Learn English through classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
John Barleycorn
John Barleycorn

Chapter XXX · Chapter 30

Chapter 30 of John Barleycorn is here in full — 90 sentences across 18 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Jack London • Curated US English Learning Edition

Chapter 30 of John Barleycorn by Jack London holds 90 sentences, grouped into 18 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 30 of John Barleycorn contain?

Chapter 30 holds 90 sentences of John Barleycorn, unabridged, divided into 18 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 30 of John Barleycorn by Jack London exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 90 sentences, grouped into 18 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 30 of John Barleycorn?

Work through the 18 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 18 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 30 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 30 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading John Barleycorn

Common questions about reading John Barleycorn by Jack London on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of John Barleycorn?

Yes. All 3987 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #318 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of John Barleycorn is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #318, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does John Barleycorn take to read?

About 332 minutes of reading across 798 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read John Barleycorn section by section

How to work through John Barleycorn section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 39 chapters of John Barleycorn to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in John Barleycorn

Words and structures a reader meets early in John Barleycorn, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Election
A word that appears in the opening chapter of John Barleycorn; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
California
A word that appears in the opening chapter of John Barleycorn; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Afternoon
A word that appears in the opening chapter of John Barleycorn; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Ridden
A word that appears in the opening chapter of John Barleycorn; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cover illustration for John Barleycorn
Context Illustration Reading 1/18 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.
As a result, I grew tired of the city.
On the ranch, in the Valley of the Moon, I found my paradise.
I gave up living in cities.
All the cities held for me were music, the theatre, and Turkish baths.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

John Barleycorn

Chapter XXX · Chapter 30

Chapter 30 of John Barleycorn is here in full — 90 sentences across 18 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/18 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.
Line 2
As a result, I grew tired of the city.
Line 3
On the ranch, in the Valley of the Moon, I found my paradise.
Line 4
I gave up living in cities.
Line 5
All the cities held for me were music, the theatre, and Turkish baths.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

Books noun US /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading “Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.”

Velmora curated lexicon
All words in this reading · 60

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

a

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As a result, I grew tired of the city.

Pending verification
All

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading All the cities held for me were music, the theatre, and Turkish baths.

Pending verification
and

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.

Pending verification
As

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As a result, I grew tired of the city.

Pending verification
baths

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading All the cities held for me were music, the theatre, and Turkish baths.

Pending verification
booksnounUS /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.

Velmora curated lexicon
cities

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I gave up living in cities.

Pending verification
city

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As a result, I grew tired of the city.

Pending verification
delight

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.

Pending verification
find

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.

Pending verification
flying

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.

Pending verification
fooling

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.

Pending verification
for

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading All the cities held for me were music, the theatre, and Turkish baths.

Pending verification
found

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the ranch, in the Valley of the Moon, I found my paradise.

Pending verification
from

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.

Pending verification
games

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.

Pending verification
gave

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I gave up living in cities.

Pending verification
grew

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As a result, I grew tired of the city.

Pending verification
held

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading All the cities held for me were music, the theatre, and Turkish baths.

Pending verification
horses

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.

Pending verification
I

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As a result, I grew tired of the city.

Pending verification
in

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.

Pending verification
kites

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.

Pending verification
little

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.

Pending verification
living

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I gave up living in cities.

Pending verification
long

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.

Pending verification
me

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading All the cities held for me were music, the theatre, and Turkish baths.

Pending verification
mechanical

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.

Pending verification
Moon

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the ranch, in the Valley of the Moon, I found my paradise.

Pending verification
music

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading All the cities held for me were music, the theatre, and Turkish baths.

Pending verification
my

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.

Pending verification
of

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.

Pending verification
On

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the ranch, in the Valley of the Moon, I found my paradise.

Pending verification
out

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.

Pending verification
paradise

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the ranch, in the Valley of the Moon, I found my paradise.

Pending verification
Part

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.

Pending verification
play

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.

Pending verification
pool

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.

Pending verification
problems

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.

Pending verification
process

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.

Pending verification
puzzles

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.

Pending verification
ranch

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the ranch, in the Valley of the Moon, I found my paradise.

Pending verification
recovering

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.

Pending verification
result

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As a result, I grew tired of the city.

Pending verification
sickness

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.

Pending verification
swimming

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.

Pending verification
tag

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.

Pending verification
the

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.

Pending verification
theatre

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading All the cities held for me were music, the theatre, and Turkish baths.

Pending verification
things

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.

Pending verification
tired

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As a result, I grew tired of the city.

Pending verification
to

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.

Pending verification
Turkish

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading All the cities held for me were music, the theatre, and Turkish baths.

Pending verification
unconnected

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.

Pending verification
up

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I gave up living in cities.

Pending verification
Valley

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the ranch, in the Valley of the Moon, I found my paradise.

Pending verification
was

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.

Pending verification
were

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading All the cities held for me were music, the theatre, and Turkish baths.

Pending verification
with

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.

Pending verification
working

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Part of the process of recovering from my long sickness was to find delight in little things, in things unconnected with books and problems, in play, in games of tag in the swimming pool, in flying kites, in fooling with horses, in working out mechanical puzzles.

Pending verification