Showing results by author "ciesse" in All Categories

The necessity of a work on Snobs, demonstrated from History, and proved by felicitous illustrations:—I am the individual destined to write that work—My vocation is announced in terms of great eloquence—I show that the world has been gradually preparing itself for the WORK and the MAN—Snobs are to be studied like other objects of Natural Science, and are a part of the Beautiful (with a large B). They pervade all classes—Affecting instance of Colonel Snobley. (Summary excerpted from Prefatory Remarks from the book by W. M. Thackeray)

The American Minister and his family have bought the English stately home Canterville Chase, complete with the ghost of Sir Simon de Canterville - blood-stains, clanking chains and all. But these modern Americans will have no truck with ghostly goings-on, and set out to beat the spectre at his own game. (Summary by David Barnes)

Following Anne of Green Gables, the book covers the second chapter in the life of Anne Shirley. Anne of Avonlea follows Anne from the age of 16 to 18, during the two years that she teaches at Avonlea school. It includes many of the characters from Anne of Green Gables, as well new ones like Mr Harrison, Miss Lavendar Lewis, Paul Irving, and the twins Dora and Davy. (Summary from Wikipedia.org)

Here is a collection of 20 short plays drawn from various books by Charles Dickens such as Nicholas Nickleby, David Copperfield, Bleak House, and Our Mutual Friend. "For the use of Amateur and School Dramatic Societies" - Summary by ToddHWCast list:Introduction: ToddHWMrs Tibbs Boarding House - From Sketches by BozMrs Tibbs - A boarding-house keeper: AvailleMr Tibbs - Her husband: Tim WatkinsMrs Maplesone - Boarder at Mrs. Tibbs': TriciaGMiss Matilda Maplesone - Boarder at Mrs. Tibbs': RachelMiss Julia Maplesone - Boarder at Mrs. Tibbs': Lian PangMr Calton - Boarder at Mrs. Tibbs': Tom UMr ...

These letters were arranged in two volumes by Albert Bigelow Paine, Samuel L. Clemens's literary executor, as a supplement to Mark Twain, A Biography, which Paine wrote. They are, for the most part, every letter written by Clemens known to exist at the time of their publication in 1917. They begin with a fragment of a letter from teenaged Sam Clemens to his sister, Pamela, and conclude with a letter to his attorney two weeks before his death.These letters give us some degree of insight into the evolution of Twain's style of speech and prose over the period of his lifetime; they are a small ...

The Mystery of Edwin Drood is the final novel by Charles Dickens. The novel was left unfinished at the time of Dickens' death, and readers have often speculated what the ending might have been. The novel is named after Edwin Drood, but it mostly tells the story of his uncle, a Jekyll-and-Hyde-esque choirmaster named John Jasper, who is in love with his pupil, Rosa Bud. Miss Bud is Drood's fiancée, and has caught the eye of the high-spirited and hot-tempered Neville Landless, who comes from Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) with his twin sister, Helena, and immediately makes an enemy of Drood. It is ...

After the death of his father, Nicholas must provide for his mother and sister. His wealthy uncle provides him with employment at a boys' school, run by the villainous Mr. Squeers. But when Nicholas has seen enough of the brutal manner in which Squeers treats the boys, he attacks him--and is forced to go on the run to avoid the ramifications. - Summary by Brad "Hamlet" Filippone

Part almanac, part encyclopedia, part dictionary, Nathaniel C. Fowler, Jr. gives us his idea of important, but sometimes obscure, facts that he thinks should be in our bank of general knowledge. He includes a large section on medical emergency and health. Items are arranged in alphabetical order, so there is no logical presentation, but reference is made easy. Or, it is just interesting browsing, and a glimpse into the world of the early twentieth century. - Summary by Larry Wilson

The Kama Sutra, or Aphorisms on Love, has survived at least 1400 years as a dominant text on sexual relations between men and women. Vatsyayana claimed to have written the Kama Sutra while a religious student, “in contemplation of the Deity” - but references to older works, shrewd disputations by Vatsyayana of those authors' recommendations, and careful cataloging of practices in various of the Indian states indicate much more emphasis on kama, or sensual gratification.

A collection of short stories by the author of the Jungle book, Kim and Just So Stories. Each story is followed by a poem, so if you like If, this may also be a book for you. - Summary by Stav Nisser.

LibriVox volunteers bring you 12 recordings of The Derelict by Rudyard Kipling .This was the Fortnightly Poetry project for March 10, 2024. ------Joseph Rudyard Kipling was an English novelist, short-story writer, poet, and journalist. He was born in British India, which inspired much of his work. In 1907, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, as the first English-language writer to receive the prize, and at 41, its youngest recipient to date. He was also sounded out for the British Poet Laureateship and several times for a knighthood, but declined both. (Summary by Wikipedia)

LibriVox volunteers bring you 11 recordings of Before Edgehill Fight by Rudyard Kipling.This was the Weekly Poetry project for April 7, 2019. ------ A real and down to earth poem about a the Battle of Edgehill. - Summary by Campbell Schelp

In “The Just Men of Cordova (1917)”, European financiers are dying conveniently from London to Cordova, victims of a mysterious poison that the police have failed to identify. In his earlier book, Edgar Wallace’s Four Just Men (1905) traveled the globe meting out vigilante justice. Renowned for their cunning, tenacity, lock breaking skills, and mastery of disguise, they operate outside the law, where their lethal brand of justice strikes fear into the hearts of their prey. But just who are they and who is assisting them?From the golden age of detective fiction, Edgar Wallace was a ...

Another Pinero play from the early 1900s. With a social message about the effects of stardom on the star as well as those that love them. "I’m afraid there’s one thing finer than winning the woman you love and, when you’ve won her, being prepared to go through fire and water for her." "What’s that?" "Having the courage to give her up" - Summary by ToddHWCast list:Viscount Farncombe: Tomas PeterColonel the Hon. Arthur Stidulph: alanmapstoneBaron von Rettenmayer: NemoCaptain Nicholas Jeyes: Campbell SchelpLionel Roper: HamletSam de Castro: Aaron WhiteHerbert Fulkerson: Frédéric ...

A collection of pieces, both fiction and non-fiction, that have as its subject a word beginning with a specific letter of the English alphabet. Subjects can range from coffee to tea, animals to vampires, law to emotions.

"Mark Phillips" is, or are, two writers: Randall Garrett and Laurence M. Janifer. Their joint pen-name, derived from their middle names (Philip and Mark), was coined soon after their original meeting, at a science-fiction convention. Both men were drunk at the time, which explains a good deal, and only one has ever sobered up. A matter for constant contention between the collaborators is which one.Originally published as That Sweet Little Old Lady, Brain Twister follows the adventures of FBI agent Kenneth J. Malone as he attempts to unravel the machinations of a telepathic spy. His first ...

"Men in pajamas sitting abaft the funnel and swapping lies of the purple seas." Thirty one early short stories by the master story teller Kipling. (Summary by David Wales and title page)

"And so," the story writers used to say, "they lived happily ever after."Um-m-m—maybe. After the glamour had worn off, and the glass slippers were worn out, did the Prince never find Cinderella's manner redolent of the kitchen hearth; and was it never necessary that he remind her to be more careful of her finger-nails and grammar? After Puss in Boots had won wealth and a wife for his young master did not that gentleman often fume with chagrin because the neighbors, perhaps, refused to call on the lady of the former poor miller's son? It is a great risk to take with one's book-children. These...

Imagining a holiday postcard message penned by the author …My Dear Listeners Ended up having a great 10 days up here on the Norfolk Broads, even after everyone in the original party called off at the last minute! Met up with Mr Bradley, a splendid chap (who is also an East End London policeman and is thus the ‘Bobby’ of this tale) who joined me on ‘The Shamrock’, a small lug-sail boat that I’d hired to cruise around the Broads. Pleased to report that my friend Bunce rolled up the following evening whilst the ‘Bobby’ & I were in the middle of a boozy singsong session with the ...

A series of essays offering a humorous look at commonplace items and occurrences. (Summary by Nick Bulka)