345 episodes

Every week, join award-winning narrator B.J. Harrison as he narrates the greatest stories the world has ever known. From the jungles of South America to the Mississippi Delta, from Victorian England to the sands of the Arabian desert, join us on a fantastic journey through the words of the world's greatest authors. Critically-acclaimed and highly recommended for anyone who loves a good story with plenty of substance.

The Classic Tales Podcast B.J. Harrison

    • Fiction
    • 4.7 • 2.3K Ratings

Every week, join award-winning narrator B.J. Harrison as he narrates the greatest stories the world has ever known. From the jungles of South America to the Mississippi Delta, from Victorian England to the sands of the Arabian desert, join us on a fantastic journey through the words of the world's greatest authors. Critically-acclaimed and highly recommended for anyone who loves a good story with plenty of substance.

    For They Know Not What They Do, by Wilbur Daniel Steele

    For They Know Not What They Do, by Wilbur Daniel Steele

    Mental illness runs keep in the Kain family, as do the family secrets. Why does Christopher’s mother leave when he’s finally home from school? Wilbur Daniel Steele, today on The Classic Tales Podcast. 
    Welcome to The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening.
    The Vintage Episode for the week is “The Battle of the Witchdoctors”, by H. Rider Haggard. Be sure to check it out on Tuesday. 
    If you have found value in the show, please consider becoming a monthly supporter. Help us to help other folks like you. 
    Please go to http://classictalesaudiobooks.com and become a monthly supporter today.
    Classic Tales for Children: Volume 1 is now available. It includes the new recording of Pollyanna, bundled together with Winnie-the-Pooh, The Wind in the Willows, and Alice in Wonderland. I thought of titles that would really go well together, so I pulled out all the stops. This anthology is perfect to listen to again and again. You can pick it up at classictalesaudiobooks.com by following the link in the show notes. 
    https://store.classictalesaudiobooks.com/classic-tales-for-children-volume-1-p366.aspx
    The O. Henry Memorial Prize nominees and winners series continues this week with a first-rate story by Wilbur Daniel Steele. Tackling the theme of mental illness in 1919 was a novel concept. Mental illness was and still is vastly misunderstood. The way this story was crafted really stood out to me, and I tried to modulate my pitch and pacing to reflect the sometimes-volatile narration. I hope the effect carries through. 
    And now, “For They Know Now What They Do”, by Wilbur Daniel Steele. 
    Follow this link to get Classic Tales for Children, Volume 1, including Pollyanna, Winnie-the-Pooh, The Wind in the Willows, and Alice in Wonderland. 
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    • 54 min
    The Country of the Blind, by H.G. Wells VINTAGE

    The Country of the Blind, by H.G. Wells VINTAGE

    How true is the saying, “In the Country of the Blind, the One-Eyed Man is King”? H.G. Wells, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.
    Welcome to this Vintage Episode of The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening. 
    A Vintage Episode is released every Tuesday. If you have found value in the show, please help us to help more people like you by going to http://classictalesaudiobooks.com, and becoming a supporter. New stories are coming your way on Friday. 
    We have a new title available – Classic Tales for Children, Volume 1. This boxed set includes Pollyanna, The Wind in the Willows, and Alice in Wonderland. Hop on over to the website, and pick up your copy today. 
    And now, The Country of the Blind, by H.G. Wells.
    Follow this link to pick up your copy of Classic Tales for Children: Volume 1
    Follow this link to become a monthly supporter:
       
    Follow this link to subscribe to our YouTube Channel:
     
    Follow this link to subscribe to the Arsène Lupin Podcast:
     
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    • 1 hr 23 min
    Nice Neighbors, by Mary Stanbery Watts

    Nice Neighbors, by Mary Stanbery Watts

    When the kids next door cross a line, Mrs. Shields can’t help but speak up about it. She knows it will set the gossip machine in motion, but right is right – isn’t it? Mary Stanbery Watts, today on The Classic Tales Podcast. 
    Welcome to The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening. 
    The Vintage Episode for the week is “The Country of the Blind”, by H.G. Wells. Be sure to check it out on Tuesday. 
    If you have found value in the show, please consider becoming a monthly supporter. Help us to help other folks like you.
    Please go to http://classictalesaudiobooks.com and become a monthly supporter today.
    Have you ever read Pollyanna, by Eleanor H. Porter? Well, you should. Everybody should. With the way things have gotten so dark lately, I figured I just needed a shot of something bright and cheerful, and reading Pollyanna was just what the doctor ordered. 
    So, I recorded it. I’ll be releasing it as a boxed set, along with Winnie-the-Pooh, The Wind in the Willows and Alice in Wonderland. Keep an eye on your in box, and I’ll send the product link as soon as it’s available this week. You can preorder it now, by following this link:
    https://store.classictalesaudiobooks.com/classic-tales-for-children-volume-1-p366.aspx
    Mary Stanbery Watts was a rather prolific writer at the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries. She wrote many stories for McClures, and novels for MacMillan, several set during the Spanish-American war. Today’s story, “Nice Neighbors”, she wrote near the end of her writing career, in 1923. Just a heads up – this story does deal with violence toward animals. 
    And now, “Nice Neighbors”, by Mary Stanbery Watts. 
    Follow this link to preorder Classic Tales for Children, Volume 1, including Pollyanna, Winnie-the-Pooh, The Wind in the Willows, and Alice in Wonderland. 
     
    Follow this link to become a monthly supporter:
      
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    • 48 min
    The Blue Hotel, by Stephen Crane VINTAGE

    The Blue Hotel, by Stephen Crane VINTAGE

    Why does a stay at the Palace Hotel mean trouble? Stephen Crane, today on The Classic Tales Podcast. 
    Welcome to this Vintage Episode of The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening. 
    A Vintage Episode is released every Tuesday. If you have found value in the show, please help us to help more people like you by going to http://classictalesaudiobooks.com, and becoming a supporter. New stories are coming your way on Friday. 
    Please donate to the Kickstarter project to fund the audiobook production of Immortal, by Joanna White. It’s a prequel to her epic fantasy series, Valiant. In Immortal, the protagonist travels through different times without the ability to die. It’s very well-written, and I’m sure you’ll love it. 
    Once we raise the funds, Joanna has hired me to produce the audiobook! I’ll send out a newsletter with a link to the project once we’re ready to launch. Thanks for pitching in! 
    Stephen Crane is mostly known for his seminal novel: The Red Badge of Courage, and also for his short story, “The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky”. While today’s story is seemingly simple, there are several complex themes underpinning the story. Also, the story breaks the stylistic norms of the period, venturing toward the realm of Expressionism. 
    And now, The Blue Hotel, by Stephen Crane.
    Follow this link to the Kickstarter page for Immortal, and help to fund the audiobook:
     
    Follow this link to become a monthly supporter:
      
    Follow this link to subscribe to our YouTube Channel:
      
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    • 1 hr 14 min
    England to America, by Margaret Prescott Montague

    England to America, by Margaret Prescott Montague

    Do the English just not like Americans? Seriously, why won’t Chev’s family warm up to Skip? Margaret Prescott Montague, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.
    Welcome to The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening. 
    The Vintage Episode for the week is “The Blue Hotel”, by Stephen Crane. Be sure to check it out on Tuesday.
    If you have found value in the show, please consider becoming a monthly supporter. Help us to help other folks like you.
    Please go to http://classictalesaudiobooks.com and become a monthly supporter today.
    Also, please follow the link in the show notes to support a Kickstarter campaign to fund the audiobook Immortal, by Joanna White: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/joannawhite/immortal-a-valiant-prequel 
    It’s a prequel to her epic fantasy series, Valiant. In Immortal, the protagonist travels through different times without the ability to die. It’s very well-written, and I’m sure you’ll love it. 
    Once we raise the funds, Joanna has hired me to produce the audiobook! I’ll send out a newsletter with a link to the project once we’re ready to launch. Thanks for pitching in! 
    Today’s story won the O. Henry Memorial Award in 1919. World War I had just ended, and there were many military stories written at the time, as most everyone in the world had some connection to the war.
     Margaret Prescott Montague was a short story writer and novelist. Four of her stories were made into films in the 1920s. Winning the O. Henry Memorial Award is the most prestigious of her accomplishments. She lived from 1878 – 1955. 
    From the introduction to the O. Henry Memorial Award volume: “…the young Virginian of "England to America" will bring back, to all who read, their own heroes. It is fitting that Miss Montague's story should have received the first prize: poignant, short in words, great in significance, it will stand a minor climactic peak in that chain of literature produced during the actual progress of the World War.”
    It is interesting to look back on this story over a hundred years later, and see how it fared. I think it’s safe to say that most people have never heard of the story, or its author, which is a shame. Let’s give it a go. 
    And now, “England to America”, by Margaret Prescott Montague.
    Follow this link to the Kickstarter page for Immortal, and help to fund the audiobook:
     
    Follow this link to become a monthly supporter:
      
    Follow this link to subscribe to our YouTube Channel:
      
    Follow this link to subscribe to the Arsène Lupin Podcast:
     
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    • 47 min
    Paul's Case, by Willa Cather VINTAGE

    Paul's Case, by Willa Cather VINTAGE

    Why does Paul feel like he just doesn’t fit in with this world? What will “not fitting in” do to him?  Willa Cather, today on The Classic Tales Podcast. 
    Welcome to this Vintage Episode of The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening. 
    A Vintage Episode is released every Tuesday. If you have found value in the show, please help us to help more people like you by going to http://classictalesaudiobooks.com, and becoming a supporter. New stories are coming your way on Friday. 
    Keep an ear open for our Kickstarter for The Golden Triangle – the seventh novel in the Arsène Lupin series. Two boxed sets are now available. We’ll let you know when we’re ready to kick off. 
    In today’s story, Paul just doesn’t fit in. Cather layers on the different woes that Paul has to deal with. He uses art as an escape from reality. He also has had issues with his home life, etc. The author gently layers on the struggles of a character so effectively. By the end, we fully understand his motivations, which as it turns out, is heartbreaking. 
    And now, Paul’s Case, by Willa Cather.
    Follow this link to become a monthly supporter:
     
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    • 58 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
2.3K Ratings

2.3K Ratings

BassoonMuscle ,

Great selections

I love the variety and quality of the works that are selected for this podcast.

It’s too bad that BJ caved to the whiny naysayers about sharing his personal moments. It’s like they don’t understand that there is a fast forward button….

PNW Jules ,

Fantastic narration

He does a great job with all the character voices. Excellent work on the Jeeves stories especially!

Laura the reader ,

Wonderful Natrator

I really enjoy listening to these. The variety of books is wonderful.

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