More free audio books

April 12, 2007 7:36 AM

More fodder for your mp3 player - audio books of Hesse, Kafka, Nietzsche, Plato, Tennyson, and quite a bit more from ThoughtAudio.
posted by Wolfdog (15 comments total)

Thanks for this Wolfdog. I've been a fan of librivox, but their selection can be spotty. On the other hand, they're free.
posted by Pastabagel at 7:44 AM on April 12, 2007

Great resource, thanks Wolfdog. Reckon I might buy one of those zip passes.
posted by Drexen at 7:53 AM on April 12, 2007

Great find. However, I've just checked 'The Art of War' and they make it sound like a very cheesy Hollywood trailer: "The Art.. of Woh-aaaahr". I had to stop listening. Any recommendations for better recordings?
posted by swordfishtrombones at 8:26 AM on April 12, 2007

All I want are audio books read by Christopher Walken.
Steppenwolf, Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Moby Dick, Crime and Punishment. . . Imagine the delivery of these classics in the talk of Walken. I think even Pride and Prejudice could benefit from his treatment.
posted by isopraxis at 8:56 AM on April 12, 2007 [1 favorite]

Wow! and thanks!
posted by Yer-Ol-Pal at 9:35 AM on April 12, 2007

Art of War should totally be read by Michael Dorn.
posted by Drexen at 9:45 AM on April 12, 2007

Drexen, wouldn't that make it Art of Worf? zing!
posted by lowlife at 10:02 AM on April 12, 2007

Thanks, Wolfdog! I've recently caught the audiobook bug and these should keep me busy for a while.

I have to agree though, they do sound like Hollywood Trailer Guy is reading them, but he's far less annoying than some of the readers I have heard on audiobooks I paid far too much for.
posted by Orb at 10:02 AM on April 12, 2007

I love you wolfdog
posted by goml at 10:58 AM on April 12, 2007

Apparently trying to sign up for the Pass means that you fill out the info and the site breaks. *sigh* too bad. This is awesome.
posted by Dantien at 11:26 AM on April 12, 2007

For fun, listen to the Genesis extract.

For starters, it doesn't involve Phil Collins, which is a good thing. But the guy who narrates it is so bombastic that, just a few minutes in, you'll either be laughing or crying. It's almost impossible to listen to.
posted by humblepigeon at 2:24 PM on April 12, 2007

Great idea Wolfdog, but I have to third the sentiment on Voiceover Guy. The Bertrand Russel essay is hilarious. 10/10 for effort, though.
posted by Jakey at 4:14 PM on April 12, 2007

I like the selection, but the Blake is pretty funny. "The Sick Rose" as done by Don La Fontaine.
posted by spartacusroosevelt at 8:07 PM on April 12, 2007

As an fyi, you can find more audio book podcasts here:

http://www.oculture.com/weblog/2006/10/audio_book_podc.html

And lots of other good cultural/educational podcasts here:

http://www.oculture.com/weblog/2007/03/open_culture_po.html
posted by Hankenstein at 8:45 PM on April 12, 2007 [1 favorite]

The tough part is finding good quality stuff.
Literalsystems.org has great quality recordings but the selection is spotty.

Audiobooks.net - This is collection of free audio books from all over.

Simply Audiobooks - They offer a free monthly audio book
posted by freeb26 at 8:15 AM on May 9, 2007