
audiobook
LITTLE RIVERS - A BOOK OF ESSAYS IN PROFITABLE IDLENESS by Henry Van Dyke
DEDICATION
PRELUDE
LITTLE RIVERS
A LEAF OF SPEARMINT - RECOLLECTIONS OF A BOY AND A ROD.
AMPERSAND
A HANDFUL OF HEATHER
THE RISTIGOUCHE FROM A HORSE-YACHT
ALPENROSEN AND GOAT'S MILK
AU LARGE
In this gently wandering collection of essays, the author invites listeners to linger beside quiet streams and let the rhythm of water become a quiet companion. With a poet’s eye for detail, he describes the simple pleasure of casting a line on a mellow brook, the scent of wildflowers, and the soft chorus of meadow birds, turning everyday moments into small celebrations of contentment. The prose feels like a leisurely stroll through a sun‑dappled valley, where each observation invites the mind to breathe more slowly.
Beyond the river’s pull, the writer reflects on other natural fixtures—mountains, trees, even the restless sea—drawing subtle contrasts that illuminate why a modest stream can feel more like an old friend than a grand landscape. Personal anecdotes mingle with tender humor, creating a warm, conversational tone that encourages listeners to find their own “profitable idleness” in the world’s quieter corners. The essays promise a soothing escape, perfect for anyone yearning for a gentle pause amid the clamor of modern life.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (320K characters)
Release date
2006-05-12
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1852–1933
A warmly accessible writer of stories, poems, and essays, he moved easily between the pulpit, the classroom, and public service. Best known today for "The Story of the Other Wise Man" and the hymn "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee," he wrote with a clear moral spirit and a love of beauty and nature.
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