A collection of ten railroad short stories: "And so these are the stories of the Hill Division and of the men who wrought upon it; the stories of those days when it was young and in the making; the stories of the days when Carleton, 'Royal' Carleton, was superintendent, when gruff, big-hearted, big-paunched Tommy Regan was master mechanic, when the grizzled, gray-streaked Harvey was division engineer, and little Doctor McTurk was the Company surgeon, and Riley was the trainmaster, and Spence was the chief despatcher; the stories of men who have done brave duty and come to honor and glory and their reward—and the stories of some who have gone into Division for the last time on orders from the Great Trainmaster, and who will never railroad any more." (Frank L. Packard)
21 episodes
This lively collection of stories by Q, aka the imaginative and prolific man of letters Arthur Quiller-Couch, includes tales of mystery, horror, and adventure. Beware. There will be ghosts, pirates, scholars, death, taxes, at least one princess, and a ship named the White Wolf. - Summary by A. Gramour
27 episodes
Jim Kjelgaard has long wanted to tell the story of the gallant dogs who have gone out with the monks of St. Bernard Hospice to rescue travelers lost in the deep snows of the Swiss mountain passes. Unable to find the facts, he decided to reconstruct the tale as he feels it might have been. The result is this very moving story of a simple mountain boy and his devoted dog.
Franz Halle felt he was worthless because he could not manage book learning, but his schoolmaster and the village pastor knew that the boy had a priceless knowledge all his own. The kindly priest secured work for Franz at near-by St. Bernard Hospice, helping a gentle giant of a man who made it possible for him to keep his beloved Alpine mastiff, Caesar, although the huge animal refused to earn his keep, even by turning the spit. When the scarcity of food forced Caesar's reluctant banishment, Franz—who had joined the monks in their daily patrol of the dangerous passes—proved that where even he, with all his rare knowledge of the ways of the blizzards, might fail, a dog could detect a man buried under an avalanche! So Franz and his brave helper initiated the rescue work of the St. Bernard dogs that was to become famous throughout the world. - Summary from the book
14 episodes
The Mysteries of London was a best-selling novel in mid-Victorian England, published in four volumes. This is the third volume. Initially serialized in weekly installments, they were the forerunners of today's soap operas. Known as "Penny Dreadfuls", they had no claim to literary brilliance but offered readers entertainment and excitement in the form of vice, poverty, wealth, virtue, mystery, romance and scandal in every combination and reached a mass audience. - Summary by Lynne Thompson
116 episodes
The Boys are off on another series of adventures, beginning in San Francisco, where a run in with arch-enemy Dan Baxter leads them into the South Seas with their girlfriends in tow. Several ship mishaps later, they all land on a desert island to become turn of the last century Crusoes. - Summary by Matt Pierard
30 episodes
Las fábulas ideadas por H.G. Wells (1866-1946), uno de los padres, acaso el más notable, de la ciencia ficción, han demostrado a lo largo del tiempo mantener un vigor y tocar unos resortes del inconsciente humano que a menudo las han elevado a iconos del mundo moderno. "La guerra de los mundos" (1898), relato trepidante que narra la invasión de la Tierra por los marcianos y que supuso por primera vez la irrupción de seres de otros planetas en el nuestro, marcó en buena medida la fantasía del siglo XX y no tardó en convertirse en uno de los más importantes de la ciencia ficción, sirviendo de inspiración a numerosos artistas posteriores en los ámbitos de la radio, el cine, la literatura, el cómic y la televisión. Summary by Phileas Fogg.
27 episodes
A moving adventure story narrated by Thomas Wingfield, an Englishman, for Queen Elizabeth 1 of England about the murder of his mother, his trail of vengeance against the murderer which leads him to the Spanish Inquisition, slavery, romance and living under Montezuma in his kingdom which is now called Mexico. Summary by Patrick79
41 episodes
Guy Boothby's fourth novel of five about the svelte mysterious anti-hero Dr Nikola sees him progress further on his search for immortality. Here we find him deep in the wilds of Northumbria conducting an experiment of longevity and restoration of youth with another somewhat naive assistant. He is pursued by his Chinese enemies who will stop at nothing to achieve his demise. In this novel he displays a slight hint of emotion regarding his assistant's love affair with a beautiful Spaniard. Once again you are left wondering whether you like him or detest him, his relentless pursuit of arcane knowledge at all cost continues. (Summary by Peter Keeble)
9 episodes
The Survivors of the Chancellor is a poignant and tragic tale of terror and intrigue on the high seas. Through raging storms, emaciating hunger and thirst, shipwreck and mutiny…follow the passengers of The Chancellor as they descend from one layer of hell to the next; never knowing if they will live another day. Horrific tragedy befalls them one after another, chipping away at the resolve and sanity of the passengers and crew. This tale is told in the first person, from the point of view of one of the passengers, J. R. Kazallon. He and seven other passengers debark from Charleston, South Carolina with twenty crew…and never arrive at their destination in England.
(Summary by Joe DeNoia)
58 episodes
First published in 1963, this is another adventure in the Rick Brant Science series, set on Chesapeake Bay and involving mysterious, sting ray-shaped drones and missing persons. (synopsis by Matt Pierard)
20 episodes
Tish Carberry reluctantly takes her two best friends, Aggie and Lizzie, on a camping trip into the hills of their Midwestern American town, only to fall in with outlaws on the lam from a train robbery! Comic adventure ensues. - Summary by Matt Pierard
6 episodes
Grown and raised on the streets of Chicago; a ruthless, brawling beast of a man who detests all that “class” and “highbrow society” has to offer. Shanghaied and put into service upon a pirate’s vessel to kidnap an affluent business man’s daughter on the high seas. Shipwrecked with mutineering shipmates, Billy Byrne now fights to rescue the young woman from not only these pirates, but ancient samurai headhunters that inhabit this lonely island…and to find the man that truly lies inside the beast.
Summary by Joe DeNoia
18 episodes
Frank L. Packard worked as a civil engineer for the Canadian Pacific Railway. He brings this experience to the fictional Hill Division -- those those twisting, climbing, dangerous and glorious miles of track that lead from the Division Point at Big Cloud over the magnificent but treacherous Rockies to the straight and level Pacific Division. Here are fifteen stories of exciting times on the Hill Division and of the remarkable men—Regan, Carlton, Spence and all the others—whose determination, ability, even heroism, tamed the fabulous Hill Division. (Summary by Delmar H Dolbier)
15 episodes
Demônios é um conto de terror, com temática sobrenatural. Em um dia que parece não ter início nem fim, um escritor desperta e observa que não houve amanhecer. As horas passam e o dia não surge. Não bastasse a treva que domina o ambiente, o escritor descobre que aqueles que o cercavam jaziam mortos. Em meio ao pânico e ao desespero, sai em busca de sua amada, Laura, na esperança de encontrá-la, enfrentando o desconhecido e o pavor daquela noite interminável. - Summary by Rogerio Maciel
4 episodes
In The Well at the World's End, Ralph of Upmeads, youngest son of the King of Upmeads, leaves home (where nothing exciting ever happens) without permission and sets out looking for adventure. When he hears rumors of a well that exudes water with magical properties, he is intrigued and begins his quest. Along the way, he travels through various towns and wildernesses and meets -- and is sometimes led astray by -- a host of interesting people including a mysterious knight, a beautiful woman who may be a goddess, a treacherous servant, a brave tavern wench, a barbarian warrior, a solitary sage, and a sadistic king. Book 4 finishes his adventure. - Summary by Kristingj
32 episodes
After being framed for a murder he didn’t commit, law enforcement arrests Billy Byrne…The Mucker… as he returns to the streets of Grand Avenue. Sentenced for the crime, he escapes custody en route to jail, and begins wandering America's roads as a homeless and penniless hobo. Joined by Bridge, a wandering poet and fellow soul on the road they escape a chasing detective and cross the border into Mexico to live in freedom, where the country is torn between two warring factions. Now the Mucker must join one side in a fight against the other, facing treachery within the ranks, robbing banks and facing savage local indians just to survive this outlaw country. (Summary by Joe DeNoia)
17 episodes
A mysterious death. A wealthy beautiful young lady. Three men after her heart. Place this mixture in the snow bound northwest and you have the ingredients of a first rate mystery. (summary by Richard Kilmer)
25 episodes
"The death of a patriarch, unexpected inheritance of a second son, dark and stormy castle, faithful retainers, scary governess who never speaks, star-crossed lovers -- I could go on, but that would involve spoilers! All you'd want and expect from a Gothic romance. One more thing -- real men do cry!"
(summary by sylviamb)
21 episodes
As a boy Andy Adams helped with the cattle and horses on the family farm. During the early 1880s he went to Texas, where he stayed for 10 years, spending much of that time driving cattle on the western trails.
A Texas Matchmaker is a narrative that describes the work of a cowboy on a large southTexas ranch during the late 1800’s. Adams is considered to be one of foremost writers of the life of the real American cowboy. (Summary by Richard Kilmer)
22 episodes
An anthology of short stories, anecdotes and observations of sport and adventure in Canada. Tobogganing, snowshoeing , ice skating and hockey all feature, along with other cold-weather pursuits.
35 episodes
Subtitled "Captain Hayward's Body Guard”. An adventure story for boys.
14 episodes
Jimmy 'Flash' Evans, 17, ace photographer for The Brandale Ledger, tries his hand at the newsreel game in this upbeat, pre-war adventure. The listed author, Frank Bell, was actually the prolific Mildred Wirt Benson, most famous for writing the early Nancy Drew novels under the pseudonym Carolyn Keene. - Summary by Matt Pierard
25 episodes
This is an historical fiction novel. Many real characters of history are included, as well as fictitious ones. The saga takes place in the period slightly before the American Revolution, and extends for some years after that war. It covers the first movement of southern colonists, over the mountains, into Kentucky, then into the lands that would become Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. The battles to take these lands from the British make up much of the drama. The characters also move into New Orleans to face off with the French. This was a major best selling novel when released. The writer, Winston Churchill, was a most prominent American novelist of the time. The Prime Minister of England, Winston S. Churchill, was his contemporary, but no family relation. This book contains content that some listeners might find offensive. (Summary by Bob Rollins)
50 episodes
Third entry in series of mystery-adventures about Midshipman Bill Bolton, a 17-year-old US Navy pilot. - Summary by Matt Pierard
17 episodes
The Wanderer’s Necklace is classic Haggard, filled with adventure, intrigue, and steadfastness in the face of overwhelming obstacles. “The Editor" recalls his past life as Olaf, an 8th century Norseman. Olaf opens the ancient tomb of the Wanderer and discovers a sword and half a necklace on the warrior’s crumbling skeleton. Olaf must find the other half of the necklace, and the woman who wears it. Love, betrayal, a clash with Norse god Odin, and the attentions of toxic Byzantine Empress Irene test Olaf to his limits (Tom Penn)
21 episodes
In this third installment from the “Ragged Dick” series by Horatio Algers, Jr., the reader is reacquainted with some old friends and meets young Mark Manton. Mark is a match boy plagued by bad luck and an even worse guardian. But, with new friends, hard work, and smart choices, Mark may just find his luck taking a turn for the better. summary by tfaulder
13 episodes
Ferns Hollow is the sad, but sweet story of a young boy who tragically loses his parents and has to care for his two sisters and crazed grandfather. He finds himself in many difficult situations which test his faith and courage. This book is about how he made it through many trials with God's grace and guidance, learning many life lessons on the way. - Summary by fiddlesticks
23 episodes
Rodolphe is the Grand Duke of Gerolstein, a fictional kingdom of Germany, but disguises himself as a Parisian worker. He can speak in the secret language of criminals, is extremely strong and a good fighter. However, he shows great compassion for the lower classes, good judgment, and has a brilliant mind. In the story, he moves through different layers of society, and understands their problems and how they are all linked. (Modified from Wikipedia)
27 episodes
Frank Benton, himself a wealthy rancher, provides a series of first-hand sketches of cowboy life of the late 19th and early 20th century from stories gathered from the "sidetrack." These were working cowpunchers with a subculture of their own who did the day-to-day work of the ranches. This is an important part of American history preserved for us in these stories. - Summary by Larry Wilson
25 episodes
Farewell Nikola is the fifth and last novel of the Dr Nikola series. We are reacquainted with Richard "Dick" Hatteras, former South Seas adventurer and Roustabout who clashed with Dr Nicola in “A Bid for Fortune". He is now Sir Richard Hatteras and firmly married. He is taking a long sojourn with his wife and companions in Venice, where quite by chance (or is it ?) he bumps into Dr Nikola, who despite their stormy past, is the height of affability. He is still suave, cosmopolitan, cultivated and just as unscrupulous as he ever was. We discover that Nikola lives alone in Venice in a dilapidated palace with a macabre history.
Hatteras is drawn once more into a tangled web spun by Dr Nikola who reveals something of his own past and presents a side of himself that we have never seen.
He still regards himself above all laws, and follows his own strange code of conduct. If you thought that words like empathy, compassion, contrition would never have featured in the lexicon of Dr Nicola then be prepared for a surprise. - Summary by Peter Keeble
14 episodes
Published in 1916, this book collects eleven stories originally published in several different magazines. Beach’s adventure stories were immensely popular throughout the early 1900s. - Summary by David Wales
17 episodes
Within his mysterious stronghold, "The Cave of Terrible Things," on the Maroon coast of Jamaica, washed by the waters of the Caribbean Sea, Red Jabez, Sultan of Pirates, had just died. Dolores, his daughter, "a splendidly lithe, glowing creature of beauty and passion," "a royal woman conscious of mental and physical perfection," succeeded her father as tyrant over the motley crew. Moved to mutiny by Rufe, the Spaniard, the pirates had risen in revolt to loot the rich treasure of the dead Sultan's cave; but supported by Milo, Dolores had cowed them, no less by her dagger than her threats. - Summary by The Book
25 episodes
Action and adventure short stories of men and animals in the wild. - Summary by David Wales
14 episodes
¿Es necesario describir los tres mosqueteros? Advierta el lector que serán más bien cuatro..., pero no adelantemos acontecimientos sin permiso del Rey o, al menos, de la Reina. - Summary by Tux
70 episodes
"The Regeneration of Lord Ernie is a story about a young man with no passion for life, he was very capable and the heir to a large family fortune but just not interested in life. His father employs a teacher, John Hendricks, to take him on a world tour and try to inspire him. In the final stage of the tour in desperation he takes him to the Jura mountains, where he went as a young man, to visit a pastor he stayed with. During the stay they get involved with pagan worship that involves the transforming power of wind and fire, up in the mountains.
Algernon Blackwood manages to evoke the atmosphere and tensions that carry Lord Ernie through transformation to lead a new life. But like a shooting stars he burns bright but ...... "( Patrick79)
11 episodes
This is the first story in the Texan series by Joseph Altsheler. The Texan Star outlines the great Texan struggle for freedom, following the adventures of the main character, Ned Fulton. (Summary by Edmonds)
22 episodes
D’Artagnan, son of a poor Gascon aristocrat, travels to Paris to seek his fortune. His family connections enable him to obtain a position in a Guard regiment. His provincial ingenuousness and his hot-headed sense of honor earn him three duels in as many hours. Thankfully, his preparation with the sword is sufficient to recommend himself to his Musketeer antagonists, and they – Athos, Porthos, and Aramis – become his fast friends.
But fate also crosses D’Artagnan’s path with some dangerous people who become his opponents: a mysterious “man from Meung” and a woman who styles herself Milady, who has formidable seduction skills and a heart that is mean and violent. Fate also inserts D’Artagnan and his Musketeer friends squarely in the middle of a love triangle of heroic proportions – between Anne of Austria (the Queen of France), George Villiers (the Duke of Buckingham, France’s enemy), and the great spymaster, his Eminence the Cardinal Richelieu. Both of these gentlemen can command the armed forces of their respective countries to battle simply for the pleasure of beating the other. And the Musketeers must serve and risk life and limb at the siege of La Rochelle, a place where the Duke and the Cardinal have chosen to match wills.
In this age it was common for young cavaliers to live off the gifts of rich mistresses, and the four friends are certainly, it seems, bereft otherwise, although all are respectably employed as guardsmen to the King himself. Their love connections weave a further web about them which often seems to sidetrack their duty to King and country.
It takes all the efforts of the four to fend off the lethal consequences of mixing in the affairs of their betters and the slings and arrows (not to mention the musket and cannon balls!) of their outrageous fortunes. (Mark F. Smith)
69 episodes
What if the Confederacy had won the American Civil War? It’s July 1864 and three oh-so-young Union troopers are assigned to a mountaintop in Tennessee to be a link in a chain of flag signalers across a ridge of mountains. They encounter a dizzying gorge with a rickety bridge, bears, aching heartache, freezing cold, avalanche, bats, skeletons, deserted cabins, puzzling mysteries, starvation, and more. (David Wales)
14 episodes
Indian Boyhood is a lively and appealing first-person recounting of the life of a Sioux child in the last days of the tribe's "wild" life in the 19th century, before they succumbed to fences, boundaries, and other constrictions of civilization. Charles Eastman, born in 1858 in Minnesota, spent his childhood first in the forests of the land of lakes and later in the wide-open prairies of the Dakota territory. He describes his comprehensive training in woodcraft, horsemanship, and hunting, and retells many stories from his elders that were so important in conveying his tribe's oral traditions. Eastman does not minimize the ever-present danger that children experienced in such an upbringing, but he also does not lose his sense of the fun and excitement of it all. Listeners will probably wish they could similarly jump on their pony and gallop across the wild and free prairie like the young Ohiyesa.
24 episodes
This is a sequel to Texan Star and continues the adventures of young Ned Fulton as he finds himself a part of the struggle for Texans to defend against the Mexican army and reach independence. In his travels across the state he meets historical figures involved in the struggles on both sides. It has the hallmarks of a good Western novel set in an historical background. The trilogy is finished with The Texan Triumph. (Summary by aniroo)
20 episodes
The elopement of Philippe Cayol, an aspiring liberal, poor and untitled with Blanche De Cazalis, niece of a powerful millionaire and politician sets the stage in this novel full of twists and turns with villains a plenty. Philippe's brother Marius strives to protect the two lovers from the De Cazalis' uncontrolled fury. Although written in his youth Zola's signature style, his indignation about injustice and his vivid characterization of the noble, the wealthy and common man is very evident in this non stop adventure. - Summary by Celine Major
30 episodes
Mrs Norton is the wife of the Political Officer and confident of Mr. Wargrave who as an officer ends up at her husbands Border Outpost, Ranga Duar in British India after meeting Violet on a different Border Outpost. This is the story of Mr. Wargrave, Mr. Norton, his wife and the people assigned to Ranga Duar as they protect the area, including the forests. We are introduced to Miss Benson the "Jungle Girl", also a love interest of Mr. Wargrave as he lives and participates in daily life in the area that they protect. - Summary by Lynda Marie Neilson
15 episodes
Rustlers are stealing Two Diamond cattle, and the manager is fit to be tied. The range boss claims it’s the neighbor, but there’s no proof. Everyone finds the neighbor’s sister desirable, but she finds everyone tedious (at best). Will lies, jealousy, double dealing, and maybe even a cold-blooded killing keep Ned Ferguson from uncovering the truth? (Tom Penn)
24 episodes
Scheherazade oder Schehersad, die Tochter eines Wesirs, heiratete den König / Sultan, der die Angewohnheit hatte, seine Ehefrauen am ersten Tag nach der Hochzeit köpfen zu lassen. Schehersad jedoch begann ihm Geschichten zu erzählen, die am Ende der Nacht den Ausgang offen ließen und den Sultan dazu brachten, wenn er den Fortgang der Geschichte erfahren wollte, von einer Enthauptung abzusehen. Nach 1001 Nächten gestanden sich beide ihre Liebe und lebten glücklich bis...Band 4 beinhaltet viele sehr kurze Geschichten und Fabeln, die teilweise in einzelnen Abschnitten zusammengefasst werden. Gegen Ende des 4. Bandes werden die Geschichten dann wieder länger und umfassen vier bis fünf Teile. Davon sind vieles Tiergeschichten, doch auch Kalifen, Diebe, Bettler und natürlich Liebende sidn Gegenstand der vielen Geschichten und Erzählungen. Summary by Bernd Ungerer
40 episodes
This is the third Dr Nikola book in a series of five written by Guy Boothby. The main character is Gilbert Pennethorne a man whom "Lady luck" has deserted. A number of commercial failures, estrangement from his family, Unsuccessful gold prospecting in Australia and finally having the location of one of the richest undiscovered gold mines in the world stolen from him by a man whom he classifies as his worst enemy. This tips him over the edge of normal reason, such that his desire for revenge is all consuming.
This gives Dr Nikola, ever the master manipulator, the opportunity to utilise Pennethorne’s hatred to his financial advantage by convincing him to murder Richard Bartrand the thief of the mine (now a multi millionaire) in a devilish and bizarre mechanical method. After the deed is done, Pennethorne, essentially a decent man, realises his serious error in being an accomplice to Nikola and flees the country en route for South Africa. Thus his adventures at sea and on land begin and his true nature is divulged. (Peter Keeble)
13 episodes
Frederick Marryatin Merirosvo on meriaiheinen seikkailukertomus, joka kertoo kaksoisveljien tarinan. Se sijoittuu 1790-luvulle, jolloin laivat olivat puuta ja miehet rautaa!
Kirjan alussa kerrotaan Sirkassian-laivan haaksirikosta, josta pääsee lähtemään pelastusveneellä osa matkustajista, muutaman jäädessä vielä laivaan. Kuitenkin vain laivaan jääneet, joihin kuuluu kaksi mustaa palvelijaa, mies Coco ja nainen, imettäjä Judy, sekä pieni, englantilaista syntyperää oleva poikavauva, lopulta pelastuvat. Heidät lähetetään Herra Witheringtonin luo Englantiin, koska pelastuneen poikavauvan äiti on hänen serkkunsa. Mutta mitä tapahtui pelastusveneelle, missä oli muiden mukana lapsien äiti ja toinen kaksonen? Miten merirosvot liittyvät asiaan?
Kirja on vauhdikas ja siitä ei puutu juonenkäänteitä eikä vaarallisia tilanteita. Marryat on itse toiminut meriupseerina, joten hän tietää mistä kertoo, meriaiheiset yksityiskohdat on kerrottu totuudenmukaisesti. Ja vaikka Merirosvossa käytetään usein varsin vanhanaikaista kieltä, kirja käsittelee rodullista epätasa-arvoa nimenomaan ikävänä ongelmana.
- Summary by Harri Tapani Ylilammi
18 episodes
El profesor Lidenbrock, que une a su condición de verdadero sabio una terquedad sin límites, descifra un viejo pergamino devolviendo pacientemente su sentido a los incomprensibles signos que en él se contienen. ¡Extraordinarios peligros de la lectura! El descifrado de aquel texto arrastrará inevitablemente al propio Lidenbrok, a su joven sobrino Axel y al valeroso cazador Hans Bjelke hasta el mismísimo centro de la Tierra, poblado de animales antediluvianos, tempestades terribles y otros riesgos sin mayor importancia. - (Phileas Fogg)
45 episodes
It is early in the days of radio, and amateurs are using it more and more, and using it illegally. Enter Curlie Carson, who has the job of tracking down the miscreants. Sounds boring. You wouldn't expect high speed car chases, kidnapping, double dealing, and maybe even murder. ( Tom Penn)
25 episodes
Orphan Anne Fairaday faces a life of poverty upon the death of her father. The only thing that can prevent it is finding his latest experiment. She enlisted her new found friend, Madge Sterling, an outdoors girl who has a knack for finding missing things. But they must race against time as there are also several people who will stop at nothing to get it first. (Summary by Mary Escano)
15 episodes
Edward Sylvester Ellis was a major American author during the era of inexpensive fiction of the nineteenth century (dime novels). Because he wrote under dozens of pseudonyms, as well as under his own name, it is virtually impossible to know exactly how many books he wrote, but it is believed to be in the hundreds. He specialized in boys' stories, inspirational biography, and history for both children and adults. (From FictionDB.com)
This is a western, set in the Pecos River valley in the late 19th century, post Civil War era.
33 episodes
