Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Illiterate Digest
The Illiterate Digest

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Illiterate Digest is here in full — 437 sentences across 88 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Chapter 1 of The Illiterate Digest by Will Rogers holds 437 sentences, grouped into 88 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, 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 1 of The Illiterate Digest contain?

Chapter 1 holds 437 sentences of The Illiterate Digest, unabridged, divided into 88 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Illiterate Digest by Will Rogers exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 437 sentences, grouped into 88 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 1 of The Illiterate Digest?

Work through the 88 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 88 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 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 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 The Illiterate Digest

Common questions about reading The Illiterate Digest by Will Rogers on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Illiterate Digest?

Yes. All 2657 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #72717 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Illiterate Digest is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #72717, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Illiterate Digest take to read?

About 221 minutes of reading across 532 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Illiterate Digest section by section

How to work through The Illiterate Digest section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 6 chapters of The Illiterate Digest 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 The Illiterate Digest

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Illiterate Digest, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Books
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Illiterate Digest; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Excuse
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Illiterate Digest; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Illiterate Digest; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Written
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Illiterate Digest; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cover illustration for The Illiterate Digest
Context Illustration Reading 1/88 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Most Books have to have an Excuse by some one for the Author, but this is the only Book ever written that has to have an Alibi for the Title, too.
About 4 years ago, out in California, I was writing sayings for the Screen and I called it the Illiterate Digest.
Well one day up bobs the following letter from this N. Y. Lawyer.
It and the answer are absolutely just as they were exchanged at that time.
55 Liberty Street, New York, N. Y.
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.

The Illiterate Digest

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Illiterate Digest is here in full — 437 sentences across 88 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/88 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Most Books have to have an Excuse by some one for the Author, but this is the only Book ever written that has to have an Alibi for the Title, too.
Line 2
About 4 years ago, out in California, I was writing sayings for the Screen and I called it the Illiterate Digest.
Line 3
Well one day up bobs the following letter from this N. Y. Lawyer.
Line 4
It and the answer are absolutely just as they were exchanged at that time.
Line 5
55 Liberty Street, New York, N. Y.

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, audio, and collocations from this reading.

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “About 4 years ago, out in California, I was writing sayings for the Screen and I called it the Illiterate Digest.”

Books noun US /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading “Most Books have to have an Excuse by some one for the Author, but this is the only Book ever written that has to have an Alibi for the Title, too.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “Most Books have to have an Excuse by some one for the Author, but this is the only Book ever written that has to have an Alibi for the Title, too.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Most Books have to have an Excuse by some one for the Author, but this is the only Book ever written that has to have an Alibi for the Title, too.”

Liberty noun US /ˈlɪb.ər.ti/

The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.

From this reading “55 Liberty Street, New York, N. Y.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Most Books have to have an Excuse by some one for the Author, but this is the only Book ever written that has to have an Alibi for the Title, too.”

All words in this reading · 66

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

4

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

From this reading About 4 years ago, out in California, I was writing sayings for the Screen and I called it the Illiterate Digest.

55

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

From this reading 55 Liberty Street, New York, N. Y.

AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading About 4 years ago, out in California, I was writing sayings for the Screen and I called it the Illiterate Digest.

absolutely

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

From this reading It and the answer are absolutely just as they were exchanged at that time.

ago

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

From this reading About 4 years ago, out in California, I was writing sayings for the Screen and I called it the Illiterate Digest.

Alibi

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

From this reading Most Books have to have an Excuse by some one for the Author, but this is the only Book ever written that has to have an Alibi for the Title, too.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Most Books have to have an Excuse by some one for the Author, but this is the only Book ever written that has to have an Alibi for the Title, too.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading About 4 years ago, out in California, I was writing sayings for the Screen and I called it the Illiterate Digest.

answer

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

From this reading It and the answer are absolutely just as they were exchanged at that time.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading It and the answer are absolutely just as they were exchanged at that time.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading It and the answer are absolutely just as they were exchanged at that time.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It and the answer are absolutely just as they were exchanged at that time.

Author

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

From this reading Most Books have to have an Excuse by some one for the Author, but this is the only Book ever written that has to have an Alibi for the Title, too.

bobs

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

From this reading Well one day up bobs the following letter from this N. Y. Lawyer.

Book

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

From this reading Most Books have to have an Excuse by some one for the Author, but this is the only Book ever written that has to have an Alibi for the Title, too.

BooksnounUS /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading Most Books have to have an Excuse by some one for the Author, but this is the only Book ever written that has to have an Alibi for the Title, too.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Most Books have to have an Excuse by some one for the Author, but this is the only Book ever written that has to have an Alibi for the Title, too.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Most Books have to have an Excuse by some one for the Author, but this is the only Book ever written that has to have an Alibi for the Title, too.

California

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

From this reading About 4 years ago, out in California, I was writing sayings for the Screen and I called it the Illiterate Digest.

called

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

From this reading About 4 years ago, out in California, I was writing sayings for the Screen and I called it the Illiterate Digest.

day

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

From this reading Well one day up bobs the following letter from this N. Y. Lawyer.

Digest

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

From this reading About 4 years ago, out in California, I was writing sayings for the Screen and I called it the Illiterate Digest.

ever

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

From this reading Most Books have to have an Excuse by some one for the Author, but this is the only Book ever written that has to have an Alibi for the Title, too.

exchanged

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

From this reading It and the answer are absolutely just as they were exchanged at that time.

Excuse

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

From this reading Most Books have to have an Excuse by some one for the Author, but this is the only Book ever written that has to have an Alibi for the Title, too.

following

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

From this reading Well one day up bobs the following letter from this N. Y. Lawyer.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Most Books have to have an Excuse by some one for the Author, but this is the only Book ever written that has to have an Alibi for the Title, too.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Well one day up bobs the following letter from this N. Y. Lawyer.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Most Books have to have an Excuse by some one for the Author, but this is the only Book ever written that has to have an Alibi for the Title, too.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Most Books have to have an Excuse by some one for the Author, but this is the only Book ever written that has to have an Alibi for the Title, too.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading About 4 years ago, out in California, I was writing sayings for the Screen and I called it the Illiterate Digest.

Illiterate

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

From this reading About 4 years ago, out in California, I was writing sayings for the Screen and I called it the Illiterate Digest.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading About 4 years ago, out in California, I was writing sayings for the Screen and I called it the Illiterate Digest.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Most Books have to have an Excuse by some one for the Author, but this is the only Book ever written that has to have an Alibi for the Title, too.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading About 4 years ago, out in California, I was writing sayings for the Screen and I called it the Illiterate Digest.

just

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

From this reading It and the answer are absolutely just as they were exchanged at that time.

Lawyer

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

From this reading Well one day up bobs the following letter from this N. Y. Lawyer.

letter

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

From this reading Well one day up bobs the following letter from this N. Y. Lawyer.

LibertynounUS /ˈlɪb.ər.ti/

The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.

From this reading 55 Liberty Street, New York, N. Y.

Most

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

From this reading Most Books have to have an Excuse by some one for the Author, but this is the only Book ever written that has to have an Alibi for the Title, too.

N

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

From this reading Well one day up bobs the following letter from this N. Y. Lawyer.

New

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

From this reading 55 Liberty Street, New York, N. Y.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Most Books have to have an Excuse by some one for the Author, but this is the only Book ever written that has to have an Alibi for the Title, too.

only

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

From this reading Most Books have to have an Excuse by some one for the Author, but this is the only Book ever written that has to have an Alibi for the Title, too.

out

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

From this reading About 4 years ago, out in California, I was writing sayings for the Screen and I called it the Illiterate Digest.

sayings

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

From this reading About 4 years ago, out in California, I was writing sayings for the Screen and I called it the Illiterate Digest.

Screen

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

From this reading About 4 years ago, out in California, I was writing sayings for the Screen and I called it the Illiterate Digest.

some

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

From this reading Most Books have to have an Excuse by some one for the Author, but this is the only Book ever written that has to have an Alibi for the Title, too.

Street

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

From this reading 55 Liberty Street, New York, N. Y.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Most Books have to have an Excuse by some one for the Author, but this is the only Book ever written that has to have an Alibi for the Title, too.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Most Books have to have an Excuse by some one for the Author, but this is the only Book ever written that has to have an Alibi for the Title, too.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It and the answer are absolutely just as they were exchanged at that time.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Most Books have to have an Excuse by some one for the Author, but this is the only Book ever written that has to have an Alibi for the Title, too.

time

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

From this reading It and the answer are absolutely just as they were exchanged at that time.

Title

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

From this reading Most Books have to have an Excuse by some one for the Author, but this is the only Book ever written that has to have an Alibi for the Title, too.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Most Books have to have an Excuse by some one for the Author, but this is the only Book ever written that has to have an Alibi for the Title, too.

too

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

From this reading Most Books have to have an Excuse by some one for the Author, but this is the only Book ever written that has to have an Alibi for the Title, too.

up

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

From this reading Well one day up bobs the following letter from this N. Y. Lawyer.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading About 4 years ago, out in California, I was writing sayings for the Screen and I called it the Illiterate Digest.

Well

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

From this reading Well one day up bobs the following letter from this N. Y. Lawyer.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading It and the answer are absolutely just as they were exchanged at that time.

writing

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

From this reading About 4 years ago, out in California, I was writing sayings for the Screen and I called it the Illiterate Digest.

written

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

From this reading Most Books have to have an Excuse by some one for the Author, but this is the only Book ever written that has to have an Alibi for the Title, too.

Y

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

From this reading Well one day up bobs the following letter from this N. Y. Lawyer.

years

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

From this reading About 4 years ago, out in California, I was writing sayings for the Screen and I called it the Illiterate Digest.

York

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

From this reading 55 Liberty Street, New York, N. Y.