Audio books

 

12 Books That Changed the World

Author : Melvyn Bragg

Performed By : Patricia Hodge, Hugh Ross, Robert Powell & Bill Bingham

Publisher : Hodder & Stoughton Audiobooks

Runtime : 2 hours

Categories : Arts & Drama
History
British

Our Price : $16.75

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When we think of great events in the history of the world, we tend to think of war, revolution, political upheaval or natural catastrophe. But throughout history there have been moments of vital importance that have taken place not on the battlefield, or in the palaces of power, or even in the violence of nature, but between the pages of a book.

In our digitised age of instant information it is easy to underestimate the power of the printed word. In his fascinating new book accompanying the ITV series, Melvyn Bragg presents a vivid reminder of the book as agent of social, political and personal revolution.

Twelve Books that Changed the World presents a rich variety of human endeavour and a great diversity of characters.

There are also surprises. Here are famous books by Darwin, Newton and Shakespeare – but we also discover the stories behind some less well-known works, such as Marie Stopes’ Married Love, the original radical feminist Mary Wollstonecraft’s A Vindication of the Rights of Woman – and even the rules to an obscure ball game that became the most popular sport in the world . . .

Great Introduction

Nick Ashfield from Bristol - 19 Mar 2007

This is a great introduction to some books you might not have heard of before. It provides a 10 minute summary of each book. Excellent for listening to in the car on long car journeys. Would love to get it on DVD but unfortunately ITV have decided not to release it.

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Farmer Giles of Ham

Author : J. R. R. Tolkien

Performed By : Derek Jacobi

Publisher : Harper Collins UK

Runtime : 3 hours

Categories : Classic Literature
Classics
Myths & Legends

Our Price : $12.75

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Farmer Giles of Ham is one of Tolkien’s most popular stories, full of wit and humour, set in the days when giants and dragons walked the earth. He did not look like a hero. He was fat and red-bearded and enjoyed a slow, comfortable life.

Then one day a rather deaf and short-sighted giant blundered on to his land. More by luck than skill, Farmer Giles managed to scare him away. The people of the village cheered: Farmer Giles was a hero.

His reputation spread far and wide across the kingdom. So it was natural that when the dragon Chrysophylax visited the area it was Farmer Giles who was expected to do battle with it!

Two further stories in this collections are Smith of Wooton Major which tells of the preparation of the Great Cake to mark the Feast of Good Children, and the strange events which follow, and Leaf by Niggle, which recounts the strange adventures of the painter, Niggle.
Reviews

‘A fabulous tale of the days when giants and dragons walked the kingdom’
Sunday Times