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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 Odyssey (Book X), by Homer

Unfavorable winds sent by angry gods blew the ships of Odysseus far off their course. The sailors were cast upon a remote island, governed by an enchantress where, for their coarse manners, they were put under a magic spell. (Volume 22, Harvard Classics)

Aug 09, 202123 minSeason 1Ep. 685

Phædo, by Plato

The death sentence of Socrates could not be executed until the return of the sacred ship from Delos. One day his friends learned that the ship had returned. They hastened to the prison to listen to the last words of Athens' sage. (Volume 2, Harvard Classics)

Aug 08, 202124 minSeason 1Ep. 683

Locksley Hall, by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

"For I dipt into the future – saw the nation's airy navies grappling in the central blue." We are amazed at the accuracy of Tennyson's prediction. But he also foretells "the federation of the world" – yet to be fulfilled. (Volume 42, Harvard Classics) Alfred Lord Tennyson born Aug. 6, 1809.

Aug 07, 202114 minSeason 1Ep. 681

The Cotter’s Saturday Night, by Robert Burns

"Cotter's Saturday Night" for generations to come will remain the choicest picture of Scotch home life. Into this poem Burns instills the sense of all-pervading peace and happiness that comes at the end of a well-spent day. (Volume 6, Harvard Classics) Robert Burns married Jean Armour, Aug. 5, 1788.

Aug 06, 202110 minEp. 679

The Ugly Duckling, by Hans Christian Andersen

Hans Christian Andersen had an extraordinary capacity for amusing children. Were he living to-day he might be in great demand as a radio bedtime story man. (Volume 17, Harvard Classics) H. C. Andersen died Aug. 4, 1875.

Aug 05, 202129 minSeason 1Ep. 677

The Æneid (Book II), by Virgil

They battered down the palace gates and ravaged with fire and sword the chambers of King Priam's hundred wives. Through halls resounding with shrieks of terror, Priam and his household fled to sanctuary. (Volume 13, Harvard Classics)

Aug 04, 202117 minSeason 1Ep. 675

Poems, by William Drummond

"Here is the pleasant place - and nothing wanting is, save She, alas!" How often we too are faced with like adversity. So sings Drummond - a master songster and composer. (Volume 40, Harvard Classics)

Aug 03, 20218 minSeason 1Ep. 673

Dedication of the Institutes of the Christian Religion, by John Calvin

Steadfast allegiance to duty, simple living and adherence to plain, honest, homely doctrines are Calvin's principles. Are not these same old-fashioned truths followed to-day? (Volume 39, Harvard Classics) Calvin issues "Dedication," Aug. 1, 1536.

Aug 02, 202117 minSeason 1Ep. 671

The Education of Women, by Daniel Defoe

Lack of education, writes Defoe, makes a woman "turbulent, clamorous, noisy – " Defoe defied his generation and preached equal education for women. To-day we have co-education, but have we the benefits Defoe predicted? (Volume 27, Harvard Classics) Defoe pilloried for defiance of public opinion, July 31, 1703.

Aug 01, 20218 minSeason 1Ep. 669

Sir Humphrey Gilbert’s Voyage to Newfoundland, by Edward Haies

When the whole coast of America north of Florida was free to the first comer, Sir Humphrey Gilbert naively chose to settle on the rugged shores of Newfoundland. Read the glowing account of his great adventure "to plant Christian inhabitants in places convenient." (Volume 33, Harvard Classics) Gilbert lands at Newfoundland near St. John's, July 30, 1583.

Jul 31, 202124 minSeason 1Ep. 667

Stonehenge, by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Stonehenge, that group of huge, rudely architectural stones on a vast plain in England, was erected no man knows when, nor why, nor how. Emerson, America's greatest thinker, visited this monument and was amazed at the "uncanny stones." (Volume 5, Harvard Classics)

Jul 30, 202123 minSeason 1Ep. 665

Of Agriculture, by Abraham Cowley

Cowley portrays the ideal life – that of a farmer, and blazons it forth in heraldry. "A plow in a field arable" – to him, the most honorable of all emblems. (Volume 27, Harvard Classics) Abraham Cowley died July 28, 1667.

Jul 29, 202119 minSeason 1Ep. 663

On the Antiseptic Principle of the Practice of Surgery, by Joseph Lister

The use of antiseptics in surgery is new. Hardly more than a half century ago surgeons operated in frock coats. Lord Lister, surgeon to Queen Victoria, was among the first to advocate scrupulous cleanliness in dressing wounds. (Volume 38, Harvard Classics) Lister publishes paper on antiseptic treatment, July 27, 1867.

Jul 28, 202132 minSeason 1Ep. 661

The Imitation of Christ (Ch. 1-7), by Thomas à Kempis

While Europe was shaken with wars, Thomas à Kempis lived in happy seclusion in his convent. His writings convincingly reflect the serenity and happiness of a man who has found peace – a peace that surpasses all understanding. (Volume 7, Harvard Classics) Thomas à Kempis died July 26, 1471.

Jul 27, 202120 minSeason 1Ep. 659

Fragments of the Lay of Brynhild

Brynhild, Woden's daughter, carried the dead heroes to Valhalla where they could feast and fight without dying; until a sin divested her of divinity, and she fell in love with Sigurd. (Volume 49, Harvard Classics)

Jul 26, 20214 minSeason 1Ep. 657
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