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: Maggie: A Girl of the Streets

Subtitle: A Stephen Crane Novel

Author: Stephen Crane

Narrator: Deaver Brown

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs and 27 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-23-11

Publisher: Simply Media

Ratings: 2.5 of 5 out of 35 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Maggie: A Girl of the Streets is a ground-breaking novel relating to the precarious state of women in the new industrial world at the end of the 19th century. One blemish on a reputation, and a woman would often be banned from her house, subject to earning her living on the streets, and often dying young, as Maggie does. The irony is that Maggie has two abusive parents, the father who dies early in the novel, and the mother who hurls her out, with much fussing and lamenting about "all she has done" for Maggie.

Crane's irony builds from the beginning through Maggie's brother, who is upset his friend debauched Maggie and got her pregnant. The turning point is in Jimmy, who starts to realize that he has done the same to other brothers' sisters. It is the early realization of this behavior that makes the most interesting psychological impact on the novel.

As always, Maggie contains the beautiful word paintings of Crane. As Maggie descends towards her doom each successive bar/entertainment place Maggie is taken to becomes increasingly bawdy and unappealing. Maggie preserves what order there is in the family home, nurses her mother, but that does not protect her position in the end, when she gets hurled out.

This is one of the most moving stories in American literature. If this novel doesn't break your heart a little, no novel will. In our mind, Maggie is the equal of Crane's more famous work, The Red Badge of Courage, which depicts war with a candor similar to the depiction of the tenements and people of the Bowery in New York. A must read for all students of American literature and a wonderful one for the rest of us.

Members Reviews:

GET A DIFFERENT VERSION!!!

The story was assigned for my American Lit. class and it was so much more enjoyable reading the actual book than having to listen to this guy's terrible performance. Unlike other books I've downloaded, the narration is monotone and boring. He did this great story a huge disservice.

Maggie

This book wasnt for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I enjoyed the story, but the narrator sounds listless and boring.

Would you be willing to try another one of Deaver Browns performances?

I would not want another Deaver Brown performance if he sounds as dead as he sounds in Maggie.

I love the book, but the reading was terrible.

Would you try another book from Stephen Crane and/or Deaver Brown?

I love Stephen Crane, but this reader was terrible. It was monotone and read in a way that was difficult to understand at times. The reader sounded bored. There were places where I think tracks were fused and words were lost.

Would you be willing to try another one of Deaver Browns performances?

No.

Not recomended

The reader is horrible. Usually I still listen, but this was bad. I didn't make it past 5 minutes. Very monotone, no pacing. It was like he just wanted to get it over with and was annoyed he had to read it.

Horrible Reading

I'll admit first that I didn't listen to the sample because I assumed Audible had only high-quality audiobook selection. Now I know better. The reading of this book was at times painful as the narrator stumbled over the words, paused at awkward times, had background noise (a phone rang and a creaky door shut were the most notable), and read with little emphasis or tone.

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: Babbitt

Author: Sinclair Lewis

Narrator: David Colacci

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 52 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-03-11

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 23 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

In this sardonic portrait of the up-and-coming middle class during the prosperous 1920s, Sinclair Lewis perfectly captures the sound, the feel, and the attitudes of the generation that created the cult of consumerism. With a sharp eye for detail and keen powers of observation, Lewis tracks successful realtor George Babbitt's daily struggles to rise to the top of his profession while maintaining his reputation as an upstanding family man.

On the surface, Babbitt appears to be the quintessential middle-class embodiment of conservative values and enthusiasm for the well-to-do lifestyle of the small entrepreneur. But beneath the complacent façade, he also experiences a rising, nameless discontent. These feelings eventually lead Babbitt into risky escapades that threaten his family and his standing in the community. Though published 80 years ago, this acerbic depiction of majority Americans, obsessed with success, material comfort, and midlife doubt, still rings true.

Critic Reviews:

"[It is] by its hardness, its efficiency, its compactness that Mr. Lewis's work excels." (Virginia Woolf)

Members Reviews:

Makes You Think

I went into school teacher--or rather high school student--mode while I listed to this. I knew--partly from experience--that Lewis is a great writer; I also knew that satire is an amazing--and even entertaining--rhetorical style. I also knew that Babbitt is considered a classic. So, I listened and listened, and listened some more. Then I plodded along a little longer until at last I staggered to the end. I worked the whole time through: I analyzed, wondered, recognized moments of literary flair, eagerly chuckled at stylized and marvelous absurdites from characters and events. I even presented a book discussion to a small group af eager women, who seemed to have appreciated the book and author, too.

But . . it was a long, correctly executed journey. I didn't hate it--not at all: I could recognize its worth and even its very modern applications. . . . But why didn't I enjoy it? It had a story line that worked . . .yet it went on endlessly.

It's just me, but I'm wondering if perhaps satires are most successful as short stories. I think most people either "get it" (the satire and wisdom) quite soon . . . or not at all. Alas, no amount of beating us over the head will often change our opinions one way or the other. And I guess that's the novel's one flaw: it goes on and on long after the reader should have gotten the point and learned the lessons. Lewis keeps beating us with satirical joy and despair long after we've had our fill of chuckling and internalizing.

Still . . . I strongly recommend reading Babbitt--it will do you good! (that's me as a teacher teacher speaking)

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 Bostonians

Author: Henry James

Narrator: Elisabeth Rodgers

Format: Unabridged

Length: 17 hrs and 4 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-24-11

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 14 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

From Boston's social underworld emerges Verena Tarrant, a girl with extraordinary oratorical gifts, which she deploys in tawdry meeting-houses on behalf of "the sisterhood of women". She acquires two admirers of a very different stamp: Olive Chancellor, devotee of radical causes, and marked out for tragedy; and Basil Ransom, veteran of the Civil War, with rigid views concerning society and women's place therein. Is the lovely, lighthearted Verena made for public movements or private passions? A struggle to possess her, body and soul, develops between Olive and Basil.

The exploitation of Verena's unregenerate innocence reflects a society whose moral and cultural values are failing to survive the new dawn of liberalism and democracy. The Bostonians (1886) was not welcomed by James's fellow countrymen, who failed to appreciate its delicacy and wit; but a century later, this book is widely regarded as James's finest American fiction, and perhaps his comic masterpiece.

Editorial Reviews:

Narrator Elisabeth Rodgers clearly has a deep understanding of Henry James' comic sensibilities as well as the motivations and desires of his characters. Basil Ransom, a prototypical Southern gentleman, is captivated by Verena Tarrant, a working-class feminist whose youth belies her extraordinary oratorical gifts. His cousin Olive, a supporter of radical causes, is also one of Verena's admirers, and a struggle to claim Verena ensues between the two cousins. Rodgers provides each character with individual voices, from Basil's laidback tones of privilege to Olive's subtly tense diction and to Verena's ringing, impassioned speech. Rodgers' lovely performance is a true pleasure, and James fans will discover new depths and insights with it.

Members Reviews:

Was Henry James a feminist?.

An interesting look at the Women' Emancipation Movement, as it was called in the 19th Century. Henry James createÄ a fascinating cast of characters in which he presents the widely differing views of the movement . The motivations, both sociological and personal, rather than the political, move the plot forward. James' sentence structure is, at times distracting, even for a work of his time period. However, he does reach down into the depths of human conflict. So, often our emotions rule our speech and action when it comes to social and political beliefs . It's still a book worth reading and discussing today. Some consider it feminist literature. What do you think? What do you think we're James' personal views on women's rights. And why do you think Basil Ransom's dark Mississippian complexion was mentioned so often? I would recommend this novel to those interested in historical novel that deal with important social issues. I think it would do well book clubs and academic discussions.

Terribly verbose 19th century writing style

Terribly verbose 19th century writing style; dated subject matter, but one perspective on the follies of some in the suffragette movement, and spiritualism in particular.

Interesting for it's historical renderings and analyses.

KINDLE READERS, CHOOSE ANOTHER EDITION

After "Washington Square" and the "Aspern Papers", I eagerly started this book. A little more than the first half of the book was very challenging: a lot of detail (too much in my opinion) and a very slow pace.

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 Virginian

Author: Owen Wister

Narrator: Gene Engene

Format: Unabridged

Length: 15 hrs and 18 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-12-11

Publisher: Books in Motion

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 25 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

"The Virginian's pistol came out, and his hand lay on the table, holding it unaimed. With a voice as gentle as ever, a voice that sounded almost like a caress, drawling a very little more than usual so that there was almost a space between each word he issued orders to the man Trampas: "When you call me that, smile!" And he looked at Trampas across the table. Yes, the voice was gentle. But in my ears it seemed as if somewhere the bell of death was ringing; and silence, like a stroke, fell on the large room."

Members Reviews:

Reading vs Listening

I don't know if I would have liked this so much if I was READING it. The narrator Gene Engene is a master at storytelling, voices, accents, southern drawls, drunkin drawls,and always the right place for pauses and emphasis.

I know if Mr. Engene is telling it it is going to be good. Why, he is even the best at singing cowboy diddies and high pitched preachings of the old gospels!

I can't praise Mr. Engene enough! Thank you.

One of the best books I have ever listend to.

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

It's a story that you don't want to end.

What other book might you compare The Virginian to and why?

I would compare to Lonesome Dove and not becasue they are both Westerns.

Which character as performed by Gene Engene was your favorite?

The Virginian, because, he was true to the character

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

Its hard for me to fall in love with a character, but I fell head over hills with the Man from Virginina. It made me laugh and cry and never want the story to end.

Any additional comments?

This book was written over a hundred years ago, but you cant tell, it is well written and well read.

Now I want to buy a horse.

What made the experience of listening to The Virginian the most enjoyable?

I loved the rich vocabulary.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Virginian?

When one of the main characters switched all of the town's babies with each other, while everyone was enjoying the dance.

Which scene was your favorite?

I would refer to the answer for the previous question. A little bit of harmless mischief is always a little fun.

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

I think I could have listened to it all in one sitting.

Worst Book Ever

There is never any action the author jumps around everywhere and even at the half way point you cant tell anything about who or what is going on. I'm a big fan of Gene Engene it's too bad his name is attached to such a lowsey book. What a waste of money!

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 Red Badge of Courage

Author: Stephen Crane

Narrator: Scott Brick

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 35 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-11-11

Publisher: Listening Library

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 19 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

The Red Badge of Courage was published in 1895, when its author, an impoverished writer living a bohemian life in New York, was only twenty-three. It immediately became a bestseller, and Stephen Crane became famous. Crane set out to create "a psychological portrayal of fear." Henry Fleming, a Union Army volunteer in the Civil War, thinks "that perhaps in a battle he might run....As far as war was concerned he knew nothing of himself." And he does run in his first battle, full of fear and then remorse. He encounters a grotesquely rotting corpse propped against a tree, and a column of wounded men, one of whom is a friend who dies horribly in front of him. Fleming receives his own "red badge" when a fellow soldier hits him in the head with a gun. "The idea of falling like heroes on ceremonial battlefields" Ford Madox Ford remarked later, "was gone."

Critic Reviews:

"

The Red Badge of Courage has long been considered the first great 'modern' novel of war by an Americanthe first novel of literary distinction to present war without heroics and this in a spirit of total irony and skepticism." (Alfred Kazin)

Members Reviews:

Great Classic

I loved this book! Great War story! The narrator, Scott Brick, did an outstanding job.

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: Rights of Man

Author: Thomas Paine

Narrator: Arthur Morey

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 26 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-10-11

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 39 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Rights of Man presents an impassioned defense of the Enlightenment principles of freedom and equality that Thomas Paine believed would soon sweep the world. He boldly claimed, "From a small spark, kindled in America, a flame has arisen, not to be extinguished. Without consuming... it winds its progress from nation to nation."

Though many more sophisticated thinkers argued for the same principles, and many people died in the attempt to realize them, no one was better able than Paine to articulate them in a way that fired the hopes and dreams of the common man and actually stirred him to revolutionary political action.

Members Reviews:

By his voice alone he helped transform the West

Thomas Paine is one of those writers who seemed to have been dropped by a deist God 200 years before the world was really ready for him. His energy, honesty and political bravery was intense. By his voice alone he helped transform the West. Common Sense, the Rights of Man, and finally the Age of Reason have all thrown the gauntlet down and caused people to either cheer him (Common Sense) or hiss his name (Age of Reason).

The Rights of Man was visionary in its call for intellectual republicanism and social justice. Paine was and is a prophetic voice for individual freedom and moral equality. He is my favorite founder to quote whenever I find myself in a debate where someone wants to lump the 'Founders' together in some giant Libertarian Christianity pudding. He was a true radical and a true American.

It's a shame

That American children don't have to read "Rights of Man" in high school. Many of the topics Paine discusses in his book are still relevant today or need to be brought up again. Paine is the father of two revolutions (the French and American) and his work is incredibly insightful even 200+ years later.

T. Paine is the man

I thoroughly enjoy the works of Thomas Paine. He captures the truth of his era and is one of the forerunners of modern political philosophy.

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 Poetry of Emily Dickinson

Author: Emily Dickinson

Narrator: Julie Harris

Format: Highlights

Length: 45 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-28-10

Publisher: Saland Publishing

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 36 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

A collection of the finest work of one of America's best-loved poets. Despite Dickinson's prolific writing, fewer than a dozen of her poems were published during her lifetime. Critics now consider Dickinson to be a major American poet. Read by Julie Harris.

Members Reviews:

Really beautiful reading of familiar lines from ED

Julie Harris read these familiar poems beautifully. Energy, curiosity, passion shine in Emily Dickinson.

Breathtaking!

Amazing reading of E D's poetry! Julie Harris has such a fantastic voice! She brings the poetry to life. I was so moved by this performance, one of the very best.

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: Travels With Charley

Author: John Steinbeck

Narrator: Peter Marinker

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 27 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-08-10

Publisher: Hachette Audio UK

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 54 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Believing that a good, interesting life is marked by quality, not quantity, John Steinbeck took note of his itchy feet and prepared to travel. He was accompanied by his French poodle Charley, diplomat and watchdog, across the states of America from Maine to California. Moving through woods and forests, dirt tracks and highways to large cities and wildernesses, Steinbeck observed America and the Americans with a humorous and sometimes sceptical eye. What he sees is a lonely, generous nation too packed with individuals for single judgements. His vision of how the world was changing, however, speaks to us warningly and prophetically through the decades.

Members Reviews:

A blogger way before blogs. Timeless and prophetic

What did you love best about Travels With Charley?

This was a deeply personal, immersive, humorous and lovely book to listen to! If Steinbeck were alive today, I'm sure he would be one of the foremost bloggers of our time. More often than I can recall, I found myself smiling at his stories, many times I laughed out loud as well.

What was great is the fact that the book didn't end with a cliche! I was expecting something to the effect of: I left to find America, and in the journey, I found myself.

That didn't happen, and I'm very glad of it.

Who was your favorite character and why?

John Steinbeck and Charley of course!

What does Peter Marinker bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

I loved hearing Peter Marinker read this book. When he was reading the deep and profound passages, he came across as solemn and thoughtful. When he was reading the humour parts, you may have expected to hear a rim-shot.

I also loved that he gave voice to the characters with feeling as well as accents. I will look for more books read by him.

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

This book did make me laugh many times. As mentioned before, I thought much of this book could have easily been written yesterday instead of in the early 60s.

Any additional comments?

Hearing this book may make me look at more written by Steinbech. I may even read Of Mice and Men again.

Travels with Charley.

Where does Travels With Charley rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?

I read Travels With Charley first when I where about 18 years old. I never forgot how good I liked this book with it's many stories from the locals in USA.

Now I'm 61 years and the bok is just as good as the first time. This book I will recommend for all readers.

Best regards

Thor Andersen

Drammen

Norway.

Nice, but also a good sleeping pill

The story is nice. I like traveling through the USA.

However I didn't dare to listen in the car while driving, because in bed after 5 minutes I was fast a sleep. It took me ages to get those few hours of listening ended.

Captivating

I bought this book on the strength of recommendations in Amazon reviews and because, in my final year at school, I had learned to love John Steinbeck's books on the USA depression. I was not disappointed.

Travels with Charley is, however, quite different from the 'depression' books. The language is still beautiful and the descriptions captivating but this is a wonderfully crafted travelogue by a very observant traveller. The book contains much humour - particularly in his relations with Charley.

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 Magnificent Ambersons

Author: Booth Tarkington

Narrator: Peter Berkrot

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 20 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-22-10

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 29 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Set in the Midwest in the early 20th century - the dawn of the automobile age - The Magnificent Ambersons begins by introducing the Ambersons, the richest family in town. Exemplifying aristocratic excess, the Ambersons have everything money can buy - and more. But George Amberson Minafer, the spoiled grandson of the family patriarch, is unable to see that great societal changes are taking place and that business tycoons, industrialists, and real-estate developers will soon surpass him in wealth and prestige.

Rather than join the new mechanical age, George prefers to remain a gentleman, believing that "being things" is superior to "doing things". But as his town becomes a city, and the family palace is enveloped in a cloud of soot, George's protectors disappear one by one, and the elegant, cloistered lifestyle of the Ambersons fades from view and finally vanishes altogether. The book won the 1919 Pulitzer Prize for fiction and inspired the Orson Welles film of the same name.

Members Reviews:

Wonderful, classic story

This is a great tale of fortunes one and lost, unchanged love, and personal redemption. Included is the Lorax-like quality of the growth of this midland city, and a glimpse to the building up of America.

Rare find

The story would be greatly more appreciated if one would drive through an old neighborhood seeing a stately mansion sandwiched between apartments and rental housing. "Ahhh, now I understand !" The story brings to life how the collapse of the early 1900s came about. Historically accurate. How arrogance brings calamity and how true love redeems.

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: 1919

Author: John Dos Passos

Narrator: David Drummond

Format: Unabridged

Length: 16 hrs and 12 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-09-10

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 95 votes

Genres: Classics, American Literature

Publisher's Summary:

With 1919, the second volume of his U.S.A. trilogy, John Dos Passos continues his "vigorous and sweeping panorama of 20th-century America" (Forum), lauded on publication of the first volume not only for its scope but also for its groundbreaking style. Again employing a host of experimental devices that would inspire a whole new generation of writers to follow, Dos Passos captures the many textures, flavors, and background noises of modern life with a cinematic touch and unparalleled nerve.

The novel opens to find America and the world at war, and Dos Passos's characters, many of whom we met in the first volume, are thrown into the snarl. We follow the daughter of a Chicago minister, a wide-eyed Texas girl, a young poet, and a radical Jew, and we glimpse Woodrow Wilson, Theodore Roosevelt, and the Unknown Soldier.

Members Reviews:

Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue in story form

This is the second book in a huge trilogy. I read it withought reading the other book first. If you really want to invest a massive allotment of time I'd read them in order. Wiki the author and you might even start with a smaller monograph prior to this writing.

I like this style characters sketches and stories of real people living life up hill. He captures, like the faded sepia photos of the dust bowl farmers , the character and times his actors are living in. The action is believable and the emotions true.

His narrative is punctuated with real news flashes and song and a variety of period headlines which complement the naratives of the protagnists. At a later date I'll explore the other writings of this lesser known contemporary of Hemmingway, and Fitsgerald.

Seriously entertaining, enchanting.

The Best of the U.S.A. Trilogy

Would you listen to 1919 again? Why?

It was too long to listen to again and there was nothing in particular I would want more insight or clarification.

What did you like best about this story?

Most every review has already said it. The trilogy really is a great panoramic view of America at the beginning of the 20th century. There are some real historical events in the book, but even the fictional events are just as good as facts because they paint what at least seems to be a very true picture of the way things were.

Which character as performed by David Drummond was your favorite?

No characters really standout. I think that was intentional. Many are weaved in and out at different points of the book without specific focus on any particular characters. The characters are really archetypes, e.g. the ad man represents all ad men and the secretary represents all secretaries (somehow in a unique and timeless way)

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

No.

Any additional comments?

The U.S.A. Trilogy really is one long, seamless book, but the way it is written, you can read any one of the books without needing to read the others and feel like you had a full story. In my opinion, 1919 was the best because it was the most eventful. The 42nd Parallel was good too and did a good job of setting up the trilogy, especially 1919. The last book, Big Money, was a little slow and repetitive to me.