Download Top 100 Full Audiobooks in Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

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Title: The John Updike Audio Collection

Author: John Updike

Narrator: Jane Alexander, Edward Herrmann, John Updike

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 46 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-26-04

Publisher: HarperAudio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 91 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

In describing how he wrote these stories in a small, rented, smoke-filled office in Ipswich, Massachusetts, he says, "I felt that I was packaging something as delicately pervasive as smoke, one box after another, in that room, where my only duty was to describe reality as it had come to me, to give the mundane its beautiful due."

Critic Reviews:

"One expects the two distinguished actors narrating this collection, Edward Herrmann and Jane Alexander, to deliver sterling performances, and they do." (AudioFile)

Members Reviews:

Good read

This was a good read; I like short stories, and these were very evocative. I especially liked the connected short stories. The narrators all did an excellent job. The subject matter is intriguing; relationships mostly, and poignant and funny at the same time.

Good read

This was a good read; I like short stories, and these were very evocative. I especially liked the connected short stories. The narrators all did an excellent job. The subject matter is intriguing; relationships mostly, and poignant and funny at the same time.

Praise for Audible Updike

This collection of short stories is by far the best and most worth while purchase from Audible. Updike is a master of prose and easily the best writer of our time. This is the only audio book of his that I have been able to locate. Updike himself reads a few of the selections in this audiobook, one of which is "Lifegaurd;" arguably his best and most profound short story. Edward Herman reads the nastalgic and comical "A&P" as well as some other selections. This product is a worthwhile purchase that is sure to please any lover of quality literature or masterful stories.

This is a nice introduction to Updike

If you haven't read Updike, this is a great introduction. It has excellent readers (including Updike himself on a couple of stories) & it typifies his close examination of the lives-&-loves of middle-class WASP life ... lives that have echoes in any ethnic group & really in any developed society or the middle-class of a developing one. The stories are written in such a way that you cannot fail to be drawn into the concerns of the characters, to feel sympathy/empathy for them, in accordance with your own experience. This is a "light" piece in the repertoire of Audible. Good to have it in between two heavy history works or other "challenging" books. A good respite, and very entertaining.

great

This was my first introduction to John Updike. Have a friend who warned me against the novels, but I attempted the short stories anyhow. The short stories in this collection are so well written, I am in awe of them. Narration, some of it by Updike himself, is also superb. Reminds me of Tobias Wolf in style, but most stories do not have a clear-cut theme. You have to do your own searching and deconstructing to find the hidden gems.

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Title: Legends II, New Short Novels by the Masters of Modern Fantasy

Subtitle: Volume 1 (Unabridged Selections)

Author: George R. R. Martin, Anne McCaffrey

Narrator: Graeme Malcolm, Alyssa Bresnahan

Format: Abridged

Length: 5 hrs and 6 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-24-03

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 217 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

Each of the best-selling writers represented in Legends II return to the special universe of the imagination that its author has made famous throughout the world. Whether set before or after events already recounted elsewhere, whether featuring beloved characters or compelling new creations, these masterful short novels are both mesmerizing stand-alones (perfect introductions to the work of their authors) and indispensable additions to the epics on which they are based.

George R.R. Martin continues the adventures of Dunk, a young hedge knight, and his unusual squire, Egg, in "The Sworn Sword", set a generation before the events in A Song of Ice and Fire.

Anne McCaffrey shines a light into the most mysterious and wondrous of all places on Pern in the heartwarming "Beyond Between".

Critic Reviews:

"Warmly recorded escapism for fans of fantasy." (AudioFile)

Members Reviews:

George R.R. Martin worth the price of admission!

For those of us waiting for the next GRRM book, this is a great appetizer to tide us over before the feast. Plus it continues the story Dunk and Egg from the first Legends. The narrator is excellent. I'm not a Pern fan, but if you are you might enjoy that one also.

Both storys are good

I downloaded this book for the Anne McCaffrey story she is one of favorite authors. I found both storys good. The Anne McCaffery story 'Beyond Between' explains what happens to Dragon riders who get stuck in between. It was very intertaining and inlightning but way too short.

I NEED MORE G.R.R MARTIN BOOKS!!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Legends II, New Short Novels by the Masters of Modern Fantasy to be better than the print version?

YES

Who was your favorite character and why?

EGG,HE ALWAYS HAS A GREAT ANSWER.

What about Graeme Malcolm and Alyssa Bresnahan s performance did you like?

YES,THEY BOTH DID A GREAT JOB I WOULD LISTEN AGAIN.

If you could take any character from Legends II, New Short Novels by the Masters of Modern Fantasy out to dinner, who would it be and why?

THE GIRL WITH FOUR DEAD HUSBANDS.YOU KNOW SHE WILL GIVE U A GOOD TIME.AND IT WONT LAST LONG..

Any additional comments?

I HAVE READ TWO SO FAR THIS BOOK AND WARRIORS,I CANT WAIT TO LISTEN TO THE OTHER TWO,THEIR QUICK AND TO THE POINT.

Beyond Between

A bridging short story to explain the Moretta saga. A little weak on story development, but then this is a fantasy World.

To have more information on what happened, is very nice, this does provide a form of closure for a very loved character from the series.

loved both

G.R.R. Martin was a continuing of another short story of his and I loved that.

and as a life long fan of Anne Mccaffrey and Pern - the story brought me to tears.

highly recommended!

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Title: Twisted (Selected Unabridged Stories)

Author: Jeffery Deaver

Narrator: Boyd Gaines, Michele Pawk, Frederick Weller

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 20 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-18-03

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 181 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

Twisted includes the stories "Without Jonathan," "The Weekender," "For Services Rendered," "Eye to Eye," "Beautiful," "The Fall Guy," "Triangle," and "The Christmas Present," which brings back Jeffery Deaver's most beloved character, criminalist Lincoln Rhyme, to solve a chilling Christmastime disappearance.

Diverse, provocative, eerie, and inspired, this collection of Jeffery Deaver's best stories exhibits the amazing range and signature plot twists that have earned him the title "master of ticking-bomb suspense" by People. With nods to O. Henry and Edgar Allan Poe, these beautifully crafted pieces pulse with subtle intrigue and Deaver's incomparable imagination.This audio edition includes an introduction read by the author.

Critic Reviews:

"Outstanding, gripping, brilliant, spectacular." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

hooray for great plotting!

Listening to this book in my car made me wish for a traffic jam! Very engaging, well-written stories with some great twists. If plot is your thing I highly recommend it.

Mystery Lite

The word that comes to mind when I want to recommend this audio listen is fun. The stories are not humurous but very entertaining and don't require a great deal of concentration. A perfect choice when doing chores or errands. None of the stories are very long and I found it easy to pick up where I left off during a day filled with multiple short drives. I enjoy reading books of short stories but this is my first time listening and definitely won't be the last time. The other reviews give you a good idea what the stories are like I just wanted to stress how well they are done.

Portable Hitchcock

The stories are of a genre (laconic but good exposition and then Whamo) Perfect for those down times (on the train, the line at the supermarket) when a short story is just the ticket. My frustration was that when I had even less time than one short story -- I found it hard to find my place again. The stories are good but listening to the last page over so that one can find the next story is frustrating. I would't recomend listening to all in sequence -- they are too similar. Hey audible -- what would you think of selling a set of short stories one could download one story at a time ?

I miss Pendergast!

No spoilers here, but I fell in love with Special Agent Pendergast from previous Audible listens (Cabinet of Curiousity, Still Life with Crows, etc) and eagerly awaited this book's release. We catch up with familiar characters but in many ways I felt like the story was written by someone else entirely and was simply transitioning us to the next book which would then wrap things up nicely. I was a little disappointed with this book, but still look forward to the next book to see if things return to normal.

Good mix

Nice variation of narrators, good plots, all with a "twist".

My wife is the type who figures out movies and books right from the beginning, and she didn't figure all these out either.

I really enjoyed this series, but I didn't like the follow up book near as much.

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Title: The Wavedancer Benefit

Subtitle: A Tribute to Frank Muller

Author: Stephen King, John Grisham, Pat Conroy, more

Format: Abridged

Length: 1 hr and 34 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-16-02

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 106 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

This once-in-a-lifetime event is captured here, and 100% of all profits will be donated to The Wavedancer Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports Frank Muller and other artists who fall prey to illness or injury and can no longer perform.

Grisham kicks off the evening with a heartfelt reading of an excerpt from his blockbuster best seller The Summons. He's followed by Straub who captivates the audience with a hair-raising episode from Black House, the latest thriller he co-authored with Stephen King. King changes pace with a joyful reading of his classic short story The Revenge of Lardass Hogan. Finally, Conroy engages the audience in a hilarious chat on the art of writing.

A unique program that pays tribute to a true master craftsman, this audiobook is an unforgettable listening experience.

Browse the

page.

Critic Reviews:

"This memorable audiobook...has immense historical, humanitarian, and humor value and should delight fans." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

The Wavedancer Benefit

After hearing the amazing reading Frank Muller gave on "The Talisman" I looked for more of his work and found this benefit recording. Besides being a wonderful acknowledgement from the very authors whose books are narrated by Frank, it was great fun to hear some of the authors' voices for the first time (for me) reading their own works. Stephen King's rendition of "Lardass Hogan's Revenge" is hilarious, Peter Straub reading from "Black House" made me feel as if I was back in the book immediately, John Grishom's wonderful southern accent really flavored his reading of his most recent book, and just listening to Pat Conroy's commentary on himself, his brother-in-law, and his beginnings as an author made me crack up at moments and gave me goosebumps at others.

I would highly recommend this recording to anyone, it's uplifting to hear these authors, as well as the whole audience, come together to honor Frank Muller and his awesome achievements of work.

This is a Once in a Lifetime Opportunity...

...to listen to some of our greatest bestselling authors donate their time, talents and well-wishes to a wonderful cause.

Although this is not an actual "book," but rather a recording of the speakers at a dinner benefit for the Wavedancer Foundation; I am sure that you will find this audio choice extremely entertaining and heartfelt.

This was one hour and thirty six minutes well spent.

Good times, good cause

This is a delight. John Grisham, Peter Straub, and Stephen King read from their works. Pat Conroy tells the story of his writerly beginnings.

There is also a lovely speech by Erica Muller, Frank's wife, and an uncredited performance by one of their children...

Don't miss this. (But don't listen over dinner!)

Frank Muller...

What could I possibly say about Frank Muller that has not already been said? This man's narrations of books has left me spellbound, taken me places I had no idea existed, made me laugh and made me cry. From Moby Dick to Stephen King, Frank Muller brought these books to life.

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Title: The Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee

Subtitle: Original Chinese Mysteries

Author: Robert Van Gulik

Narrator: Norman Dietz

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 23 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-16-99

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 65 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

He has much in common with super-sleuths Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot, but there's a difference - Judge Dee Jen-djieh was a real person! Gathered here are tales of actual crimes solved by the magistrate of Chang-ping in 7th-century China. Listen as Dee ventures down winding paths in ancient graveyards to consult the spirits of the dead, and hear him solve real-life crimes through astute deductions. The intriguing stories in this collection include "The Case of the Double Murder at Dawn," "The Case of the Strange Corpse" and "The Case of the Poisoned Bride."

Members Reviews:

A different legal thriller

Because this is a traditional Chinese legal thriller, it would be best if you listened to the explanation of the differences between American/European crime stories and traditional Chinese detective stories. The translator has a 40 minute appendix describing the various devices within the traditional Chinese detective novel and it is VERY helpful. His appendix begins at 7:42:15.

Awesome crime/mystery stories

Robert Van Gulik's Judge Dee stories are wonderful crime/mystery stories. They flow very well. They give you an insight into how life was from the commoner to the upper class in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-906 AD/CE). The stories are about the district judge/magistrate Di Renjie and the court cases/mysteries that he solves in the different district posts that he holds.

I was introduced to the character from the movie "Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon". When I realized it was based off of a book, I hunted down the author and read all the books. I LOVED them.

The only down side is the narrator gives the judge a british sounding voice. It would have been better with someone narrating with a voice that sounded more asian in its inflections.

one of my all-time favorite books!

I love this book. this is one of the few books in my collection that I can pick up at any point in anytime no matter how I'm feeling and just feel good and have a lot of fun reading or listening to it. I think this is a must-read or listen anybody that is interested in detective stories or Chinese culture.

Interesting

Piece of history. Rather pedantic delivery, but amazing to hear a much older example of detective fiction.

A chinese sleuth in ancient china.

If you could sum up The Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee in three words, what would they be?

Authentic, singular, exotic

What did you like best about this story?

Classic whodunit that keeps you guess! It satisfies the requisite who, why,

& how!

Have you listened to any of Norman Dietzs other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Entertained

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Title: Legally Correct Fairy Tales

Subtitle: Bedtime Classics Translated into the Legalese

Author: David Fisher

Narrator: Jay Gregory, Jack Garrett, Patrick Frederic

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr

Language: English

Release date: 12-16-99

Publisher: Hachette Audio

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 40 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

Why did the Three Little-Pigs call 911? Will the Three Bears sue Goldilocks for trespassing? Who cracked the Humpty Dumpty case? Find out the answers to these fascinating legal inquiries and many others in these hilarious reenactments of bedtime classics transferred into the courtroom and translated into legalese. Eleven different voices, including the author's, bring life to such characters as Little-Pigg, Diana Freewoman, the Jolly Green Giant, and of course various attorneys. The perfect tales for our litigious age.

©1996 David Fisher, All Rights Reserved, Adaptation Approved by the Author; (P)1996 Time Warner AudioBooks, ©1996 Time Warner AudioBooks (Packaging Rights Only), A Division of Time Warner Trade Publishing

Members Reviews:

It's a funny, funny old world.

This is a collection of favourite and well known fairy stories, with a bit of a twist. Fisher pokes fun at the legal jargon with these outright hilarous versions of Goldilocks, Cinderella and the Three Little Pigs. Each story is fairly short, so it makes a good listen for people on the go. I highly recommend this as light entertainment. Have fun. It is said that one of the things that distinguishes man from other animals is his ability to laugh at himself. And if we don't, who will?

The not-so-Grimm Grimm's

I personally found this audiobook rather enjoyable. I've listened to it on multiple occasions, often getting a chuckle or two out of it despite knowing what was to come. The over-all play on language makes the story a great little present for some lawyers. I'd definately give it a shot if you want a good little story to pass the time with some good spirits.

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Title: The Greatest Mysteries of All Time

Author: Thomas Burke, G.K. Chesterton, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, E.W. Hornung, Jack Ritchie, Ring Lardner, Stephen Greenleaf

Narrator: Julian Sands, Juliet Mills, David Warner

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 7 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-16-99

Publisher: Phoenix Books

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 18 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

This collection of the finest short story mystery fiction by the most acclaimed writers, past and present features Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Thomas Burke, Harry Kemelman, and everyone in between. Edited by multi-award-winning mystery connoisseur Otto Penzler, it offers a delightful mixture of mystery and suspense. The collection includes "The Case of the Missing Patriarchs" by Logan Clendening and "Gentlemen and Players" by E.W. Hornung, both performed by Julian Sands, "The Hands of Mr. Ottermole" by Thomas Burke, performed by Juliet Mills, "The Invisible Man" by G.K. Chesterton, performed by David Warner, "A New Leaf" by Jack Ritchie, performed by John Rubinstein, "Haircut" by Ring Lardner, performed by Harlan Ellison, "Iris" by Stephen Greenleaf, performed by Susan Anspach, "The Nine-Mile Walk" by Harry Kemelman, performed by David Birney, and "The Red-Headed League" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, performed by Ben Kingsley.

Copyright ©1996 by Otto Penzler; Copyright (P)1996 by Dove Audio, Inc.; "Haircut" Copyright 1925, Copyright Renewed 1953 by Ellis A. Lardner; "Iris" Copyright 1984 by Stephen Greenleaf; "The Nine-Mile Walk" Copyright 1947 by The American Mercury, Inc., Copyright Renewed 1975 by Harry Kemelman

Members Reviews:

Good collection

As with mot collections, the quality differs. I already had a few in collections of the respective authors. Several were outstanding. Several were good. Several were average. None were bad. The narration was uniformly very good.

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Title: Willy and Alvirah

Author: Mary Higgins Clark

Narrator: Carol Higgins Clark

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 16 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-18-98

Publisher: Phoenix Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 61 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

Follow the adventures of lottery-winning couple Willy and Alvirah Meehan through these best selling short stories. The couple is targeted and pursued by ex-cons after winning the lottery in "Plumbing for Willy," they discover the body of actress Fiona Winter in their New York apartment in "The Body in the Closet," and they help Cynthia Lathem solve the murder of her stepfather in "Death at the Cape." As a special bonus, author Mary Higgins Clark pushes the aura of suspense sky-high in "Stowaway" and "Milk Run," a pair of stories set aboard jetliners.

"The Body in the Closet" Copyright ©1990, "Stowaway" and "Milk Run" Copyright ©1988, "Death at the Cape" Copyright ©1989, and "Plumbing for Willy" Copyright ©1992 by Mary Higgins Clark; Copyright (P)1994 by Dove Audio, Inc.

Members Reviews:

Great book

Love all of her books. Unfortunately, I have read all of them that are currently out.

Something A Bit Different From Higgins Clark

Instead of her usual intriguing story, this is a collection of good shorter stories. Not quite as enthralling as her usual novels, but still worth reading...

Observant

Love for people make this couple friends everyone wants. Enjoying life has given them opportunities and travel to seek help for others. They both risk it all over and over.

Alvira ' Short Stories

Lottery winners Alvira and her husband Willy stumble onto and solve a series of mysteries in each story. Their lives as cleaning woman and p!umber help them, although they're now immensely rich and living a completely different lifestyle. Cutely done read.

Fun book.

I love all of Mary Higgins Clark,s books. They are always fast paced and hold your interest. I look forward to reading her next book.

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Title: Bark

Subtitle: Stories

Author: Lorrie Moore

Narrator: Lorrie Moore

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 20 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-25-14

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 117 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

"Fifty years from now, it may well turn out that the work of very few American writers has as much to say about what it means to be alive in our time as that of Lorrie Moore" (Harper's).

A literary event - a new collection of stories by one of America's most beloved and admired short story writers, her first collection in fifteen years.

In these eight masterful stories, Lorrie Moore, in a perfect blend of craft and bewitched spirit, explores the passage of time and summons up its inevitable sorrows and hilarious pitfalls to reveal her own exquisite, singular wisdom.

In "Debarking," a newly divorced man tries to keep his wits about him as the United States prepares to invade Iraq, and against this ominous moment, we see - in all its irresistible hilarity and darkness - the perils of divorce and what can follow in its wake.

In "Foes," a political argument goes grotesquely awry as the events of 9/11 unexpectedly manifest at a fund-raising dinner in Georgetown.

In "The Juniper Tree," a teacher, visited by the ghost of her recently deceased friend, is forced to sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" in a kind of nightmare reunion.

In "Wings," we watch the unraveling of two once-hopeful musicians who neither held fast to their dreams nor struck out along other paths as Moore deftly depicts the intricacies of dead ends and the workings of regret.

Gimlet-eyed social observation, the public and private absurdities of American life, dramatic irony, and enduring half-cracked love wend their way through each of these narratives in a heartrending mash-up of the tragic and the laugh-out-loud - the hallmark of Lorrie Moore - land.

Members Reviews:

Enjoyable, intriguing short story collection

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

For those who like short stories yes. Other reviewers complained about this collection being "thin" and that not enough stories. Well, this is not meant to be "War & Peace" (big fat novel). I find myself satiated with this collection & looking forward to more. I've always liked anthologies though I realize it's not for everyone.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The two former "consultants" who met up in a Paris cafe after years of being "together". A taste of secrecy, spies, intrigue yet such humane exposure of two human beings.

Find out for yourself. I don't wanna spoil it.

Which scene was your favorite?

The farm wedding (hehehe), laughed so hard! So tell-it-like-it-is REAL. Moore's storytelling is so good I can visualize the whole enchilada! The voices, wedding dresses (love the color descriptions), the ex-father-in-law's lust, the "entertainment" and chaos from unexpected snafu...hilarious.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, when the woman in the Paris cafe wondered if she should pronounce the two S's in "couscous". Is it just couscoooo since there's no letter after the 2nd "s"?

Made me realize how silly it is when I worry about this kind of thing too. Made me have empathy for the character (key trait of good storyteller).

Any additional comments?

Well done Lorrie Moore! I dig even all the double entendres, alliterations, puns e.g. the title "Bark" and 1st story "Debarked".

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Title: Coon Dogs and Outhouses, Volume 1

Subtitle: Tall Tales from the Old South

Author: Dr. Luke Boyd

Narrator: Mike Carta

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 10 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-09-16

Publisher: TotalRecall Publications, Inc.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

Luke Boyd's first collection of 25 short stories reflects the folk humor and local color that are hallmarks of Southern writing. His storytelling is part remembrance of a culture that is gradually fading, part recollection of lessons learned over a lifetime. His matter-of-fact style and clarity of detail are cut from the cloth of the oral tradition that flourished in the rural South of his upbringing. He deftly places the hilarious story of chain saw-toting Phinos Ledbetter and his botched baptism at the East Fork Southern Missionary Baptist Church alongside the powerful memory of an uncle known by the poor tenant farmhands he served only as "The Jesus Doctor".

These unforgettable characters are depicted so clearly and accurately as to leave the listener guessing which stories are fact and which are imagined. And whether the teachers in these tales are smudged with the dust of chalk or caked with the mud of the field, their lives and lessons are faithfully recorded here in straightforward prose that evokes a special time and place.