Little Rivers: A Book of Essays in Profitable Idleness

audiobook

Little Rivers: A Book of Essays in Profitable Idleness

by Henry Van Dyke

EN·~5 hours·14 chapters

Chapters

14 total
1

LITTLE RIVERS - A BOOK OF ESSAYS IN PROFITABLE IDLENESS by Henry Van Dyke

0:27
2

DEDICATION

0:20
3

PRELUDE

2:04
4

LITTLE RIVERS

31:09
5

A LEAF OF SPEARMINT - RECOLLECTIONS OF A BOY AND A ROD.

30:13
6

AMPERSAND

26:18
7

A HANDFUL OF HEATHER

43:26
8

THE RISTIGOUCHE FROM A HORSE-YACHT

31:24
9

ALPENROSEN AND GOAT'S MILK

49:42
10

AU LARGE

51:28

Description

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.

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Details

Language

en

Duration

~5 hours (320K characters)

Release date

2006-05-12

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the author

Henry Van Dyke

Henry Van Dyke

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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