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OKI own this book and have been intending to read it for years. When I found it available on Audible, I knew that I would finally "read" it, and began listening to it. It was one of the first Audible books I purchased.
Being somewhat ignorant on the subjects dealt with in this book, I had to listen to the first hour about four times before it made sense to me, but I am so happy that I did. The rest of it was a piece of cake - very delicious. Who would have thought Homer would be so descriptive, funny, endearing and enlightening? I guess that is why this work has endured for so long.
I soon learned that the narrator makes or breaks an audio book, and Derek Jacobi is absolutely unbeatable as a narrator. I could listen to him all day. His characterizations are suburb. He made me laugh and cry. I will definitely listen to this one again and again.
This book has probably been on my "to-read" list since high school. I finally decided to read it when I acquired an audio version of it read by the incomparable Derek Jacobi. I obtained a physical copy of the same translation, and read along with the narration. It was a fabulous experience. The translation was by Allen Mandelbaum, and is extremely well done. I have read parts of several other translations, and to me, nothing comes close to this one because of the way Mandelbaum has tried to stay true to the poetic nature of the story. It is all set in Iambic Pentameter, just as the original was. I can only imagine how long it must have taken him to set it up so poetically, and yet stay true to the story of Odysseus and all his trials. The story is not hard to follow once you get used to the fact that the gods can work a lot of tricks. They can transform themselves or anyone into anything, or any other human being. It is quite a talent. But it makes for some fascinating situations. In the end, I was entertained by the story line, enchanted with the narrator, and in love with the poetry, not to mention in awe of the fabulous Homer, who wrote this story so many centuries ago. I am so happy that it has been preserved for all to enjoy today.
I found out about Seneca from reading Tim Ferriss' books, and I am so glad I followed up and got this Audible presentation.
Seneca had a crazy boss: The Roman Emperor Nero. But Seneca was able, till the last, to administer the Roman Empire. Seneca's philosophy is born of life experience at the highest levels of human existence.
For anyone who is interested in a deeper understanding of life, life that is not made up, I highly recommend this book.
The book is set up as letters to a friend so you don't have to worry about a wall of inscrutable words, and you should know this text is Not inscrutable!