While Rome Burns

While Rome Burns

Capturing the Jazz Age: Witty Essays on Roaring Twenties Society and CultureBy Alexander Woollcott
Michael Caine
Listen with Sir Michael Caine™ and 1,000+ voices
Length10h 38m

About this audiobook

In "While Rome Burns," Alexander Woollcott presents a masterful blend of satire, commentary, and reporting that encapsulates the cultural and political milieu of 20th-century America. The book is structured as a series of essays, each infused with Woollcott's trademark wit and incisive critique. Through his engaging prose, he reflects on contemporary issues, social mores, and the theatrical world, revealing the absurdities that permeate everyday life. His literary style, characterized by sharp observations and a penchant for the dramatic, provides a unique lens through which to view the complexities of American society during a time of great change and unrest. Woollcott, a prominent member of the Algonquin Round Table and an influential critic, drew from his diverse experiences as a journalist, dramatist, and actor to craft this compelling work. His exposure to the theater and literary circles equipped him with a keen sense of irony and a deep understanding of human behavior, both of which are prevalent in his writing. His life experiences, marked by a commitment to social commentary, ultimately shaped his effortless ability to navigate complex ideas through accessible and humorous narratives. For readers seeking a blend of historical insight and literary excellence, "While Rome Burns" is a must-read. Woollcott'Äôs commentary transcends its era, resonating with contemporary readers who appreciate sharp satire and poignant reflection on the human condition. This book is not only a testament to Woollcott's literary prowess but also a thought-provoking exploration of society's multifaceted nature.

Audiobook details

GenreLiterary Classics
Length10 hrs 38 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateAug 30, 2021
LanguageEnglish

Table of contents

1IN THAT STATE OF LIFE
27SOME NEIGHBORS: VI THE LEGEND OF SLEEPLESS HOLLOW
2THE SACRED GROVE
28SOME NEIGHBORS: VII THE PRODIGAL FATHER
3A PLOT FOR MR. DREISER
29SOME NEIGHBORS: VIII THE YOUNG MONK OF SIBERIA
4REUNION IN PARIS
30“IT MAY BE HUMAN GORE”: I BY THE RUDE BRIDGE
5HANSOM IS
31“IT MAY BE HUMAN GORE”: II IN BEHALF OF AN ABSENTEE
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6HANDS ACROSS THE SEA
32“IT MAY BE HUMAN GORE”: III THE MYSTERY OF THE HANSOM CAB
7MY FRIEND HARPO
33“IT MAY BE HUMAN GORE”: IV LA BELLE HÉLÈNE AND MR. B.
8REUNION IN NEWARK
34“IT MAY BE HUMAN GORE”: V MURDER FOR PUBLICITY
9FATHER DUFFY
35YOUR CORRESPONDENT: I MOSCOW AN EXOTIC FIGURE IN MOSCOW
10OBITUARY
36YOUR CORRESPONDENT: I MOSCOW - THE CORPORAL OF ST.-AIGNAN
11THE EDITOR’S EASY CHAIR
37YOUR CORRESPONDENT: I MOSCOW - COMRADE WOOLLCOTT GOES TO THE PLAY
12FOR ALPHA DELTA PHI
38YOUR CORRESPONDENT: I MOSCOW - THE RETREAT FROM MOSCOW
13AUNT MARY’S DOCTOR
39YOUR CORRESPONDENT: II GOING TO PIECES IN THE ORIENT
14THE TRUTH ABOUT JESSICA DERMOT
40YOUR CORRESPONDENT: III HOW TO GO TO JAPAN
15LEGENDS: I ENTRANCE FEE
41PROGRAM NOTES: I CHARLIE—AS EVER WAS
16LEGENDS: II MOONLIGHT SONATA
42PROGRAM NOTES: II CAMILLE AT YALE
17LEGENDS: III FULL FATHOM FIVE
43PROGRAM NOTES: III LEST WE FORGET
18LEGENDS: IV THE VANISHING LADY
44PROGRAM NOTES: IV MOURNING BECOMES ELECTRA
19LEGENDS: V RIEN NE VA PLUS
45PROGRAM NOTES: V THIS THING CALLED THEY
20THE CENTURY OF PROGRESS: I THE LITTLE FOX-TERRIER
46BOOK MARKERS: I THE GOOD LIFE
21THE CENTURY OF PROGRESS: II BELIEVE IT OR NOT
47BOOK MARKERS: II THE WIFE OF HENRY ADAMS
22SOME NEIGHBORS: I A PORTRAIT OF KATHLEEN NORRIS
48BOOK MARKERS: III THE GENTLE JULIANS
23SOME NEIGHBORS: II COLOSSAL BRONZE
49BOOK MARKERS: IV THE LAST OF FRANK HARRIS
24SOME NEIGHBORS: III THE FIRST MRS. TANQUERAY
50BOOK MARKERS: V THE NOSTRILS OF G.B.S.
25SOME NEIGHBORS: IV OUR MRS. PARKER
51BOOK MARKERS: VI WISTERIA
26SOME NEIGHBORS: V THE MYSTERIES OF RUDOLFO
52BOOK MARKERS: VII THE TRIUMPH OF NEWTIE COOTIE

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