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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

Poems, by Lord Byron

England's romantic poet died while fighting against the Turks on the side of the Greeks. His poems, "The Isles of Greece" and "The Prisoner of Chillon," proclaim freedom. (Volume 41, Harvard Classics) At Missolonghi, Greece, 37 guns honor Byron, April 20, 1824.

Apr 20, 202226 minSeason 1Ep. 1195

Concord Hymn, by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Dr. Eliot says of the opening stanza of the "Concord Hymn": "In twenty-eight words here are the whole scene and all the essential circumstances... what an accurate, moving, immortal description is this!" (Volume 42, Harvard Classics) Battle of Concord fought April 19, 1775.

Apr 19, 20221 minSeason 1Ep. 1193

Don Quixote (Vol. 1, Part 1, Ch. 1-2), by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

Reading too many romances of knights and valorous deeds caused a poor Spanish gentleman to polish up his great-grandfather's armor, rechristen his old nag, and sally forth. "Don Quixote," besides holding a secure niche in literature as the work that quashed the romantic school of knight-errantry, is at the same time one of the most widely-read stories in the world. (Volume 14, Harvard Classics) Cervantes receives the last sacraments April 18, 1616.

Apr 18, 202229 minSeason 1Ep. 1191

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (Ch. 8), by Benjamin Franklin

In 1731 there were not many books in America. Franklin saw the need for more books and by house-to-house canvassing persuaded Philadelphians to aid him in founding a public library which to-day stands as a lasting memorial to Franklin. (Volume 1, Harvard Classics) Benjamin Franklin died April 17, 1790.

Apr 17, 202215 minSeason 1Ep. 1189

The Divine Comedy (Inferno VIII-IX), by Dante Alighieri

The city of Dis, within the gates of Hell, was guarded by monsters and surrounded by a moat filled with the tormented. Dante, protected by Virgil, entered the forbidden city, and viewed sights never before seen by living man. (Volume 20, Harvard Classics) Dante urges attack on the city of Florence, April 16, 1311.

Apr 16, 202214 minSeason 1Ep. 1187

Poems, by Walt Whitman

The rugged, genuine Lincoln was idealized by Walt Whitman - the founder of the new school of American poetry. Two of Whitman's finest poems were inspired by Lincoln. (Volume 42, Harvard Classics) Lincoln died April 15, 1865.

Apr 15, 202219 minSeason 1Ep. 1185

Drake’s Great Armada, by Captain Walter Bigges

Spanish towns in the New World were rich in treasure and tempting booty for English soldiers of fortune, who were venturesome and merciless. "Ho! for the Spanish Main!" was the rallying cry for all freebooters and buccaneers. (Volume 33, Harvard Classics)

Apr 14, 202227 minSeason 1Ep. 1183

Autobiography (Vol. I, Ch. XIII-XIX), by Benvenuto Cellini

Kings, emperors, the greatest artists and sculptors of the Renaissance at its most magnificent period, walk through the pages of his autobiography --- not as cold, austere, historical characters but as the intimate friends of Cellini. (Volume 31, Harvard Classics)

Apr 13, 202229 minSeason 1Ep. 1181

Faust (Part I), by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The virgin beauty of Margaret enchanted Faust, who dazzled her with the brilliance of many gems. Margaret innocently took his gifts, believing that beauty should not "blush unseen" - but unmindful of consequences to follow. (Volume 19, Harvard Classics)

Apr 12, 202221 minSeason 1Ep. 1177

First Charter of Virginia

Before English adventurers could attempt settlement in America it was necessary first to get permission from the King. The charter of King James to the oldest American colony is an extremely important historical document. (Volume 43, Harvard Classics) King James grants charter to Virginia, April 10, 1606.

Apr 10, 202222 minSeason 1Ep. 1175

The New Atlantis, by Francis Bacon

West of Peru there was reported to be a land where Truth and Science were used to promote the happiness and freedom of man. Here is Bacon's description of this ideal commonwealth. (Volume 3, Harvard Classics) Francis Bacon died April 9, 1629.

Apr 09, 202227 minSeason 1Ep. 1173

The Libation-Bearers (Part II), by Aeschylus

Orestes, holding an avenging sword over his mother, is told: "Beware thy mother's vengeful hounds." How he pays for disregarding his mother's warning is told in this drama where a mother is slain to avenge a father's ghost. (Volume 8, Harvard Classics)

Apr 08, 202215 minSeason 1Ep. 1171

Poems, by William Wordsworth

Wordsworth was so closely in touch with Nature that the simple beauty of flowers, woods, and fields is reflected in his poems as if Nature herself took up the pen and wrote. (Volume 41, Harvard Classics) Wordsworth born April 7, 1770.

Apr 07, 202210 minSeason 1Ep. 1169

The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius (VII), by Marcus Aurelius Antoninus

Badness has many interpretations, a different definition has been the dictate of each new generation. The solution of the eternal riddle was earnestly sought by Marcus Aurelius. (Volume 2, Harvard Classics) Marcus Aurelius born April 6, 121 A. D.

Apr 06, 202232 minSeason 1Ep. 1167
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