Product Description
'It was the best of times and the worst of times'. In one of the most famous openings of any novel, Dickens masterfully presents the turmoil of the French Revolution which is the backdrop for a novel of love, patience, hope and self-sacrifice. It is read by Anton Lesser whose award-winning Dickens recordings in their abridged form has now resulted in the opportunity to read the full unabridged text. His singular characterisations led to him being chosen by Peter Ackroyd to play Dickens himself in the major TV account of the writer. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Wonderful!
I really enjoyed this recording of A Tale of Two Cities.The reading is masterful.I will issue one warning--I bought this for a family car trip and quickly found that this recording (and maybe most Dickens) are not for the casual listener.It seems to help to have some experience with literature in general and/or with Dickens's style specifically.It wasn't easy for some members of my family to follow by ear.

I love this novel, though, and this presentation is quite good.

Here's where audio really shines, providing an award-winning Dickens reader who excels in dramatic characterizations and flair
Anton Lesser provides a fine British accent and flair to Dickens' complete unabridged classic A Tale Of Two Cities. Here's where audio really shines, providing an award-winning Dickens reader who excels in dramatic characterizations and flair. Listen to A Tale Of Two Cities and you'll see why the written word - especially in the classics - has the ability to shine forth in audio much more than on the page.
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Product Description
Here are 60 of the finest and most entertaining poems for younger listeners, including nonsense poems, modern poetry, and images of nature. Features The Pied Piper of Hamelin, Robert Browning's classic tale of adults getting their come-uppance. 2 cassettes. ... Read more

Product Description
With more than 80 of the most popular poems in the English language, this collection is one of the most comprehensive anthologies of its kind available. 2 cassettes. ... Read more

Product Description
A stranger is watching. . . .

It’s 1881, and life has been good to Sally Lockhart. Unlike most Victorian women, Sally is completely independent, with her own successful business and a comfortable home for her young daughter, Harriet. But Sally’s whole world is about to collapse. A stranger emerges, claiming to be both her husband and Harriet’s father and threatening all that she has–her business, her child, her very sanity. Sally realizes with growing horror that there is a guiding hand behind this deceit: someone who hates her so passionately that he has devoted years to bringing about her ruin. And there’s only one man that could possibly be. . . .

From the award-winning author of His Dark Materials comes a richly layered adventure of suspicion and intrigue–and the third acclaimed Sally Lockhart mystery. ... Read more

Product Description
These CDs contain Dickens' classic story, in which Scrooge learns compassion and love, as well as a variety of stories, essays, poems and reflections made by writer Christina Hardyment. ... Read more

Product Description
The cast of this unabridged version of Hamlet includes Anton Lesser who plays Hamlet, Edward de Souza, Susan Engel, Emma Fielding and Heathcote Williams. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Hamlet, Prince of Denmark CD set
It's hard to believe the producers of this version could have allowed it to continue much beyond Anton Lesser's first appearance on the parapets.While the rest of the cast comes up with credible performances, his Hamlet is perhaps the worst I have ever heard.He has but two means of projecting his character: either by emoting faster than a speeding bullet or whispering his lines as indistinctly as possible. I alone am at fault for buying this CD set but in the future I'll be very careful whenever I see his name as part of the cast and will make sure I have permission to return it before purchasing.Dreadful! ... Read more

Product Description
This title encompasses the most familiar passages covering the main characters of the Old Testament, from Adam and Eve to King Solomon, including the Psalms and Proverbs. An extended essay looks at links with Western art, literature and music. The music includes Tallis's "Lamentations". ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent bible readings
Given its origins in oral tradition, and the uniquely poetic cadences of the King James Translation, the Hebrew Old Testament is ideal for the spoken word recording format. This Naxos Audiobook does not disappoint. The commanding bass of Welsh actor Philip Madoc is nicely balanced by the Anton Lesser's sensitive tenor, while Michael Sheen and Josette Simon round out the cast with assured and resonant performances. There is no way to avoid the main criticism -- not nearly enough of the Old Testament is included, even at 6 tapes/CDs, and sometimes the readers don't put enough energy into the more familiar stories. But Sheen and Simon deliver a marvellously sensual reading of Song of Songs, and the full cast wrings every gorgeous drop of poetry out of the selected Psalms. One of the better Naxos audiobooks. ... Read more

Product Description
'Of Man's First Disobedience, and the Fruit Of that Forbidden Tree, whose mortal taste Brought Death into the World, and all our woe...' So begins the greatest epic poem in the English language. In words remarkable for their richness of rhythm and imagery, Milton tells the story of man's creation, fall and redemption - 'to justify the ways of God to men.' Here, unabridged, and told with exceptional sensitivity and power by Anton Lesser, is the plight of Adam and Eve, the ambition and vengefulness of Satan and his cohorts. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

HUGE HELP
For many people this book can be a daunting task to read (myself included). Reading along with this audio has helped me tremendously. It is very well done and follows the text perfectly. I recommend reading along with it. I've tried just listening and I find my mind wanders a bit.

Top-notch professional reading
This is the whole text of Paradise Lost, including the 'Arguments' heading each book, read by an accomplished actor able to convey character and attitude as well as maintain Milton's rhythmic thrust.I have sampled all the other recordings; as I recall there was only one other, currently available, which was of the entire text, and it was nowhere near as good.Having the text on CD (or iPod) makes it possible to hear when you are not in a position to read--I often listen lying quasi-insomniac in bed. I personally am more interested in Blake than in Milton, but because Milton was a crucial influence on Blake and the subject of one of his major prophecies, I was delighted to find this recording.I would not have had the time or focus to read or re-read the text in the midst of my numerous other readings.Now if only there were comparable readings of Blake's prophecies!(I'm working on doing that myself.)

Paradise Lost (Naxos AudioBook) by John Milton, Anton Lesser
This recording is beautifully done and makes a great companion to the written text.It's great if you are doing a study on the text, or just want to listen to the poetry.

Very good way for a fast reader to appreciate epic poetry
I tend to be a very fast reader, and unfortunately that doesn't work well with poetry.A few years back I read the "Divine Comedy" and couldn't help racing through it.I missed a lot of the beauty of the work because of my reading habits.I have been listening to several audio books on my daily commute and saw that this work was available and decided to give it a try.I felt that listening to poetry in a spoken format would allow me to enjoy the beauty of it more since I believe most poetry was originally designed for oral transmission.

I found that listening to "Paradise Lost" did meet my expectations.I had to concentrate, but the effort was well worth it.I couldn't race through it and enjoyed it as intended.Anton Lesser did an excellent job as usual as the reader.His voice seemed appropriate for this type of work; though I agree with another reviewer that a more powerful voice may have been appropriate for the voice of God.

I really enjoyed Milton's vision of the creation and fall.The epic descriptions of the heavens and Satan and the other characters were vivid and I could see why this is considered such a great work.From a theological perspective, it was interesting to see his view of the origin of the angels, the Son, and Satan.He did a very good job of taking cryptic verses from the Bible and other sources and expanding them out into a powerful story.

I highly recommend this audio book and feel that this is a very good way to be introduced to Milton.

Sorry to reach the end of it!
A person considering buying a recording of Paradise Lost might have two questions.First, Am I going to be able to follow the poem without notes and guidance?Second, should I buy the complete version or the abridged one?

Paradise Lost is a notoriously difficult text, full of learned references to mythology, history, and geography; the language is dense, the syntax twisted, the sense frequently obscure; and the poem is just plain long.Perhaps surprisingly, Anton Lesser's reading makes it possible to ride over all these difficulties; his intelligent and varied readings make the sense clear even when the language isn't.One hears the infinite variety of the poem, the delicate and touching parts as well as the stirring and sublime, the innocence of Paradise and the magnificent evil of Satan. I've read Paradise Lost perhaps half a dozen times over the years, always with notes; this is the first time I was sorry to reach the end of it.

But what about the abridged version?I don't recommend it; Milton builds up his climaxes on a vast scale, and a "great moments from Milton"approach weakens their effect.Also, on the abridged version, Eve is read by an actress. This seems to me a mistake; Paradise Lost is full of voices -- Satan and all the demonic throng, the allegorical figures of Sin and Death (Sin is also a woman), God, the Messiah, the angelic host, Adam and Eve -- and to single out one of the voices is to falsely highlight and distort. (Plus, the part is read with an odd accent, almost Irish; what is that about?) It must be granted that all of Lesser's skill can't make God Himself more than a cold and distant abstraction.But that is what Milton wrote, and probably what he intended.

So, my recommendation is to spend the extra and get the complete set. It's something you wouldn't want to miss!

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Product Description
The "Dhammapada" is the single most important extant Buddhist text. It is the "the voice of the Buddha" where many of his key ideas are presented in a cogent verse form. Also included are other key Buddhist concepts illustrated by original texts. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Must have cd
I continue to listen to this cd. It is the Dharmapada. Really a fundamental tool on how to be.

Excellent!
This is an excellent audio set of key teachings of the Buddha.It's well worth the price.

Valuable source for Buddha's Teachings
Well produced audio book.3 CD's, about 4 hours long. A narrator first explains the source of several teachings, from the Pali Canon, to follow. Then, actors read Buddha's text to simulate how the Buddha and his followers may have sounded, as Shakyamuni (the Buddha) taught his lessons. ... Read more

Product Description
This account is written by Jinananda, an English-born Buddhist. The three CDs are divided into three "Jewels": "The Buddha", a life of the historical figure; "The Dharma", an account of the fundamental teachings; and "The Sangha", the disciples, both lay and monastic throughout the world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

cd
Gret cd, lisen to it every day to work.And I learn something differenteverytime I lisen to it.

The Middle Way: The Story of Buddhism
This book is a very good overview of Buddhism.It is divided into three parts:the life of the Buddha, the teachings of the Buddha (the Dharma), and the manifestations of the Buddha in life (the Sangha).Accompanying the three CDs is a 20 page booklet detailing the contents of each CD, and illustrations of deities from Buddhist art.The readers are easy to listen to.Excellent addition to a library.

Another good Naxos Audiobook
This Audiobook "The Middle Way" is an excellent introduction to the

subject of Buddhism. The readers present the work respectfully and without

any obvious attempt at conversion. I originally purchased this audiobook

out of curiousity about Buddhism, and found out many useful things about

it. A good listen, and a good work!

Highly entertaining introduction to Buddhism!
Three British actors bring Buddhism's "Three jewels" to life in and engaging and entertaining manner.About 4 1/2 hours long.Includes history and teachings.If you are looking for on audio book to give you a good general knowledge of Buddhism, this is it.It may even spur you on to other teachings!

For those curious about Buddhism
Being largely ignorant of the religion, I always found Buddhism to be little more than an odd philosophy masked as psuedo-religion.I bought the CD so that I could get a quick rundown of the the religion for my Easter Religion class (Religion 102). What I ended up doing after listening the the CD a few times was absorbing more literature on buddhism, and I have now converted. The CD was compelling--and it is so without sounding or being a overzealous propaganda recruiting tool. Loved it. ... Read more

Product Description
"I will buy your castle," declared Hiram C. Hopgood. "But only if there are no ghosts!" What is young Alex MacBuff to do? He can't afford to keep his beloved Castle Carra - and an American millionaire has made him an offer he can't refuse. But the castle is full of ghosts! There's Krok the hairy Viking warrior, mad Miss Spinks, a hell-hound called Cyril, and a vampire with no teeth. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

youth book
Another good read by Eva Ibbotson.She writes quite gruesome stuff - but it is funny.Gruesome from an adult's point of view.

Great story, wild characters, laugh out loud situations
Be aware that there are 3 books with the exact same story word for word. "The Haunting of Granite Falls", "The Haunting of Hiram C. Hopgood", and "The Haunting of Hiram" are all the same story by the same author. Just a different title and different cover art, same book inside. This is not the author's fault by the way, it is just that 2 publishers have the right to publish, Puffin and Macmillan, and this is what they have done. For some reason that is done with another book from this author, "Island of the Aunts" is also released as "Monster Mission". Personally, I like the artwork on the Macmillan covers better.

On to the story - This is a book about a rich Texan that buys a Scottish Castle named Carra from the last heir of an old family, an orphan boy. But he does not want any ghosts included as he is worried that they will scare the little girl that will live in the castle.The millionaire ships the whole thing stone by stone and rebuilds it in Texas. But the castle does have ghosts, very nice ones who have helped raise the boy. They include a viking, a ghost dog, and Miss Spinks. What the millionaire does not notice is that the ghosts do come with the castle. The boy flies to America to get the ghosts out and stays in the castle. When they learn they cannnot stay, they move into an old movie theatre next door, where they meet the mysterious ghost hand. Somehow, he is trying to solve the mystery of his murder many years ago. And when the little girl is kidnapped for ransom, the ghosts must join the effort to rescue her and the boy.

This book is suspenseful, but laugh-out-loud hilarious. The author creates the most charming and imaginative characters you can imagine. I strongly reccommend!

Beware! This is the book also call: " The Haunting of Hiram"
"The Haunting of Hiram" is the same book as: "The Haunting of Granite Falls"


Some of the book that Eva Ibbotson wrote in the U.K, are publish in the US with another title, like this one, and
"Moster Mission" that was publish as "The Island of the Aunts"
After that been said, every book that she had done is excellent!!
Synopsis of "The Haunting of Hiram" from Amazon.com U.K.
Twelve year old orphan, Alex MacBuff, doesn't want to sell his beloved home, Carra Castle. But it is falling to pieces and he can't afford to keep it. American millionaire, Hiram C. Hopgood, offers to buy it on condition that there are no ghosts - and Alex can't refuse. Problem is, Carra Castle is full of ghosts! There's Krok the hairy Viking warrior, mad Miss Spinks, a vampire with no teeth and a hell-hound called Cyril. Will Alex be able to stop them haunting Hiram? A barmy, brilliantly funny, supernatural adventure from the ever-popular Eva Ibbotson.

Ghoulish fun
Eva Ibbotson writes stories about funny and not too scary ghosts. A recurring theme is displaced or homeless ghosts.
The Haunting of Granite Falls, 2004 is the story of a millionaire who purchases an ancient Scottish castle from 12-year-old orphan Alex MacBuff, and moves it to Texas.Every castle has ghosts; this one has five of them and they are the only family Alex has every had.

Her writing always makes me grin.There is just the right touch of ghoulish humor. It occurs to me that her "Granite Falls" could be modeled on Marble Falls, Texas whereGranite Mountain is a huge dome of pink and red granite.This granite was used for the construction of the Texas Capitol. A fun connection for Texas readers.

Awesome Read!!!!
This book was one of Eva Ibboton's top books!!!

The story has a boy, a girl, and of course ghosts. The ghosts are a Viking, a governess with Water Madness, an old man in a wheel chair who was once a vampire, a little girl who is a polterguist, and a hellhound dogg that is the size of four dachsands end to end. The boy, Alex, has lived in the Scottish mansion, Carra, with his ghost "parents" his whole life. When money starts to run low, he decides to sell it. A man from America wants to buy it but on one condition, it has to be ghost free. This shocks the ghost and starts the whole adventure.

It is as exciting as Harry Potter but much less scary in my opinion. When I was younger, I started reading Eva's books and couldn't stop reading it. I had to put down the second Harry Potter by chapter eight because it was too scary. This is the newest book so far by Eva and I have read all her other books. I am her #1 fan!!!!!!! I have even researched her and made sure I didn't miss a book. Other books by her are Dial-a-Ghost, Which Witch, The Secret of Platform 13, Island of the Aunts, and Not Just a Witch. Enjoy!!! ... Read more

Product Description
The thrilling tale of the wanderings of the hero Odysseus after the end of the Trojan war. For 10 years he experiences storm, shipwreck and seduction as he tries to find a way home to Ithaca, contending with the wrath of Poseidon but protected by Pallas Athena. Meanwhile, his wife Penelope is beset by suitors who believe him dead. 3 cassettes. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Rivals Pope
I am ashamed to say that though I have struggled through the Odyssey in Greek I was unaware that Cowper had done a translation--of which I have now read portions. It is superb. We think of Pope as the great 18th century translator of Homer but asanother reviewer has written, a careful reading of Cowper provides great pleasures--I like it as much as Pope. Do be aware that it takes some getting used to since the cadence of an 18th century line takes getting used to. If you like the language of Jane Austen howeverI think you will appreciateCowper's achievment. Enough said.

On accents winged
For lovers of language and epic drama, Homer and the Bible brook few competitors. For readers up for a slightly higher degree of difficulty, William Cowper's eighteenth-century English translation of the Oddyssey provides a second layer of beauty. Not only do you get Homer's genius. You also soak in the resonant and ironic tones of an English dialect that is familiar enough to be almost completely understood but also different enough from modern American dialect to bring astonishing and pleasing insight into the language we speak.

Odysseus gets lost on his way home from the Trojan War.

And what a piece of luck that is, for it generates this tale of epic suffering, nobility, vice, vengeance, and freshly requited love that is so riveting that one almost aches for his neighbor who has not read or heard Homer.

Moderns unfamiliar with the classics may want to approach the Odyssey by way of the film Brother, Where Art Thou?Though a retelling of the Odyssey that all but redefines the word 'loose', the plot structure is similar enough to serve as a point of reference while reading Cowper's Odyssey translation or - better still - listening to Naxos' recording of the same.

Reviews are intended to be about the book, not about the reviewer's pleading.But forgive me just this: you really *need* to meet Homer and his most elevated and elevating narrative poetry. You won't be sorry. Bite the bullet. Grit your teeth. Fight those inner demons. Forget everything your boring literature teacher told you.

Discover the Odyssey. ... Read more

Product Description
This account is written by Jinananda, an English-born Buddhist. The three cassetes are divided into three "Jewels": "The Buddha", a life of the historical figure; "The Dharma", an account of the fundamental teachings; and "The Sangha", the disciples, both lay and monastic throughout the world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Excellant presentation of the "Three Jewels"
British actors and production create a well written and interesting introduction in the three componants of Buddhism, commonly referred to as the "Three Jewels".
These are Buddha's life story, the Dharma (Buddha's teachings) and the Sanga (the community of followers).This version includes 3, approx. 90 minute, cassettes.I feel it to be a comprehensive and ingaging presentation, that will leave the listener well versed in what Buddhism is.

Good Overview, but Lacks Authority
With three first-rate actors at its disposal, Naxos Audiobooks could have created a lively and compelling examination of Buddhist philosophy. Unfortunately, not enough time is spent quoting from the original source material, thus drawing from its rich, innately dramatic quality. Instead, we have what is basically an essay by Naxos producer Duncan Steen (under the pseudonym Jinananda) on the basics of Buddhist thought. This essay is divided into three parts, focusing on the Buddha's life, on his teachings and, finally, on the teachings and religious practices of his followers. Occasionally, a brief passage from Buddhist lore is dramatically read by the fine cast, and the recording comes brilliantly to life. More of this would have made a five star album that would repay frequent listenings. As it is, Steen's commentary, though lucid and thoughtful, comes off like a reading of an encyclopedia article, without an encyclopedia's documentary authority. Steen should have trusted his sources and his cast more. ... Read more

Product Description
Here are the stories of 13 key Shakespeare plays: Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Twelfth Night, King Lear, Richard III, Othello, Macbeth, The Tempest, Henry V, Julius Caesar, The Merchant of Venice, The Taming of the Shrew and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Timson presents the complex plots in a clear, entertaining and informal style, presenting the main characters in the context of the famous lines. The stories contain important passages from the plays themselves, taken from the award-winning Naxos AudioBooks recordings. ... Read more

Product Description
High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! AntonLesser is a British actor. He attended MoseleyGrammar School and the University of Liverpoolbefore going to RADA in 1977 where he was awardedthe Bancroft Gold Medal as the most promising actorof his year. As an Associate Artist with the RoyalShakespeare Company he has played a considerablenumber of Shakespeare's great roles, includingTroilus, Edgar, Petruchio, Romeo, Henry Bolingbroke,Brutus, Leontes, and Richard III ... Read more

Product Description
One fine day in AD 70, scruffy, working-class informer Marcus Didius Falco literally runs into a beautiful sixteen-year-old girl on the steps of the Forum. Sosia Camillina is on the run from a couple of street toughs, and after rescuing her, Falco wants to find out why. It soon becomes clear that Sosia knows a dangerous secret about a stockpile of silver ingots - or 'pigs' - and there are those who will stop at nothing to prevent her telling what she knows. Hoping for future favours from Sosia's rich, influential uncle, Falco embarks on an intricate case of smuggling, murder and treason that reaches as far as the Emperor's palace, and beyond the seven hills of Rome. Soon, Falco finds himself in an inhospitable outpost of the Empire called Britain, where the weather is filthy, the natives restless and the women angry. There, he meets Helena Justina, a spirited aristocrat who becomes an important part of his life. But, if he does not tread carefully, the treacherous puzzle of the silver pigs could be the death of him...Anton Lesser stars as Falco with Fritha Goodey as Helena Justina in this BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of Lindsey Davis's first Falco novel. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Silver Pigs
Not overly impressed with this. Once upon a time you could totally trust the BBC but not any longer. They turn out poor products some of the time also. At times the music is so loud it's difficult to hear the voices. The story is OK but not great. ... Read more

Product Description
Tells the story of fifty critical days towards the end of the Trojan war. Achilles has quarrelled with Agamemnon and sulks in his tent, while Hector brings his Trojans to the brink of victory; but fate will have the last word. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

What can you say about a classic?
It's a classic.Well read.Well delivered.I wish it came on MP3 so I didn't have to change disks so much...

Long and a little dry but unabridged
I bought this for a class and although it is about 16 hrs of listening!!! it was well worth the purchase. The Iliad was meant to be heard and this is a good production.

It is a bit dry at times, I wish the actor had ACTED a little more, but he has a good voice and does not have any annoying characteristics.

Experience the Iliad in FULL as it was meant to be experienced.

Cheers ... Read more