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Beowulf was composed by an anonymous Anglo-Saxon poet. Francis Barton Gummere translates this beautiful poem. Beowulf is an epic poem. The main character, Beowulf, proves himself a hero as he battles against supernatural demons and beasts. (Summary by Tad E.)

As Russia goes to war against Japan, Tolstoy urges those at all levels of society, from the Tsar down to the common soldier, to consider their actions in the light of Christ's teaching. "However strange this may appear, the most effective and certain deliverance of men from all the calamities which they inflict upon themselves and from the most dreadful of all—war—is attainable, not by any external general measures, but merely by that simple appeal to the consciousness of each separate man which, nineteen hundred years ago, was proposed by Jesus—that every man bethink himself, and ask ...

When George Randolph first caught sight of Orena, he was astounded by its gleaming perfection. Here were hills and valleys, lakes and streams, glowing with the light of the most precious of metals. And, more astonishing than that, it was a world of miniature perfection—an infinitely tiny universe within a golden atom!But for Randolph it was also a world aglow with danger. Somewhere in its tiny vastness were the friends he had to rescue. Captives of a madman, they had been reduced to native Orena size; to return to Earth they needed the growth capsules Randolph was bringing them. It was up to...

"Berlins Drittes Geschlecht" ist eine populärwissenschaftliche Beschreibung der LGBTQ+ Kultur im Berlin der Jahrhundertwende. Magnus Hirschfeld, der spätere Gründer des Berliner Instituts für Sexualwissenschaft, beschreibt anschaulich, sachlich und mit Herz den Alltag, die Sorgen und Freuden dieser Subkultur.Summary by AliceStein

"Genesis (Greek: "birth", "origin") is the first book of the Hebrew Bible, and the first of five books of the Pentateuch or Torah. It recounts the world from creation to the descent of the children of Israel into Egypt, and contains some of the best-known accounts of the Old Testament, including Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah's Ark, the Tower of Babel, and the biblical Patriarchs." (From Wikipedia, modified by Sam Stinson)

LibriVox volunteers bring you 8 recordings of Bettesworth's Exultation Upon hearing that his name would be transmitted to posterity in Dr. Swift's works, by William Dunkin by Jonathan Swift.This was the Weekly Poetry project for September 15, 2019. ------Jonathan Swift, satirist, essayist, political pamphleteer (first for the Whigs, then for the Tories), poet and cleric who became Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin. He is regarded by the Encyclopædia Britannica as the foremost prose satirist in the English language and is less well known for his poetry. - Summary by Wikipedia

Ecclesiastes (or The Preacher) is the twenty-first book of The Bible. The author of this book is unknown but is considered by many biblical scholars to be Solomon.The author describes how all endeavors in life are in vain and a grasping for the wind, since all comes to naught in the end when we return to the dust from whence we came. The generations to come will not remember us. In the end, The Preacher admonishes us that the only purpose for man is to eat, drink and perform his labors under the sun and to do it with happiness and devotion to God.This reading comes from the American Standard ...

Thirteen short stories by the master. Summary by david wales

Forced into marriage to a man who is older and wealthier, young Theodora Fitzgerald contemplates her fate in love, until she meets and falls in love with another. - Summary by Amy Deuchler

Titus, emperor of Rome, wants to marry Berenice, queen of Palestine, but decides that Rome will not be able to handle having him marry a foreign queen. Berenice refuses to stay in this case and leaves Rome. Unlike many of the other Racine plays, there actually are survivors (albeit, broken-hearted survivors) at the end of this one! - Summary by ToddHWCast list:Titus, emperor of Rome: Adrian StephensBerenice, queen of Palestine: WendyKatzHillerAntiochus, king of Commagene: ToddHWPaulinus, a friend of Titus: TchaikovskyArsaces, a friend of Antiochus: Alan MapstonePhoenice, a friend of Berenice: ...

The book commences with a feast organized by Ahasuerus, initially for his court and dignitaries and afterwards for all inhabitants of Shushan. Ahasuerus orders his wife Vashti to display her beauty before the guests. She refuses, and the King's advisors warn that, if unpunished, her actions would inspire other wives to disobey their husbands. Ahasuerus removes her as queen. (Jews believe that she was executed, He then orders all young women to be presented to him, so he can choose a new queen to replace Vashti. One of these is Esther, who was orphaned at a young age and is being fostered by ...

George Sterling was born on Long Island, New York but spent most of his life in California where he had a successful career in business and finance. In later years he settled in the small coastal community of Carmel-by-the-Sea.Sterling's poetry was strongly influenced by the natural environment of Northern California, which was still largely unspoilt in his day, and particularly by the proximity of the vast Pacific Ocean.(Summary by Alan Mapstone)

It seems advisable to undertake a study of the American short story from year to year as it is represented in the American periodicals which care most to develop its art and its audiences, and to appraise so far as may be the relative achievement of author and magazine in the successful fulfillment of this aim. - Summary by Edward J. O'Brien, Editor

LibriVox volunteers bring you 16 recordings of The Best Thing in the World by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. This was the Weekly Poetry project for February 28th, 2010.

Betty Wales returns to Harding College as a more knowledgeable sophomore living in the Belden House. Betty matures over the course of the year through many social escapades. - Summary by thechapterbrook

My series of stories dealing with the wars of England would be altogether incomplete did it not include the period when the Romans were the masters of the country. The valour with which the natives of this island defended themselves was acknowledged by the Roman historians, and it was only the superior discipline of the invaders that enabled them finally to triumph over the bravery and the superior physical strength of the Britons. The Roman conquest for the time was undoubtedly of immense advantage to the people -- who had previously wasted their energies in perpetual tribal wars -- as it ...

The Betrothed (I Promessi Sposi) presents a kaleidoscope of individual stories, which are all tied together by the story of Lucia and Renzo, two young persons of humble origin that are deeply in love with one another. However, despite their great attachment, they are prevented from marrying by the cruel Don Rodrigo, who has himself cast an eye on the beautiful and pious Lucia. Don Rodrigo menaces the priest who was to perform the wedding ceremony, who then refuses to do his duty. Thus threatened and prevented from being married, the couple is separated, and the narration follows each of them ...

The Book of Job (American Standard Version) is presented in forty-two chapters and is one of the Old Testament Wisdom Books. The narrative chronicles the trials of Job as he is brought low from a comfortable and exalted position in his community to face loss of his fortune, children and health. Joined by three friends who initially commiserate and sympathize with him, there ensues a lengthy argument about the fate of the wicked and the just and much questioning about the character of God and the justice He metes out to his creations.A quite lively and poetic discussion ensues among these wise ...

A collection of adult stories - sad, humorous, and adventurous - about Man's Best Friend. NOTE: Some of these selections contain violence and racial stereotypes that will be objectionable to some listeners. - Summary by TriciaG

Ring Lardner is a typical parent when his first child is born, full of wonder and the rest of the usual emotions as he watches his little son grow. He wrote a series of 29 short poems on various facets of parenthood. (Summary by Jack Thro)