The beautiful daughters of the Circassians were in demand for the seraglios of the Turkish Sultan. Voltaire tells how these beauties were protected from smallpox centuries before modern vaccination. (Volume 34, Harvard Classics) Voltaire ill with smallpox, Nov., 1723.
Nov 21, 2021•13 min•Season 1Ep. 895
Introductory note on Voltaire (Volume 34, Harvard Classics)
Nov 21, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 896
Introductory note on Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm (Volume 17, Harvard Classics)
Nov 21, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 894
When the cold winds howled about the thatched huts of the German peasant, the mother drew her children to her side and told them stories. Collected and retold by the Grimm brothers, these stories have perennial charm. (Volume 17, Harvard Classics)
Nov 21, 2021•22 min•Season 1Ep. 893
A barge with black sails bearing three black robed queens with crowns of gold carried away the dying King Arthur. Will they bring him back and fulfill Merlin's prophecy? (Volume 42, Harvard Classics) Queen Victoria appointed Tennyson poet laureate, Nov. 19, 1850.
Nov 19, 2021•17 min•Season 1Ep. 891
Introductory note on Alfred Tennyson (Ridpath Library of Universal Literature)
Nov 19, 2021•6 min•Season 1Ep. 892
Introductory note on Friedrich von Schiller (Volume 26, Harvard Classics)
Nov 18, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 890
The arrow shot from his bow with a twang and whizzed through the air. Tell covered his eyes, fearing to see where the arrow hit. Then the shout of triumph, a shout of the people and not of the tyrant-but the end was not yet. (Volume 26, Harvard Classics) William Tell incident, legendary date, Nov. 18, 1307.
Nov 18, 2021•14 min•Season 1Ep. 889
Introductory note on Thomas Carlyle (Volume 25, Harvard Classics)
Nov 18, 2021•10 min•Season 1Ep. 888
Are you curious about famous people, their lives, habits, personalities? Carlyle discusses the intimate life of his illustrious countryman, and reveals Scott, the man, and Scott, the genius who entertained Christendom with his stories. (Volume 25, Harvard Classics) Scott writes dedication of "Ivanhoe," Nov. 17, 1817.
Nov 18, 2021•24 min•Season 1Ep. 887
When the glorious Western coast was only partly settled, Dana visited the Presidios. He saw frontier life at a time when Spanish splendor still gilded California. (Volume 23, Harvard Classics)
Nov 16, 2021•16 min•Season 1Ep. 885
Introductory note on Richard Henry Dana, Jr. (Volume 23, Harvard Classics)
Nov 16, 2021•4 min•Season 1Ep. 886
Introductory note on Alessandro Manzoni (Volume 21, Harvard Classics)
Nov 16, 2021•8 min•Season 1Ep. 884
Food profiteering was as active in plague-stricken Milan 300 years ago as in modern times. Shops were stormed for food. Read how the Council strove heroically to fix fair rates. (Volume 21, Harvard Classics) Sale of corn and flour regulated in Milan, Nov. 15, 1629.
Nov 16, 2021•32 min•Season 1Ep. 883
We wonder if the man who worried about the "scientifical" prediction that "The sun's heat will give out in ten million years more," had read Lyell on the gradual changes in the earth's surface. (Volume 38, Harvard Classics) Sir Charles Lyell born Nov. 14, 1797.
Nov 14, 2021•16 min•Season 1Ep. 881
Introductory note on Charles Lyell (Volume 38, Harvard Classics)
Nov 14, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 882
Carthage was the playground of the ancient world. In that city of many sins, Augustine was a leader of the revels. His conversion to Christianity amazed those who knew him. (Volume 7, Harvard Classics) St. Augustine born Nov. 13, 354.
Nov 13, 2021•20 min•Season 1Ep. 879
Introductory note on Saint Augustine (Volume 7, Harvard Classics)
Nov 13, 2021•4 min•Season 1Ep. 880
Introductory note on John Milton (Volume 4, Harvard Classics)
Nov 13, 2021•9 min•Season 1Ep. 878
Milton's version tells how the Serpent induced Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. Eve offered it to Adam. Then they became conscious for the first time that they were not clothed. (Volume 4, Harvard Classics) John Milton married second wife, Nov. 12, 1656.
Nov 13, 2021•34 min•Season 1Ep. 877
The youth of America-typified in the doughboy of the past war-was gloriously portrayed by Walt Whitman. He also sang of the vast plains and the beauty of America. (Volume 42, Harvard Classics) Armistice Day
Nov 11, 2021•22 min•Season 1Ep. 875
Introductory note on Walt Whitman (the Ridpath Library of Universal Literature)
Nov 11, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 876
Introductory note on Oliver Goldsmith (the Ridpath Library of Universal Literature)
Nov 11, 2021•4 min•Season 1Ep. 874
Goldsmith traveled through Belgium, France, and Italy, winning his daily bread by playing at farmhouses. He wrote the most brilliant comedy, the best novel, and the finest poem of his age. (Volume 41, Harvard Classics) Oliver Goldsmith born Nov. 10, 1728.
Nov 11, 2021•25 min•Season 1Ep. 873
The Psalms have been an inspiration to men in many ages. They have become so associated with the peaceful spirit of Christianity that we forget some of them were once war songs and songs of triumph. (Volume 44, Harvard Classics)
Nov 09, 2021•17 min•Season 1Ep. 871
Introductory note on the Book of Psalms (Volume 44, Harvard Classics)
Nov 09, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 872
Introductory note on John Milton (Volume 4, Harvard Classics)
Nov 09, 2021•9 min•Season 1Ep. 870
Milton's indomitable courage kept him at his work even after he lost his sight. Blind, he dictated a sequel to his "Paradise Lost," which he called "Paradise Regained." (Volume 4, Harvard Classics) John Milton died Nov. 8, 1674.
Nov 09, 2021•20 min•Season 1Ep. 869
Introductory note on The Thousand and One Nights (Volume 16, Harvard Classics)
Nov 07, 2021•4 min•Season 1Ep. 868
Suddenly all the sinful city's inhabitants were turned to stone. When a beautiful woman from Bagdad came to the dead city, night overtook her there. Sleeping in the palace, she was awakened by a man's voice calling. (Volume 16, Harvard Classics)
Nov 07, 2021•26 min•Season 1Ep. 867