Showing results by narrator "Michael A Lyons" in All Categories

The Red Badge of Courage is one of the most psychologically penetrating war novels ever written. Published in 1895, Stephen Crane’s groundbreaking work strips away romantic notions of heroism to reveal war as it is experienced from the inside—through fear, confusion, shame, and hard-earned self-awareness.

Most American adults easily recognize the following description of the 2008 financial crisis. Unregulated Wall Street firms (so-called shadow banks) made too many risky bets with derivatives, causing the housing bubble to burst. The contagious run through the financial system was only stopped by bailouts from the federal government and major regulatory changes

Edgar Poe was born in Boston Massachusetts on 19th January 1809. His father abandoned his family the following year and within a year his mother had died leaving him an orphan. In January 1845 ‘The Raven’ was published and became an instant classic...

The bookshelves of American literature are incredible collections that have gathered together centuries of very talented authors. From this continent their fame spread and whilst among their number many are now forgotten or neglected their talents endure. Among them is the talented Arthur Sherburne Hardy.

Sherwood Anderson was born on 13th September 1876 in Camden, Ohio. When his father’s business failed the family was forced to move on a regular basis before finally settling in Clyde, Ohio. Anderson, one of 7 children, left school at 14...

Harold Hart Crane was born on the 21st July 1899 in Garrettsville, Ohio. Crane was drawn to literature at an early age, becoming a voracious reader and pursuing self-education. His early work was already being noticed for its lush and rich use of words. Despite this success his personal life was troubled. Hart Crane died on the 27th April 1932 by jumping from the deck of a steamship into the Gulf of Mexico upon his return to the United States from Mexico. He was 32.

Robert Lee Frost was born on the 26th March 1874 in San Francisco, California. He sold his first poem in 1894 for $15. In 1924 he received the first of four Pulitzer Prizes. He was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature 31 times. He died on the 29th January 1963 in Boston.

In My Own True Ghost Story, Rudyard Kipling delivers a hauntingly humorous tale set in the shadowy outposts of British India—where the rational mind meets the inexplicable. When a weary English traveler spends the night in a decrepit dâk-bungalow, the howling wind, flickering candles, and creaking walls seem to come alive. Then comes the unmistakable sound of a billiard game—played in a room far too small to hold a table, and by players who no longer exist.

On Asteroid Y-3, a strange phenomenon is spreading among Earth’s stationed personnel: soldiers and workers suddenly believe they are turning into plants. They abandon their duties, lying in the sun with no desire for anything else. Doctor Henry Harris is sent to investigate these bizarre cases, only to uncover something deeper than delusion—an unspoken yearning for escape from the grind of mechanized society. In his search for answers, Harris encounters the mysterious “Pipers,” symbolic figures that awaken buried desires for simplicity and peace.

A cosmic harbinger streaks into our solar system, disrupting the very fabric of life on Earth in H.G. Wells’ haunting tale The Star. First dismissed by scientists and the public alike, a mysterious celestial body appears in the night sky and begins a relentless approach. As it grows brighter and nearer, awe gives way to terror. Natural disasters erupt. Seas rise. Cities fall. And humanity faces its own insignificance beneath the cold blaze of this alien sun.

Julian ‘Jilly’ Tetanich is a retired mafia contract killer who now owns a Pittsburgh bar full of colorful characters and whose best friend happens to be a slightly lapsed fantasy football-loving Catholic priest. When rogue Archangel Uriel descends from above with his God Squad sidekicks, they try to enlist Jilly to perform one more hit and save his immortal soul. All Hell breaks loose as the forces of good and evil prepare for this comedic showdown. Jilly will have to decide whether he should stick to his guns or dust them off one last time.

By providing historical context and a thorough yet easily accessible explanation of US financial markets, authors Norbert Michel and Jennifer Schulp provide a much-needed counterpoint to current debates and criticisms. "Financing Opportunity" not only busts many popular myths about financial markets but also proposes ways to improve how our financial markets function. With financial markets and American opportunity so closely tied, financial policy is vital to supporting growth, productivity, and prosperity.

The Prince and the Ogre’s Castle is a thrilling and imaginative fairy tale rooted in Eastern folklore and classic heroic fantasy. Written by W.F. O’Connor, this enchanting story follows a young prince born of magical means, who is bound by a dangerous pact made by his father with a disguised ogre.

Stranded on a deserted island after a violent shipwreck, Robinson Crusoe must face the wild alone. With nothing but his wits, faith, and unyielding determination, he builds a new life in an unforgiving wilderness. This abridged edition brings Daniel Defoe’s groundbreaking tale of survival and spiritual growth to modern audiences with crisp clarity and cinematic pacing. Perfect for listeners of all ages, The Greats Abridged series distills timeless classics without losing their heart.

Edgar Poe was born in Boston Massachusetts on 19th January 1809. His father abandoned his family the following year and within a year his mother had died leaving him an orphan. He was taken in by the Allan family but never formally adopted although he now referred to himself as Edgar Allan Poe. His father alternatively spoiled or chastised him and tension was frequent over gambling debts and monies for his education.

Nathaniel Hawthorne was born on 4th July 1804 in Salem, Massachusetts, a town synonymous with the earlier Salem Witch Trials. It was instrumental in Hawthorne’s later use of American Gothic and dark romanticism in his writing. Hawthorne’s short stories were first published in magazines but in 1837 were collected and published as ‘Twice-Told Tales’. A steady literary career still did not come his way and so he worked in a good position at Salem’s port and married the love of his life Sophia Peabody. Finally, in 1850 came spectacular literary and commercial success with ‘The Scarlet Letter.’

Step into the heartwarming traditions of the holiday season with The Spirit of Christmas by Edith Houghton Hooker. This timeless story celebrates the true meaning of Christmas—kindness, generosity, and the joy of togetherness. Set against the backdrop of a snowy Victorian Christmas, the tale brings to life the magic and warmth that define the holiday spirit, reminding us of the beauty found in simple acts of love and community.