Showing results by author "William Alfred" in All Categories

William Collins Books and Decca Records are proud to present ARGO Classics, a historic catalogue of classic fiction read by some of the world’s most renowned voices. Originally released as vinyl records, these expertly abridged and remastered stories are now available to download for the first...

For centuries England has always had a leading and admired reputation for its poets and poetry. In this volume we explore those born in the East Midlands who created such revered, enduring and respected verse.

Mark Redfield performs an eclectic mix of story excerpts, poems, and favorite readings of some of his favorite British and American storytellers.

In Germania, Roman historian Tacitus presents an impressive history of Germanic tribes and their societies. He dives deep, discussing everything from their ancestry to their government. The work also explores the similarities and differences between the values and customs of Roman and Germanic societies. Germania is a monumental ethnographic work that provides fascinating insight into early Germanic cultures and Roman attitudes toward them.

In Dialogue on Orators, Tacitus presents a conversation about the art and philosophy of rhetoric. Four characters discuss the merits and pitfalls of oration and poetry, debating one another’s point of view. With this text, Tacitus follows in the tradition and structure of Cicero, the great orator. It marks a distinct change in style from Tacitus’ longform historical works, Germania and Agricola.

Agricola, also known as The Life and Character of Julius Agricola, serves as the main historical source for information about this notable Roman general. His son-in-law, the historian Tacitus, authored the text. He writes not just about his father-in-law’s military career and conquest of Britain, but also about cultural and geographic forces at work during this time. The portion of the original text that survives today remains an important reference for historians and history buffs alike.

A delightful collection of classic poems that will delight young and old alike, including: "How Beauty Contrived to Get Square with the Beast" by Guy Wetmore Carryl, "How Little Red Riding Hood Contrived to Be Eaten" by Guy Wetmore Carryl, "How Rudeness and Kindness Were Justly Rewarded" by Guy Wetmore Carryl, "If No One Ever Marries Me" by Lawrence Alma TademaI’m, "Nobody, Who Are You?" by Emily Dickinson, "Lochinvar" by Sir Walter Scott, "The Akond of Swat" by Edward Lear, and more.

November - the 11th month of the year in the Gregorian calendar, when the land becomes bleaker, harsher but no less beautiful for that. For our poets, including Hood, Arnold, Melville, Alford, and Hardy, there is much to write and comment on.

Simon Cliffe reads some of the greatest Christmas poems for the 12 days of Christmas. Day 1 - Merry Christmas by Louise May Alcott. Day 2 - Christ's Nativity by Henry Vaughan. Day 3 - Ceremonies for Christmas by Robert Herrick. Day 4 - New Prince, New Pomp by Robert Southwell. Day 5 - Christmas Cheer by Thomas Tusser. Day 6 - Ring Out, Wild Bells by Lor Alfred Tennyson. Day 7 - The Oxen by Thomas Hardy. Day 8 - Nativity by John Donne. Day 9 - A Christmas Carol by G.K. Chesterton.

March - the third month of the year in the Gregorian calendar brings with it the Spring Equinox and the promise of warmer days and shorter nights. Our selected poets, including Swift, Yeats, Morris, Swinburne, and Austin, of course provide the words to match the mood.

December - the 12th and closing month in the Gregorian calendar. Winter is upon the land, and the poets, including such as Keats, Shelley, Tennyson, Shakespeare, and Stevenson, share their views and thoughts.

Dylan Thomas, C Day-Lewis and others join together on this unique album to read some of the world's finest poetry by Blake, Wordsworth and Tennyson.

A wonderful selection of classic Christmas poetry from G. K. Chesterton, Henry Vaughan, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Robert Burns, Lord Tennyson, and many more.

The finest voices reading a wonderful selection of poetry accompanied by selected classical music.

Timeless poetry for moments of reflection and contemplation. The masters of literature brought together in this unique program.

Along with historical narrative, hear rare recordings of some of the most iconic people in history, including Alfred Lord Tennyson, William Edward Gladston, Guiglielmo Marconi, Willaim McKinley, Leo Tolstoy, William Booth, Pope Leo XIII, Sir Robert Baden-Powell, Dr. Frederick Cook, and William E. Peary.

Nearly 100 of the most popular and loved poems in the English language, this collection is one of the most comprehensive anthologies of its kind available. It covers a remarkable range, from the striking vision of Blake and Shelley and the insights of Keats to lighter but equally memorable verse by Tennyson, Donne, and Edward Lear.

The office of Poet Laureate goes back many centuries - informally to the time of Geoffrey Chaucer in 1389 and followed thereafter by a number of ‘volunteer laureates’. It was formally assigned to Ben Jonson in 1617 and, as a Royal office by letters patent in 1670, to John Dryden. It is a rich, rewarding history that bursts with the words, themes and visions of many great poets that has bound poetry and poets to a nation's soul.

The office of Poet Laureate is a high honour amongst poets. The ancient Greeks had the first idea, and their heroes and poets wore wreaths of laurel in honour of the god Apollo. Many countries now have a laureate, as do many societies and organisations. But perhaps ranked first among them all is that of our own Poet Laureate. Unfortunately no single authentic definitive record exists of the office of Poet Laureate of England. In some form it can be traced back to 1189 and Richard Canonicus, who was employed by Richard I with the title 'versificator Regis'.

In this compelling exploration, author Frank J. Adkins, a distinguished lecturer at Cambridge University, presents a series of profound lectures on European history that he delivered at the onset of World War I for various war-related organizations in Sheffield. These lectures were later transformed into detailed essays published in 1915, examining the intricate histories of Germany, France, England, and the Slavs. Adkins skillfully reveals how centuries of historical events and dynamics laid the groundwork for the devastating conflict that erupted in 1914. - Summary by Ted Lienhart