The Story of Librivox.Org – Audiobook Heaven

We listen to a lot of stories here on the podcast each week and more than just a few come from Librivox.Org. But what is it? -and- What do they do? This article attempts to explain and document this amazing free service.

What is Librivox.org?

LibriVox is a group of worldwide volunteers who read and record public domain texts creating free public domain audiobooks for download from their website. It was founded in 2005 by Hugh McGuire to provide “Acoustical liberation of books in the public domain.” As of April 2015 it had 8,664 items in its collection. Most releases are in the English language, but many non-English works are also available. LibriVox is closely affiliated with Project Gutenberg, and the Internet Archive who hosts their offerings. We have talked about the Internet Archive many times on the show. They provide the mass majority of what you hear on the RAS.

Where does term Librivox.org come from?

LibriVox is an invented word inspired by the two Latin terms liber (book) and vox (voice). The word was also coined because liber means; child and free, independent and unrestricted. Here is what their founders had to say about it.

“We like to think LibriVox might be interpreted as ‘child of the voice’, and ‘free voice’. Finally, the other link we like is ‘library’ so you could imagine it to mean Library of Voice.” – LibriVox forum

So there you have the LibriVox.org story. I highly recommend their site and encourage you to visit. You will be amazed at sheer volume of materials they have. Everything from famous speeches to Aesop’s fables.

-Ron

This Week’s Podcast:

We have an amazing show this week. Two aliens walk into a city and two aliens escape, or do they? Also, A professor is contacted by aliens, has this first contact doomed the earth? And finally, a one legged man is murdered and you must solve the crime. You can listen to this podcast this Thursday at Ron’s Amazing Stories, download it from iTunes, stream it on TuneIn Radio or listen on your radio Friday night at 8pm Eastern time. Check your local listing or find the station closest to you at this link.

The Calendar:

August 11, 2016 – Jim Harold’s Trip to Cypress Canyon (RAS255)
August 18, 2016 – 1,000 Years! (RAS256)
August 25, 2016 – An RAS Replay
September 1, 2016 – Jubilation U.S.A.! (RAS257)
September 8, 2016 – Todd Murray Interview (RAS258)
September 22, 2016 – (RAS259)
September 29, 2016 – (RAS260)

Repurpose and Republish

The title sounds a bit scary doesn’t it, Repurpose and Republish? Has Ron gotten lazy and is he trying use his past work so he can play more video games? No, that is not what I am talking about. What I am thinking is that I want to do something with the over 200 shows that I have created. Occasionally I do replay one. In fact this week we will have a repeat. Although, this one came as request and is a not an effort to ditch work.

So what is this all about? I have been thinking about putting together a “best of” series of podcasts and offering it to the masses at a humble price. I wonder if the public would enjoy it enough to even buy one copy? What do you guys think? Can you take a minute of your time and tell me if you would buy such a thing if it existed?

Follow this link to – Contact Ron’s Amazing Stories – and leave me some feedback. It will only take a second and it help me to decide. This would be a Amazon offering.

-Ron

This Week’s Podcast:

As I mentioned above this week we will have a replay of Ron’s Amazing Stories. It comes from 2015 and it is mystery for your funny bone. You can listen to this podcast this Thursday at Ron’s Amazing Stories, download it from iTunes, stream it on TuneIn Radio or listen on your radio Friday night at 8pm Eastern time. Check your local listing or find the station closest to you at this link.

The Calendar:

July 21,2016 – Glenn Miller Week (RAS252)
July 28,2016 – Hallucination Orbit (RAS253)
August 04, 2016 – Maddened By Mystery (RAS254)
August 11, 2016 – Jim Harold’s Trip to Cypress Canyon (RAS255)
August 18, 2016 – Gunsmoke Returns (RAS256)
August 25, 2016 – An RAS Replay

RAS #256 – One Thousand Years

One Thousand Years? What does that mean? This week’s show is jam-packed. We open with a woman who can’t button a suit, ride with Marshall Dillon on a stagecoach loaded with criminals and then we learn a thing or two from Mark Twain about sleeping in your own bed. We end the show with a song from Sincerely, Iris called, 1,000 Years. If that isn’t a loaded show than paint me yellow.

Sincerely, Iris Visit Ron’s Amazing Stories

While doing my research for the podcast this week I ran across a song written for and about Mark Twain. I loved it and I wanted to play it. So, I tracked down the songwriter and he gave his permission for me to do so! The name of the band is Sincerely, Iris and the song is called 1,000 years. You can visit their website at sincerelyiris.com and their song is available on iTunes.

True or False with Mark Twain

On this edition of Ron’s Amazing Stories the blog we look at Mark Twain Who was he? Why Was he? We will attempt to fill your brains with knowledge. How will we do it? Let’s play, True or False with Samuel Langhorne Clemens (Mark Twain).

Q1 – Let’s Start with a Mark Twain Truth

TRUE – Mark Twain, was an American writer, entrepreneur, publisher and lecturer. Among his novels are The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) and its sequel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1885). The latter is often referred to as “The Great American Novel“.

Q2 – Mark Twain was a riverboat pilot?

TRUE – He served on many boats navigating the Mississippi River. He did this until he got the call to join his brother Orion in Nevada and the newspaper business.

Q3 – He wrote the story, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, while working the rivers of the Mississippi?

FALSE – In 1865, his humorous story, “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County“, was published, based on a story he heard at Angels Hotel in Angels Camp, California, where he had spent some time as a miner. The short story brought international attention and was even translated into classic Greek. His wit and satire, in prose and in speech, earned praise from critics and peers.

Q4 – Mark Twain was a very rich man?

FALSE – Though Twain earned a great deal of money from his writings and lectures, he invested in ventures that lost a great deal of money, notably the Paige Compositor, a mechanical typesetter, which failed because of its complexity and imprecision. In the wake of these financial setbacks, he filed for protection from his creditors via bankruptcy, and with the help of Henry Huttleston Rogers eventually overcame his financial troubles.

Q5 – Mark Twain predicted his own death?

TRUE – Twain was born shortly after a visit by Halley’s Comet, and he died the day after the comet returned, which was April 21, 1910.

I came in with Halley’s Comet in 1835. It is coming again next year, and I expect to go out with it. It will be the greatest disappointment of my life if I don’t go out with Halley’s Comet. – Mark Twain

He was lauded as the “greatest American humorist of his age”, and William Faulkner called Twain “the father of American literature”. No matter how you view him, he was one of America’s greatest treasures and his words are still around today.

I leave you with this famous quote: Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter – Mark Twain

This Week’s Podcast:

This week’s show is a jam packed. We open with a woman who can’t button a suit, ride with Marshall Dillon on stagecoach loaded with criminals and end with learning a thing or two about sleeping in your own bed. You can listen to this podcast this Thursday at Ron’s Amazing Stories, download it from iTunes, stream it on TuneIn Radio or listen on your radio Friday night at 8pm Eastern time. Check your local listing or find the station closest to you at this link.

The Calendar:

RAS #255 – Jim Harold’s Trip to Cypress Canyon

Cypress Canyon On this episode of Ron’s Amazing Stories Jim Harold, podcast mogul and author, is here to tell us about his brand new book. What is it? I just can’t wait to tell ya. Also, we will share an OTR story that is consistently cited as one of the most terrifying programs broadcast during radio’s Golden Age. It ain’t no joke!

Guest – Jim Harold

Jim began podcasting in 2005 starting with his signature show the Paranormal Podcast. He has since branched out and created his campfire program and paranormal plus network. Jim also has written four books with a fifth coming out this October. He just released an Adult Coloring Book based on his listeners call-ins. His free programs include:

The Paranormal Podcast – Serious interviews with newsmakers in paranormal studies (audio). Jim’s first and most downloaded program.

Jim Harold’s Campfire – Listeners talk about their supernatural experiences (audio). His books are based on the show and are available at most bookstores.

Jim Harold on FaceBook
Jim Harold on Twitter

OTR Story – The House on Cypress Canyon

The House in Cypress Canyon, is an episode of the American radio series Suspense. Written by Robert L. Richards, produced and directed by William Spier, It was originally broadcast December 5, 1946. The plot is presented as a “story within a story,” framed by a meeting between detective Sam Spade (played by Howard Duff) and a friend who has discovered the manuscript regarding the mysterious house. After a brief introduction, the narrative shifts to the story presented in the manuscript.