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Letters from a Stoic
- Penguin Classics
- Narrated by: Julian Glover
- Length: 7 hrs and 38 mins
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Memoirs, Diaries & Correspondence
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good Information
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Summary
Brought to you by Penguin.
This Penguin Classic is performed by Julian Glover, Olivier Award winning actor, also known for his roles in Game of Thrones and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. This definitive recording includes an Introduction by Robin Campbell.
A philosophy that saw self-possession as the key to an existence lived 'in accordance with nature', Stoicism called for the restraint of animal instincts and the severing of emotional ties. These beliefs were formulated by the Athenian followers of Zeno in the fourth century BC, but it was in Seneca (c. 4 BC- AD 65) that the Stoics found their most eloquent advocate. Stoicism, as expressed in the Letters, helped ease pagan Rome's transition to Christianity, for it upholds upright ethical ideals and extols virtuous living, as well as expressing disgust for the harsh treatment of slaves and the inhumane slaughters witnessed in the Roman arenas. Seneca's major contribution to a seemingly unsympathetic creed was to transform it into a powerfully moving and inspiring declaration of the dignity of the individual mind.
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What listeners say about Letters from a Stoic
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- SteveO
- 31-01-20
Excellent narration
I enjoyed this very much, Primal texts like this are not as easy to summarise as secondary texts, but non the less, this made for easy listening. As well as learning about Stoicism it was enjoyable to hear about the life of the stoics and how they spent their time.
2 people found this helpful
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- Thesedays
- 16-12-20
Ancient old, modern gold.
The drawback, audio doesn't follow the letter numbering or letters missing - 50 to 55 instead of 51.
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- Hubabakanda
- 06-09-20
Perfect narration from a great actor.
Julian Glover reads this so beautifully. He has all the authority in the voice but also a rich vein of humour running through it. This is what happens when you book a great actor to read a book!
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- anon
- 04-08-20
Exceptional narration!
This audiobook is extraordinary! The performance by julian glover makes you feel as the a wise old stoic philosopher Seneca is speaking to you. Personally to you. As if you are sitting on the benches under the late afternoon sun and speaking to a wise old grandfather who holds your well being and affection in his heart. And as if you can reach out and touch his winkled old hand. Thank you audible and thank you julian glover
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- Mr. Mark Hanson
- 28-05-20
A great help in these strange times.
It is beautifully narrated and Seneca's philosophy is timeless. His death shows the truth of his life.
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- Anonymous User
- 27-02-20
Fantastic book, impeccable narration
Fantastic book, before I talk about it though I have to say this is by far the best audible performance I’ve heard yet. The narrator captures Senecas humour and emphasises and laughs where needed. He softens and explains when also needed, it’s as if he wrote the letters himself and were reciting them to a friend. Seneca’s letters show a leading roman stoic at their barest. These letters are fantastic in that there is such a variety of information and subjects covered. They are very well written and clear, making them a fantastic read (whether you agree with what’s being said or not). Seneca pulls no punches; here we see his gripes and issues with the unphilosophical men of his time and even some criticism of other stoics and their practises. He has great whit and his stoicism seems a more digestible one for the common person. These letters were intended to be read, and I highly recommend their reading.
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- mustLearnMore
- 22-01-20
I wish Mr Glover narrated Seneca's other works...
What a joy to listen to! Julian Glover IS Seneca in this audiobook, I only wish he narrated Seneca's others works as well (On Anger etc.) Great commentary that is applicable to one's life now as it was two thousand years ago. HIGHLY recommended.
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- fuzzylogic
- 07-12-19
Excellent reading
The narrators (actor Julian Glover) style and reading is very good, I really could almost believe it was an elderly Seneca reading them! If he had spoken excellent English that was. :-)
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- Mr D.
- 28-01-20
Great example should be followed
I loved all letters. Provides great aid in today's delapedated chaos. Should be read frequently.
6 people found this helpful
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- Jorge Andre M Bravo
- 16-09-20
Short, but narration is superb
I had bought the complete set, but exchanged for this one. The former narration was so poor that I decided to go with this one.
2 people found this helpful
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- Nelson R.
- 09-08-20
Absolutely brilliant, an instant favorite.
Easily the most impactful and succinct stoic book I've read to date, full of anecdotes and parables that I can relate directly to my own experiences and lifestyle almost two millennia after its writing. The performance is outstanding, fatherly and friendly, somber when necessary, but never cold or didactic.
2 people found this helpful
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- S. Alec
- 08-03-20
Can’t understand this English accent
Waste of money , listen first maybe you can understand 😀.........this app also sucks because I need to put 15 min words for review
2 people found this helpful
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- Utilisateur anonyme
- 26-10-20
Brilliant performance
The narrator’s delivery demonstrates that he understands Seneca’s writing. That’s important. I’ve listened to other audiobooks where Alexa would have put more thought into delivery. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
1 person found this helpful
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- Jim Lewis
- 18-10-20
Kept me company on a long hike
Letters From a Stoic kept me engaged the whole way through. Listened to t straight through in one session - and will certainly listen to it again.
1 person found this helpful
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- Kevin Kirby
- 26-09-20
Love the books and selection
My complaint is I have 2 accounts and I want to combine them so I’m sot spending all that money on 2 accounts
1 person found this helpful
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- Xophist
- 09-09-20
Julian Glover enlivens this ancient record
If you like the sample, rest assured the narration is that good all the way through. Don't miss the great pithy review by "Nelson R."
1 person found this helpful
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- Duane Clark
- 20-01-21
just a joy
I will let you judge the value of Seneca's contribution to Stoic thought. I am here to simply state the joy the narrator brings to this book. it was not long before I felt I was listening to Seneca himself reading his own words.
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- JSJ
- 15-01-21
Timeless and relevant wisdom
This book has lots of timeless wisdom. Seneca's letters applied to his time, now, the future, and all time in between. Life, history, and events keep repeating themselves, and it seems that humans keep repeating these experiences. The letters cover a wide range of topics from reading and studying philosophy, death, old age, dealing with other people, not harming others, acting for the common good, the importance of character, and the progress of man. Seneca, like Marcus Aurelius, was a real person who didn't always follow his philosophy and beliefs - he was an imperfect human being, just like I am. This is what makes his writings, like Marcus Aurelius' Meditations, so relevant and meaningful in this time and today.