Harvard Classics - podcast cover

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 Force of Gravitation, by Michael Faraday

Two sticks, a table, and a pail were the commonplace implements used by Michael Faraday to demonstrate great scientific truths. (Volume 30, Harvard Classics) Faraday sends "Experimental Researches" to Royal Society, Nov. 6, 1845.

Nov 06, 202116 minSeason 1Ep. 865

The Life of Sir Thomas More, by William Roper

A divorce always means trouble for some one. So with Sir Thomas More when he refused to agree with King Henry over the king's separation. More was made to pay one of the highest prices ever paid for a difference of opinion. (Volume 36, Harvard Classics)

Nov 05, 202126 minSeason 1Ep. 863

Polyeucte, by Pierre Corneille

Polyeucte, an Armenian noble, wanted to become a Christian. If he were baptized, he would have to give up his high position, his wealth and his pagan wife. Was the heavenly crown worth this sacrifice? (Volume 26, Harvard Classics)

Nov 04, 202113 minSeason 1Ep. 861

Letters (To the Emperor Trajan), by Pliny the Younger

Pliny sought the advice of the Emperor Trajan for dealing with the Christians who were alarmingly on the increase. He casually relates how he had tortured two Christians. (Volume 9, Harvard Classics)

Nov 03, 20218 minSeason 1Ep. 859

The Tempest, by William Shakespeare

Monsters of the earth, weird creatures of the air, magic romance, and shipwreck are mingled by a master hand in his thrilling drama. The fanciful, enchanting "Tempest" is the last work of the great bard of Stratford. (Volume 46, Harvard Classics) “The Tempest” performed at Queen Elizabeth's court, Nov. 1, 1611.

Nov 02, 202126 minSeason 1Ep. 855

Halloween, by Robert Burns

Beware of magic! Once a year uneasy spirits are released and walk the earth from midnight until dawn. Spooks and goblins invade the most secure homes and the canniest must watch out for danger lurking in every dark corner. (Volume 6, Harvard Classics) All Hallows' Eve.

Oct 31, 202112 minSeason 1Ep. 853

Principles of Geology, by Charles Lyell

Lyell has been called the founder of modern geology. Darwin, the master scientist, called him "Geology's Greatest Benefactor." Lyell's research revolutionized ideas on that subject. (Volume 38, Harvard Classics)

Oct 30, 202120 minSeason 1Ep. 851

Poems, by John Keats

Though the son of a stable man, John Keats wrote the most exquisite and sublime poetry in our language. He was the friend of Shelley, Lord Byron, and the other literary leaders of the time --- his genius recognized by all. (Volume 41, Harvard Classics)

Oct 30, 202119 minSeason 1Ep. 849

Thoughts Concerning Education, by John Locke

Locke taught children by means of games. He tells of a game whereby children were taught to spell with dice on which the letters of the alphabet were pasted. This was more than 200 years before modern kindergarten methods. Today's children would respond to such wise direction as Locke recommends. (Volume 37, Harvard Classics) John Locke died Oct. 28, 1704.

Oct 28, 202118 minSeason 1Ep. 847

Buddhist Writings

Siddhartha Gautama, who became the god Buddha, renounced the world and spent seven years in meditation. Then one day, while sitting under a fig tree, he became inspired with exalted and sublime conceptions of life and death. The rest of his life was spent in teaching and converting mankind. (Volume 45, Harvard Classics)

Oct 27, 202129 minSeason 1Ep. 845

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (Ch. 2), by Benjamin Franklin

Poor at twenty, rich at forty, internationally famous at fifty. Benjamin Franklin once walked the streets of Philadelphia alone, poor, and with no education. Yet he rose to be a leader because he learned the secret of careful reading. (Volume 1, Harvard Classics) Franklin made U. S. plenipotentiary in France, Oct. 26, 1778.

Oct 27, 202119 minSeason 1Ep. 843

Machiavelli, by Thomas Babington Macaulay

After the publication of Machiavelli's "The Prince," the Sultans became more addicted to strangling their brothers, tyrants became more merciless, and murderous plots increased. The influence of that book, as Macaulay points out, spread over Europe and Asia. (Volume 27, Harvard Classics) Thomas Babington Lord Macaulay born Oct. 25, 1800.

Oct 25, 202121 minSeason 1Ep. 841

Agamemnon, by Aeschylus

Cassandra knew through a prophetic vision that a sword would pierce her heart. Agamemnon, her captor, took her to his home where an avenging wife, Clytemnestra, awaited. The tragedies of the doom that requited the sins of the House of Atreus are among the most powerful ever written. (Volume 8, Harvard Classics)

Oct 25, 202119 minSeason 1Ep. 839

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

When only a boy, Cæsar was captured by pirates. While awaiting ransom he entered into every sport and game with them. Once freed, he quickly returned with forces that captured the outlaws. Then he took deliberate revenge. (Volume 12, Harvard Classics)

Oct 23, 202129 minSeason 1Ep. 837
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