Letters from a Stoic

Penguin Classics

By: Seneca

Narrated by: Julian Glover

Length: 7 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's 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.

Public Domain (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Great example should be followed

I loved all letters. Provides great aid in today's delapedated chaos. Should be read frequently.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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."

highly recommend

loved it, just had to slow it down to take in all the info, this book made my life a little bit easier to understand and deal with things that are happening to me in a healthier way.

Amazing

Great Narration: it brings it all to life. In my opinion, more straightforward and pratical than Meditations. Definitely will re-read

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.

Brilliant Narration of Timeless Wisdom

Of course Seneca’s letters from a stoic is brilliant collection of essays really. However this is brought brilliantly to life by the wonderful narration of Julian Glover. You really feel as though you are listening to the character or Seneca himself. Have listened several times to the book and will continue to do so.

Everything You Could Hope For

Everything You Could Hope For if you are interested in Stoic philosophy and want some extended essays on a range of topics.

Stands up well for today's world.

It's a nice example of Stoic philosophy that sprang from the great Cynics. Well read and recorded. A practical guide to living, even in today's world. The letters get a little tedious towards the end though.

I prefer Marcus Auerilious' 'Mediataions' as he genuinely lived what he wrote and wrote mainly for himself.

These are teachings dressed up as letters. He didn't quiet live what he taught, but it's a simple and effective philosophy, not dressed in confusing language lilke the recent century's have been served up to us. It's almost as if he is talking to you directly and across the millennia and in a way that we cannot help but understand fully.

Like his 'On the shortness of life'', Seneca's writing stands up very well in being read on the 21st century. Highly important for our selfish, isolated and materialist modern world.

I got bored towards the end and it become a bit of a slog. His early letters are better in th9s collection.

A life of virtue

The narrator was perfect, very well read and made me believe it could have been Seneca himself. Full of morality in which we can all draw from in life

Ancient old, modern gold.

The drawback, audio doesn't follow the letter numbering or letters missing - 50 to 55 instead of 51.

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!

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

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.

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.