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Ascendant Audiobooks LLC
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Here is an accessible introduction to Emerson's work. It includes essays interspersed with classic Emerson poetry. Included in this audiobook are:"Music", "The Divinity School Address", "The Concord Hymn", "Self-Reliance", "Give All to Love", "The Lords of Life", "Experience", and "Grace".

Considered one of Twain's most important short works, The Mysterious Stranger tells the story of the devil coming to a medieval village in the persona of a beautiful, lovable, yet exasperatingly amoral young man. Befriending a small group of boys, Satan exhibits strange charm, compassion and indifference as the tale comes to a surprising conclusion.

Abridged and adapted for audio 6 CDs / 7 hours. When Aurelius Augustinus set out to write his Confessions in 397 A.D., his intention was to document his recent conversion to Catholicism. Meant to reassure the wary parishioners of Hippo, his new bishopric, of his complete break with Manicheanism and his full faith in his new church, the writings he produced are now considered the first autobiography in existence. The work is unique, being an extended personal portrayal of the life of a noted citizen from an era so remote to today - the 4th century Roman Empire - as to be almost other-worldly; yet Augustine's gift of communication lends a humanistic air to his account that makes it as fresh and as real as when it happened. This audiobook presents the narrative section of The Confessions in a modern translation, offering an outstanding introduction to St. Augustine's life and thought.

Saint Augustine, (354-430), was born in North Africa, in what was then the Numidian province of the Roman Empire. A precocious youth, he spent many years questioning his existence, the nature of God, and the world as he perceived it, until accepting the Catholic faith, eventually becoming Bishop of the Roman-African city of Hippo. He wrote voluminously, with much of his insightful writing on spirituality surviving to the present day. His works embody a response and challenge to his tumultuous times (the disintegration of the Roman Empire). Generally regarded as one of the founders of modern Christian theology, Augustine's work stands as an essential component of the Western philosophical canon.

In Practical Mysticism, Evelyn Underhill distills the essential (and comprehensible) steps that comprise the process of achieving mystical understanding. Though she uses the pantheon of Christian mystics as her guide, her methodology transcends any particular faith and offers a common sense approach to self-improvement and enhanced awareness.

A story forty years in the making, Captain Stormfield's Visit to Heaven was initially a parlor tale that Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) preferred to read to friends and family, considering it too radical for his general audience. Begun in 1869, the narrative was alternately expanded then set aside, and finally saw publication in 1909. Like many Twain characters, Captain Stormfield is based on an actual person Clemens knew; in this case Captain Ned Wakeman, a colorful American seaman Clemens met on a steamship journey from San Francisco to Nicaragua in 1866. The real Captain regaled Clemens with his stories of his many astounding, mostly true adventures on the high seas, even claiming to have visited heaven in a dream. Wakeman made a powerful impression on Clemens, who afterwards included literary versions of him in many of his tales. Captain Stormfield remained a personal favorite of Clemens his entire life; he named his final residence in Redding, Connecticut, 'Stormfield'. The Diaries of Adam and Eve continue Twain's humorous examination of Biblical themes and characters; their underlying message of the fragile joy of human companionship is both funny and poignant. Clemens himself was happily married for 36 years, and never fully recovered emotionally from his wife Livy's death in 1904. The stories were initially published separately - Adam's Diary in 1893 and Eve's Diary in 1906; they are presented here as companion pieces per Clemens' original intent.

Essential listening for understanding the development of religious thought in America, or for just hearing a rousing good sermon! Dynamic performances bring these classic pieces of Americana to life!

An effective alternative to vapid "flavor-of-the-day" pop psychology, these sermons offer deeply-founded and time-proven relief for the troubles of the soul. These works provide inspiration for all, religious or not, and are highly entertaining!