sound effects, you might have become lost. The production quality was quite good. It is funny to see that Ambrose Bierce wrote tales of death and the macabre well over 100 years ago. He expresses the same emotions I felt as I watched that squirrel hurdling at terminal velocity with punctured lungs, still saying to himself "I can do it!" The sadness and futility of life in its final moments are eloquently examined.

Execellent yet dated

I had never encountered Bierce until recently when I got a quote of the day from Bierce???s Devil???s Dictionary, so I started looking for some Bierce. These stories are very good and I really enjoyed the listen. There is an interesting mixture of agelessness and datedness throughout these stories; a mixture of almost modern humor and existentialism mixed with somewhat quaint themes. The stories all share a dark outlook with very dark humorous twists. The sound effects were a bit much for my tastes but did not detract much. The narration is quite good.

Bierce is a Treasure

Loved the book, even though the ending of the stories became predictable.

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Title: Washington Square

Author: Henry James

Narrator: Donna Barkman

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 46 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-28-04

Publisher: Jimcin Recordings

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 48 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

James is the acknowledged master of the psychological novel. The power of his prose and the skill with which he marshals small details to accomplish his purpose, sustains the listener's attention.

Editorial Reviews:

Considered an "unhappy accident" by its author, the august Henry James, the novel Washington Square is nonetheless one of the perennial favorites of James fans. Performed here by the sensitive and mature Donna Barkman, herself a noted author of literary fiction, Washington Square is a tragicomedy about a young womans choice between her father and her unapproved fiancée.

Set mainly in a wealthy household in lower Manhattan in the late 19th century, the novel follows "poor Catherine" Sloper through a tour of Europe in her youth and back to New York in her middle age. Richly detailed and elegant, the novel is also an inquiry into the human heart.

Critic Reviews:

"Though it has a far less complex plot than many other James novels, Washington Square still remains a classic psychological study of a rich family in the throes of conflict, a clash of wills over a daughter's desire to marry an apparent fortune hunter. Donna Barkman's reading of the story is excellent; she at once captures the whole brooding nature of the book and brings an added feeling of realism to its characters. An interesting study in values that ultimately pits romantic dreams against reality." (Booklist)

Members Reviews:

Interesting

Best word I could think to describe this mammoth book. Sometimes predictable but depth to characters and used historical fact and speculation well to create something that wanted me to keep listening.

Poor Audio Quality

This book is not of the sound and dramatic quality I generally have found in audiobooks. In addition, I am not sure that the reader interpreted the character voices as the author intended.

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Title: Catriona

Author: Robert Louis Stevenson

Narrator: David Case

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-27-04

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 18 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

The "Tale of Tod Lapraik," a crucial part of the novel about a diabolical obsession, is considered one of Stevenson's greatest Scottish tales. The book also introduces two of Stevenson's most memorable female characters: the Highland heroine, Catriona, and her friend (sometimes rival), Barbara Grant.

Editorial Reviews:

Adventure buffs weaned on the swashbuckler Kidnapped may not even know about its sequel, Catriona! Robert Louis Stevenson continues the story of orphan David Balfour, pitching him into a story packed with political intrigue, forbidden love, and a murder mystery. Stevenson employs the flair for action he brought to such adventure staples as Treasure Island and The Strange Case of Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde in this gripping yarn. David Case lends a lively, if old-fashioned gravitas to his performance of this classic of young adult literature.

Members Reviews:

Exciting Story by the Best Reader

This exciting sequel picks up immediately where "Kidnapped" left off, continuing the adventure of David Balfour and his good friend Alan Breck Stewart. In this novel, however, the author combines a story of cliffhanger romance with his trademark style of high adventure. As for the reader, David Case (aka Frederick Davidson), he is, as always, the best man for the job. Not only are his dramatization and voice differentiation unparalleled, but he is a master of the Scottish, English and French accents with which the story abounds.

CatriOna

The O in Catriona is supposed to be silent. Otherwise this is a good reading of a great story.

Readers different names.

There is another Catrriona audible book read Francis Davidson. I did not buy that as I think Davidson is a very poor, old fashioned reader. I therefore was pleased when this book read by David Case was advertised , albeit at twice the price.However , on buying the book I realised that Davidson and case are the same actor. audible very good at giving me back my credir but other buyers need to beware. What I listened to was awful - quite the worst scottish accent I have ever heard.

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Title: Ethan Frome

Author: Edith Wharton

Narrator: William Hope

Format: Abridged

Length: 2 hrs and 40 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-26-00

Publisher: Naxos AudioBooks

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 10 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Ethan Frome is an entrancing but sad story of a poverty-stricken Massachusetts farmer caught in a loveless marriage. An emerging love for his young cousin leads to one day of explosive emotions with tragic consequences. Though Edith Wharton is best known for The Age of Innocence and The Buccaneers, Ethan Frome is perhaps her most perfect novel.

(P)1995 NAXOS AudioBooks Ltd.; ©1995 NAXOS AudioBooks Ltd.

Editorial Reviews:

William Hope offers a sensitive performance of Edith Wharton's poignant story of Ethan and Zeena Frome and Mattie Silver, the young woman who brings a bit of warmth to their frozen lives. As the narrator pieces together Fromes tale, Hope makes the "stinging whiteness" of winter in Starkfield, Massachusetts, palpable. His rhythmic, almost droning, tone at times has the same effect as a heart beating - sometimes in fear, sometimes in love. Through pace and tone, subtlety and suggestion, Hope draws small moments in the characters daily lives, making their ordinariness and their choices painfully human. Beautiful music graces the chapter breaks.

Members Reviews:

Oh, Edith, you've done it again!

I love the emotions she evokes in her writings, but it's just so darn depressing. Ethan Frome isn't nearly as endearing as House of Mirth, but it still pulls at your heart. Somehow, despite his actions, you sympathize with Ethan to a point, lining for him to find peace even though you know it's hopeless. I think the reason I enjoyed House of Mirth more is because I didn't know the outcome of the story, so there was always some piece of me that held onto hope. In Ethan Frome, however, Wharton introduces Ethan as a depressed, disfigured man with secrets, then takes you back in time to how he came to that point. You begin the story knowing he ends up unhappy, so there isn't any room for hope. You're simply edged on by your curiosity to find out what exactly brought about his doomed existence in life.

Despite not really caring for the story itself, I feel I must give Wharton her dues by rating at least 3 stars; her writing is just so beautiful! Like I said, I was curious from the get-go of how Ethan Frome got to where he was. I wanted to know what came of each character, even though I don't think I deeply cared for any of them. It's a strange kind of detached curiosity, almost like reading a bad gossip column (though written about 10x better lol). You must know what happens to the characters even though you'll probably discard the information shortly after finding it out.

If you enjoyed Ethan Frome just a little, you must go on to read House of Mirth. I'm sure you'll enjoy it just as much, if not more.

Ethan Frome and Summer

Surprising character, not what I expected. He did not improve his life by falling in love with another woman. It was a sad book, about a dissatisfied man. His wife was sour and tried to get sympathy and attention by her ailments, but just succeeded in alienating her husband. He and his paramour tried to leave by committing suicide, and failed, and then had to suffer the consequences of this failure, for the rest of their lives.

Summer was about a silly listless girl that took up with a newcomer. It was kind of creepy that the man who adopted and raised her wanted her for a lover and married her when the man who got her pregnant left her for his original fiance.

Tragic but enjoyable

81.

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Title: The Call of the Wild

Author: Jack London

Narrator: Frank Muller

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 30 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-16-99

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 230 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

In 1897 Buck, a shepherd dog, is kidnapped and shipped to the Klondike gold fields. Pressed into service as a sled dog, Buck is abused by humans and tormented by the other dogs - until he learns "the law of club and fang." Along with the skills Buck needs to survive - how to keep warm in the frozen land, the ability to scent dangerous weather changes, and how to fight ferociously - he learns the song of the wolves and the powerful attraction it exerts. This eloquent tale of adventure evokes with stirring realism the Alaskan Gold Rush, and the dangers and beauties of that northern wilderness.

Editorial Reviews:

Frank Muller commands attention from his first words. Muller tells the story of Buck, a St. Bernard/shepherd dog who is kidnapped from his cozy domestic life and sent to the frozen North. As Buck is misused by humans and ferociously attacked by other dogs, Muller twists his voice to show Bucks contempt and rage. His performance is painfully real as Buck lashes out against starvation, thirst, and anyone who falls afoul of him. Thanks to Mullers artistry, Bucks experiences are spellbinding, especially as he learns the skills he needs to survive. Listeners will believe they can hear Buck howl and sing "the song of the wolves."

Critic Reviews:

"Muller reads with expression and variety that match the varying moods, feelings, and attitudes of all the characters, dogs included." (Kliatt Magazine) "It gave us the sense of the cold, the snow, and most of all, the primeval feelings that London described." (The New Yorker)

Members Reviews:

A Classic

Everything about this audiobook is a classic. Don't hesitate to listen.

Still a great book

This is still a great book.

Great story & narration, sound quality varied.

What made the experience of listening to The Call of the Wild the most enjoyable?

Great story.

What did you like best about this story?

The stripped down essence of pain and physical hardship existing alongside love and pride in the same existence. Buck doesn't just fantasize about what was or could be, but embraces what is.

Which character as performed by Frank Muller was your favorite?

John Thornton

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

Any additional comments?

This recording needs to be cleaned up if not redone.

Frank muller is the way to go

Best possible narrator for this book. Frank muller does a stunningly fantastic job. There are many options for the narrator of this book but all of them pale in comparison to frank

Never gets old

This is one of my favorite books, and Frank Muller's reading of is unsurpassed. I've listened to it many times and it never gets old.

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Title: Pudd'nhead Wilson

Author: Mark Twain

Narrator: Norman Dietz

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 50 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-16-99

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 25 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Roxy, a slave who is only one-sixteenth black, serves as a nanny to her master's son, Tom Driscoll, who was born the same day as her own son, Chambers. Afraid that Chambers will one day be sold to another family, Roxy switches the two infants, who look almost exactly alike. Only Pudd'nhead Wilson, the town's laughing-stock, is able to figure out her ruse and set things right. Written during a period of great tragedy in Mark Twain's life and great social unrest in America, Pudd'nhead Wilson rises above its farcical plot to ask pointed philosophical questions about society, values, and racism.

Editorial Reviews:

Pudd'nhead Wilson is based on the ancient theme of babies being switched at birth. Slave nanny Roxy switches her boy with her master's son, Tom Driscoll. Norman Dietz keeps the numerous characters clear and identifiable. Especially noteworthy is his ability to distinguish slight variations of dialect presented by the linguistically conscious Twain. His vocal quality is melodious and pleasing. The narration is deliberate in its pacing and may seem slow to some. This allows the listener the opportunity to explore the ever-shifting tenor of the writing. The seemingly simple text is quite complex; this rendition helps to unravel the alternations between comedy and tragedy.

Critic Reviews:

"Dietz is, as usual, the man for the narrating job. He does Twain proud with his characterizations and adept sense of comic timing." (Kliatt)

Members Reviews:

One of Twain's best

I have enjoyed several of Mark Twain's books both by reading them and, more recently, by listening to them as audible books. Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn are fantastic, but I actually enjoyed Pudd'nhead Wilson even more. The story is intriguing, and the Narrator does an excellent job with the dialects. The extra material at the end was fascinating in which Twain explained how he had trouble getting this book the way he wanted it to be because, he finally realized, it was two stories in one. He told how he had to kill off many of the characters (by having them fall into a well) to remedy the problem.

awesome must read

I enjoyed the reading thoroughly

Yuck

The story is great-the audio quality and reader is awful!!!!

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Title: The House of Mirth

Author: Edith Wharton

Narrator: Barbarra Caruso

Format: Unabridged

Length: 14 hrs and 9 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-03-99

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 168 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Lily Bart, a beautiful, intelligent, but penniless young woman, lives on the outskirts of New York's high society, craving the luxurious lifestyle of her wealthy contacts. But while Lily possesses the grace, taste, and morality of the ideal turn-of-the-century lady, her delicate innocence threatens her survival in that very world. As she fights to maintain her newfound place among the aristocracy, Lily struggles mightily against what lurks beneath all the glitter and gold - greed, vulgarity, and ruthless competition. In her brilliantly perceptive novel, The House of Mirth, Edith Wharton, the peerless, Pulitzer Prize-winning chronicler of Old New York, provides yet another heartbreaking glimpse into the world of manners, privilege, betrayal, and shocking falls from grace.

For more informative lectures about this work, don't miss

.

(P)1989 by Recorded Books, Inc.

Critic Reviews:

"The House of Mirth is uniquely authentic among American novels of manners." (Louis Auchincloss)

Members Reviews:

Pride and prejudice can bring a girl down.

This was a deeply satisfying audio.

The story is beautifully written and read....a good reader is so important to the audio experience. In fact I may well have become a little irritated with the depth of detail and repetition had I been reading it for myself; but really these qualities help to underline the inexorability of Lily's fate.

Having recently read Trollope's perspective on 19th century British "society", it was interesting to get the feel of what was going on in New York at the same time

The misfortune of beauty

My favorite Wharton novel.

Beauty, brains and breeding promise great success for Lily Bart. We are introduced to the heroine when her social triumphs are just beginning to be a thing of the past, and no one is more aware of the clock ticking away than Lily herself.

Wharton lucidly shows how Lily's expectations and upbringing have prepared her for a kind of life for which, at heart, she has a contempt. Her intelligence and sensitivity make her overly critical of the hypocrisy and vanity of the set in which she aspires to reign.

Wrong choices, bad luck and false friends erode Lily's last chance at fortune. The reduced circumstances in which her only true friends live is repugnant to Lily who can only imagine life being worth while when passed amid luxury.

We vividly see the illusory trap that prevents Lily Bart from escaping the denouement.

A Good Read!

I had never read Edith Wharton. Whether in printed form The House of Mirth would engage someone so deeply today as in Wharton's era I don't know. However, in audible format it was excellent. The author's command of language and psychlogy is remarkable. The reader was excellent and gave the characters "voices of their own"--better in some instances than in others but always "listenable." I very much enjoyed my "read."

Absorbing In The Extreme

I have started this book and dropped it several times but this time I fell totally in love with the writer and the narrator. This is such a haunting tale. My preference is English literature and that is why I stumbled initially. Now I am going to read all Edith Wharton's work. A great writer. Barbarra Caruso has the most perfect diction and sense of nuance. Her reading does not intrude.

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Title: Ragged Dick

Author: Horatio Alger

Narrator: Ben Gillman

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 22 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-23-15

Publisher: Sumner Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Ragged Dick is Horatio Alger's most notorious short story that helped shaped American identity and shed light on the number and severity of boys living on the street in New York. Listen about how Ragged Dick starts out as a street boy and bootblack and eventually pulls himself up by his bootstraps.

Horatio Alger was once crowned America's best-selling author of all time. His works are back, and they sound like never before. Audiobooks come alive with commentary, author biography, study questions, and more. You will fall in love with these stories of success!

Members Reviews:

Great Read!!

Reading this book was a required text for my English Lit class. I actually ended up enjoying more than I thought I would. Reading about Dick having a troubled life and about him wanting to do better as well as improve his life made this book really interesting. This book definitely tells the story of the underdog being able to overcome their obstacles and still come out on top.

I LOVE THIS BOOK.

(Bought from cpksales)I really enjoyed this book. A story about Ragged Dick and his journey from literal rags to riches. If you've ever spent time in NYC, you will recognize some of the famous scenes in this book. I feel this book puts things in perspective, back in the days where people worked to where they got to in life, where they appreciate what they're doing, appreciate the "little people" because it was not long before that they were there themselves.

A Good Read

I had to read this book for an America History class. While I was not looking forward to reading it, I found I could not put it down. It is a very good look at early New York and the spirit of working hard to succeed. The book makes you fall in love with the main character. I almost wish there was a follow up book so I could read more of Dick's later life and the changes in the city.

Five Stars

A classic. It was an assigned novel by son's college professor.

first HA book i've read

absolutely delightful! tells story of life on the streets from the view of a little boy who ends up going places because he is honest and clever. good for kids, and for 55 y/o women!

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Title: Bill Nighy reads The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Famous Fiction)

Author: L. Frank Baum

Narrator: Bill Nighy

Format: Abridged

Length: 58 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-28-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Bill Nighy reads Frank L Baum's true American classic, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Swept away from her home in Kansas by a tornado, Dorothy and her dog Toto find themselves stranded in the fantastical Land of Oz. As instructed by the Good Witch of the North and the Munchkins, Dorothy sets off on the yellow brick road to try and find her way to the Emerald City and the Wizard of Oz, who can help her get home. With her companions the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion, Dorothy experiences an adventure full of friendship, enchantment and danger.

A much-loved children's classic, The Wizard of Oz continues to delight young and old with its enchanting tale of witches, flying monkeys and magical shoes. This is part of AudioGO's 'Famous Fiction' range.

Members Reviews:

5 stars There's something fun and very "escapist" about Oz

3.5 stars

There's something fun and very "escapist" about Oz. It's a nice trip into a fantasy land where nothing too deep or evil is happening. I think there's a little bit of meaning in some of the things. Such as a man without a heart not realizing he has all the qualities of a person with one, and so on.

Overall it's just one of those quick, easy, breeze through reads that I might not enjoy so much if I just read it as an adult. But because it's part of my childhood I can overlook the lacking parts and just go for the ride.

A classic of American Literature

Obviously there is more material in the book than the movie, including more detailed back stories for the Tin Woodsman and the flying monkeys. Some readers may find some material redundant (for example, there are many scenes at Emerald City). However, this is a lively read, and anyone who is interested in American Literature and/or exploring more of Oz, should enjoy this book.

The Book is always better

The book is always better than the movie. I enjoyed comparing and contrasting the two versions of this story. The written story was very different than the movie but both adventures bring you back to "there's no place like home."

Great Book

Great read. I loved it. It's quite the adventurous book. There is so much going on, so many different characters you meet, and so many different creatures in the book that you rarely get bored. I was rather intrigued from start to finish. There were a lot of times when I would find myself getting lost in the book, and picturing myself in that situation. The book is truly magical and wondrous and really enjoyable.

Excellent book and an excellent read

Excellent book and an excellent read. It is no wonder it has endeared the hearts of millions of children from one generation to the other.

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Title: The Tragedy of Pudd'nhead Wilson

Author: Mark Twain

Narrator: Full Cast

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 51 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-14-05

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 32 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Two children, a white boy and a mulatto, are born on the same day. Roxy, mother of the mulatto, is given charge of the children; in fear that her son will be sold, she exchanges the babies. The mulatto, though he grows up as a white boy, turns out to be a scoundrel. He sells his mother, murders and robs his uncle, then blames the murder on Luigi, one of a pair of twins. Pudd'nhead, a lawyer, undertakes Luigi's defense and, on the basis of fingerprint evidence, exposes the real murderer.

The book implicitly condemns a society that allows slavery. It concludes with a series of witty aphorisms from Pudd'nhead's calendar.

Members Reviews:

Excellent light period piece

You have to reserve five starts for Twain's landmark books, but, this was entertainment of a different kind that I welcome in todays entertainment environment. Pure storytelling at its best. The production was very good. I am not fascile with 1860's ebonics so it was a bit hard to follow in places. But the period english and accents made the characters come alive.

Excellent audio presentation!

l loved this book! Mark Twain does an excellent job of telling this story. A must read!