Showing results by narrator "Lawrence Skinner" in All Categories

"Robinson Crusoe" is a novel by Daniel Defoe. It was published under the full title "The Life and Strange Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, Of York, Mariner: Who lived Eight and Twenty Years, all alone in an un-inhabited Island on the Coast of America, near the Mouth of the Great River of Oroonoque; Having been cast on Shore by Shipwreck, wherein all the Men perished but himself. With An Account how he was at last as strangely deliver'd by Pyrates".

"Kidnapped" is a historical adventure, a "boys' novel" by Robert Louis Stevenson. The full title of the book gives away major parts of the plot and creates the false impression that the novel is autobiographical.

"Conquest Over Time" (1956) is a science fiction story by Michael Shaara. Excerpt: "Now this here planet," he said cautiously, "is whacky in a lot of ways. First of all they call it Mert. Just plain Mert. And they live in houses strictly from Dickens, all carriages, no sewers, narrow streets, stuff like that." But that wasn't all… Travis, in reaching Diomed III before any others, found himself waging a one-man fight against more than this; he was bucking the strangest way of life you have ever heard of!

"The Poison Belt" is a science fiction novella by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle about Professor Challenger. Challenger sends telegrams asking his three companions from The Lost World - Edward Malone, Lord John Roxton, and Professor Summerlee - to join him at his home outside London, and instructs each of them to 'bring oxygen'. On arrival, they are ushered into a sealed room, along with Challenger and his wife.

"The Adventures of Pinocchio" by Carlo Collodi is a fairy novel, about the mischievous adventures of an animated marionette named Pinocchio and his father, a poor woodcarver named Geppetto. It is considered a canonical piece of children's literature and has inspired hundreds of new editions, stage plays, merchandising and movies, such as Walt Disney's iconic animated version and commonplace ideas such as a liar's long nose.

"Nightmare Abbey" is a Gothic satire about the romantic movement in contemporary English literature, its morbid subjects, misanthropy and transcendental philosophical systems. Most of the characters are based on historical figures whom Peacock wishes to ridicule. The main character is Christopher Glowry, Esquire, a morose widower who lives with his only son in his shabby family mansion. Mr. Glowry has servants with long faces or dismal names such as Raven, Graves or Deathshead.

"The Lone Star Ranger" is a Western novel that takes place in Texas, the Lone Star State, and several main characters are Texas Rangers, a famous band of highly capable law enforcement officers. It follows the life of Buck Duane, a man who becomes an outlaw and then redeems himself in the eyes of the law.

Excerpt: "I found myself, not so many years ago, "on the beach" at Melbourne, in Australia. To be on the beach is not an uncommon occurrence for a sailor; but, since the question is suggested, I will say that I was not a very dissipated young fellow of twenty-five, for up to that time I had never even tasted rum in any form, although I had followed the sea for seven years."

"The Ebb-Tide" is a novel written by Robert Louis Stevenson and his stepson Lloyd Osbourne. Three beggars operate in the port of Papeete on Tahiti. They are Herrick, a failed English businessman; Davis, an American sea captain disgraced by the loss of his last ship; and Huish, a dishonest Cockney of various employments. One day they see THE opportunity to steal a ship and its cargo, but being trapped into an insurance scam, their hopes prove to be in vain.

"Around the World in Eighty Days" is a classic adventure novel by Jules Verne, published in 1873. In the story, Phileas Fogg of London and his newly employed French valet Passepartout attempt to circumnavigate the world in 80 days set by his friends at the Reform Club. Any delay, any breakdown, any missed connection, and Fogg would lose - everything.

"The Lost World" describes an expedition to a plateau in South America where prehistoric creatures including dinosaurs still survive. This book is a part of the Professor Challenger Series by Doyle. Professor Challenger is an aggressive, hot-tempered, dominating figure, and also a pretentious and self-righteous scientific jack-of-all-trades.

"This World Is Taboo" (1961) by Murray Leinster is a science fiction novel. Excerpt: He called Murgatroyd, placed him before the communicator, and set it at voice-only transmission. This was familiar enough, to Murgatroyd. He'd often seen Calhoun use a communicator."Chee!" shrilled Murgatroyd. "Chee-chee!" A startled voice came out of the speaker: "What's that?" "Chee," said Murgatroyd zestfully. The communicator was talking to him. Murgatroyd adored three things, in order.

"The Calico Cat" (1908) is a novel by Charles Miner Thompson. Excerpt: There in the sun, prone upon the top of the fence, dozed the bane of his life - the Calico Cat. Her coat was made up of patches of yellow and white, varied with a black stocking on her right hind leg, and a large, round, black spot about her right eye, which gave her a peculiarly predatory and disreputable appearance. Solomon had disliked her at sight. Ever since he had bought the house in Ellmington he had been trying to drive her from the premises, but stay away she would not. Not all the missiles in existence could convince her that his house was not a desirable place of abode. And she was a constant vexation and annoyance.

Artist Bio Author: Charles Miner Thompson (1864-1941) was an American journalist, editor of the Youth’s Companion. His most known works are: "The Nimble Dollar", "Life of Ethan Allen", "An Army Mule".

Excerpt from the short story "The Burial of the Guns": Lee surrendered the remnant of his army at Appomattox, April 9, 1865, and yet a couple of days later the old Colonel's battery lay entrenched right in the mountain-pass where it had halted three days before. Two weeks previously it had been detailed with a light division sent to meet and repel a force which it was understood was coming in by way of the southwest valley to strike Lee in the rear of his long line from Richmond to Petersburg. It had done its work.

"This Side of Paradise" (1920) is the debut novel of F. Scott Fitzgerald about the lives and morality of post-World War I youth, written in three parts: "Book One: The Romantic Egotist", "Interlude", "Book Two: The Education of a Personage". The book ends with Amory's iconic lament, "I know myself, but that is all".