Showing results by narrator "Michael Lyons" in All Categories

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. Much of his youth was spent shuttling between Cleveland and New York. Shortly after Crane attempted to enlist in the U S Military but was rejected for being a minor. His first published poem also came in 1917 with ‘C33’ and its reference to the cell number that Oscar Wilde was incarcerated in. His early work was already being noticed for its lush and rich use of words and by the time ‘White Buildings’ was published in 1926 he was being critically acclaimed.

Writing can be a lonely art. Distractions and writers block are just two of the many impediments to a burnished stream of prose. But sometimes two heads really can be better than one. Collaborating and sounding off of one another, in the right circumstances and with complimenting skills, can work wonders as these very talented duos now demonstrate.

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.

Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is more than a boy’s tale of mischief and freedom—it is a timeless American classic that questions morality, challenges society’s norms, and celebrates the power of friendship.

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.

The Happy Prince is one of Oscar Wilde’s most beloved and poignant fairy tales, blending rich symbolism with a heartfelt narrative about compassion, sacrifice, and love. Set high above a city, the story follows a gilded statue—the Happy Prince—who once lived in luxury but now sees the suffering of the poor from his lofty perch. With the help of a kind-hearted Swallow, the Prince gives away all he has to bring joy and relief to the needy below.

Step into the barefoot days of childhood adventure with Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, brought to life through the warm, vibrant narration of Michael Lyons. Join mischievous Tom, his loyal friend Huck Finn, and sweet Becky Thatcher as they navigate life along the Mississippi River—where painting fences becomes a masterclass in persuasion, cave exploring turns perilous, and dreams of pirate gold stir the imagination. This classic tale captures the restless spirit of youth with humor, heart, and a keen eye for the joys and misadventures that shape us.

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.

Haunted by footsteps that never show their source and letters signed by a phantom stranger, Captain Barton’s quiet return to Dublin society descends into psychological torment. The Watcher is a chilling Gothic tale of spiritual vengeance, unrepentant guilt, and the inescapable shadow of the past. Written by supernatural master Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, this eerie tale weaves the story of a skeptic brought to the edge of madness by a figure who follows him through fog-drenched streets and nightmares alike.

A timeless legend of chivalry, magic, and destiny, The Tale of King Arthur and the Round Table weaves together the epic adventures of King Arthur, his noble knights, and the mystical powers that shaped their world. From the sword in the stone to the founding of Camelot, the formation of the Round Table, and the quest for the Holy Grail, this collection of Arthurian tales explores the values of honor, loyalty, and sacrifice.

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.

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.

At the Mountains of Madness by H.P. Lovecraft is a chilling tale of cosmic horror and psychological dread. Presented as the first-person account of geologist William Dyer, a professor at Miskatonic University, the story follows an ill-fated Antarctic expedition that uncovers ancient ruins and nightmarish horrors buried beneath the ice. As the team explores towering, otherworldly structures and strange hieroglyphs, they come to realize that they are not alone—unspeakable beings, long thought extinct, still lurk in the frozen wastes.

Journey to the enchanting world of The Wind in the Willows, a timeless classic by Kenneth Grahame, brought to life by the captivating narration of Michael Lyons. Follow the adventures of Mole, Ratty, Mr. Toad, and Badger as they explore the idyllic English countryside, filled with riverside picnics, thrilling escapades, and unforgettable friendships. From Toad’s wild motorcar exploits to the serene life by the riverbank, this beloved tale celebrates the beauty of nature, the spirit of adventure, and the bonds of camaraderie.