Classical Europe

Scotch whisky, first recorded as the drink of kings and monks over 500 years ago, is now enjoyed in every part of the world. Whisky Galore tells its extraordinary story: from local brew to the most popular spirit on earth. With music and songs, stories and tastings, discussion and laughter, Bill Torrance introduces a distinguished gathering of whisky experts and imbibers.

Delve into the enchanting world of "Tom Thumb," a timeless fairy tale by Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm. This classic story tells the adventures of Tom Thumb, a tiny boy no larger than his father's thumb, who embarks on incredible journeys despite his small size. Tom Thumb's cleverness and bravery lead him through a series of extraordinary escapades, from being swallowed by a cow to outsmarting thieves. Each adventure showcases his resourcefulness and determination, making him a beloved character in the world of fairy tales.

The Little Mermaid is a very well-known fairy tale by the Danish author Hans Christian Andersen about a young mermaid willing to give up her life in the sea and her identity as a mermaid to gain a human soul and the love of a human prince. The tale was first published in 1837 and has been adapted to various media, including musical theatre and animated film. But this tale is not the Disney version, all cleaned up and made pretty. This is the way Andersen wrote it.

A golden statue comes to life and, with the help of a reluctant swallow, gives away everything he has. A fierce giant forbids children to play in his garden -- then realizes that only through sharing will spring ever come again. In these rich fables by Oscar Wilde, author of The Importance of Being Earnest, characters learn that kindness and giving are the greatest powers of all.

Im Frühjahr 1878 fasste der amerikanische Schriftsteller Mark Twain den erstaunlichen Entschluss, zu Fuß durch Europa zu wandern und machte sich in Begleitung eines Mr. Harris auf den Weg, insbesondere um Deutsch zu lernen. Aber aus privaten Gründen wurde dieser Entschluss hin und wieder aufgegeben und man bediente sich Verkehrsmitteln, wie z. B. Eisenbahn, Boot, Ochsenkarren oder Flöße. Die Reisenden erleben amüsante Begegnungen.

Mark Twain hat mehrfach Europa bereist, ist in Deutschland, der Schweiz, Frankreich, Italien, ja sogar der Türkei gewesen. Seine satirischen, respektlosen, oft absolut treffenden Beobachtungen lassen Vertrautes im neuen Licht erscheinen, und sind schlichtweg ein Vergnügen.

This is a story from the Grimm's Fairy Tales collection.

This is a story from the Grimm's Fairy Tales collection.

A writer, scholar in his own right, friend, and confidant, G. R. S. Mead offers a defense of his colleague, H. P. Blavatsky. During her life, she was often accused of being a charlatan. Mead offers first-hand knowledge of working with and knowing Madame Blavatsky and speaks out against reports that attempted to discredit her.

In Hans Christian Andersen's classic tale, a little fir tree realizes too late that it did not appreciate the grand moments of life - the majesty of the forest, the dazzling grandeur of its night as a Christmas tree - while they were happening...

Zwischen dem 9. und 5. Jahrhundert v. Chr. wuchs die Bevölkerung Griechenlands in ungeahntem Ausmaß, von etwa 800.000 Menschen auf bis zu 13 Millionen. Etwa eine Viertelmillion davon lebte in Athen. Die durchschnittliche Größe der städtischen Haushalte wuchs in dieser Zeit beträchtlich, eine Tatsache, die darauf hindeutet, dass Nahrungsmittel plötzlich in ausreichendem Maße zur Verfügung standen, um größere Familien viel effektiver gesund und am Leben zu erhalten als noch ein Jahrtausend zuvor.

Auf dem Hörbuch "Im Märchen durch Europa" werden die schönsten Märchen unserer liebsten Reiseländer erzählt. Von Belgien bis in die Türkei werden all die Plätze besucht, an die wir Erinnerungen der schönsten Zeit des Jahres knüpfen.

Discover Slavic culture with two ancient tales from the Eastern European world. The "Twelve Months" is a story about persistence, not unlike our "Cinderilla", but set in a fantastic world where seasons are all and winter, deadly. "The Two Brothers "is a tale about justice in a world where money corrupts easily. Enjoy these ancient tales from a faraway land, recorded by the best storytellers in a warm and lively way.

Learn essential lessons in leadership and life from the classic tale of Alexander the Great. This engrossing book also discusses the legacy of this famous man, including the many kingdoms and empires that grew out of his wake. You'll also learn how the Ancient Greek language, ideas, and culture spread across the world - affecting us even today.

This is a story from the Andersen's Fairy Tales collection.

Un hombre rico es evitado por las mujeres a causa de su barba azul. Un día le pide a una vecina distinguida alguna de sus hijas en matrimonio, las cuales se pasan el compromiso una a la otra, por rechazo al aspecto de Barba Azul. Pero finalmente la hermana menor accede atraída por la vida opulenta que le ofrece el ricachón. Un día Barba Azul anuncia que partirá en viaje de negocios y entrega todas las llaves de la casa a su nueva esposa, incluida la de una pequeña estancia a la que le prohíbe entrar.

This is a story from the Grimm's Fairy Tales collection.

Charles Dickens, considered one of the greatest English authors of all time, wrote the essay "Sunday Under Three Heads" in 1836. It is a short piece expressing Charles Dickens' opinion on a bill being presented in the British Parliament which was meant to restrict pleasurable pursuits on Sundays. Dickens explains how this proposed act would negatively affect the poor people of Britain. Besides stating his opinion with eloquence, the essay provides a good description of life on an English Sunday in the early 19th century.

This is a story from the Thumbelina and Other Fairy Tales collection.

In this, the twelfth of the series, Dumas, the novelist-historian, is back in full force. His subject is a well-documented historical fact: that a man named Arnaud du Thil was able to pass for two years as Martin Guerre, deceiving villages, neighbors, friends, family, and even the wife of Martin Guerre with equal success, even to the point of becoming the father of two children by Martin Guerre's wife.