Introductory note on Edmund Burke (Volume 24, Harvard Classics)
Aug 24, 2021•4 min•Season 1Ep. 716
The Hottentot thinks his wife beautiful. Every American believes his wife also to be beautiful. But the American and the Hottentot are quite different. What, after all, is Beauty? (Volume 24, Harvard Classics)
Aug 24, 2021•29 min•Season 1Ep. 715
Introductory note on Richard Henry Dana, Jr. (Volume 23. Harvard Classics)
Aug 23, 2021•4 min•Season 1Ep. 714
In the days when sailing ships plied the seven seas, common sailors were often subject to a brutal captain whose whim was law. Dana, a Boston college boy, makes an exciting story of his sea experiences. (Volume 23, Harvard Classics)
Aug 23, 2021•38 min•Season 1Ep. 713
Introductory note on Saint Augustine (Volume 7, Harvard Classics)
Aug 22, 2021•4 min•Season 1Ep. 712
A certain man was willed a Bible. He scorned the legacy until one day, penniless and downcast, he turned to the book for consolation. Imagine his amazement on finding hundred dollar bills between the pages. St. Augustine explains how he found even greater treasures in the Bible. (Volume 7, Harvard Classics)
Aug 22, 2021•22 min•Season 1Ep. 711
Introductory note on John Milton (Volume 4, Harvard Classics)
Aug 21, 2021•9 min•Season 1Ep. 710
Driven from Heaven, Satan meditated revenge. He decided his greatest opportunity to injure God was to bring sin to mankind. Satan's plot against Eve is told by Milton. (Volume 4, Harvard Classics) "Paradise Lost" published Aug. 20, 1667.
Aug 21, 2021•27 min•Season 1Ep. 709
Introductory note on Ambroise Paré (Volume 38, Harvard Classics)
Aug 20, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 708
Astonishing treatments and cures are related by Ambroise Paré, famed surgeon of the fifteenth century. One remedy, for instance, used to cure a distinguished nobleman, was red roses boiled in white wine, – and it was effective. (Volume 38, Harvard Classics)
Aug 20, 2021•21 min•Season 1Ep. 707
Introductory note on Benvenuto Cellini (Volume 31, Harvard Classics)
Aug 19, 2021•4 min•Season 1Ep. 706
In Cellini's day the model's life was a hazardous one. Cellini's Autobiography reveals how some models were treated. You will find it more thrilling than the most modern novel. (Volume 31, Harvard Classics)
Aug 19, 2021•26 min•Season 1Ep. 705
Introductory note on Martin Luther (Volume 36, Harvard Classics)
Aug 18, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 704
Luther declared that the unreformed church had drawn its doctrines like three walls so closely about the people that they served not as protection but were the cause of untold misery and distress. This he hoped to relieve by the Reformation. (Volume 36, Harvard Classics)
Aug 18, 2021•31 min•Season 1Ep. 703
Introductory note on The Book of Psalms (Volume 44, Harvard Classics)
Aug 17, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 702
David – the psalm singer – knew the wondrous ways of the Lord and praised Him in his psalms. Burdened souls in all ages have found comfort in these songs that once were used in the gorgeous ritual of Jerusalem's temple. (Volume 44, Harvard Classics)
Aug 17, 2021•14 min•Season 1Ep. 701
Introductory note on The Song of Roland (Volume 49, Harvard Classics)
Aug 16, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 700
Charlemagne's rear guard was attacked by the Basques in the valley of Roncesvaux. Roland, its leader, fought a courageous fight, and, though conquered, became immortal. (Volume 49, Harvard Classics) Roland died at Roncesvaux, Aug. 15, 778.
Aug 16, 2021•14 min•Season 1Ep. 699
Introductory note on Richard Henry Dana, Jr. (Volume 23, Harvard Classics)
Aug 15, 2021•4 min•Season 1Ep. 698
Leaving Harvard on account of ill health, Dana sought adventure and thrilling experience aboard a sailing vessel that rounded Cape Horn. He turned the dangers, hardships, and keen joys of a sailor's life into a fascinating story. (Volume 23, Harvard Classics) Dana begins famous two-year voyage, Aug. 14, 1834.
Aug 15, 2021•23 min•Season 1Ep. 697
Introductory note on Robert Southey (Wikipedia)
Aug 14, 2021•43 sec•Season 1Ep. 696
England and France caine to battle near Blenheim. Years later the people of Blenheim called it a "famous victory," but could not tell whose victory it was. (Volume 41, Harvard Classics) Battle of Blenheim, Aug. 13. 1704.
Aug 14, 2021•3 min•Season 1Ep. 695
Introductory note on James Russell Lowell (Wikipedia)
Aug 13, 2021•3 min•Season 1Ep. 694
Huldy, the rustic belle, sat alone peeling apples. She was bashful in her consciousness that Zekle would come soon. When he did, she merely blushed and timidly said: "Ma's sprinklin' clo'es," and then – (Volume 42, Harvard Classics)
Aug 13, 2021•6 min•Season 1Ep. 693
Introductory note on Epictetus (Volume 2, Harvard Classics)
Aug 12, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 692
Epictetus advises that if a person speaks ill of you, make no defense, but answer: "He surely knew not of my other faults, else he would not have mentioned these only." (Volume 2, Harvard Classics)
Aug 12, 2021•15 min•Season 1Ep. 691
Introductory note on Edmund Burke (#2) (Volume 24, Harvard Classics)
Aug 11, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 690
When the people of Paris howled because they had no bread to eat, Queen Marie Antoinette exclaimed: "Well, then, let them eat cake!" Such an attitude hastened the revolution. (Volume 24, Harvard Classics) French royal family imprisoned, Aug. 10, 1792.
Aug 11, 2021•37 min•Season 1Ep. 689
Introductory note on Izaak Walton (Volume 15, Harvard Classics)
Aug 10, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 688
Minister and witness, bride and groom were arrested by an enraged father when John Donne married his employer's niece. Donne was soon released, but he found himself without money, position or bride. (Volume 15, Harvard Classics) Isaak Walton born Aug. 9, 1593.
Aug 10, 2021•27 min•Season 1Ep. 687