Showing results by narrator "Katie Haigh" in All Categories

Alexander II was Emperor of Russia from 2 March 1855 until his assassination on 13 March 1881. He is remembered as Alexander the Liberator, as he led the emancipation of Russia's serfs; during his reign, he kept seeking peace, although the context of the surrounding countries was proving more and more difficult. Although he went down in history as a reformer, his actions were too little too late for the revolutionaries of late imperial Russia, who managed to assassinate him in 1881.

The Russian Empire was the third-largest empire in world history, stretching over three continents. It played a major role in 1812-1814 in defeating Napoleon's ambitions to control Europe and expanded to the west and south. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, the Russian Empire extended from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Black Sea in the south, from the Baltic Sea on the west to the Pacific Ocean, and (until 1867) into Alaska in North America in the east. Its wide disparities bred dissidence and rebellions; along with its enormous size, this made it a challenge to govern.

"King Lear" is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare, depicting the gradual descent into madness of the title character after he disposes of his kingdom giving bequests to two of his three daughters based on their flattery of him, bringing tragic consequences for all. The play is derived from the legend of Leir of Britain, a mythological pre-Roman Celtic king; after the English Restoration, it was often revised with a happy ending for audiences who disliked its dark and depressing tone, but since the nineteenth century, Shakespeare's original version has been regarded as one of his supreme achievements.

"Fanciful stories" is a collection of folk-tales, fairy tales and delightful poetry to encourage children to dream and connect their imagination with the tales of old. Learn about the mystery of the house-elves, dance with the fairies and breathe the air of the legendary forests with these fantastic short stories for children. The collection: "White Magic"; "The Brownies" by Juliana Horatia Ewing; "The Story of Peter Pan"; "Sir Lark and King Sun" by George MacDonald; "The Imps in the Heavenly Meadow" by Kate E. Bunce; "The Birthday Honors of the Fairy Queen" by Hapgood Moore.

Peter the Great ruled the Tsardom of Russia and later the Russian Empire, leading a cultural revolution based on the Enlightenment, modernizing and rationalizing the Russian social and political system. "All his qualities, indeed, were on a colossal scale. His rage was cyclonic: his hatred rarely stopped short of extermination. His banquets were orgies, his pastimes convulsions. He lived and he loved like one of the giants of old." Discover the life and struggles of one of the most influential rulers through this precise, clear and thorough presentation.

"The White Cat" is an old French fairy tale written by the Comtesse d'Aulnoy in 1698. It is a variation on an old German tale, "Puddocky", and "Cherry", another tale collected by the brothers Grimm in the nineteenth century. A king has three sons and sets them tasks to perform so that he can decide who gets the kingdom after his passing. The tasks are increasingly difficult, but the youngest prince encounters the aid of a mysterious white cat, who seems to have been human at some time but will not tell its sad story.

"The Tragedy of Macbeth" is a play written by William Shakespeare. Set mainly in Scotland, the play illustrates the damaging physical and psychological effects of political ambition on those who seek power for its own sake. The play was most likely written during the reign of James I, who had been James VI of Scotland before he succeeded to the English throne in 1603. James was a patron of Shakespeare's acting company and of all the plays Shakespeare wrote during James's reign, "Macbeth" most clearly reflects the playwright's relationship with the sovereign.

Meditation is a practice, a state of mind, a way of life, a means and an end. These 200 quotes selected among the sayings of great spiritual masters will inspire you on your journey and accompany you in your habit of living your life consciously.

Catherine the Great was Empress of Russia from 1762 until 1796, the country's longest-ruling female leader. She came to power following a coup d'état when her husband, Peter III, was assassinated. Under her reign, Russia was revitalised; it grew larger and stronger, and was recognised as one of the great powers of Europe. Discover the life and struggles of one of the most influential rulers through this precise, clear and thorough presentation.

Tsar Alexander I was the grandson of Catherine the Great. He became Tsar after his father Paul I was murdered and ruled Russia during chaotic period of the Napoleonic Wars. In Russian history, he is known as “Alexander the Blessed”. A legendary ruler, he led his country to one of her greatest triumphs, against Napoleon, although he was often viewed as an enigma by his contemporaries. Discover the life and struggles of one of the most influential rulers through this precise, clear and thorough presentation.

Classic fairy tales and stories are an essential part of children's development. This collection brings together rare fairy tales, stories, myths and legends, to feed the intelligence and imagination of children in their years of development. Here are seven of the rarest and most delightful tales: "How to Tell a True Princess" and "The Darning Needle" by master storyteller Hans Christian Andersen; "Belling the Cat" and "The Wolf and the Fox", taken from Aesop's fables; an English fairy tale, "Master of all Masters"; "Persevere and Prosper", and "The Story of Caliph Stork", two old Arabian tales.

"The Legend of Saint Julian the Hospitalier" is a short story by French writer Gustave Flaubert, one of the great masters of literary style and aesthetics. Saint Julian is predicted at birth to do great things, but a growing hatred takes root in him, leading him to seek a way to escape a destiny which seems more and more likely to be terrible. "The Legend of Saint Julian the Hospitalier" is an inspiring tale of perseverance and humility, one of Flaubert's most touching short stories with a religious theme.

These "Tales for Tiny Tots" are ageless and varied very short stories, aimed at those who are just nascent at listening, to provide them with delight and inch them towards a broader understanding of the world. Each tale contains a wise moral brought forth by colorful imagery: there you will find the "Tale of Peter Rabbitt", by Beatrix Potter, "Little Red Hen", "Dolly Dimple", "The visit to Santa Claus Land", and many more read by Katie Haigh.

"Herodias" is a short story by Gustave Flaubert, one of the great masters of French literature. It is a reworking of the tale of Salomé and John the Baptist, in which faith and cruelty are blended in a deadly dance culminating in tragedy. A stylistic masterpiece, with orientalist sensuality and an inspired dive into religious fervor, this short story brings the ancient era to the most colorful possible life.

"Herodias", "Dance of death" and "The Legend of Saint Julian The Hospitalier" : 3 French short stories by Gustave Flaubert. "Herodias" is a reworking of the tale of Salomé and John the Baptist. "Dance of Death" is a prose poem in which Death laments over the cruel task God has given him. "The Legend of Saint Julian the Hospitalier" is an inspiring tale of perseverance and humility, one of Flaubert's most touching short stories.

"Dance of Death" is a prose poem in which Death laments over the cruel task God has given him. Engaging in a dialogue with Satan, and later Nero as one of Satan's first minions, Death suggests that of the two of them, Satan has the more enviable lot, as his work will one day be done and he will have rest. "Dance of Death" is impregnated with the spirit of romanticism, which had a powerful hold on the mind of Flaubert at the time of its writing. Its florid prose makes it a very interesting curiosity for the reader wishing to know a younger Flaubert, who would only later become the famous author of Madame Bovary.

Here is a collection of the most beloved English poems, from century-old anonymous nursery rhymes to delightful texts from Edward Lear to Lewis Carroll and Robert Stevenson. Rediscover the classics that have been passed from parents to children for generations: "The Owl and the Pussy-Cat", "Kindness to Animals", "How doth the little busy bee", "Twinkle twinkle little star", and 20 more timeless jewels, read by Katie Haigh.

"Hop-o'-My-Thumb" (Hop-on-My-Thumb), or "Hop o' My Thumb", also known as "Little Thumbling" or "Little Poucet" is one of the eight fairytales published by Charles Perrault in "Histoires ou Contes du temps passé" (1697). "Hop-o'-My-Thumb" is the youngest of seven children in a poor woodcutter's family, and his greater wisdom compensates for his smallness of size. When the children are abandoned by their parents, he finds a variety of means to save his life and the lives of his brothers, eventually confronting a scary ogre.

"The Fir Tree" is a literary fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, about a fir tree so anxious to grow up, so anxious for greater things, that he cannot appreciate living in the moment. It is a melancholy story, warning about the dangers of always expecting greater glory just around the corner, only to be disappointed or to regret the unappreciated instants; only the moment is worthwhile.

"The Six Swans" is a German fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm. An evil stepmother uses witchcraft to turn the six sons of her daughter-in-law, the Queen, into swans. The curse can only be broken if their sister sews six nettle shirts and remains silent for seven years. She retires from the world and starts her work, but another King is stricken by her beauty and wants to marry her.