Showing results by narrator "Mike Vendetti" in All Categories

"Abolish Language," said the vizier, "And man will return to primal simplicity and happiness."

Hawthorne presents several ideas which form the very core of the conservative critique: that man's sinfulness is an immutable part of his character; that rationalists, reformers, and progressives delude themselves with their utopian notions of the perfectibility of man; that in their delusion they do incalculable damage to the culture, while leaving human nature untouched; and that, no matter the "progress" they make, evil lurks, waiting to rear its ugly head and shatter their dreams.

It is said that the observance of Memorial Day grew originally out of the custom of the widows, mothers, and children of the Confederate dead in the South strewing the soldiers' graves with flowers, including the unmarked graves of the Union soldiers. There was no settled date for this in the North until 1868, when General John A. Logan, as commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, designated May 30. A touching poem in commemoration of Memorial Day narrated by Mike Vendetti.

Christmas hadn't been celebrated in this old New England Puritan Church for years. Not until Nathan Stoddard arrived at work one morning, Christmas morning, to see an old man knock upon the door and have the door of the empty church flung open. Nathan rushes to a window at the rear of the church only to peer in to see the interior of the church filled with people dressed from a bygone era decorating the church. A lovely ghost story by Anna Wales Abbot.

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson corresponded regularly, and although they had a deep respect for each other, as you will soon learn from this missive written on July 13, 1813, by John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, they didn't always agree.

"Paul Revere's Ride" written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, has long been a staple in the classroom, and an inspiration to many. Now a part of Core State Standards, the student can listen to this poem read by professional narrator Mike Vendetti.

"The Thing in the Hall", by E.F. Benson, is a rather macabre and strange story - retold by Mike Vendetti - of two friends living in London, one of whom tempts fate by inviting a spirit to visit without limiting what type of spirit he is inviting. As we know, there are "evil" spirits just awaiting a home or a victim.

The Bill of Rights and Amendments to the Constitution, the foundation and cornerstone of our democracy, read by Mike Vendetti. A must-listen for every citizen of our Republic and a requirement in Appendix B of Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in history/social studies, science, and technical subjects.

A very short story by Ambrose Bierce, that as Bierce is so prone to do ends with quite a surprise.

Barred from life and death alike, she waited - waited for the key that could unlock the sinister talisman that held her prisoner of eternity. Taken from The King in Yellow, often referred to in "True Detective" this is one creepy short story.

Grief. An emotion we all experience at one time or another, but there is no grief greater then the loss of a loved one. In this short poem by William Hope Hodgson, the narrator is alone with his grief and the realization that what had been will never be again.

Robert Hugh Benson, a Catholic priest wrote this short story of the taking the life of a songbird, and the vision that accompanied it.

William Hope Hodgson began his working career as a seaman, where he learned to fear and hate the sea. This short story takes place in the laboratory of a scientist who is in contact by one-way wireless telegraph with an unnamed friend who is on a ship trapped in a terrible storm. The sea becomes an evil thing, and the entity is determined to destroy the living, and the ship they came on. But before death comes to those aboard the doomed vessel, it brings out the very worst in the passengers.

A shadow of forbidden mystery hangs over the New England town of Innsmouth. The narrator in this novella by H.P. Lovecraft, a college student touring the detaining berg, discovers far more then he bargained for. Normal citizens tend to disappear, while the indigenous residents are taking on a fish-like appearance. Strangers are definitely not welcome in this rotting town. And could it be that the narrator is starting to resemble his grandmother and dead uncle Douglas?

A beautiful woman imagines she is married below her station. In an effort to make her happy, her husband brings home an invitation to a ball attended by the upper crust of Paris society. To his chagrin, she is only disappointed, and explains she has nothing to wear to the ball. The husband sacrifices his savings to buy her a dress. She has no jewelry, but she has a wealthy friend who will lend her a beautiful accoutrement to accompany the beautiful dress.

A traveler takes refuge in a château where he finds he is surrounded by fine paintings. Unable to sleep he takes refuge in a book. He moves the candelabrum to shed better light upon the book, but when he does so he discovers in the corner of the room and amazingly lifelike painting of a young woman. It is so real, and he is first so startled that he must close his eyes to gather his wits. After contemplating this painting for nearly an hour he discovers a catalog that describes the painting.

Unspeakable rituals are performed by an occult group residing in the Red Hook region of New York City in this haunting short story by H P Lovecraft, and told by Mike Vendetti.

Mild mannered Catholic priest Fr. Brown solves another mysterious mystery. How did the dead man get into the garden of Aristide Valentin, Chief of the Paris Police. There was no way in and no way out other than past a well guarded door. Also you may ask how did he end up dead, and who killed him. There are plenty of suspects, but Fr. Brown sorts it all out without relying on the confessional, therefore remaining true to his vows.

The small farming town of Hypothermia, Minnesota makes world news when a '62 Chevy Implala is discovered in a trailer full of grain. Government agents quickly impound the Chevy, down playing the incident. Yet when agricultural cooperative photographer Bob Putnam attempts to follow up with a story about the elevator manager who found it, he and his writer/partner uncover an unbelievable plot.

Narrated by Mike Vendetti, this is the original version of Hensel and Gretel published by the Brothers Grimm. Probably not suitable for the polite and sensitive child under 12. A really wicked stepmother convinces the children's father to lead the children out into the woods far enough so they wouldn't be able to return home, but they do return one time to the chagrin of the stepmother. The next time they are taken to the woods they are not able to return home but do stumble upon a little house constructed of cake and confectionery which they immediately begin to consume.