Audiobooks by Carl Sandburg

Porch Swings, Parlors & Pryin’ Eyes: Gossip, Gumption, and the Glories of Small-Town Life

"In the towns where the porch lights glow late, the screen doors creak often, and no secret stays secret for long, life unfolds with charm, chatter, and more than a touch of mischief. Porch Swings, Parlors & Pryin’ Eyes invites you into parlors both prim and peculiar, where romances are whispered behind teacups, rivalries simmer at choir practice, and widows form committees with suspicious speed. Within these sixteen short stories, you’ll find aging sopranos and checker champions, tangled telegrams and moonlit deacons, poker parties gone sideways and gossip spun tighter than a handmade scarf. Each tale captures the distinct rhythms of small-town American life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries—with all its humor, heartbreak, and sly subversion of social norms. These are stories not just of people, but of places—of communities that cradle, confine, and sometimes surprise those who call them home. Pull up a chair, pour something sweet, and don’t be surprised if someone starts talkin’ about you next. Featuring the work of renowned authors and some hidden gems of classic American fiction, including: The Gay Old Dog, by Edna Ferber Melinda's Humorous Story, by May McHenry Friends in San Rosario, by O. Henry The Associated Widows, by Katharine M. Roof The Tale of the Tangled Telegram, by Wilbur D. Nesbit A Village Singer, by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman A New England Nun, by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman The Scarf, by Madeline Yale Wynne The Champion Checker-Player of Ameriky, by James Whitcomb Riley How The Widow Won The Deacon, by William James Lampton Evan Anderson's Poker Party, by Benjamin Stevenson A Rivermouth Romance, by Thomas Bailey Aldrich Not According to Schedule, by Mary Stewart Cutting A Reward of Merit, by Booth Tarkington Sand Flat Shadows, by Carl Sandburg Mrs. Lathrop's Love Affair, by Anne Warner"

Anne Warner, Benjamin Stevenson, Booth Tarkington, Carl Sandburg, Edna Ferber, James Riley, Katharine M. Roof, Madeline Yale Wynne, Mary E. Wilkins Freeman, Mary Stewart Cutting, May McHenry, O. Henry, Thomas Bailey Aldrich, Wilbur D. Nesbit, William James Lampton (Author), A.J. Schuck, Alex Picard, Emma Faye, John Hopkinson, Meghan Kelly, Rebecca Stern, Shannon Nicole Locke (Narrator)

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Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years

"Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years by Carl Sandburg is a two-volume biography that explores Lincoln's life from his childhood through his early political career, ending just before he became president. Published in 1926, Sandburg’s work combines detailed historical research with a lyrical, almost poetic style, reflecting his background as both a poet and a historian. The narrative captures the spirit of the American frontier, vividly portraying the world that shaped Lincoln’s character and values. The book provides insight into Lincoln’s formative years—his struggles with poverty, self-education, and early experiences with law and politics. Sandburg emphasizes the influences that helped mold Lincoln’s sense of justice and compassion, such as his time working as a laborer, his encounters with slavery, and his debates on moral and political issues. Throughout, Lincoln emerges not only as a brilliant politician but also as a deeply human figure, marked by humor, melancholy, and a profound sense of purpose. Sandburg’s approach blends history with storytelling, making the biography both informative and engaging. His attention to detail and vivid descriptions allow readers to feel immersed in Lincoln's world, setting the foundation for his later work, Abraham Lincoln: The War Years. Together, these books offer one of the most comprehensive portraits of Lincoln's life and legacy. Narrated by Emmy Nominated actor Geoffrey Giuliano and The Scythe."

Carl Sandburg (Author), Geoffrey Giuliano, The Scythe (Narrator)

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Thanksgiving Stories and Other Works

"Experience the warmth, nostalgia, and spirit of Thanksgiving with our curated collection of timeless tales brought to life in captivating audio form. Perfect for cozy gatherings, solo listening, or cherished family traditions, this audiobook offers a rich tapestry of Thanksgiving-themed stories that capture the essence of gratitude, family, and the joys of the season. Featured Stories Include: 'An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving' (Dramatic Reading) by Louisa May Alcott: Immerse yourself in a heartwarming narrative that transports you to a bygone era, celebrating family bonds and cherished traditions. 'The Bartletts' Thanksgiving Day' by Lucy Maud Montgomery: Delve into a tale of gratitude, unexpected events, and the beauty of simple pleasures woven into the fabric of Thanksgiving. 'Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen' by O. Henry: Explore the juxtaposition of two different worlds colliding on Thanksgiving Day, showcasing the universality of kindness and generosity. 'The Serious Family' by Morris Barnett: Enjoy a delightful, lighthearted narrative that weaves humor and Thanksgiving cheer into the fabric of family dynamics. 'Cornhuskers' by Carl Sandburg: Revel in the poetic beauty and profound reflections on life, gratitude, and the essence of the harvest season."

Carl Sandburg, L.M. Montgomery, Louisa May Alcott, Morris Barnett, O. Henry (Author), Various (Narrator)

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Rootabaga Stories

"In the village of Liver-and-Onions, there was a Potato Face Blind Man who used to play an accordion on the corner near the post office. The sometime narrator of these tales, he transports readers and listeners to Rootabaga Country, where the railroad tracks go from straight to zigzag, the pigs wear bibs, and the Village of Cream Puffs floats in the wind, looking like a little hat that you could wear on the end of your thumb. Carl Sandburg, the beloved folk chronicler and three-time Pulitzer Prize winner, invented these stories for his own daughters. Populated by corn fairies, circus performers, and such memorable characters as Poker Face the Baboon, Hot Dog the Tiger, and Gimme the Ax, Rootabaga Country is built with the homespun poetry of the American frontier. The stories’ inspired nonsense—loaded with rhythm, humor, and tongue-twisting names—fires the imagination and pulls at the heartstrings."

Carl Sandburg (Author), Zura Johnson (Narrator)

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Cornhuskers

"Carl Sandburg's collection of 103 poems that earned a Pulitzer Prize Special Letters Award in 1919."

Carl Sandburg (Author), Betsie Bush (Narrator)

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Jazz Fantasia

"As our weekly poem of 30-July-2006, "Jazz Fantasia" was a special challenge because it isn't just about jazz, it IS jazz. The rhythm is central, but not so clearly defined, so we had to play around and improvise. Every reading is unique! (Summary by LauraFox)"

Carl Sandburg (Author), LibriVox Volunteers (Narrator)

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Rootabaga Stories

"Carl Sandburg is beloved by generations of children for his Rootabaga Stories and Rootabaga Pigeons (which is not in the public domain), a series of whimsical, sometimes melancholy stories he originally created for his own daughters. The Rootabaga Stories were born of Sandburg's desire for "American fairy tales" to match American childhood. He felt that the European stories involving royalty and knights were inappropriate, and so populated his stories with animals, skyscrapers, trains, corn fairies, and other colorful characters. (Summary from Wikipedia)"

Carl Sandburg (Author), Betsie Bush (Narrator)

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Rootabaga Stories

"Welcome to Rootabaga Country—where the railroad tracks go from straight to zigzag, where the pigs wear bibs, and where the Village of Cream Puffs floats in the wind. You'll meet baby balloon pickers, flummywisters, corn fairies, and blue foxes—and if you're not careful, you may never find your way back home! Irrepressible, zany, and completely original, these stories are sure to delight children again and again."

Carl Sandburg (Author), Bobbie Frohman (Narrator)

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Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years and The War Years

"“A Lincoln whom no other man than Carl Sandburg could have given us.” —Mark Van Doren, New York Herald Tribune Book ReviewOriginally published in six volumes, which sold more than one million copies, Carl Sandburg’s Abraham Lincoln was praised as the most noteworthy historical biography of Sandburg’s generation. He later distilled this monumental work into one volume that critics and readers alike consider his greatest work of nonfiction, as well as the most distinguished, authoritative biography of Lincoln ever published.Growing up in an Illinois prairie town, Sandburg listened to stories of old-timers who had known Lincoln. By the time this single-volume edition was competed, he had spent a lifetime studying, researching, and writing about our sixteenth president. His extraordinary portrait brings fully to life the country lawyer who would become one of the most influential and beloved presidents of the American republic.Additional information about the author can be found at: http://www.nps.gov/carl."

Carl Sandburg (Author), Arthur Morey (Narrator)

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