Showing results by narrator "Larry Jones" in All Categories

With a name like Ivan the Terrible, it comes as no surprise that historians consider this Russian Tsar a psychopath. Yet Ivan’s personality consisted of many dualities. He channeled the Medieval era as he committed mass murder, but he also reformed Russia, centralizing it and bringing it into the Renaissance. He liked to torture animals, but he could also be found in church, banging his head in repentance until it bled. This introduction to his life explores the legacy he was born into and deftly contextualizes his cruelty within the era and culture of his rule.

Before George Washington was president, he was a great general. He understood not only how to lead men into battle, but also how to keep them fighting when things became bleak. After the brutal Battle of Long Island, Washington wrote to the president of the Continental Congress. In his letter, he described the distressing nature of the situation and how best to maintain an army when morale was low.

Have you ever wondered if there is more to financial investing than a four-part, 25 percent in growth stock mutual funds approach? Have you ever questioned if a focus on stock market investing, college savings, and paying off the home early can really create long-term wealth? Have you ever had the thought that maybe certain financial "experts" have painted themselves into a corner when it comes to advanced money management practices?

As the Revolutionary War came to an end, Congress had failed to pay many of its soldiers. In response, a group of officers from the Continental Army planned a mutiny. When they met to discuss their plans, George Washington arrived on the scene to have his say. In this emotional speech, he acknowledged their concerns but condemned their methods.

Grace Kelly only graced American film screens from 1950-1956. She came from a line of successful individuals, and her short career was no exception; she starred in numerous films, worked with legendary director Alfred Hitchcock, and won an Academy Award. She also won the heart of the Prince of Monaco, whom she wed in 1956. She reigned as a philanthropic princess until her dramatic death on a winding Monaco street in 1982. This biography serves as an introduction to her life and legacy as a film princess.

At his 70th birthday party, Mark Twain delivered this delightful retrospective of his life. He dished out sarcastic advice on how he’d made it so far, discussing diet, sleep, cigars, alcohol, and exercise, among other topics. In the end, he said, “I am seventy; seventy, and would nestle in the chimney-corner, and smoke my pipe, and read my book, and take my rest, wishing you well in all affection.” He died three years later.

When prompted to give a speech at his 67th birthday party, Mark Twain was at no loss for wit. Several notable individuals proceeded him, heaping compliments upon him, so Twain began his speech by saying, “You cannot talk on compliments; that is not a text. No modest person, and I was born one, can talk on compliments.” So instead, he proceeded to give compliments back to his notable friends who were in attendance.

Edgar Allan Poe is a master of short horror stories, and “The Cask of Amontillado” is among his finest. This woeful tale comes from a mysterious narrator seeking revenge against an acquaintance, the ironically ill-fortuned Fortunato. The narrator lures him into his family’s crypt with the promise of fine Amontillado wine, but though two go down only one returns. The ending lines will leave readers with a chill running down their spine and a thirst for more Poe.

"An Account of An Extraordinary Fireball Bursting at Sea" is a short, first hand account of a phenomenal event that occured in 1749. Aboard his ship Montague, the author witnessed a blue fireball on the Mediterranean Sea. Some believe it to be a first hand account of a UFO.

Mark Twain gave this speech at an event honoring Andrew Carnegie, who helped found the Simplified Spelling Board. Twain mentions how uncomfortable it is to only receive compliments when one is the guest of honor, so he critiques Carnegie’s “pestiferous” ideas about spelling reform. In doing so, he provides his own suggestions for fixing “this present silly alphabet, which I fancy was invented by a drunken thief.” This speech is a fine example of the brazen humor that made Twain himself famous.

George Washington gained a reputation for military excellence for his service in the French and Indian War. This experience, combined with his unique situation as a relative outsider, made him an obvious choice to lead the Continental Army. Washington managed to get a ragtag army into fighting form, leading them to victory against all odds. Yet he remained humble; in this acceptance speech, he said, “I am truly sensible of the high Honor done me in this Appointment.... I do not think myself equal to the Command I am honored with.”

For the first time in history, the debt of the most powerful government on Earth, leading the world’s largest economy, has been downgraded by Standard & Poor’s to Double AA from a perfect Triple AAA. The political grandstanding of the Republicans and Democrats over the debt ceiling made many Americans and others around the world doubt our leadership. And many feel the final deal doesn’t go far enough to reduce US government spending.

Pauite leader Wovoka founded the Ghost Dance movement in the late 1880s as conditions for Native Americans became increasingly hopeless. Wovoka declared himself the messiah and spread the news that Indians were to prepare themselves for salvation through this spiritual practice. In this message, also called “The Messiah Letter”, Wovoka provides instructions for the Ghost Dance. He promises, “When the time comes there will be no more sickness and everyone will be young again.”

Join a bestselling author and an internationally published psychologist in an entertaining look at successfully dealing with intimidating personality types. Get prepared for crucial conversations with the top seven personality types and learn how successful leaders deal with their challenges. Mastery in dealing with difficult people and tense situations is a learned skill, and through this program you will learn techniques that will allow you to easily and rapidly handle interpersonal communications issues.

A master of wit and wry humor on the page, Mark Twain also gained acclaim as a speaker throughout his literary career. Twain delivered this address on theoretical morality vs. practical morality to the New Vagabonds Club of London. With his signature tongue-in-cheek humor, he tells the audience that the only way to learn practical morality is by committing immoral acts in order to “vaccinate” oneself against committing them in the future. Presented with anecdotes from his childhood, this Twain speech masterfully walks the line between light-hearted humor and biting truth.

Money is a struggle for a lot of people. Billions of people struggle to make enough money. Millions can't seem to dig their way out of crushing debt. Most are living paycheck to paycheck, trying to figure out if they will ever get ahead, financially. Are you one of those people? Well, believe it or not, I know you are capable of creating a financial turnaround. You can be the hero of your money story. You only need a guide to show you the way.

This audiobook features stories from life on the Jesus Road.

A handbook for new Christians following the Jesus Road.

Mark Twain was commissioned to deliver this speech before the virgin voyage of the St. Paul steamship. On the day of its scheduled departure from Philadelphia to England, however, it could not be moved. Had Twain delivered it, this is among the charming witticisms he would have shared: “I have gone over the same road so many times now that I know all the whales that belong along the route, and latterly it is an embarrassment to me to meet them, for they do not look glad to see me, but annoyed, and they seem to say: ‘Here is this old derelict again.’”

With this biting speech, Mark Twain dissects the damaging role newspapers can play in society. He argues that America’s public opinion is formed “by a horde of ignorant, self-complacent simpletons who failed at ditching and shoemaking and fetched up in journalism on their way to the poorhouse.” Twain accompanies these criticisms with personal anecdotes and tales of libel both humorous and disheartening. He concludes by saying that there are virtues to newspapers, but such remarks would not have made for such an interesting speech.