America is fat and prosperous. We’ve warred with the world, and have gotten rid of the riff-raff. A new era is arising, change is in the air, and to top it all off, the first Government Lethal Chamber is now open for public patronage. Science Fiction from 1895. Today, on The Classic Tales Podcast.

Can a man be mesmerized, and remain in a hypnotic state while he dies? It is this question which we explore as we delve into the unbounded depths of the imagination of Edgar Allan Poe. Today, on The Classic Tales Podcast 

Garrison Keillor guest co-hosts The Classic Tales Podcast!

If you’re like a lot of people, you might not be familiar with the town of Mariposa. It is a town nestled next to Lake Wissanotti, and it’s a place like a thousand others in Canada that some people call home.

Today we hear from Canadian writer Stephen Leacock, on The Classic Tales Podcast - with special guest co-host Garrison Keillor!

App users - read the entire novel "Sunshine Sketches of a Small Town" from Stephen Leacock as a pdf file!

His palace and princess gone, and the threat of imminent death over him, Aladdin struggles to keep his senses. How will he ever recover the life he’s lost? The Arabian Nights, today, on The Classic Tales Podcast. 

App users - check your special features section to listen to The Horror of the Heights, by Arthur Conan Doyle

Using his dark powers, the African Magician discovers Aladdin’s prosperity. As swift as horse can ride, the Magician arrives in China, and his worst suspicions are realized – Aladdin indeed has the lamp he covets so dearly. Will the Magician wrest the lamp from Aladdin? And if so, what will happen to the Princess? The Arabian Nights, today, on The Classic Tales Podcast. 

The cunning sultan has had the Princess Badroulboudour married to the Grand Vizier’s son, dashing Aladdin’s hopes. But is Aladdin worried? Not at all. For the wonders of Aladdin’s Wonderful Lamp can overcome the mightiest schemes of the greatest monarchs – with a little cunning of his own. The Arabian Nights, today, on The Classic Tales Podcast. 

App users: Check out the second part of Ali Baba and the Forty Theives, Part Two in the Special Features Section. 

Aladdin grows in the knowledge of the ways of the world, and soon becomes enamored of the Princess Badroulboudour.  And though he is the son a poor tailor, with no fortune or title, Aladdin comes to an irrevocable resolution to marry the bewitching Princess. The Arabian Nights, today, on The Classic Tales Podcast. 

App users: Check out the special features to listen to Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves, Part One of Two

In the great empire of China, an African Magician seeks to deceive a young wastrel to do his devious bidding. He discovers Aladdin playing in the streets with his friends, and an epic adventure begins. The Arabian Nights, today, on The Classic Tales Podcast. 

App Users: Check the special features for Aladdin Wallpaper for your device!

England is on the brink of war, and at this critical time Harold March threatens to release an exposé of government corruption to the press. Can the two friends see eye to eye at this most critical hour?  G.K. Chesterton, today on The Classic Tales Podcast. 

App users: click on the extra features section to hear "The Music of Erich Zann" by H.P. Lovecraft. 

Horne Fisher campaigns for Parliament. But as he delves deeper into the politics of the countryside, he discovers the tables irrevocably turned against him. G.K. Chesterton, today on The Classic Tales Podcast

A masquerade ball turns deadly on a cold December night. Can The Man Who Knew Too Much solve the mystery of The Hole in the Wall?  G.K. Chesterton today, on The Classic Tales Podcast. 

App users - Check your special features for a standalone short story about Moby Dick!

Britain must act quickly to avert war. But one of the Prime Minister’s most trusted advisors is indisposed. Put simply, he can’t abide to be disturbed while fishing. Can The Man Who Knew Too Much step in where others fear to tread?  G.K. Chesterton today, on The Classic Tales Podcast. 

Tragedy strikes in one of the tender offshoots of the British Empire. It all centers on an ancient, mystical well that has no bottom. G.K. Chesterton today, on The Classic Tales Podcast. 

Click here to get The Moonstone for only $4.99

Click here to get your Free Download of The Moonstone

A well-weathered scholar takes his nephew to see the not-so-famed “St. Paul’s Penny”. But when the security lock-down is triggered, and the penny is stolen, who can discover the secret but The Man Who Knew Too Much? G.K. Chesterton today, on The Classic Tales Podcast. 

App users: Check your special features for the first 3 Chapters of She, A History of Adventure, by H. Rider Haggard. 

Don't have a smartphone? Check out our Facebook page to stream or download the same episode of She, A History of Adventure. 

The audacious criminal known as Prince Michael is cornered at last. But when he murders two men then mysteriously vanishes, no one can figure it out except The Man Who Knew Too Much. G.K. Chesterton today, on The Classic Tales Podcast. 

Listener review of Moby Dick: Although Herman Melville is hard to digest, BJ’s reading of and voice acting of Moby Dick is absolutely excellent and maintains the listener’s interest. I’ve heard things in his narration of it that I did not have the attention span to read before in my several readings.

Two men witness a car plunge into a treacherous abyss in a terrible accident. While one mourns the loss of the poor driver, the other recognizes two things – the driver himself, and the telltale signs of murder. G.K. Chesterton today, on The Classic Tales Podcast.

App users: In the special features section, you will find downloadable wallpaper for The Man Who Knew Too Much.

Father Mapple, former whaler and harpooner, spins the colorful yarn of the unfortunate and craven Jonah. Herman Melville today, on The Classic Tales Podcast. 

App users: Look for Moby Dick wallpaper for your phone, and an indexed PDF file of Moby Dick in the special features section. 

Oz, The Great And Terrible proves to be neither great nor terrible after all. How in the world will Dorothy ever get back to Kansas again?  The answer is not what you think. L. Frank Baum today, on The Classic Tales Podcast.

Oz, The Great And Terrible appears to each of the company, every time in a different form. He demands that before he will grant any courage, brains, hearts or transportation, they must kill the Wicked Witch of the West. L. Frank Baum today, on The Classic Tales Podcast. 

The Tin Woodman and the Cowardly Lion join Dorothy and the Scarecrow on their journey to the emerald city. But their journey through the dark forest is fraught with peril – and poppies. L. Frank Baum today, on The Classic Tales Podcast.

iOS App users - To access the special content for this episode, including episode 2 of Alice in Wonderland, click the small 'e' in the bottom right corner of the episode description. 

Android App users - click the menu button, and an "extras" option should appear. 

"Come along, Toto,” she said, “we will go to the Emerald City and ask the great Oz how to get back to Kansas again.” It’s L. Frank Baum, on The Classic Tales Podcast.

App users: Click on the small "e" on the bottom right corner of this episode to listen to "Alice in Wonderland" part 1 of 4! You can also download the Wizard of Oz wall paper if you like! 

Thomas Hardy delivers a light-hearted Christmas story - really! It's topsy-turvy day on The Classic Tales Podcast.

Scorned love turns to murder in Texas -at Christmastime. O. Henry today, on The Classic Tales Podcast.  

The horrific, haunted face of despair appears, and Toby Veck is haunted by visions of his own creation. Charles Dickens - today on The Classic Tales Podcast.

To get The Classic Tales App for the iOS, follow this URL: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-classic-tales-app/id393601892?mt=8

Toby learns of the sorry fate of a certain Will Fern. The magistrates have sworn that Will shall be put down as an example. But when Toby bumps into Will and his fair child, Toby steers their fate into another quarter entirely. It is then that the haunting of Toby Veck begins. Charles Dickens – today on The Classic Tales Podcast.

Whenever the ancient chimes ring out, Toby Veck hears more than just music. They seem to speak comfort to his heart in word and song. And poor old Toby Veck needs all the cheering he can get. For acting as a hand letter carrier for Alderman Cute can try even his galvanic patience. Charles Dickens – today on the Classic Tales Podcast.

Horace Tarbox is the smartest youngster alive. When he was 13, he was accepted into Princeton University. A year later, he was cranking out a thesis on Syllogism as an Obsolete Scholastic Form. But one day, when a histrionic ingénue raps at his door, life reaches in stretches, tugs and pulls him into contortions fit for the circus. F. Scott Fitzgerald – today on the Classic tales Podcast.

This just in - The National Peace Council has grave objections to the toys typically given to boys, as they tend to encourage their primal violent instincts. Now there is an ingenious product on the toy shelf , sure to be the next hot Christmas item – toys of peace. Saki, Today on The Classic Tales Podcast.

Haunting tales are told of an abandoned mansion, now tenanted with revenant spirits. And when young Shorthouse pays a visit to his Aunt Julia, she greets him with the exultant words, “I’ve got the keys!”, her little plan becomes clear. Wouldn’t it be grand to spend the night in a truly haunted house? Algernon Blackwood, today, on The Classic Tales Podcast.

The General’s story comes to its horrifying conclusion, and the mystery of Carmilla is finally unearthed. J. Sheridan Le Fanu, today, on The Classic Tales Podcast.

Nightmares grow in intensity, and strange sensations blur the line between

dreaming and reality. Finally, Laura receives a message from her nightly

apparition: "Your mother warns you to beware of the assasin." J. Sheridan Le

Fanu, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.

The enigma of Carmilla is darkly illumined. She refuses to tell anyone who she is, where she comes from, or anything of her past. And when a traveling hunchback offers to file her needle-like teeth, she flys into a passion she can barely control. But the girls do purchase something from the hunchback – a protective charm against vampires. J. Sheridan Le Fanu, today, on The Classic Tales Podcast.

"But dreams come through stone walls, light up dark rooms, or darken light ones, and their persons make their exits and entrances as they please, and laugh at locksmiths" And so the story of Carmilla begins with a childish nightmare which proves to have been real. J. Sheridan Le Fanu, today, on The Classic Tales Podcast.

Desiree is so happy. She has married the wealthy Armand, and has just given birth to a beautiful baby boy. She is on cloud nine, until a certain discovery is made. This discovery is built of angry nods, moody walks, and steely stares, and threatens to destroy all of Desiree’s happiness. How will she overcome it? Kate Chopin, today, on The Classic Tales Podcast.

Yakov was a coffin builder with an everlasting canker in his mind. He was continually preoccupied with his losses. You can imagine the kind of life he led with his wife. Will he be able to turn his life around before it is too late? Anton Chekhov- today on The Classic Tales Podcast. 

In the dark bedrooms during a ball given by royalty, the Baron d'Etraille seeks repose. But when he discovers his wife in this same room in the arms of another man, his life is irrevocably changed. Will order and escape help him to create a new life? What will his wife do? Guy de Maupassant- today on The Classic Tales Podcast.

Our explorers return home, but their return is filled with controversy. For the manner of their escape prevented them from bringing back any concrete proof that their expedition was a success. Or did they… find out on The Classic Tales Podcast.

Our explorers seem relatively safe. They have destroyed the race that persecuted them. They are each given a home and trophy wife from the Indians. The dinosaurs seem to only attack at night, and can’t climb the stone steps to get at the humans. Still there appears to be no escape from the Lost World. Will our heroes go native, and live a life that few could only dream of?  Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.

Our explorers are relentlessly pursued by the cunning ape-men, and an epic battle ensues between two ancient and unknown races. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, today on The Classic Tales Podcast. 

Mr. Malone plays the hero once again. He decides to go on a long explore alone, at the dead of night. Not the brightest thing to do, to be sure. But when he returns to camp, he finds everything topsy-turvy, and a tell-tale pool of blood. Though he cries and shouts for hours, he finally realizes that he is now alone in the prehistoric lost world.  Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.

The wonders of the Lost World unfold before our explorers. Yet the whole while these new and exciting discoveries are made, an eerie sense of uneasiness plagues our little band. If their presence is made known to these gargantuan predators, their adventures would surely end bloodily. And when their dreamless sleep is shocked out of them in the small hours, a deadly truth is forced upon them:  dinosaurs tend to hunt and kill in the night. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.

Something terrible has happened. In the deepest corner of the Amazonian jungle, far beyond any claims upon civilization, our small band of explorers have finally discovered the entrance to The Lost World. But just as they are rejoicing in their good fortune, a terrible cataclysm darkens their magnificent achievement. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.

Off to the impenetrable Amazonian jungle, our explorers begin their quest for a land that time has forgotten. But at the critical point when the professor’s sealed instructions are opened, our explorers are shocked at what they find. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.

The edifice of the Professor's stalwart will is breached, and Mr. Malone learns first hand of Professor Challenger's astounding assertions. But when the public again refuses to believe the good professor, Malone finds himself volunteering for the adventure of a lifetime. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.

Edward Malone is a newspaperman with an ultimatum: in order to marry the girl of his dreams, he must go on a grand adventure and make a name for himself. He is directed to interview one of the irascible and volatile characters in all literature - Professor George Edward Challenger. It is here that the quest for The Lost World begins. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, today, on The Classic Tales Podcast.

Inspector Nayland Smith has unearthed a plot that could mean the end of civilization as we know it. He's just arrived in London, chasing the greatest criminal mind ever to come from the East. But when he arrives to warn Sir Crichton Davey that he is in danger, he finds he is too late. Sir Crichton has become the first victim of the insidious Dr. Fu-Manchu.

In the jungles of Brazil, legions of killer ants can strip a stag of all its flesh in six minutes. But when government officials cry the warning that innumerable armies of the black fiends are coming, the planter Leiningen demands to stay and fight. Carl Stephenson, today, on The Classic Tales Podcast.

Secrets are bartered and sold at the dawning of World War I. And when Professor Kaufmann entertains an unexpected guest in the small hours of the morning, dangerous words are bound to find their mark.  Raphael Sabatini, today, on The Classic Tales Podcast.

A melancholy German student travels to Paris to finish his studies. But he discovers the danger of discovering the fires of desire beneath the guillotine.    Washington Irving, today, on The Classic Tales Podcast.

The sacred road, The Golden One, breath of death...These are phrases muttered by the natives about the place of the dead. It is here that the snake hunting is finest. But at the end of the sacred road, the place of the dead yields few survivors. Elmer Brown Mason, today, on The Classic Tales Podcast.

While capturing anacondas in the jungles of South America, adventurer Wandering Smith spies an orchid hunter, fleeing from a troupe of angry natives spewing poisoned arrows.  But when this orchid hunter joins the hunting expedition, it becomes clear that he thirsts for something other than rare orchids - he is also collecting the jewels used to adorn shrunken heads. Elmer Brown Mason, today, on The Classic Tales Podcast.