Audiobooks narrated by Larry Peterson

Magnetic Current is a short pamphlet by eccentric sculptor and writer Edward Leedskalnin. Detailing his many experiments with magnets, this work posits that it is not metal itself that is magnetic. Rather, tiny individual magnet particles that circulate in and around the metal give it its pull. Edward Leedskalnin was born in Latvia in 1887. While his formal education lasted only until 4th grade, he was intensely curious and spent much of his youth reading. At the age of 26, Leedskalnin became engaged. But as the young woman was only 16, she (or her mother) decided that he wasn’t a suitable match and called off the wedding the day before it was set to occur. Heartbroken, Leedskalnin emigrated to the United States. In 1923, he purchased an undeveloped acre of land in Florida City. Over the next 28 years, Leedskalnin cut massive pieces of oolite rock from his property, moved them, and sculpted them—all on his own. He built a two-story tower from oolite, which served as his living quarters. In the grounds below, sculptures and carved stone furniture dot the landscape. The project was dedicated to his “Sweet Sixteen,” the woman who rejected him years before. During the years of his construction project, Leedskalnin studied and tested magnets from his home base of Rock Gate. His findings were eventually compiled into Magnetic Current, a short pamphlet detailing his theories of magnetism. The pamphlet explains many of his experiments. Using U-shaped, round, and bar magnets, as well as car batteries, light bulbs, and coils of wire, he demonstrates the movements of magnetic currents in a double helix pattern, swirling around each other to create pull.

Edward Leedskalnin (Author), Larry Peterson (Narrator)

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Collected Writings of Edward Leedskalnin

The Collected Writings of Edward Leedskalnin is a compilation of two of Leedskalnin's works, Magnetic Current and A Book in Every Home. This eccentric sculptor and amateur scientist devoted most of his life to creating a large complex of megalithic stones that he quarried and carved himself. Edward Leedskalnin was born in Latvia in 1887. Although he only received formal education up to the fourth grade, he was very inquisitive and spent a large part of his youth reading. He was said to be a sickly boy and grew into a small man-reportedly measuring just 5 feet tall and weighing 100 lbs. At age 26, he was engaged to marry a 16-year-old girl named Agnes Skuvst, but the wedding was called off. Accounts differ, some claiming the wedding was canceled the day before it was scheduled and others saying that Leedskalnin was jilted at the altar. Regardless, he was heartbroken and shortly after emigrated to America. After reaching New York in 1912, he continued on to Oregon where he worked for an ax-handle manufacturer. By 1923, he had contracted tuberculosis. The illness prompted him to move to a warmer climate for his health. He chose Florida, where he purchased an undeveloped acre of land in Florida City. It was on this modest plot that he began Rock Gate (later renamed Coral Castle). This ambitious project involved extracting enormous pieces of oolite stone from his land, moving them into position, and carving them-entirely alone. The pieces include sculptures and carved stone furniture, as well as a two-story tower that served as his living quarters. The project was devoted to his 'Sweet Sixteen,' the woman who had rejected him many years earlier. Due to the scale of the project, some have dubbed it 'Florida's Stonehenge.' While it's unclear how Leedskalnin was able to complete it, it is all the more impressive considering his small stature and questionable health. When he wasn't hewing or carving stone, Leedskalnin was also conducting experiments and writing.

Edward Leedskalnin (Author), Larry Peterson (Narrator)

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The Moral Sayings of Publius Syrus

The Moral Sayings of Publius Syrus, A Roman Slave is a collection of proverbs and aphorisms pulled from the many mimes and plays of Publius Syrus. Enslaved by the Romans in his youth, this witty man went on to conquer the Roman stage. These maxims, believed to have been collected in the 1st century AD, are all that remain of the great playwright’s work. Born in Syria in the 1st century BC, Publius Syrus was enslaved and brought to Rome by an army officer after the Romans conquered his native country. It was in Rome that he was given the name of Syrus, for his place of origin. He was then around 12 years old. This soldier had a patron who was delighted with the boy and requested that the soldier give Syrus to him. The soldier complied. Syrus’ new master found the boy witty and bright and was often entertained with his commentary. With such promise, the master provided Syrus with an education and later freed him. Syrus was immensely grateful and remained friends with his former master for the rest of his life. He took the surname Publius, which was probably the surname of his master. Newly free, Syrus traveled to Italy and began composing mimes—comical farces often used to “represent the failings and eccentricities of the higher classes, and the vulgar language and solecisms of the lower.” This combination of humor and moralism was widely popular among the Romans of the time, and Syrus earned great acclaim as a poet and actor. None of the great master’s plays have survived the ensuing centuries. But fortunately, many of his pithy maxims were collected from his plays, probably in the 1st century AD, and gathered into a single volume. This collection was translated from the Latin and first published in 1856. Included among the 1,087 proverbs are some that appear to be the foundation—or at least an early version—of sayings we still use today. While additional context regarding these quotes would be useful, they still have value on their own. These 1,087 proverbs

Publius Syrus (Author), Larry Peterson (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Larry Peterson