A weekend audio lectures review…because Pastors also need a break from heavy theological reading!
36 Books That Changed the World. Chantilly, VA: The Teaching Company, January 1st 2014. 18 hours, 59 minutes, 50 seconds.
5 out of 5
Purchase: Amazon
What are the important books in history that has changed the world? In these lectures produced The Teaching Company various experts of various literatures presents to us important literary works that literally changed the world. A total of 36 books are surveyed and these individual lectures comes from other lecture series produced by the The Teaching Company. For instance the lecture on Sun Tzu’s Art of War is from The Masters at War: History’s greatest Strategic Thinkers series delivered by a professor of Strategy and Policy at US Naval War college. The Republic by Plato is lectured by a political science professor for the series Great Minds of the Western Intellectual Tradition. I admit listening to these lectures on 36 books that changed the world makes me want to listen to more amazing lecture series produced by The Teaching Company.
The varieties of books discussed is incredible. There is a good combination of East and West. There are ancient books, Medieval, and also modern works. There are also various genres/literary forms that are surveyed. For instance there are philosophical works like that of Aristotle and modern philosopher Martin Heidegger. There are mythical and religious works both from the East and West such as religious Scriptures. The Bible, the Koran and Bhagavad Gita are discussed. There are also other religious literature such as Augustine’s The Confessions and Dante’s Divine Comedy. There are poitcal masterpiece like The Prince by Machiavelli and Sun Tzu’s The Art of War. There are also fictional works like Don Quixote which is the world’s first noval and Shakesphere’s The Hamlet. There are also scientific books and even Encyclopedia and the dictionary that is mentioned!
I love how the lectures for the various works go over things like background, the political and economic setting of the author writing these literary masterpiece. Of course there is also the discussion about the works themselves. I felt listening this allow me to understand and appreciate some of these classics. I must say that not every classics are works that I think is something I agree with but listening to these lectures allow one to understand them and that’s important. Nevertheless bring one’s critical thinking skill and discernment while listening to these lectures.
Some of the things I learned are the following. In talking about the Federalist Paper the lecturer pointed out English conservative Edmund Burke stated that British book sellers sell more books to the Colonies than in England; that show the literary interests these colonists have including political theory and the Classics. Also I love the lecture on Augustine pointed out how Augustine’s Confession is unlike other old classics in that it was never lost but it was always in circulation. I also thought it was cool to learn that it is often imitated by other literary works. Augustine’s Confessions shows the importance of order of reflecting on life and not just living just to live. The discussion about Samuel Johnson work on creating the Dictionary. I thought it was interesting that Johnson saw his project to create a dictionary was seen in colonial/imperial terms of him being a Caesar of words. That’s quite relevant with the time I was listening it as there are at this contemporary time discussion about what words mean and the Left redefining things which shows how powerful it is to have the power to define things and how it shapes the way the world is view. If I can put it in my own words, if the pen is mightier than the sword then the dictionary is mightier than Delta Force. There are so many things I learn from this series and that’s all to say I recommend this highly.
This reminds me of High school English class
Based on your insightful review, Jim, this is a good book that explains the influence of these books. It is also a good teaser/appetizer for books that we are not familiar with. I’m glad that one of my favorites back then was included i.e. The Art of War. The Prince, The Republic, Don Quixote (not the Japanese store), and Hamlet are classics. A blessed Sunday to you and your family!
Thanks for your comment! I too once had Art of War as one of my favorite! Wow there is a Japanese store call Don Quixote? I looked it up on Wikipedia and it sounds interesting! It doesn’t seem it mention any stores in the Philippines; did you visit one overseas?
Yes, in Tokyo, in mid October 2019. There are far many interesting shops in Japan. We don’t have a store in here, I presumed but they have products sold online.
Thanks for the great recommendation. Have a blessed Sunday as you minister today.
So much to read … so little time!
Indeed! Are you reading anything in particular lately??? Always curious what others are reading!
I am reading a book by Mark Sullivan, The Last Green Valley. It is WWII historical fiction (my favorite genre). Also reading Love Like That by Les Parrott. It’s about how to love like Jesus. He makes some excellent points. Blessings, Jim!
Looks good! Thanks for the interesting review!
You are welcome! How is your shift so far? I think right now should be roughly around your lunch time!
RE: Shift
Thanks! Much better today. Got all of the work orders done and now cleaning up minor problems. Always like to bring a small “Danny’s Favorite” submarine sandwich to work for lunch. Danny is the owner of the Wegmans grocery chain and his favorite sub is ham, hot capicola, and salami.
How is your Sunday going?
Glad the Bible was included!
I love reading and these lectures would be a delight to purchase to learn about great books
Atheists pretending religion is not important then historians here have shown otherwise lol
Jim, this review covers quite a variety of reading. When we are afforded the opportunity to read about wisdom and insight shared from significant people from the past, our perspective fills up with many treasures.
Interested in what “Sun Tzu” was / is really all about? Not war. Winning without war https://www.slideshare.net/ShibumiMC/sun-tzu-for-rationalists-92412130
Sadly, the nation building and peace making methodologies contained within Bing-fa (incorrectly and unhappily known as The Art of War) have been lost due to academic non-feasance, political malfeasance and the “translation” having been commandeered by the military. The only thing military in Bing-fa is the metaphorical lanuage. See my study on the matter: https://shibumimanagementcanada.wordpress.com/2012/06/02/the-meaning-of-ping-fa-often-referred-to-as-sun-tzu-the-art-of-war/