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Harvard Classics

Rich E Bookhc.richebook.net
Former President of Harvard University Charles W. Eliot wrote in his introduction to the Harvard Classics, "In my opinion, a five-foot shelf would hold books enough to give a liberal education to any one who would read them with devotion, even if he could spare but fifteen minutes a day for reading." Here you are, you can easily listen to his entire 15-minutes-a-day study guide while commuting to and from work (most of us spend far more than 15 minutes a day commuting each day), doing mundane work in the office, washing dishes at home, or doing most of the things day in and day out. It is so easy, so entertaining, and so educational that they can be listened to again and again, until they permeate into our own thinking and into our characters. Perhaps, in one year's time, you will become someone you barely recognize, all for the better. Who knows? -- Rich E Book
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Episodes

The Æneid (Book VIII), by Virgil

Venus, mother of Æneas and wife of Vulcan, obtained from her husband, by seductive witchery, a marvelous shield whose surface reflected a thousand years of future events. Venus describes the wonders of the magic armor. (Volume 13, Harvard Classics)

Mar 21, 202229 minSeason 1Ep. 1135

Letters on the English (Letters 15 & 16), by Voltaire

Sir Isaac Newton was aided in his momentous discoveries by the most insignificant objects --- even apples, feathers, and coal. Voltaire discusses the wondrous discoveries of Newton. (Volume 34, Harvard Classics) Sir Isaac Newton died March 20, 1727.

Mar 20, 202238 minSeason 1Ep. 1133

An Account of Egypt (Sec. 9 & 10), by Herodotus

The mysterious Egyptian temples, the floating islands, the huge pyramids and the many wonders of ancient Egypt are pictured for you by Herodotus. (Volume 33, Harvard Classics) Last recorded event in Herodotus' history dated March 19, 478 B. C.

Mar 19, 202226 minSeason 1Ep. 1131

A New Way to Pay Old Debts (Act I), by Philip Massinger

A cunning uncle cheats his worthless nephew out of his fortune. The nephew, laughing stock of his former servants, sets out to retrieve his old position and riches. (Volume 47, Harvard Classics) Massinger buried March 18, 1640.

Mar 18, 202210 minSeason 1Ep. 1129

The Poetry of the Celtic Races, by Ernest Renan

An old Irish legend tells how, while St. Patrick was preaching about Paradise and Hell, several of his audience begged to be allowed to investigate the reality of these places. St. Patrick actually satisfied their curiosity. (Volume 32, Harvard Classics) St. Patrick's Day.

Mar 17, 202216 minSeason 1Ep. 1127

The Voyage of the Beagle (Ch. XX), by Charles Darwin

Many amazing things happen in the Malay jungles. For example, Darwin tells about a crab that climbs trees and walks down the trunks for an occasional bath in a pool. (Volume 29, Harvard Classics)

Mar 17, 202216 minSeason 1Ep. 1125

Parallel Lives of Famous Greeks and Romans (Cæsar), by Plutarch

Twice warned of the danger that threatened him on the Ides of March, although "the earth rocked and the stars fell and headless men walked in the Forum," Cæsar goes to the doom awaiting him in the Senate Chamber. (Volume 12, Harvard Classics) Ides of March, March 15.

Mar 15, 202219 minSeason 1Ep. 1123

The Holy Grail (Book 17, Ch. 10-14), by Sir Thomas Malory

"This gentlewoman that ye lead with you is a maid?" demanded the knight. "Sir," said she, "a maid I am." "Then she must yield us the custom of this castle." (Volume 35, Harvard Classics) Malory, recorder of King Arthur stories, died March 14, 1470.

Mar 14, 202219 minSeason 1Ep. 1121

I Promessi Sposi or The Betrothed (Ch. XX), by Alessandro Manzoni

Manzoni has pictured in this thrilling romance of the seventeenth century nobility, the pompous and sporting life of those good old days when nobles lived sumptuously in spacious castles surrounded by vast estates. (Volume 21, Harvard Classics)

Mar 13, 202236 minSeason 1Ep. 1119

The Second Dialogue, by George Berkeley

Berkeley believed in a great religious future for America. He lived three years in Rhode Island, and made plans for a college in Bermuda. (Volume 37, Harvard Classics) Bishop Berkeley born March 12, 1685.

Mar 12, 202227 minSeason 1Ep. 1117

Compensation, by Ralph Waldo Emerson

We are paid for our suffering and we pay for our happiness. Every ache, every sorrow receives its recompense here on earth. Emerson gives the basis for this conviction. (Volume 5, Harvard Classics) Emerson ordained Unitarian minister, March 11, 1829.

Mar 11, 202221 minSeason 1Ep. 1115

Philaster (Act I), by Beaumont and Fletcher

In the days when contact with the theatre meant exile from the best society, Beaumont and Fletcher, men from good families, dared to ally themselves with the stage as playwrights. "Philaster" won them immortal praise. (Volume 47, Harvard Classics)

Mar 10, 20228 minSeason 1Ep. 1113

A Treatise on Good Manners and Good Breeding, by Jonathan Swift

Swift regretted the laws against dueling because dueling at least was a good means of ridding the country of bores and fools. His keen eye penetrated social customs and saw the common sense that governed good manners. (Volume 27, Harvard Classics) Passage of laws against dueling in England, March 9, 1679.

Mar 09, 202210 minSeason 1Ep. 1111

Of Judicature, by Francis Bacon

Bacon pointed out that a judge's duty was to interpret laws and not to make laws. This single essay of Bacon's is a richly condensed summary of the ethics of law. (Volume 3, Harvard Classics) Bacon made Keeper of the Great Seal of England, March 7, 1616.

Mar 07, 202211 minSeason 1Ep. 1107
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