Showing results by narrator "David McCallion" in All Categories

This series of poems covers the story of the legendary hero, King Arthur, beginning with his first encounter with Guinevere, the woman who would become his queen on his search for the Holy Grail, to the betrayal of Guinevere and Sir Lancelot, and finally ending with Arthur's last battle. First published between 1859 and 1885 as a series of twelve poems, Idylls of the King retells the story of King Arthur with a unique and Victorian flavor beloved by many.

In 1819, Walter Scott published Rob Roy, a book that would eventually become one of the most-read historical novels of all time. The story unfolds through the eyes of Frank Osbaldistone, the son of an English merchant. Frank first travels to the north of England, eventually ending up in the Scottish Highlands. He is determined to collect on a debt owed to his father, but on his journey he encounters Rob Roy MacGregor, who sets the tone for the story's development.

Lord Jim is considered by many to be one of the greatest novels published in the 20th century. At its core, Lord Jim is a story of conscience and what can happen if one forgets one's honor and turns one's back on one's fellow man.

The Jewel of the Seven Stars is the frightening tale of an archeologist determined to bring the ancient Egyptian Queen Tera back from the dead. Abel Trelawny sets out to fulfill his dark agenda, but he needs the help of the young lawyer Malcolm Ross. Convinced that Malcolm's interest in his daughter will help persuade him to go along with the evil plot, Trelawny sets his plan in motion. None of them could anticipate the horrifying consequences of his diabolic actions. Will Malcolm go along with Trelawny's evil plan?

Three of the most popular stories from ancient Persia come to life in one action-packed, magical audiobook. The story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves is about two brothers, one who marries a rich woman out of greed, and the other marries a poor woman out of love. The story gets its name from when the brothers are faced with 40 thieves who try to take their treasure.

When Adam Salton travels to a remote village in England to visit his great uncle, he soon finds himself in the middle of some strange happenings, where someone or something is killing people. Within the dark walls of the Caswell estate, there resides a new heir named Adam, and he has a sinister agenda. Lady Arabella has her sights set on becoming Mrs. Caswell, but there may be more to her than meets the eye. When snakes start coming out of nowhere, Adam buys a mongoose to help rid the property of them. That's when things really take a turn for the worse.

At its heart, De Profundis is a love letter and is better known as the De Profundis papers. Written in 1897, while Oscar Wilde was imprisoned in Reading Gaol, De Profundis would become one of his best-known works. The papers include Wilde's account of living a lavish lifestyle and his relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas, both of which he credited for his eventual downfall and imprisonment. The second half of the papers is Wilde's account of prison life and his spiritual awakening.

Leaves of Grass is the written expression of Whitman's view of life and humanity in the form of poetry. The author masterfully connects each poem in some way, while infusing his prose with his own philosophy. This collection is unique for its time due to the emphasis the author puts on pleasures of the flesh, without resorting to symbolism to any great extent.

Published in 1651, Leviathan is considered to be one of the most important works of political philosophy and a major contribution to the modern idea of central government. In the mid-17th century, England was going through a turbulent time of change and unrest, which likely shaped Hobbes' ideas on strong government. Thomas Hobbes established the social contract theory. He believed that self-government did not create the ideal state due to the human tendency to be self-serving, something he believed would eventually lead to chaos.

Considered to be the first autobiography of its kind, The Confessions is two distinct books published seven years apart and covers the first 53 years of the author's life. The autobiographies of the time delved primarily into the individual's religious life, but Jean-Jacques Rousseau wanted to do something different. Instead of focusing on faith, he wrote about his thoughts and misadventures.

The Secret Agent is a Victorian terrorist tale that has found a new audience with today's audiences. Set in 1866 London, this book tells the story of Adolf Verloc, a shopkeeper turned anarchist.

When Kim O'Hara's Irish parents die, he is left to raise himself on the streets of Lahore where he scrapes a living. After being recognized by an acquaintance of his father, Kim is sent to an English school to learn espionage, and his education is paid for by an old Tibetan priest. After graduating the two are reunited and two roam India in search of the River of the Arrow, which will wash away all sin. Kim must find a way of reconciling his status as both a sahib (white European) and a chela (disciple).

Honoré de Balzac uses his classic style of detail to describe a most controversial setting in his novel Le Pere Goriot. The story takes place in Paris just after the fall of Napoleon in 1819. The story focuses on three characters, Rastignac, a student who wants to try and make it big in the capital, Vautrin, an interesting and funny character who is also quite mysterious, and the main character, Goriot, that carries a heavy burden that only a loving parent would endure.

This classic of Mormon literature is based on a series of theological lectures by Talmage, which were created for use in religious education. James E. Talmage was an English chemist and geologist, who moved to the United States and became a prominent figure in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This book provides commentary and doctrinal references for each of Joseph Smith's Thirteen Articles of Faith that form the core beliefs of the LDS Church.

Set in 18th century Philadelphia, the book follows Frank as he amasses a large fortune through stock speculation and purchases of shares in the growing street railway industry. He marries an older woman and has two children and uses his new found wealth to become socially prominent. Things however take a turn for the worst when he has an affair with Aileen Butler, the daughter of a politically prominent Irish industrialist.

Black Beauty is an autobiographical memoir detailing the journey of a horse, from his whimsical days as a young colt on a farm in 19th Century England, before moving on towards tough times hauling cabs in London and finally ending with a peaceful rest in the country.

The Talisman revolves around the Third Crusader's camp in the Holy Land whereby there exists a truce between the Christians and the Muslims. The camp, which is led by King Richard I of England (the Lion-heart) who is grievously ill, is being torn apart by tensions between rival leaders.

The young Danish Prince, Hamlet, is vexed by a trip home to Denmark from school in Germany, to attend his father, the king's funeral. Upon arriving at home, Hamlet has discovered that his mother has already become married to the former King's brother, Hamlet's uncle. What's more, the man has declared himself to be King of Denmark even though Hamlet was the true and rightful heir. Hamlet is enraged by this deception, and immediately suspects foul play in his father's murder.

In Denmark, a very prosperous and popular ruler, King Hrothgar, has built a large mead hall and encouraged all of his soldiers to be jubilant and merry. The commotion from the festivities has greatly upset a horrible demon, Grendel, who lives in the swamp. Every night the demon terrorizes the community forcing the Danes to suffer at the hand of the beast for many years until a young Geatish warrior, Beowulf, hears of the plight King Hrothgar has endured.

Ichabod Crane, a lanky and superstitious man and school teacher from the North, is vying for the hand of Katrina Van Tassel who happens to have another suitor named Abraham "Brom Bones" Van Brunt. Crane has ill intentions in winning the hand of Katrina and Brom decides to try to spook the school teacher out of Sleepy Hollow through a series of pranks.