Showing results by narrator "Alan Munro" in All Categories

Although Heart of Darkness was one of the first literary texts to provide a critical view of European imperial activities, it was initially read by critics as anything but controversial. While the book was generally admired, it was typically seen either as a condemnation of a certain type of adventurer who could easily take advantage of imperialism’s opportunities, or else as a sentimental novel reinforcing domestic values: Kurtz’s Intended, who appears at the novella’s conclusion, was roundly praised by turn-of-the-century reviewers for her maturity and sentimental appeal. A classic.

The definitive American novel. A great success since it was first published. Required reading. One of the most enjoyable novels ever written.

Jack London's classic adventure story about the friendship developed between a Yukon gold hunter and the mixed dog-wolf he rescues from the hands of a man who mistreats him. White Fang is a companion novel and thematic mirror to London's best-known work, The Call of the Wild.

Uncle Tom's Cabin was the best-selling novel of the 19th century and the second best-selling book of that century, following the Bible. It is credited with helping fuel the abolitionist cause in the 1850s. In 1855, three years after it was published, it was called "the most popular novel of our day". A thrilling and important piece of American literature!

In this book, you will learn how the author of the Federalist Papers and the first Secretary of the Treasury nearly ruined his career by fighting duels, seducing women, and getting involved in America's first sex scandal. The duel that killed Alexander Hamilton is the most famous duel in American history, but you'll have to come up with your own answer to its greatest mystery: who shot first, Hamilton or Burr?

The first collection of Kipling's classic tales. Includes "Mowgli's Brothers", "Hunting-Song of the Seeonee Pack", "Kaa's Hunting", "Road-Song of the Bandar-Log", "Tiger! Tiger!", "Mowgli's Song", "The White Seal", "Lukannon", "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi", "Darzee's Chant", "Toomai of the Elephants", "Shiv and the Grasshopper", "Her Majesty's Servants", and "Parade Song of the Camp Animals".

The Book of Tea by Okakura Kakuzo is a long essay linking the role of tea (teaism) to the aesthetic and cultural aspects of Japanese life. Addressed to a western audience, it was originally written in English and is one of the great English tea classics. Okakura had been taught at a young age to speak English and was proficient at communicating his thoughts to the Western mind. In his book, he discusses such topics as Zen and Taoism, but also the secular aspects of tea and Japanese life.

The two original Buck Rogers novellas. Buck Rogers was a huge success, spawning many imitators such as Flash Gordon. Despite being written prior to World War II, the story line accurately foreshadowed several notable advancements in technology: bazookas, consumer e-purchasing, immersive telepresence, night vision devices, optical devices for small arms such as the red-dot sight, paratroopers, remote piloted surveillance and attack drones, telecommuting, and wireless phones - including the flip phone!

In the continuing story of Anne Shirley, Anne attends Redmond College in Kingsport, where she is studying for her BA.

Nikola Tesla: inventor or magician? Tesla was one of the most famous inventors who ever lived, but after his death, he was nearly forgotten. He was a celebrity during the height of America's Gilded Age. In this book, you will hear about his friendship with Mark Twain, his furious competition with his former employer Thomas Edison, his uneasy relationship with billionaire J.P. Morgan, and his rivalry with Albert Einstein.

Sour and stingy Ebenezer Scrooge has an emotional transformation after the supernatural visits of Jacob Marley and the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and yet to come. The novella met with instant success and critical acclaim. A Christmas Carol has never been out of print and has been adapted to film, opera, and other media.

"All for one and one for all!" is one of the most memorable lines in all of literature and cinema. Join Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and d'Artagnan in this classic adventure. Dumas at his best!

The adventures of Dorothy in the Land of Oz. Thanks in part to the 1939 MGM movie, it is one of the best-known stories in American popular culture.

Would you like to learn the secret method to hypnotize anyone? This book holds the key to everything you need to know about hypnosis.

Jim Hawkins, a young cabin boy battles the pirate Long John Silver for a buried treasure. One of the most frequently dramatized novels of all time. The influence of Treasure Island on popular perceptions of pirates is enormous, including treasure maps marked with an "X", schooners, the Black Spot, tropical islands, and one-legged seamen carrying parrots on their shoulders.

First published in 1776, the book offers one of the world's first collected descriptions of what builds nations' wealth. A fundamental work in classical economics. The book touches upon such broad topics as the division of labour, productivity, and free markets.

The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement, which adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent from approximately 2200 BC to AD 421. It was first published in March 1830 by Joseph Smith as The Book of Mormon: An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon upon Plates Taken from the Plates of Nephi.

A Dictionary of American Presidents Vol. 1: Presidents 1-24 George Washington to Grover Cleveland offers an introductory glimpse into the background, upbringing, education, and political agendas of every American president from the years following the Revolutionary War to the end of the 19th century and Reconstruction. The first in a two-volume collection, this book offers the reader the opportunity to trace the development of the United States and the office of the Presidency from its inception in 1789 to the brink of the 20th century. This lively, informative examination of the people and events that shaped the first one hundred years of the American presidency answers the question: what sort of person does it take to shepherd a new nation from its rocky, tumultuous beginnings, to an era of increasing international prestige and geographical expansion?

Mary Stuart became the Queen of Scots when she was only a week old. Two disastrous marriages, two sordid murders, and one abduction later, Mary Stuart went from being an adored and popular young queen to being the most hated woman in Scotland. Taken captive by her own lords and nobles, she was forced to abdicate the throne. In the end, the last queen of Scotland was forced to take refuge with the most dangerous woman in Britain: Elizabeth I.

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was, for much of her life, the most famous woman in the world. First as the chic, sophisticated wife of President John F. Kennedy, she was the woman who brought Paris to its heels and turned the White House into the living museum of American history that it is today. After her husband's assassination, she served as a symbol of strength to Americans reeling from the tragic events of November 22, 1963. The black-veiled widow who presented a stoic face to the world during Kennedy's funeral procession seemed capable of doing no wrong.