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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
Episodes
Jun 29, 2021
Jun 29, 2021
1 min
Introductory note on The Tragedy of Macbeth (Volume 46, Harvard Classics)
Jun 29, 2021
Jun 29, 2021
14 min
Macbeth, spurred on by the ambitious and crafty Lady Macbeth, committed murder to secure the crown of Scotland. But he paid dearly for his gain. Ghostly guests appeared at his banquet and threatened him with dire threats. (Volume 46, Harvard Classics)
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre burned June 29, 1613.
Jun 28, 2021
Jun 28, 2021
Jun 28, 2021
24 min
A very definite etiquette is followed by a stranger on the vast plains of South America. "Ave Maria" is the common salutation. If the stranger is on horseback, he does not alight until invited to do so by his host. Once in the house, the stranger must converse a while before asking shelter for the night. (Volume 29, Harvard Classics)
Jun 27, 2021
Jun 27, 2021
Jun 27, 2021
11 min
There is a human trait most poisonous to a man's blood. Man seeks to avoid it because he knows that it lies like a curse upon him. Just what is the poisonous human failing? Who are most subject to it? Bacon tells you in one of his best essays. (Volume 3, Harvard Classics)
Francis Bacon enrolled at Cambridge University, June 27, 1576.
Jun 26, 2021
Jun 26, 2021
Jun 26, 2021
9 min
At the bottom of the ocean was the home of the monster who had desolated the king's halls. Beowulf, bravest of warriors, descended beneath the waves to fight the beast. The king's men, waiting above, saw the waves become colored with blood. Hero or monster - who had won? (Volume 49, Harvard Classics)
Jun 25, 2021
Jun 25, 2021
Jun 25, 2021
10 min
"Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, Old Time is still a-flying; And this same flower that smiles today, to-morrow will be dying?" Herrick was only a humble country minister with a wealth of wisdom and a keen appreciation of life, which he expressed in lyrics of wonderful beauty and melody. (Volume 40, Harvard Classics)