Enjoy a 4-minute slice of the American experience with over 300 stories from the audio archives of The American Storyteller Radio Journal. Stories can be selected by keyword or topic. All are mp3 files that can be listened to directly from the website, or downloaded to your computer or Mp3 player. And the best news is -- it's all FREE.
More than 100 stories now have a text version available (with more coming soon). Just look for the 
icon.
| No. |
Story Name |
Story Description |
| 322 |
Nixon
|
Nelson's letter to President Nixon receives unexpected results.
|
| 321 |
Orville
|
The Story of Orville Redenbacher
|
| 319 |
Writers Block
|
Oh, the dreaded writers block.
|
| 318 |
Calvin
|
A day in the life of a carpenter.
|
| 315 |
Enza
|
The flu pandemic of 1918.
|
| 314 |
The Bird
|
Nelson had to swear off the "good stuff" from here on out, it's diet Coke.
|
| 313 |
Peanut
|
Nelson finally reveals the funniest man in McAlisterville -- a WWII hero.
|
| 312 |
Hector
|
The life story of chef Hector Boyardee.
|
| 311 |
Howard Hughes
|
The life of Howard Hughes.
|
| 308 |
Chicago Fire
|
The story and rebirth of one of the greatest cities in the world.
|
The Best of The American Storyteller on CD
Autographed CD featuring 16 of Nelson's favorite stories - $12.95
|
| 307 |
Orphan Train
|
From the city to the country, tens of thousands of homeless children made their way to new homes via the Orphan Trains.
|
| 306 |
49ers
|
The Story of the Gold Rush of 1849.
|
| 305 |
Napa
|
It seemed like such a good idea. A daughter helps her mother to improve her tourist cottage business.
|
| 302 |
Sheneenian
|
The era of Sheena the Wonder Dog.
|
| 298 |
Statue of Liberty
|
The history of the Statue of Liberty.
|
| 297 |
Alec
|
The story of Alexander Graham Bell.
|
| 294 |
Frank Lloyd Wright
|
The story of Frank Lloyd Wright.
|
| 292 |
Grandma Moses
|
The story of American artist, Grandma Moses.
|
| 291 |
Shopping Cart
|
Nelson challenges an old man in a grocery store...to a scooter race.
|
| 289 |
Lindbergh
|
The story of Charles Lindbergh and the flight of the Spirit of St. Louis.
|
The Best of The American Storyteller on CD
Autographed CD featuring 16 of Nelson's favorite stories - $12.95
|
| 288 |
John A Marcone
|
An italian cobbler
|
| 286 |
Lucky
|
The life of Lucky Luciano.
|
| 285 |
Looking for Bill
|
He owned a gas station in McAlisterville PA.
Text version available
|
| 278 |
Chris Weller
|
Oh, she had curves.
|
| 277 |
Cashmere
|
Nelson accidentally washed Jane's cashmere sweater -- he put it in the dryer too...
Text version available
|
| 274 |
American Heroes
|
American heroes are all around us.
|
| 271 |
Needle In The Knee
|
Nelson's shares his life lesson about procrastination.
|
| 269 |
Idiots
|
A great story about the Wright Brothers.
Text version available
|
| 266 |
Shin Bone
|
30 years later, Nelson meets up with the guy who bullied him as a kid.
|
| 264 |
Goldielock
|
The Goldilocks story nobody ever told you.
|
The Best of The American Storyteller on CD
Autographed CD featuring 16 of Nelson's favorite stories - $12.95
|
| 263 |
Brownie Wise
|
A look at the life of Brownie Wise, the marketing genius behind Tupperware.
Text version available
|
| 261 |
Emmett Till
|
Historical account of the murder of Emmett Till.
|
| 260 |
Dolly
|
Nelson meets an 84 year old hitchhiker.
|
| 258 |
Bataan
|
The story of the "Bataan Death March" of World War II.
|
| 257 |
Origins
|
Origins of many of the words we use.
|
| 251 |
Handshake
|
Exploring the origins and the meaning of the good old handshake.
Text version available
|
| 249 |
Dear Dad #6
|
Another letter to Nelson's late father.
|
| 248 |
Molasses
|
The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919.
Text version available
|
| 247 |
Conundrum
|
Nelson sucks a ladybug up in the sweeper by accident.
|
| 245 |
Best / Worst
|
Nelson will tell you "It's the best/worst thing in the world".
|
The Best of The American Storyteller on CD
Autographed CD featuring 16 of Nelson's favorite stories - $12.95
|
| 244 |
Snydersville Diner
|
Nelson Finds a great roadside diner.
|
| 243 |
Rudolph
|
The "Real" Story behind Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.
|
| 242 |
Winchester House
|
The "Haunted" Mansion of Sarah Winchester, heir to the Winchester Rifle Fortune.
|
| 241 |
Jewel Thief
|
The story of the most celebrated jewel thief in history.
|
| 237 |
War Of 1812 part #2
|
A look at the War of 1812.
|
| 236 |
War Of 1812 part #1
|
A look at the War of 1812.
|
| 234 |
Best Dad
|
The story of the best dad that never was.
|
| 233 |
I Remember
|
Nelson remembers lots of stuff.
|
| 232 |
Marta
|
Marta Becket, a New York dancer, does the unthinkable. She restores a theater in an old ghost town. It's a business proposition doomed to fail.
|
| 231 |
Million Dollar Hot Dog
|
Nelson finds the only hot dogs good enough to be dubbed the "Million Dollar Hot Dog."
|
The Best of The American Storyteller on CD
Autographed CD featuring 16 of Nelson's favorite stories - $12.95
|
| 230 |
Thomas Jefferson
|
Jefferson was a slave owner "opposed" to slavery. Nelson explores the subject.
|
| 228 |
Jefferson Adams
|
A look at the friendship between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams.
|
| 227 |
Dale Carnegie
|
Nelson takes the Dale Carnegie course and amazing things happen.
|
| 226 |
Molly Maguires
|
Coal miners from PA form the first labor union, and are hanged as a result.
|
| 225 |
Jim Thorpe
|
The story of a little town named Jim Thorpe, PA, and how they pulled themselves up by their bootstraps.
|
| 224 |
Monopoly Kid 16 of 16
|
A sixteen part story! Simply the best story Nelson has ever told.
|
| 223 |
Monopoly Kid 15 of 16
|
A sixteen part story! Simply the best story Nelson has ever told.
|
| 222 |
Monopoly Kid 14 of 16
|
A sixteen part story! Simply the best story Nelson has ever told.
|
| 221 |
Monopoly Kid 13 of 16
|
A sixteen part story! Simply the best story Nelson has ever told.
|
| 220 |
Monopoly Kid 12 of 16
|
A sixteen part story! Simply the best story Nelson has ever told.
|
The Best of The American Storyteller on CD
Autographed CD featuring 16 of Nelson's favorite stories - $12.95
|
| 219 |
Monopoly Kid 11 of 16
|
A sixteen part story! Simply the best story Nelson has ever told.
|
| 218 |
Monopoly Kid 10 of 16
|
A sixteen part story! Simply the best story Nelson has ever told.
|
| 217 |
Monopoly Kid 09 of 16
|
A sixteen part story! Simply the best story Nelson has ever told.
|
| 216 |
Monopoly Kid 08 of 16
|
A sixteen part story! Simply the best story Nelson has ever told.
|
| 215 |
Monopoly Kid 07 of 16
|
A sixteen part story! Simply the best story Nelson has ever told.
|
| 214 |
Monopoly Kid 06 of 16
|
A sixteen part story! Simply the best story Nelson has ever told.
|
| 213 |
Monopoly Kid 05 of 16
|
A sixteen part story! Simply the best story Nelson has ever told
|
| 212 |
Monopoly Kid 04 of 16
|
A sixteen part story! Simply the best story Nelson has ever told.
|
| 211 |
Monopoly Kid 03 of 16
|
A sixteen part story! Simply the best story Nelson has ever told.
|
| 210 |
Monopoly Kid 02 of 16
|
A sixteen part story! Simply the best story Nelson has ever told.
|
The Best of The American Storyteller on CD
Autographed CD featuring 16 of Nelson's favorite stories - $12.95
|
| 209 |
Monopoly Kid 01 of 16
|
A sixteen part story! Simply the best story Nelson has ever told.
|
| 208 |
Will Rogers
|
Nobody could or would say it like Will Rogers said it.
|
| 206 |
Million Dollar Coffee
|
No one can make coffee like the "ever lovely Miss Jane" can make coffee! Just ask Nelson.
|
| 205 |
Walter Dunn
|
Walter Dunn was the oldest man in Nelson's hometown.
|
| 202 |
Shirley
|
Shirley owned the restaurant in Nelson's hometown.
|
| 201 |
Miranda
|
The origins of "Miranda Rights".
|
| 200 |
Mark Twain
|
The life of Mark Twain.
Text version available
|
| 199 |
Lola
|
The story of a rescued pit bull.
|
| 198 |
Helen Keller
|
The life story of Helen Keller.
|
| 197 |
Dear Dad #4
|
Another letter to Nelson's late father.
|
The Best of The American Storyteller on CD
Autographed CD featuring 16 of Nelson's favorite stories - $12.95
|
| 196 |
Al Capone
|
The life story of gangster Al Capone.
Text version available
|
| 195 |
Women
|
A story about the day Nelson figured out women - just a few years back, on Valentine's Day.
|
| 194 |
Seven
|
Nelson's nephew Zane turns seven, but wants to go back to six.
|
| 193 |
Mother Teresa
|
The life of Mother Teresa.
|
| 192 |
Wade
|
Meet a small town dentist.
|
| 190 |
Johnny Apple
|
The life of Johnny Appleseed.
Text version available
|
| 188 |
Goodling
|
A story about neighbors.
|
| 187 |
They
|
You know what "They" say, don't you?
|
| 186 |
Hercules
|
The slave who was George Washington's personal chef.
|
| 182 |
Emperor
|
An eccentric old gentleman appoints himself Emperor of America.
|
The Best of The American Storyteller on CD
Autographed CD featuring 16 of Nelson's favorite stories - $12.95
|
| 181 |
Liberty
|
Over 200 years ago, slave quarters stood at what is now the entrance to the new Liberty Bell Center.
|
| 180 |
Carport
|
Who would have ever "thunk" it. Nelson can even make a story out of his carport.
|
| 179 |
Rose
|
It was the great depression and luxuries were few and far between. The thought of having a rose garden seemed like a folly. It was a dream come true for Grandma Ruth.
|
| 177 |
King Charlie
|
A story about the millionaire who taught Nelson to drive.
Text version available
|
| 175 |
Best Day
|
Nelson returns to the high school where he had been labeled as "hopeless", to speak about finding success in life.
|
| 174 |
Miss Mary
|
Nelson goes to vacation Bible school. Of course he gets in big trouble.
|
| 172 |
Suzuki
|
Young Nelson gets a mini bike.
|
| 171 |
Halloween
|
A story from Nelson's mischievous childhood.
|
| 168 |
Superman
|
The hilarious story about young Nelson and his Superman suit.
|
| 166 |
War Of The Worlds
|
A look at Orson Welles' broadcast of "The War of the Worlds".
|
The Best of The American Storyteller on CD
Autographed CD featuring 16 of Nelson's favorite stories - $12.95
|
| 165 |
Bottle
|
A young boy throws a bottle with a message in the ocean.
|
| 164 |
Wes
|
An old hermit who had been taunted by neighborhood children leaves millions to build a park for the kids.
|
| 163 |
The Plan
|
The story of a control freak.
|
| 162 |
Jello
|
The history of Jell-O.
|
| 161 |
Feud
|
Hatfields vs McCoys.
Text version available
|
| 160 |
Prison Pups
|
The fabulous story of how prison inmates are training dogs to aid the disabled.
|
| 159 |
Gala Event
|
Nelson's mom gets the first microwave oven in town.
|
| 158 |
Jack
|
A man who talked about the future.
|
| 157 |
Duel
|
Burr vs Hamilton.
|
| 156 |
Birds & Bees
|
As a kid, Nelson's Dad sat him down for "the talk". Then Nelson told everyone else in town. McAlisterville was in an uproar.
|
The Best of The American Storyteller on CD
Autographed CD featuring 16 of Nelson's favorite stories - $12.95
|
| 155 |
Two For One
|
Two stories in one.
|
| 154 |
Spider
|
Nelson befriends a spider.
|
| 151 |
Ladybug
|
A great dog rescue story.
|
| 150 |
Funny Laws
|
Funny laws still on the books.
|
| 148 |
Sheena
|
The best dog ever.
|
| 146 |
Wobbly
|
Everyone has been saying for years, "That old wobbly barn is going to fall down any day now".
|
| 145 |
Prince
|
An interesting man who lived in a world of his own.
|
| 144 |
Church Bloopers
|
Funny bloopers from church bulletins.
|
| 141 |
Critter Rescue
|
Two animal rescue stories.
|
| 140 |
Town Names
|
Funny town names.
|
The Best of The American Storyteller on CD
Autographed CD featuring 16 of Nelson's favorite stories - $12.95
|
| 139 |
Booker
|
Booker T. Washington
|
| 138 |
Bruce 2 of 2
|
A great story of forgiveness.
|
| 137 |
Bruce 1 of 2
|
A great story of forgiveness.
|
| 136 |
Famous Lady
|
The US Flag.
|
| 134 |
Father Bill
|
The story of a thrifty Catholic priest.
|
| 133 |
Frozen Dead Guy
|
Nederland, Colorado holds a festival every winter called "Frozen Dead Guy Days".
|
| 132 |
Spielberg
|
Steven Spielberg's life story.
|
| 130 |
Tomato Jim
|
The story of an honest mechanic.
|
| 129 |
Ada Update
|
An update on story #49 - Ada.
|
| 125 |
Stuff #4
|
Trivia
|
The Best of The American Storyteller on CD
Autographed CD featuring 16 of Nelson's favorite stories - $12.95
|
| 124 |
Bubbles
|
Nelson, age six, meets a pretty girl.
|
| 123 |
Who Says
|
A great story about determination.
|
| 122 |
Curse
|
A lady from Nelson's home town places a curse on him.
|
| 121 |
Smithson
|
The origins of the Smithsonian Institute.
|
| 120 |
Gertrude
|
A profile of the life of Gertrude Janeway, who married a civil war veteran, many years her senior.
|
| 119 |
Choice
|
George Washington's choice changed the course of American history.
|
| 116 |
Silent Night
|
Christmas Eve, 1914
Text version available
|
| 115 |
Snow
|
Nelson loves snow...
|
| 113 |
Hook
|
An interesting truck driver.
|
| 112 |
Real Names #1
|
The real names of celebrities.
|
The Best of The American Storyteller on CD
Autographed CD featuring 16 of Nelson's favorite stories - $12.95
|
| 111 |
Ruth
|
Nelson's grandma.
|
| 109 |
Calendars
|
What some people will do the raise money for charity.
|
| 108 |
Agnes
|
The most devastating flood in Pennsylvania history.
Text version available
|
| 107 |
Dear Dad #2
|
Another letter to Nelson's late father.
|
| 106 |
Facts
|
Trivia.
|
| 105 |
Ford Sign
|
Nelson sells an old sign on Ebay for over $4000.
|
| 104 |
Lady In Red
|
The John Dillinger story.
|
| 102 |
Doc
|
Old Doc Yoder was Nelson's doctor when he was a kid.
|
| 101 |
Dandelion
|
A profile of an interesting lady met along the way.
|
| 100 |
The Rain Dancer
|
A strange man comes to town.
|
The Best of The American Storyteller on CD
Autographed CD featuring 16 of Nelson's favorite stories - $12.95
|
| 99 |
Lucky Penny
|
A WWI story.
|
| 98 |
Kippy
|
The storekeeper in Nelson's boyhood village.
Text version available
|
| 97 |
Clarence
|
16 year old Nelson has a run in with a cop named Clarence.
|
| 96 |
Haney
|
What stress can do to a person.
|
| 95 |
Nothing
|
Nelson couldn't find anything to write about on this day so he wrote about "nothing".
|
| 94 |
Hell
|
John Colter discovers the Yellowstone area. Other mountain men called it "Colter's Hell".
|
| 92 |
Piney Woods
|
A black man is about to be lynched, but he convinces his would be murderers to spare his life.
|
| 91 |
Old John
|
An interesting old man.
|
| 90 |
Valera
|
She had no family and when she died, she left millions to her little village.
|
| 89 |
The Box
|
An Abraham Lincoln story.
|
The Best of The American Storyteller on CD
Autographed CD featuring 16 of Nelson's favorite stories - $12.95
|
| 88 |
Carpet
|
As a kid, Nelson spills spaghetti on his mom's new carpet. In a panic, he sucks it up with the sweeper.
|
| 87 |
Kirkland
|
A Civil War story.
|
| 86 |
Rocky
|
Rocky receives the National Hero Dog Award.
|
| 85 |
Nathaniel
|
Nat King Cole.
|
| 84 |
Four Chaplains
|
They gave their life jackets to men who had none, and went down with the ship.
Text version available
|
| 83 |
Edward
|
King Edward of England abdicates the throne so as to marry a commoner.
|
| 82 |
Bobby the Dog
|
The story of a very loyal little dog.
|
| 81 |
Andrew
|
President Andrew Johnson.
|
| 80 |
Ukrop
|
A story about the Ukrop grocery store chain.
|
| 77 |
Cool Broad
|
As a youth, Nelson has a run-in with the law. He must appear before the Honorable Marian S. Mertz.
|
The Best of The American Storyteller on CD
Autographed CD featuring 16 of Nelson's favorite stories - $12.95
|
| 76 |
Numbers
|
Trivia about numbers.
|
| 75 |
Basement
|
Nelson finds an Italian restaurant hidden in the basement of a country store.
|
| 72 |
Grandma
|
Nelson talks about his grandma.
|
| 70 |
Scrapple Man
|
The Scrapple Man delivers in the dark of the night.
|
| 66 |
Incident
|
We can't even begin to describe what happens...
|
| 64 |
Vashti
|
A woman who shared her love and her home with many foster children.
|
| 63 |
Milton
|
The life story of candy maker Milton S. Hershey.
|
| 60 |
Leiby 4 of 4
|
Nelson liberates an old lady from a nursing home and takes her to visit the mansion where she was a housekeeper.
She hasn't seen the place in 50 years.
|
| 59 |
Leiby 3 of 4
|
Nelson liberates an old lady from a nursing home and takes her to visit the mansion where she was a housekeeper.
She hasn't seen the place in 50 years.
|
| 58 |
Leiby 2 of 4
|
Nelson liberates an old lady from a nursing home and takes her to visit the mansion where she was a housekeeper.
She hasn't seen the place in 50 years.
|
The Best of The American Storyteller on CD
Autographed CD featuring 16 of Nelson's favorite stories - $12.95
|
| 57 |
Leiby 1 of 4
|
Nelson liberates an old lady from a nursing home and takes her to visit the mansion where she was a housekeeper. She hasn't seen the place in 50 years.
|
| 56 |
TJ
|
A little girl named TJ grew up during the Great Depression.
|
| 55 |
White House
|
First Lady, Dolly Madison escapes into the nearby woods as the British burn the White House during the War of 1812.
Text version available
|
| 54 |
Old Ladies Man
|
Nelson's dad loved to make old ladies smile.
Text version available
|
| 53 |
Piper
|
A bagpiper goes ashore with Allied troops at Normandy.
Text version available
|
| 52 |
Six
|
Nelson remembers what it was like to be six.
Text version available
|
| 50 |
Stuff #3
|
Trivia.
Text version available
|
| 49 |
Ada
|
Nelson's favorite story. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Ada Snyder!
Text version available
|
| 48 |
Time
|
A look at how we keep time.
Text version available
|
| 46 |
Code
|
WWII - The US needed an "uncrackable" code. Military turned to the tribesmen of the Navajo nation. Using their native tongue, Navajo code talkers would develop the code credited with winning the war.
Text version available
|
The Best of The American Storyteller on CD
Autographed CD featuring 16 of Nelson's favorite stories - $12.95
|
| 44 |
Can Man
|
Nelson meets an old man who makes ends meet by picking up aluminum cans.
Text version available
|
| 42 |
Hero
|
A story about Nelson's biggest hero, Abraham Lincoln.
Text version available
|
| 41 |
Stuff #2
|
Trivia.
Text version available
|
| 40 |
Grandpa
|
Nelson talks about his grandpa, and his introduction to the "old man on the hill."
Text version available
|
| 39 |
George
|
George Washington
Text version available
|
| 38 |
Civil War
|
Civil War discussion.
Text version available
|
| 37 |
Squirt Gun
|
From Nelson's days as a school bus driver.
Text version available
|
| 36 |
Staircase
|
A mysterious stranger wanders out of the desert and builds a staircase for the Sisters of Loretto Chapel.
Text version available
|
| 35 |
Trucker
|
Nelson helps out a truck driver stranded in a blizzard. They become life-long friends.
Text version available
|
| 34 |
General
|
Nelson's father is chosen from hundreds of soldiers to have Christmas dinner with the General and his family during WWII.
Text version available
|
The Best of The American Storyteller on CD
Autographed CD featuring 16 of Nelson's favorite stories - $12.95
|
| 32 |
Chelsea
|
Because of a rare disorder, she could not smile until surgery made it possible.
Text version available
|
| 31 |
Billy
|
President William McKinley.
Text version available
|
| 29 |
Chinese Food
|
Nelson becomes friends with a great Chinese family.
Listen to the story of how Nelson got the moniker "The American Storyteller."
Text version available
|
| 27 |
Nic 2 of 2
|
A story about organ donation.
Text version available
|
| 26 |
Nic 1 of 2
|
A story about organ donation.
Text version available
|
| 24 |
Hobo
|
Nelson meets a 90 something year old hobo.
Text version available
|
| 23 |
TR
|
The life story of Teddy Roosevelt.
Text version available
|
| 21 |
Tubman
|
Harriet Ross Tubman of the Underground Railroad.
Text version available
|
| 20 |
Dee
|
As a boy Nelson loved her but never had the courage to tell her.
Text version available
|
| 19 |
Bobby
|
Not appropriate for all ages. You will laugh out loud.
Text version available
|
The Best of The American Storyteller on CD
Autographed CD featuring 16 of Nelson's favorite stories - $12.95
|
| 18 |
Stuff #1
|
Trivia.
Text version available
|
| 17 |
Dear Dad
|
A letter from Nelson to his late father.
Text version available
|
| 16 |
Whitey
|
A fellow in Nelson's home town in the 1970's.
Text version available
|
| 15 |
America
|
From its beginnings.
Text version available
|
| 14 |
Rosa
|
The courageous Rosa Parks story.
Text version available
|
| 13 |
Harry
|
He was a "poor looking" hermit with millions. Nelson knew him better than anyone.
Text version available
|
| 12 |
Elmer
|
A young man who overcame serious self-esteem issues and went on to become a US Senator.
Text version available
|
| 11 |
Bus Christmas
|
The very first story Nelson ever "wrote" - even before The American Storyteller series.
Text version available
|
| 10 |
Uncle Roy
|
He was shot down behind German lines and escaped!
Text version available
|
| 9 |
Jefferson
|
A wonderful story about Thomas Jefferson.
Text version available
|
The Best of The American Storyteller on CD
Autographed CD featuring 16 of Nelson's favorite stories - $12.95
|
| 8 |
Merle
|
The story of an Army Ranger left for dead during the Korean War.
|
| 7 |
Callie
|
Old Callie Arnold owned a country store when Nelson was a kid.
Text version available
|
| 6 |
Artist
|
The story of Mike Platzer, a quadriplegic who paints with a brush in his mouth.
Text version available
|
| 5 |
Old Salts
|
A group of elderly gentlemen sail a rusted WWII warship from Greece to the US, and turn it into a floating museum.
Text version available
|
| 4 |
Funny Man
|
Nobody knew! The funniest man in town was a World War II hero, with 5 Bronze Stars for bravery.
Text version available
|
| 3 |
Sybil Ludington
|
She changed the course of history as she rode through the night to warn of a British attack.
Text version available
|
| 2 |
Balto
|
The wonderful story of "Balto" the sled dog, who led his team through a blizzard to deliver desperately needed medicine to the children of Nome, Alaska.
Text version available
|
| 1 |
Baby Patrick
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It was an awful highway accident. Yet through the work of a good samaritan, "baby Patrick" would survive.
Text version available
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