Mazzini labored for the freedom of Italy, but was exiled. Byron and Goethe also battled for liberty. Mazzini wrote an essay in which he compared Byron to a soaring eagle and Goethe to a contented stork. (Volume 32, Harvard Classics) Byron arrived in Greece to fight for Greek freedom, Jan. 5, 1824.
Jan 05, 2022•47 min•Season 1Ep. 985
Introductory note on Giuseppe Mazzini (Volume 32, Harvard Classics)
Jan 05, 2022•2 min•Season 1Ep. 986
Introductory note on Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm (Volume 17, Harvard Classics)
Jan 05, 2022•2 min•Season 1Ep. 984
A fisherman, so the story goes, once caught a flounder that spoke, begging to be released. This was granted, whereupon the fisherman's wife demanded that it grant her one miracle after another, until even the flounder was disgusted. (Volume 17, Harvard Classics) Jacob Grimm, elder of the famous Grimm brothers, born Jan. 4, 1785.
Jan 05, 2022•15 min•Season 1Ep. 983
"Fire and water are not of more universal use than friendship" - such is the high value put upon this great human relationship by the most famous orator of Rome. (Volume 9, Harvard Classics) Cicero born Jan. 3, 106 B. C.
Jan 03, 2022•29 min•Season 1Ep. 981
Introductory note on Marcus Tullius Cicero (Volume 9, Harvard Classics)
Jan 03, 2022•10 min•Season 1Ep. 982
Introductory note on John Milton (Volume 4, Harvard Classics)
Jan 02, 2022•9 min•Season 1Ep. 980
At the age of sixteen, Milton first appeared before the public eye as a promising young poet. These early verses, written while he was a boy in school, indicate his brilliant future. (Volume 4, Harvard Classics) First edition of Milton's collected poems published Jan. 2, 1645.
Jan 02, 2022•21 min•Season 1Ep. 979
Introductory note on Benjamin Franklin (Volume 1, Harvard Classics)
Jan 02, 2022•5 min•Season 1Ep. 978
"Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve"-was one of the rules for success framed by America's first "self-made" man. (Volume 1, Harvard Classics)
Jan 02, 2022•18 min•Season 1Ep. 977
The most unhappy man, Carlyle says, is the man who has no real work - no interest in life. To avoid this miserable state, he advises faithful and diligent reading along the lines dictated by curiosity and interest. (Volume 25, Harvard Classics)
Dec 31, 2021•24 min•Season 1Ep. 975
Introductory note on Thomas Carlyle (Volume 25, Harvard Classics)
Dec 31, 2021•10 min•Season 1Ep. 976
Dana's description of the picturesque, pre-gold-rush California is unique. While he was on the Pacific coast he met a British sailor who was elaborately tattooed and of an unforgetable appearance and personality. (Volume 23, Harvard Classics)
Dec 30, 2021•27 min•Season 1Ep. 973
Introductory note on Richard Henry Dana, Jr. (Volume 23, Harvard Classics)
Dec 30, 2021•4 min•Season 1Ep. 974
Introductory note on Homer (Volume 22, Harvard Classics)
Dec 29, 2021•9 min•Season 1Ep. 972
After twenty years' absence, Odysseus returned home to find his house filled with strangers rioting and wasting his treasure. Crafty Odysseus, with the aid of his son and the gods, devised a bold plan to rid his home of the unwelcome guests. (Volume 22, Harvard Classics)
Dec 29, 2021•25 min•Season 1Ep. 971
Drake with a fleet of twenty-five ships and twenty-three hundred men sets sail to plunder and lay waste Spain's treasure hoards in the New World. Gold and silver bar, nuggets and jewels awaited the bold adventurers. (Volume 33, Harvard Classics)
Dec 28, 2021•26 min•Season 1Ep. 969
Introductory note on Sir Francis Drake (Volume 33, Harvard Classics)
Dec 28, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 970
It was the new-old lands that Darwin visited on his voyage of the "Beagle." The strange specimens of prehistoric life he saw there made the world gape and shudder. (Volume 29, Harvard Classics) Charles Darwin begins voyage in the "Beagle," Dec. 27, 1831.
Dec 27, 2021•38 min•Season 1Ep. 967
Introductory note on Charles Darwin (#2) (Volume 29, Harvard Classics)
Dec 27, 2021•3 min•Season 1Ep. 968
Introductory note on The Tragedy of King Lear by William Shakespeare (Volume 46, Harvard Classics)
Dec 27, 2021•4 min•Season 1Ep. 966
Cordelia, daughter of old King Lear, could not convince her father of her love for him. Afterward, when misfortunes made him accept her aid, he learned too late of her real devotion. (Volume 46, Harvard Classics) "King Lear" presented at Queen Elizabeth's court, Dec. 26, 1606.
Dec 27, 2021•25 min•Season 1Ep. 965
Introductory note on The Gospel According to Luke (Volume 44, Harvard Classics)
Dec 27, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 964
Luke was a Greek physician, a man of culture, trained in the best universities of the ancient world. He became imbued with the spirit of Christ, and wrote the most beautiful story of the birth and life of Jesus. (Volume 44, Harvard Classics) Christmas Day
Dec 27, 2021•7 min•Season 1Ep. 963
Introductory note on William Harrison (Volume 35, Harvard Classics)
Dec 27, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 962
Before the Reformation in England almost every third day was a holy day. But the Puritans abolished all the holy days, even Christmas. (Volume 35, Harvard Classics)
Dec 27, 2021•12 min•Season 1Ep. 961
If all the books in the world were on fire, some men would risk their lives to save certain priceless writings: the world's classics. Sainte-Beuve here tells why. (Volume 32, Harvard Classics) Sainte-Beuve born Dec. 23, 1804.
Dec 23, 2021•30 min•Season 1Ep. 959
Introductory note on Charles Augustin Sainte-Beuve (Volume 32, Harvard Classics)
Dec 23, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 960
Introductory note on Charles Darwin (#2) (Volume 29, Harvard Classics)
Dec 22, 2021•3 min•Season 1Ep. 958
Darwin, in exploring New Zealand, finds cannibalism, tattooing, and many weird customs among the natives. Instead of shaking hands, the salutation is by rubbing noses. (Volume 29, Harvard Classics) Darwin visits New Zealand natives, Dec. 22, 1835.
Dec 22, 2021•26 min•Season 1Ep. 957