Portfolio 2 Columns

First published in 1812, The Swiss Family Robinson may sometimes seem old-fashioned to modern readers, especially the family’s attitude toward wildlife (if it moves, shoot it). However, it’s a truly exciting adventure and a timeless story of warm and loving family life. As the narrator says: “It was written… for the instruction and amusement of my children… Children are, on the whole, very much alike everywhere, and you four lads fairly represent multitudes… It will make me happy to think that my simple narrative may lead some of these to observe how blessed are the results of patient continuance in well-doing, what benefits arise from the thoughtful application of knowledge and science, and how good and pleasant a thing it is when brethren dwell together in unity, under the eye of parental love.” Written by Swiss pastor Johann David Wyss and edited by his son Johann Rudolf Wyss (this edition lists J.R. as the author), the novel was intended to teach his four sons about family values, good husbandry, the uses of the natural world, and self-reliance. It’s fun to think of the long-ago author reading his own books of natural history and creating this novel to share his interests with his boys.

Aleister Crowley was born 12 October 1875. He was an English occultist, ceremonial magician, poet, painter, novelist, and mountaineer. He founded the religion of Thelema, identifying himself as the prophet entrusted with guiding humanity into the Æon of Horus in the early 20th century. A prolific writer, he published widely over the course of his life. Born to a wealthy family in Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, Crowley rejected his parents’ fundamentalist Christian faith to pursue an interest in Western esotericism. He was educated at Trinity College at the University of Cambridge, where he focused his attentions on mountaineering and poetry. Some biographers allege that here he was recruited into a British intelligence agency, further suggesting that he remained a spy throughout his life. In 1898 he joined the esoteric Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, where he was trained in ceremonial magic. Moving to Boleskine House by Loch Ness in Scotland, he went mountaineering in Mexico before studying Hindu and Buddhist practices in India. He married Rose Edith Kelly and in 1904 they honeymooned in Cairo, Egypt Crowley declared his followers should “Do what thou wilt” and seek to align themselves with their True Will through the practice of magick. Herein is a treasury of his long lost writings.

Victor Frankenstein, inspired by the dreams of ancient alchemists and empowered by modern science, creates a humanoidq. It wanders alone into a hostile world, where fear of its size and ugliness subjects it to violence and ostracism, which in time it learns to blame upon its maker. As compensation for its suffering, it demands that he create a companion with whom to share its outcast life. Moved by the creature’s account of its sufferings, the scientist agrees, but a long period of procrastination awakens doubts. In retaliation, the creature begins a campaign of vengeance. There then follows a chase into the frozen north, which the creature prolongs so as to destroy his pursuer by exposure and exhaustion. This story, narrated by Victor, forms a frame surrounding the creature’s tale of its wanderings and unhappy encounters with human beings. Victor’s narrative is framed within a series of letters written by the young mariner who rescues him from an iceberg while engaged in his own ambitious scientific endeavor, searching for the North Pole. This novel was begun while the author and her lover, Percy Shelley, were in hiding on the shores of Lake Geneva, where they were the frequent guests of Lord Byron. The novel was published in 1818. For everyone interested in the cultural significance of classical horror literature here is a once in a lifetime, must have audio event. Perfect for universities and all educational media.

“There are two basic motivating forces: fear and love. When we are afraid, we pull back from life. When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer with passion, excitement, and acceptance.” “I believe in everything until it’s disproved. So I believe in fairies, the myths, dragons. It all exists, even if it’s in your mind. Who’s to say that dreams and nightmares aren’t as real as the here and now?” John Lennon Here, from the extensive private archives of the world’s foremost Beatles historian and author Geoffrey Giuliano, comes perhaps the rarest, virtually unheard interviews with the founder and spiritual heart of the Beatles. In these incredible, now over 50 year old tapes, you will come to know the real John Lennon in his own stirring words and private thoughts. Here is the chance to understand the man behind the music and understand, even more deeply, the incredible music behind the man. Perfect for all hard-core Beatles collectors, John Lennon fans, pop historians, curious commuters, Interested musicians, and all library and school collections. A once-in-a-lifetime audio experience.

In this dynamic, hard-hitting audiobook, music biographer Geoffrey Giuliano examines the turbulent life and times of Elvis Presley. With an in-depth, insightful narration by the author, as well as rare archival, unheard interviews – here is the perfect collection celebrating the king of rock for every dedicated fan, music historian, the media, as well as all school, library, institutional, and university collections. An ultra-rare, exciting audio biography!

“Forgetting Krishna, the living entity has been attracted by the external feature from time immemorial. Therefore the illusory energy [maya] gives him all kinds of misery in his material existence. In the material condition, the living entity is sometimes raised to higher planetary systems and material prosperity and sometimes drowned in a hellish situation. His state is exactly like that of a criminal whom a king punishes by submerging him in water and then raising him again from the water.” “In this Age of Kali, the holy name of the Lord, the Hare Krishna mantra, is the incarnation of Lord Krishna. Simply by chanting the holy name, one associates with the Lord directly. Anyone who does this is certainly delivered.” “The Hare Krishna maha-mantra, is the incarnation of Lord Krishna.” “Regardless of time or place, one who chants the holy name, even while eating or sleeping, attains all perfection.” Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was a Bengali Hindu mystic, saint, and the chief proponent of the Achintya Bheda Abheda Vedanta school and the Gaudiya Vaishnavism tradition within Hinduism. He also expounded the Vaishnava school of Bhakti yoga, based on Bhagavata Purana and Bhagavad Gita. This is his story, these are his teachings.

Aleister Crowley was born 12 October 1875. He was an English occultist, ceremonial magician, poet, painter, novelist, and mountaineer. He founded the religion of Thelema, identifying himself as the prophet entrusted with guiding humanity into the Æon of Horus in the early 20th century. A prolific writer, he published widely over the course of his life. Born to a wealthy family in Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, Crowley rejected his parents’ fundamentalist Christian faith to pursue an interest in Western esotericism. He was educated at Trinity College at the University of Cambridge, where he focused his attentions on mountaineering and poetry. Some biographers allege that here he was recruited into a British intelligence agency, further suggesting that he remained a spy throughout his life. In 1898 he joined the esoteric Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, where he was trained in ceremonial magic. Moving to Boleskine House by Loch Ness in Scotland, he went mountaineering in Mexico before studying Hindu and Buddhist practices in India. He married Rose Edith Kelly and in 1904 they honeymooned in Cairo, Egypt Crowley declared his followers should “Do what thou wilt” and seek to align themselves with their True Will through the practice of magick. Herein is a treasury of his long lost writings.

11-year-old Thai/American actor Eden Giuliano presents a brand new line of children’s stories from Icon! ABOUT THE AWARD WINNING ICON UNCLE WIGGILY SERIES Uncle Wiggily Longears is the main character and beloved icon of a series of children’s stories by American author Howard R. Garis. He began writing the stories for the Newark News in 1910. Garis penned an Uncle Wiggily take every day for more than fifty two years, and published some seventy nine books in his lifetime. Along the road on his many joyous and exciting episodic adventures Uncle Wiggily has run into several very questionable characters including: the Woozy Wolf, Bushy Bear, Skillery Skallery Alligator and the fierce Bobcat. That being said, the instantly lovable, dear old Uncle Wiggily is also close to many amicable animals friends and family, such his muskrat housekeeper, Nurse Jane Fuzzy Wuzzy, as well as Sammie and Susie Littletail, Jimmie Wibblewobble, Dr. Possum, Uncle Butter, Jackie and of course, Peetie Bow-Wow. Uncle Wiggily has been around now for over 100 years delighting children, gently educating, and enchanting generations of faithful fans. That he is still as popular today as he was over a century ago is testament to the wit and character instilled in these tall tales by the author and the kind old rabbit gentleman he created so long ago! We know you will enjoy this very special series from Icon Audio Arts hosted by young Eden Giuliano! Host Eden Giuliano Opening bonus stories by Honeypot Jefferson.