
FIFTY FAMOUS PEOPLE - A BOOK OF SHORT STORIES - BY JAMES BALDWIN - PREFATORY NOTE
SAVING THE BIRDS
SPEAKING A PIECE
WRITING A COMPOSITION
THE WHISTLE
THE ETTRICK SHEPHERD - I
THE CALIPH AND THE POET
"BECOS! BECOS! BECOS!"
A LESSON IN HUMILITY
THE MIDNIGHT RIDE
This collection brings together a hundred‑plus vivid snapshots of well‑known figures from world history, each told in a compact, engaging narrative. The stories are rooted in real events yet shaped with a gentle, imaginative touch that makes the past feel immediate and alive. Every tale carries a clear ethical thread, offering listeners both entertainment and a quiet lesson about character, courage, or kindness.
One of the opening episodes follows a young lawyer who later becomes a celebrated statesman, pausing his journey to rescue helpless robin chicks caught in a spring storm. His simple act of compassion sets the tone for the book’s blend of factual grounding and moral reflection. Other entries introduce soldiers, generals, and pioneers, each facing a moment that reveals something essential about their humanity.
Designed for listeners of all ages, the stories invite curiosity about the people who shaped our world while reminding us that even the greatest figures began with ordinary choices.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (167K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2004-07-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1841–1925
A self-educated Indiana schoolman who turned a lifelong love of learning into books for generations of young readers. Best known for retelling myths, legends, and history in clear, inviting prose, he helped bring classic stories into classrooms and homes alike.
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by James Baldwin

by James Baldwin

by James Baldwin

by James Baldwin

by James Baldwin

by James Baldwin

by James Baldwin

by James Baldwin