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Ben-Hur could be said to be the first American blockbuster. When it was published in 1880, it sold over two-million copies and was translated into numerous languages. Wallace's original novel has been largely forgotten now, but as this reading shows, the story, together with the sweeping rhythm of the writer's prose, make it ideally suited to audio.

Set during the reign of Louis XIII (1610-43) and based on actual events, The Three Musketeers is perhaps the greatest "cloak and sword" story ever written. Three Musketeers, loyal servants of the King, are joined by the dashing D'Artagnan, a veritable Byronic hero. These four are pitted against the master of intrigue, Cardinal Richelieu, and the quintessential wicked woman, Lady de Winter. Dumas was quite expert in pacing and varying action while weaving historical fact with purest fiction.

This is the timeless tale of Dorothy and her friends, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodsman, and the Cowardly Lion, in the enchanting land of OZ. Those who have only seen the movie are in for a real treat, as much of the book did not make it into the classic 1939 film.

This famous story chronicles the end of the lives of the Forty-Seven Ronin, also know as the Forty-Seven Samurai. It is described by one noted Japanese scholar as the country's "national legend". It recounts the most famous case involving the Samurai code of honor, "bushido".

By their nature fables are "fabulous," larger than life, the characters often using wit and guile to save themselves from circumstances. In away, Aesop's Fables are morality plays. They illustrate what was fundamental to Greek culture. Their appeal to us lies in a logic we can still understand. This in turn awakens an appreciation of how far ahead of their time the Greeks were, how enduring their thought was, and how much we have to be grateful to them. This collection features 185 of these famous fables.

Orrie Hitt was a prolific writer of “gritty” romances in the 1950s and '60s. He wrote over 150 novels and, unlike many hack writers of the time, he was very good at what he did, and still has a large following today. The website Criminal Element called him “The Shakespeare of Shabby Street". Here’s a bit more of what they had to say about him: 

This novelette first appeared as a serialized novelette in several issues of The Pearl, an underground magazine of erotica that was published during the Victorian age. Flunkeyania is a steamy classic of erotic literature. 

Brad Smith’s business gave him special privileges, and he made the most of them. But where do you draw the line? At this peculiar hotel, guests arrived late, stayed even later, and paid a high price for unusual accommodations. And if he were man enough, a guest could meet Janice Westbrook. Brad Smith decided he would win Janice for himself. After all, he was a mattress salesman, with a perfect excuse to make himself cozy around the girl and the hotel. The only thing was, a twisted monster named Whitey was after Janice too.

In the wonderful fairy tale, Charles Dickens creates a number of memorable characters, including a King, who also has a regular office job and is always running out of money, his lovely wife, the Queen and their 17 children, as well as an elderly and very cranky fairy who gives their eldest daughter a magic fishbone she can use to grant one wish. However it will only work if the "circumstances are right".

The original collection of these stories, published in 1994 in England, did not include "The Adventure of the Cardboard Box" because it was considered "too shocking." It was later added to the first American edition.

Zane Grey is considered the creator of the Western and remains the most popular author of that genre. His best-known book, Riders of the Purple Sage, remains an all-time best-seller, and one of the most successful Western novels in history. This first Volume contains four of his best novels, including Riders of the Purple Sage, and its sequel The Rainbow Trail. Two more popular novels are are included in this collection.

Zane Grey is considered the first and best author of "Western" novels. In this book, Lin Sloan's obsession with capturing a wild stallion he called "Wildfire" almost costs him his life. Bostil is a man who loves fast horses and is used to getting what he wants. Throw in a beautiful girl just coming into womanhood, a crazed young man with a grudge against her, a treacherous act, horse thieves and a yearly big race and you have all the elements Zane Gray so ably weaves into a fascinating story packed with action and adventure.

This thrilling tale by Ray Bradbury, winner of the World Fantasy, Bram Stoker, Emmy and Hugo awards, takes place on a treacherous world that a group of colonists have been forced to land on. In order to escape from this planet with a scorching sun during the day, freezing temperatures by night, and a life-sucking radiation that makes all life vey short, young Sim must cross a section of this mad world, reach their broken ship, and repair it, before the elements, or some of his fellow colonists, kill him. 

Back in the 1950's and 60's, Orrie Hitt was a prolific writer of romance novels. The "hanky panky" in his novels is tamer and less explicit than in many of today's romance novels, but the storylines were incredibly engaging. His characters are so fully developed that you either love them, hate them or pity them. In this novel, overworked and underpaid Danny O'Conner decides to take a little vacation at a resort, then decides to stay and work there. He soon becomes involved with three women, a lot of intrigue, and a great deal of danger.

Orrie Hitt was a prolific writer of “gritty” romances in the 1950s and '60s. He wrote over 150 novels and was very good at what he did. Hitt still has a large following today. The website “Criminal Element” called him “The Shakespeare of Shabby Street".  

Award winning author Clifford D. Simak published "The World That Couldn't Be" in 1958. It appeared in the January issue of Galaxy Science Fiction magazine. In the story, Layard was an alien world that puzzled sociologists, since the planet's inhabitants were genderless, yet there was no decrease in population. Gavin Duncan had come to this world to farm vua, a plant that cured mental illnesses. Vua was a cash crop that Gavin hoped would bring him great wealth. He is thwarted by the Cytha, a large, supposedly simple-minded creature with a taste for vua. 

Victorian erotica at its finest, this books contains explicit descriptions of sex and is intended for adults only. Young Charlie and his two rich cousins decide to go on a course of debauchery before starting their studies. As one reviewer described it, "It's a rollercoaster of raunch." First there is a wild spontaneous Bacchanalian orgy. Then they enjoy a wild night of lust with three young ladies in a park, and finally there is a great celebration of the Queen's birthday where literally anything goes! Great fun, but definitely not for the prudish.

Kate Percival discovered the joys of sex early in life, and was so excited by those early experiences that she decided to become a "woman of pleasure." Kate explains her story this way, "I am about to give to the world the particulars of a life fraught with incident and adventure. I am about to lift the veil from the most voluptuous scenes. I shall disguise nothing, conceal nothing, but shall relate everything that has happened to me just as it occurred. I am what is called a woman of pleasure, and have drained its cup to the very dregs."

Dutch has fled to Iceland after his girl breaks his heart by marrying someone else. When he inherits the family farm, he returns to take charge of the 250 acres. A chance meeting in a bar with a beautiful girl named Cherry leads to his teaming up with her and her photographer friend, Skip, to turn the farm into the latest fad, a nudist camp! Dutch also finds out that his former girlfriend, Penny, is now a widow. Will they rekindle their romance? Will the camp be a success, or are Cherry and Skip covering up their real plan?

British writer William Hazlitt was the most brilliant essayist of his day. He is now considered one of the greatest critics and essayists in the history of the English language, placed in the company of Samuel Johnson and George Orwell. During his last illness, Hazlitt wrote this essay on a topic that most people will recognize. Hazlitt did not fear his own demise, and in this thoughtful essay, he explains why no one needs to give in to such a fear.