Project Gutenberg Finds

[Rommie]

Every once in awhile I discover that a book I loved is actually free in the public domain and on Project Gutenberg, so I thought I'd start a list of a few here in hopes that others will point me to some other interesting reads too.

Today's find, did anyone else love The Boxcar Children series as a kid? Cause I did, and have had a great trip down memory lane today reading the first one again- http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/42796

[geonuc]

I don't believe I've even heard of The Boxcar Children, but it could be I've just forgotten.

[Rommie]

Hah, well they're sorta like Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew but I think you read them at a slightly younger age (ie I think I was 8 or so when I started reading this series, Nancy Drew I didn't start until I was about 10). And hey if it's on Project Gutenberg they've definitely been around awhile.

I will also say though how I think one of the most fun parts of re-reading stuff you haven't touched in decades is how various lines stick out at you. The following two are from the end of the book when the kids are moving in to live with their wealthy grandfather.

This was the first that his grandfather had heard about school, but he agreed with Henry, and chuckled to himself.

"The finest schools in the country," he said. This came true, for all the children finally went to the public schools, and are they not the finest schools in the country?

"What am I going to do when I grow up, Grandfather?" asked Henry.

"You're going to take my place, Henry, as president of the steel mills," replied Mr. Cordyce. "You will do it better than I ever have." (And one day this came true, just as most of Mr. Cordyce's prophecies did.)

"And what am I going to do?" asked Jess, curiously.

"All you children must go to school and then to college. Then you may do whatever you choose for a living," replied Mr. Cordyce. (This also came true.)

"Of course I have more than enough money to support us all," went on Mr. Cordyce, "but if you have something to do, you will be happier." (This not only came true, but it is always and forever true, all over the world.)

I don't know why, but I somehow find the former an interesting editorial and the latter a lovely truism to put into a children's book.

[SciFiFisher]

You are too young to have read the Boxcar books.

It's been quite a few years since I read them. And they were available in the school library at that time.

[brite]

They had books back then?? <flee>

[Swift]

I don't believe I've even heard of The Boxcar Children, but it could be I've just forgotten.

I suspect we are the wrong generation; I've barely heard the title and never read it.

They had books back then?? <flee>

Well, they really were stone tablets and cave paintings, but they amused us between dinosaur hunts.

[gethen]

You are too young to have read the Boxcar books.

It's been quite a few years since I read them. And they were available in the school library at that time.

Now that's just mean. I bought those books for my kids when they were younger.

[Rommie]

I don't believe I've even heard of The Boxcar Children, but it could be I've just forgotten.

I suspect we are the wrong generation; I've barely heard the title and never read it.

Y'see, the interesting thing is I normally wouldn't have mentioned it but being on Project Gutenberg usually means it's been around awhile- this book has a copyright from the 1920s.

Guess stuff really goes in cycles when it comes to popularity.

[geonuc]

I may very well have read them, I just remember almost nothing of my childhood.

[cid]

I vaguely remember reading about The Boxcar Children when I was knee high to a Hurst shifter...I have to say, some of the best things my parents
did for me was ensuring I knew how to read and write, had some exposure to culture via music lessons, and (Mom gets the nod for this one) making sure
I knew how to type; not keyboard, TYPE. I still know how to center a page in a manual typewriter for a centered title.

On other subjects, though...
One of the things I found on Project Gutenberg was the (a?) book supposedly foretelling the Titanic disaster.

The Wreck of The Titan; or Futility by Morgan Robertson.

It's actually a bit of a love story, with the shipwreck being a minor plot point. But, it's a good read...

[Rommie]

Ah right, I remember hearing about that book years ago but never read it.

Another old favorite- http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/175

The original Phantom of the Opera. I read it years ago and just started rereading it again; what amazes me still is how fast-paced and interesting a read it is despite being so old (in my experience often the language does not age well).

[FZR1KG]

Can't I just watch the movie?

[SciFi Chick]

Can't I just watch the movie?

You're just reveling in the fact that there are no kiya and kicking smilies, aren't ya?

[brite]

I'm sure I could find some...

[SciFi Chick]

I'm sure I could find some...

If it's not too much trouble, please do. When I'm not using them, Dayzed certainly will be.

[brite]

??

[SciFi Chick]

:hammer: ??

This one especially: