Download audio file (librivox_community_podcast_123.mp3)

Duration: 25m 15s.

Dickens at 200

Charles Dickens – love him or hate him? Why is he still so popular 200 years after his birth?

With contributions from Lucy Perry, Martin Geeson and Andy Minter, and with readings from:

Mrs. Watkins-Tottle from Sketches by Boz read by David Lazarus (david lazarus)

Our Mutual Friend read by Mil Nicholson (mermaid)

Bleak House read by Cynthia Lyons (acrobatty)

Der Weihnachtsabend – Eine Geistergeschichte read by Elli (aravis)

Een Kerstlied in Proza read by Bart de Leeuw (bart)

Wigilja Bożego Narodzenia read by Nina Brown (NinaBrown)

Frauds on the Fairies in Charles Dickens 200th Anniversary Collection Vol. 1 read by NoelBadrian (due for release 7th February: Dickens’ 200th birthday)

Little Dorrit read by Ellis Christoff (eli_christoff).

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To Subscribe to the Librivox Community Podcast, go to:
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Recent past LibriVox Community Podcast files can be found at our spot on: Archive.org and archived shows for previous years can be found at: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011

Archived shownotes for the Community Podcast can be found at:
http://librivox.org/category/librivox-community-podcast/

And the rss feed for those shownotes is:
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Let’s start in the West, in lovely green Ireland, where Clodagh, daughter of The Gambler Dennis Asshlin fights for her family’s honor – by marrying the wrong man. Find out in Katherine Thurston’s novel whether she can escape the Asshlin curse by traveling Europe.

When thinking about Portugal, one is often not aware what great discoveries we owe to this seafaring nation. The Lusiads by Luis Vas de Camões, a national epic in poem form, tells mainly about Vasco da Gama’s voyage to India.

To France we owe the first Declaration of Human Rights – and several great novels about people falsely accused and imprisoned. Read the tragic – and real – story of Alfred Dreyfus, an innocent sent to exile in Five Years of my Life 1894 – 1899.

Further to the North we get to another seafaring country, The Netherlands. With about 25 % of the country below sea level, water in all forms is an important topic. What more so when the big prize for the ice skating race is a pair of silver skates! Will Hans Brinker in the story by Mary Mapes Dodge win the race?

Värmland, a province of Sweden, also has many lakes and rivers. Selma Lagerlöf was born there and her debut novel The Story of Gösta Berling about a defrocked priest weaves local stories about cavaliers enjoying cards, music and loveaffairs, into a whole.

The end of love and marriage, and how it came about – by murdering his wife – is told by the main character of The Kreutzer Sonata, Pozdnyshev. This novel by Leo Tolstoy caused international outcries – and was promptly censored in Russia.

Eyes like the Sea is a love story between an artist and a woman who eventually chooses another husband. But the ties between them were made with rubber, loose and tight at different times… Mór Jókai’s novel won the 1890 prize for literature of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

Switzerland is famous for its mountains, and climbing them is no science, you think? It certainly is if you are the first to do so – like Edward Whymper who finally seized the peak of the Matterhorn in 1865. This and many other climbing expeditions are recalled in his book Scrambles among the Alps in the Years 1860 – 69.

Another impressive mountain lies on Sicily: Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe. On the opposite side of the island, Luigi Pirandello was born, the third of so far six Italian Nobel Prize winners for literature. His most famous play is Six Characters in Search of an Author.

About 1400 islands and 80% of mountains combine to Greece, considered the true Old World and the cradle of modern civilization and democracy. Herodotus was one of the first people to write a travelogue, his Histories provide a fascinating record of numerous countries, their affairs and traditions in the 5th century BC.

Enjoy your travels – and send a postcard!

Download audio file (librivox_community_podcast_122.mp3)

Duration: 51m. 27s.

Part Two of a Two-Part Series on Performing in LibriVox Dramatic Works.

With contributions from Carol Box, Linny, Elizabeth Klett, Arielle Lipshaw, David Barnes, Ezwa, JemmaBlythe, Denny Sayers, Andy Minter, and Algy Pug.
 

Bob Gonzalez: Intro and Preview of the show 00:00
Carol Box (carolb) on her experience reading dramatic parts for LibriVox 01:02
Linny on The Orange-Yellow Diamond and dramatic adaptations of fiction 03:24
Bob Gonzalez on working with Elizabeth Klett and Arielle Lipshaw 06:41
Elizabeth Klett (gloriana) dispelling a scandalous rumor 11:09
Arielle Lipshaw (wildemoose) on her LibriVox dramatic experiences 14:39
Bob Gonzalez on Barks & Purrs by Colette-Willy 21:22
 

King Lear in a week

Bob Gonzalez Intro 25:32
David Barnes (earthcalling) on the origin of the project 25:54
Ezwa on playing the King of France 31:55
JemmaBlythe on playing Regan 33:34
Denny Sayers (DSayers) on playing the Earl of Kent 35:05
Andy Minter (ExEmGee) on playing King Lear 38:38
 

Bob Gonzalez on his suggestion to Algy Pug 42:32
Algy Pug on “Why Another Two Lears?” 43:55

Bob Gonzalez – Conclusion & Outro 49:59

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To Subscribe to the Librivox Community Podcast, go to:
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http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=203970211

Recent past LibriVox Community Podcast files can be found at our spot on: Archive.org and archived shows for previous years can be found at: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Archived shownotes for the Community Podcast can be found at:
http://librivox.org/category/librivox-community-podcast/

And the rss feed for those shownotes is:
http://librivox.org/category/librivox-community-podcast/feed

Download audio file (librivox_community_podcast_121.mp3)

Duration: 73m. 11s.

Part One of a two-part series on Dramatic Works on LibriVox.

Introduction. – 0:00

Availle reports on activity in the Dramatic Works Forum – 1:29

Interview with Kristin G: Part 1 – 4:55

Ezwa sings Shakespeare – 11:26

Interview with Liberty Stump: Part 1 – 13:11

Lucy Perry on short dramatic roles – 20:25

Interview with Amy Gramour: Part 1 – 22:11

Martin Geeson speaks – 29:52

Interview with ChyAnne – 36:02

Algy Pug on “How to get Noticed” – 40:04

Kristin G talks about Peer Gynt – 42:20

Interview with Liberty Stump: Part 2 – 53:28

Interview with Marty Kryz – 59:21

Interview with Amy Gramour: Part 2 – 66:46

Conclusion & Outro – 72:07

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To Subscribe to the Librivox Community Podcast, go to:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/LibrivoxCommunityPodcast

Or hit this itunes link to get you to the subscribe page:
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=203970211

Recent past LibriVox Community Podcast files can be found at our spot on: Archive.org and archived shows for previous years can be found at: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011.

Archived shownotes for the Community Podcast can be found at:
http://librivox.org/category/librivox-community-podcast/

And the rss feed for those shownotes is:
http://librivox.org/category/librivox-community-podcast/feed

Today, many websites around the Internet have “gone dark” to protest against, and raise awareness about some very important proposed legislation in the United States, which could fundamentally alter how the Internet operates: House Bill 3261, The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and S.968, the PROTECT IP Act (PIPA).

Archive.org (where LibriVox hosts its audio), is going dark from 6:00 am – 6:00 pm PST on Wednesday January 18 (9:00 am – 9:00 pm EST – 14:00 – 02:00 GMT) as part of this important protest. This means that the LibriVox catalog will not be accessible during this time.

Legislation such as SOPA and PIPA directly affects libraries (pdf) such as the Internet Archive — and indeed LibriVox — which collect, preserve, and offer access to cultural materials. Furthermore, these laws can negatively affect the ecosystem of web publishing that led to the emergence of the LibriVox.

These bills would encourage the development of blacklists to censor sites with little recourse or due process. The Internet Archive (and with it LibriVox audio files) are already blacklisted in China. There are real concerns that this legislation could lead to similar blacklists in the United States.

For United States residents, please inform yourself of these issues, and if you think they are important, please take action.

For non-US residents: Sorry for dragging you into this, and if you are willing, you might wish to sign a petition to the State Department to express your concern.

New Year – New Resolutions, which are more often than not thrown out shortly after the Christmas decorations. But maybe the following 10 gems from our catalog help you keep them for longer this year.

Top Resolution #1 is doing less of stuff: drinking, smoking, eating… The successful treatment in the clinic of Charles B. Towns inspired one of his patients to set up Alcoholics Anonymous. Read the doctor’s book Habits that Handicap how addictions of any type come to pass and how to kick them.

Top Resolution #2 is doing more of stuff: exercising, reading, studying… The problem with this is usually a lack of time. But Arnold Bennett knows exactly How to Live on 24 Hours a Day and how to make the best of each one of them.

With all this time on your hands, you should certainly spend some of it on Isabella Beeton’s Book of Household Management. After all, you never know when you’ll have to wean a calf, cook dinner for 25 people or advise a new butler about his duties.

At least the latter is not a problem for the grandfather of Little Lord Fauntleroy, who also tries to teach real British manners to the young American boy. However, it soon becomes clear in the charming novel by Frances H. Burnett who is really the one in need of lessons.

Obviously, you cannot start such lessons early enough if you want them to stick. The Goop Directory by Gelett Burgess contains a number of little poems to teach the right behaviour to children.

Such lessons were certainly not taught to Harvey Cheyne, who ends up a rather spoilt brat. When he is swept overbord on the Atlantic, a group of fishermen save his life. Refusing him any further indulgences is what turns his life around, as can be read in Rudyard Kipling’s novel Captains Courageous.

Another life-turning experience is the one by little Tip. He receives a Bible and is encouraged to use it as a guiding light to turn around his naughty ways. Pansy’s book Tip Lewis and his Lamp tells you whether he succeeds or not.

Louisa May Alcott tells the story of the four March girls during the absence of their father in the civil war. We hear about their lives, their ambitions and sorrows on growing up to become Little Women.

We all change profoundly while growing up, but often we do not recognize this along the way. A barely fictionalized account of the coming of age of James Joyce is his highly acclaimed A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.

However you change, and whenever you do it, it’s best not to wait until the very end. Everyman can vouch for that, but not for having led a good life. Listen to our drama prodution to find out whether his friends help him through judgement.

Enjoy – and keep them resolutions!

Download audio file (librivox_community_podcast_120.mp3)

Duration: 48m. 39s.

Part Two of a two-part series on Performing Poetry on LibriVox.

With contributions from: Lucy Perry, Martin Geeson, Algy Pug, Leonard Wilson and TriciaG.

Bob Gonzalez – Introduction & Preview 00:00

Lucy Perry on hosting the 5th Anniversary podcast 01:58

Bob Gonzalez shrewdly analyzes Lucy Perry’s story 04:34

TriciaG’s persuasive promo for Faust II 07:00

Bob Gonzalez rambling on about performing poetry 08:14

Martin Geeson Part 1 – On the poetry voice 11:22

Bob Gonzalez interrupting with some further comments on Dylan Thomas 16:25

Algy Pug Part 1 on Poetry 18:28

Martin Geeson Part 2 21:32

Algy Pug Part 2 25:20

Leonard Wilson on performing poetry 29:54

Bob Gonzalez nattering on about reading vs. performing poetry 37:05

Martin Geeson Part 3 38:27

TriciaG – A blooper reel 44:13

Bob Gonzalez – Conclusion & Outro 48:05

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

To Subscribe to the Librivox Community Podcast, go to:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/LibrivoxCommunityPodcast

Or hit this itunes link to get you to the subscribe page:
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=203970211

Recent past LibriVox Community Podcast files can be found at our spot on: Archive.org and archived shows for previous years can be found at: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

Archived shownotes for the Community Podcast can be found at:
http://librivox.org/category/librivox-community-podcast/

And the rss feed for those shownotes is:
http://librivox.org/category/librivox-community-podcast/feed

Download audio file (librivox_community_podcast_119.mp3)

Duration: 33m. 47s.

Part One of a two-part series on Performing Poetry on LibriVox.

With contributions from: Scott Werner, Lars Rolander, Lucy Perry, Carol Box, Piotrek81, Rhonda Federman, Timothy Ferguson, and TriciaG.

Bob Gonzalez – Introduction & Preview 00:00

Scott Werner, KZ88 – Thanks to LibriVox 01:09

Lars Rolander – Branching out into reading poetry, How to find new poetry 03:48

The Weekly Poem: November 11, 2005
In Flanders Fields by John McCrae 06:30

Lucy Perry on the Weekly Poetry & Excerpt from her favorite reader 08:24

Carol Box on her poetry experience & excerpts from Algy Pug and Leonard Wilson 12:59

Piotrek81 on reading poetry on LibriVox 16:51

Rhonda Federman on her experience and thoughts on reading poetry 18:54

Bob Gonzalez on rhapsodes ancient and contemporary 20:15

Timothy Ferguson on an under-represented Australian poet 23:50

TriciaG – A blooper reel 28:24

Bob Gonzalez – Conclusion & Outro 32:26

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

To Subscribe to the Librivox Community Podcast, go to:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/LibrivoxCommunityPodcast

Or hit this itunes link to get you to the subscribe page:
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=203970211

Recent past LibriVox Community Podcast files can be found at our spot on: Archive.org and archived shows for previous years can be found at: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

Archived shownotes for the Community Podcast can be found at:
http://librivox.org/category/librivox-community-podcast/

And the rss feed for those shownotes is:
http://librivox.org/category/librivox-community-podcast/feed

Let’s start with the obvious: Christmas! You know the story: Bethlehem, manger, shepherds, star, three wise men,… Well, there is also the Story of the other Wise Man, who got lost on the way… Listen to the story by Henry van Dyke to find out if he reached his goal in the end.

Great similarities there are between the story of Jesus and that of John the Baptist. His life starts around the same time, and ends almost equally tragic: through the sheer stubbornness of Salome. Listen to our dramatic production of Oscar Wilde’s play.

Henryk Sienkiewicz tells about the burning of Rome by Emperor Nero, and the love that blossoms in its ruins between the Roman Marcus Vinicius and the Christian Lygia, in his famous book Quo Vadis.

“Where are you going?” is also asked of Evan McIan and James Turnbull. The devout Catholic and convinced atheist wander about to find a good spot for their duel. Whether the former gains satisfaction from the latter for insulting the Virgin Mary can be read in G. K. Chesterton’s novel The Ball and the Cross.

Seeking satisfaction and revenge was the cause for the War between the Kauravas and the Pandavas. The big battle shall start tomorrow, but the warrior Arjuna has doubts over the killing. This is when Krishna takes him aside and their talk is recorded as the Bhagavad Gita, the central text of Hindu theology. This recording is also available in German.

Buddhism is the other important Eastern religion, and it goes back to the prince Gautama Buddha, who left his palace to seek enlightenment. Read the famous Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse to delve deeper into the life of Buddha.

The prophet Mohammed is considered the founder of Islam, as its most sacred text has been written down by him. Since then, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran has been sought for by countless people. This specific translation is by Mohammed M. Pickthall.

Mary Antin’s family left their Jewish traditions behind in Russia, when they emigrated to America. Read Mary’s touching accout of their new life in The Promised Land where they hoped to find peace and acceptance.

The ancestors of Charles Alexander Eastman, also known as Ohiyesa, emigrated also to North America, albeit thousands of years ago. Read The Soul of the Indian for an in depth view of their unique religion.

Let’s get back to where we started: Christmas. If baking cookies, wrapping presents and other holiday activities contribute to a heightened feeling of stress rather than spirituality, take a break with the first volume of our Hymn Collection.

Happy holidays to people of all faiths!

Download audio file (librivox_community_podcast_118.mp3)

Duration: 59m. 33s.

A Podcast of Thanksgiving, Praise and Tribute of LibriVox readers and other volunteers.

With contributions from: Carol Box, Algy Pug, TriciaG, Lars Rolander, Availle, libraryanne, Martin Geeson, Lucy Perry, Jim Postlewaite, and Jim Mowatt and Sean McGaughey (ductapeguy).

Bob Gonzalez Intro and Preview: A Thanksgiving Show 00:00
Carol Box A Cornucopia of Praise 01:57

Jim & Sean (Part 1) Podcasts are hard work 04:23
Bob Gonzalez Comments on podcast hosting 06:44

Algy Pug (Part 1) On Henry V trio 08:20
Jim & Sean (Part 2) Highlights of past podcasts 12:01

TriciaG Bloopers Part 1 – Vocal Flubs 13:38
Lars Rolander On Edgar Rice Burroughs 18:28

Availle 03:47 On Better Angel by Richard Meeker 22:54
Jim & Sean (Part 3) iPod & Philosophy plus 26:52

Betty (libraryanne) On the Christmas Carol collections 29:00
Martin Geeson On J.C. Guan 29:53

Jim & Sean (Part 4) Public domain LibriVox contrib 35:55
Algy Pug (Part 2) On Lucy Perry 38:26

Lucy Perry A Cornucopia of Praise and Thanks 40:12
Jim Postlewaite Thankful for LibriVox 44:38

Jim & Sean (Part 5) Tribute to Alan David Drake 46:46
Algy Pug Part 3 On Jason Mills 48:45

Bob Gonzalez Tribute to Philippa (russiandoll) 51:38
TriciaG Bloopers Part 2 – Animals & birds interrupting 54:39

Jim & Sean (Part 6) Finale – Final thanks 57:12
Bob Gonzalez Outro: Future Podcasts 58:33

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

To Subscribe to the Librivox Community Podcast, go to:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/LibrivoxCommunityPodcast

Or hit this itunes link to get you to the subscribe page:
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=203970211

Recent past LibriVox Community Podcast files can be found at our spot on: Archive.org and archived shows for previous years can be found at: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

Archived shownotes for the Community Podcast can be found at:
http://librivox.org/category/librivox-community-podcast/

And the rss feed for those shownotes is:
http://librivox.org/category/librivox-community-podcast/feed