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
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Characteristics, by Thomas Carlyle

"Genius, a Secret to Itself." Thus wrote Carlyle, who affirms that great minds are unconscious of their stupendous strength. And each of us has his own peculiar mental attributes. (Volume 25, Harvard Classics) Thomas Carlyle died Feb. 4, 1881.

Feb 04, 202223 minSeason 1Ep. 1045

The Alchemist (Act I), by Ben Jonson

While the cat's away the mice will play. Boisterous and ludicrous happenings occur in a house left in charge of a servant. But in midst of merriment the master returns. (Volume 47, Harvard Classics) Ben Jonson receives life pension from James 1, Feb. 3, 1619.

Feb 03, 202222 minSeason 1Ep. 1043

The Tragedy of Hamlet Prince of Denmark (Act I), by William Shakespeare

Before his son, Laertes, departs for a foreign country, Polonius advises him as to his conduct and dress, while Hamlet, the king's son, has to learn by experience. (Volume 46, Harvard Classics Shakespeare's twins - Hamnet and Judith - baptized Feb. 2, 1585.

Feb 02, 202226 minSeason 1Ep. 1041

The Holy Grail (Book XIII, Ch. VII-XII), by Sir Thomas Malory

The intrepid Knights of the Round Table were startled by "crackling and crying of thunder" which rang through the great hall of the castle. Then there entered "The Holy Grail covered with white samite." (Volume 35, Harvard Classics)

Feb 02, 202227 minSeason 1Ep. 1039

Don Quixote (Part I, Ch. VIII), by Miguel de Cervantes

Slayer of windmills, rescuer of fair damsels in distress, eccentric Don Quixote, scores of years behind his time, set out on a mad quest of knight-errantry. Worlds of fun and killing satire are in this absorbing story of Cervantes. (Volume 14, Harvard Classics)

Jan 31, 202218 minSeason 1Ep. 1037

Antigone (Part I), by Sophocles

Antigone, an orphan princess, defies a king's mandate and risks her life to do her duty to her brother. What is this duty which her brother calls her to perform and the king forbids? (Volume 8, Harvard Classics) Sophocles died at Athens, Jan. 30. 405 B. C.

Jan 30, 202223 minSeason 1Ep. 1035

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

South of Patagonia is Tierra del Fuego - "The Land of Fire." The natives of that primitive country are today almost extinct. Darwin made a careful and vitally interesting study of that land and its ill-fated inhabitants. (Volume 29, Harvard Classics) Darwin married Emma Wedgewood, Jan. 29, 1839.

Jan 29, 202230 minSeason 1Ep. 1033

The Divine Comedy (Purgatory XXX-XXXII), by Dante Alighieri

Dante fell madly in love with Beatrice at first sight; but it is doubted if he ever spoke to her in this world. He tells of his happy meeting with Beatrice in Paradise. (Volume 20, Harvard Classics) Dante victim of political persecution in Florence, Jan. 27, 1302.

Jan 27, 202223 minSeason 1Ep. 1029

An Account of Egypt (Section 8 and 9), by Herodotus

A king who entombed his daughter in a golden cow --- the worship of the bull and the cat --- scandal of the court and the gossip of the temples is given by Herodotus in his delightful story of old Egypt. (Volume 33, Harvard Classics)

Jan 26, 202226 minSeason 1Ep. 1027

Poems (To a Mouse and Tam O’Shanter), by Robert Burns

A humble Scotchman, plowing his fields, turns over the nest of a frightened mouse. He apologizes with the deepest sincerity and explains how "the best-laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft agley." (Volume 6, Harvard Classics) Robert Burns born Jan. 25, 1759.

Jan 25, 202218 minSeason 1Ep. 1025

The Odyssey (Book XII), by Homer

When his ship approached the siren's rock, Odysseus stuffed the ears of his crew with wax and had himself bound to the mast that he might hear the alluring voice of the siren and yet not wreck his ship on the enchanted rock. (Volume 22, Harvard Classics)

Jan 24, 202225 minSeason 1Ep. 1023

The Art of Persuasion, by Blaise Pascal

Pascal, the keen-minded philosopher and mathematician, fathomed the human traits of man's nature with the same accurate measurements which made him famous in the realm of geometry. Read his searching analysis of man's conceit. (Volume 48, Harvard Classics) Pascal publishes "Provincial Letters," Jan. 23, 1656.

Jan 23, 202224 minSeason 1Ep. 1021

Polyeucte (ACT I), by Pierre Corneille

The classic plays of French literature are produced to-day precisely as when they were given for the resplendent kings they were written to please. We are fortunate to have in English, excellent translations of these noble plays. (Volume 26, Harvard Classics) Corneille elected to French Academy. Jan. 22, 1647.

Jan 23, 202219 minSeason 1Ep. 1019

The Nightingale, by Hans Christian Andersen

The Emperor of China lies on his deathbed grieving for the song of his favorite bird. Hark, the song! It charms, coaxes, and bribes Death to depart. It brings new life to the master. (Volume 17, Harvard Classics)

Jan 21, 202223 minSeason 1Ep. 1017
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android