-
Leviathan
- Narrated by: Philip Stevens
- Length: 25 hrs and 9 mins
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Prime members: New to Audible?Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Leviathan
Buy for $23.24
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
The Second Treatise on Civil Government
- By: John Locke
- Narrated by: Michael Anthony
- Length: 6 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 16
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 14
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 14
The English philosopher and physician John Locke (1632 - 1704) is widely regarded as one of the most influential of Enlightenment thinkers. His work had a significant effect on the development of epistemology and political philosophy. The Second Treatise on Civil Government places sovereignty in the hands of the people, as Locke's fundamental argument is that people are equal and invested with natural rights in a state of nature in which they live free from outside rule.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Comments from a reader
- By Kindle Customer on 12-28-20
By: John Locke
-
A Theologico-Political Treatise/A Political Treatise
- By: Baruch Spinoza
- Narrated by: Leighton Pugh
- Length: 16 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 33
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 27
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 27
Though it first aroused anger and controversy rather than admiration and acceptance, A Theologico-Political Treatise was a landmark in the analysis of theology (with particular reference to the Bible and its Jewish and Christian interpretations) and its relationship to philosophy and politics. Spinoza’s scholarly analysis, based on careful study, demonstrated that the Bible was composed by many writers over the centuries - and that even the Pentateuch, the first five books, were not the work of Moses, as was generally assumed at the time.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Great until the last ~2 minutes
- By Julia S. on 06-02-22
By: Baruch Spinoza
-
Two Treatises of Government
- By: John Locke
- Narrated by: James Langton
- Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 483
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 421
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 412
Often considered the foundation of political liberalism, John Locke's Two Treatises of Government was first published anonymously in 1689, in the wake of England's Glorious Revolution. In The First Treatise of Government, Locke refutes the idea of divine monarchy, while The Second Treatise of Government articulates Locke's philosophy of government, which he based upon his theories of natural rights and the social contract.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Don't let the title scare you off!
- By Travis on 07-09-12
By: John Locke
-
An Essay Concerning Human Understanding
- By: John Locke
- Narrated by: Leighton Pugh
- Length: 30 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 77
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 64
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 64
John Locke and his works - particularly An Essay Concerning Human Understanding - are regularly and rightly presented as foundations for the Age of Enlightenment. His primary epistemological message - that the mind at birth is a blank sheet waiting to be filled by the experiences of the senses - complemented his primary political message: that human beings are free and equal and have the right to envision, create and direct the governments that rule them and the societies within which they live.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Exhaustive Philosophic Treatise
- By No to Statism on 09-25-18
By: John Locke
-
On Liberty
- By: John Stuart Mill
- Narrated by: Gildart Jackson
- Length: 4 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 667
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 573
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 568
First published in 1859, John Stuart Mill's On Liberty is an exhaustive exploration of social and civic liberty, its limits, and its consequences. Mill's work is a classic of political liberalism that contains a rational justification of the freedom of the individual in opposition to the claims of the state.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
should be read by liberals and conservatives
- By Jim Hennessy on 09-13-18
By: John Stuart Mill
-
Discourse on the Origin of Inequality
- By: Jean-Jacques Rousseau
- Narrated by: Adriel Brandt
- Length: 2 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 16
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 10
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 10
Discourse on the Origin and Basis of Inequality Among Men by the philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau was originally written for an essay competition run by the Dijon Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1754. The question was, "What is the origin of inequality among men, and is it authorized by the natural law?" Rousseau's text is divided into four main parts: a dedication, preface, an extended inquiry into the nature of the individual, and another inquiry into the evolution of the human species within society.
-
The Second Treatise on Civil Government
- By: John Locke
- Narrated by: Michael Anthony
- Length: 6 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 16
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 14
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 14
The English philosopher and physician John Locke (1632 - 1704) is widely regarded as one of the most influential of Enlightenment thinkers. His work had a significant effect on the development of epistemology and political philosophy. The Second Treatise on Civil Government places sovereignty in the hands of the people, as Locke's fundamental argument is that people are equal and invested with natural rights in a state of nature in which they live free from outside rule.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Comments from a reader
- By Kindle Customer on 12-28-20
By: John Locke
-
A Theologico-Political Treatise/A Political Treatise
- By: Baruch Spinoza
- Narrated by: Leighton Pugh
- Length: 16 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 33
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 27
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 27
Though it first aroused anger and controversy rather than admiration and acceptance, A Theologico-Political Treatise was a landmark in the analysis of theology (with particular reference to the Bible and its Jewish and Christian interpretations) and its relationship to philosophy and politics. Spinoza’s scholarly analysis, based on careful study, demonstrated that the Bible was composed by many writers over the centuries - and that even the Pentateuch, the first five books, were not the work of Moses, as was generally assumed at the time.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Great until the last ~2 minutes
- By Julia S. on 06-02-22
By: Baruch Spinoza
-
Two Treatises of Government
- By: John Locke
- Narrated by: James Langton
- Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 483
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 421
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 412
Often considered the foundation of political liberalism, John Locke's Two Treatises of Government was first published anonymously in 1689, in the wake of England's Glorious Revolution. In The First Treatise of Government, Locke refutes the idea of divine monarchy, while The Second Treatise of Government articulates Locke's philosophy of government, which he based upon his theories of natural rights and the social contract.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Don't let the title scare you off!
- By Travis on 07-09-12
By: John Locke
-
An Essay Concerning Human Understanding
- By: John Locke
- Narrated by: Leighton Pugh
- Length: 30 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 77
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 64
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 64
John Locke and his works - particularly An Essay Concerning Human Understanding - are regularly and rightly presented as foundations for the Age of Enlightenment. His primary epistemological message - that the mind at birth is a blank sheet waiting to be filled by the experiences of the senses - complemented his primary political message: that human beings are free and equal and have the right to envision, create and direct the governments that rule them and the societies within which they live.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Exhaustive Philosophic Treatise
- By No to Statism on 09-25-18
By: John Locke
-
On Liberty
- By: John Stuart Mill
- Narrated by: Gildart Jackson
- Length: 4 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 667
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 573
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 568
First published in 1859, John Stuart Mill's On Liberty is an exhaustive exploration of social and civic liberty, its limits, and its consequences. Mill's work is a classic of political liberalism that contains a rational justification of the freedom of the individual in opposition to the claims of the state.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
should be read by liberals and conservatives
- By Jim Hennessy on 09-13-18
By: John Stuart Mill
-
Discourse on the Origin of Inequality
- By: Jean-Jacques Rousseau
- Narrated by: Adriel Brandt
- Length: 2 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 16
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 10
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 10
Discourse on the Origin and Basis of Inequality Among Men by the philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau was originally written for an essay competition run by the Dijon Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1754. The question was, "What is the origin of inequality among men, and is it authorized by the natural law?" Rousseau's text is divided into four main parts: a dedication, preface, an extended inquiry into the nature of the individual, and another inquiry into the evolution of the human species within society.
-
The Wealth of Nations
- By: Adam Smith
- Narrated by: Gildart Jackson
- Length: 36 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,514
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,273
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,262
The foundation for all modern economic thought and political economy, The Wealth of Nations is the magnum opus of Scottish economist Adam Smith, who introduces the world to the very idea of economics and capitalism in the modern sense of the words.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
ADAM SMITH
- By chetyarbrough.blog on 01-20-15
By: Adam Smith
-
The Social Contract
- By: Jean-Jacques Rousseau
- Narrated by: Neville Jason
- Length: 6 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 74
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 59
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 59
Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains. In The Social Contract, Rousseau explores the concept of freedom and the political structures that may enable people to acquire it. He argues that the sovereign power of a state lies not in any one ruler but in the will of the general population. Rousseau argues that the ideal state would be a direct democracy where executive decision making is carried out by citizens who meet in assembly, as they would in the ancient city-state of Athens.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Rosseau's works
- By Anonymous User on 07-24-19
-
The Spirit of the Laws
- By: Charles de Secondat Baron de Montesquieu
- Narrated by: Martyn Swain
- Length: 23 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 32
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 27
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 27
From the moment of its publication in 1748, The Spirit of the Laws proved to be a controversial work provoking widespread interest. Within three years it had been translated into various European languages - and was swiftly added to the List of Prohibited Books by the Roman Catholic Church. It is a remarkable book, a potpourri of observations and comments ranging far and wide over the social activities of mankind and it exerted a great influence on political leaders in the following decades.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Truly Excellent Audiobook!
- By No to Statism on 09-09-19
-
Politics
- By: Aristotle
- Narrated by: Andrew Cullum
- Length: 10 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 72
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 65
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 66
The title Politics literally means ‘the things concerning the city’. Here, Aristotle considers the important role that politics plays in the life of the community and its contribution to harmonious and virtuous existence. It is divided into eight books and was a cornerstone in political philosophy for centuries despite certain features - including attitudes towards slaves and women - clearly placing its conclusions and advice within the confines of Athenian society of the fourth century BCE.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
I suspect a poor translation
- By Andrew George on 07-22-20
By: Aristotle
-
The Prince
- By: Niccolo Machiavelli
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 4 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 4,755
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 4,068
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 4,043
From his perspective in Renaissance Italy, Machiavelli's aim in this classic work was to resolve conflict with the ruling prince, Lorenzo de Medici. Machiavelli based his insights on the way people really are rather than an ideal of how they should be. This is the world's most famous master plan for seizing and holding power. Astonishing in its candor The Prince even today remains a disturbingly realistic and prophetic work on what it takes to be a prince, a king, or a president.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
You have to know what you get with The Prince
- By Cody Brown on 02-10-15
-
Democracy in America
- By: Alexis de Tocqueville
- Narrated by: John Pruden
- Length: 34 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 704
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 578
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 586
In 1831, Alexis de Tocqueville, a young French aristocrat and civil servant, made a nine-month journey through the eastern United States. The result was Democracy in America, a monumental study of the strengths and weaknesses of the nation’s evolving politics. His insightful work has become one of the most influential political texts ever written on America.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Most Listenable, if not the Best Translation
- By Michael Allen on 10-04-13
-
Plato's Republic
- By: Plato
- Narrated by: Ray Childs
- Length: 11 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,503
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,307
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,288
The Republic poses questions that endure: What is justice? What form of community fosters the best possible life for human beings? What is the nature and destiny of the soul? What form of education provides the best leaders for a good republic? What are the various forms of poetry and the other arts, and which ones should be fostered and which ones should be discouraged? How does knowing differ from believing?
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
A great way to enjoy The Republic
- By Unripe on 05-20-16
By: Plato
-
The Prince
- Penguin Classics
- By: George Bull - translator, Niccolò Machiavelli
- Narrated by: Simon Callow
- Length: 3 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 113
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 87
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 86
As a diplomat in turbulent 15th-century Florence, Niccolò Machiavelli knew how quickly political fortunes could rise and fall. The Prince, his tough-minded, pragmatic handbook on how power really works, made his name notorious and has remained controversial ever since. How can a leader be strong and decisive yet still inspire loyalty in his followers? When is it necessary to break the rules? Is it better to be feared than loved?
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Why I purchased this version
- By Amazon Customer on 06-27-21
By: George Bull - translator, and others
-
The Communist Manifesto
- By: Karl Marx
- Narrated by: Greg Wagland
- Length: 1 hr and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 1,195
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,026
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 1,013
‘It was a sweet finish after the bitter pills of floggings and bullets with which these same governments, just at that time, dosed the German working-class risings’. The Communist Manifesto is, perhaps surprisingly, a most engaging and accessible work, containing even the odd shaft of humour in this translation by Samuel Moore for the 1888 English edition.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Forcibly over throw anyone who owns land?
- By Austin Hair on 02-13-20
By: Karl Marx
-
The Federalist Papers
- By: Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay
- Narrated by: Arthur Morey
- Length: 19 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 612
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 525
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 518
Originally published anonymously, The Federalist Papers first appeared in 1787 as a series of letters to New York newspapers exhorting voters to ratify the proposed Constitution of the United States. Still hotly debated and open to often controversial interpretations, the arguments first presented here by three of America's greatest patriots and political theorists were created during a critical moment in our nation's history.
-
1 out of 5 stars
-
Changes key words and concepts from the original
- By Some guy on 08-14-20
By: Alexander Hamilton, and others
-
Paradise Lost
- By: John Milton
- Narrated by: Simon Vance
- Length: 9 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,520
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,291
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,288
John Milton's Paradise Lost is one of the greatest epic poems in the English language. It tells the story of the Fall of Man, a tale of immense drama and excitement, of rebellion and treachery, of innocence pitted against corruption, in which God and Satan fight a bitter battle for control of mankind's destiny.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
The most accessible reading of Paradise Lost
- By Tony McClung on 02-21-10
By: John Milton
-
The Critique of Pure Reason
- By: Immanuel Kant
- Narrated by: Martin Wilson
- Length: 22 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 79
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 63
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 62
Published in 1797, the Critique of Pure Reason is considered to be one of the foremost philosophical works ever written. In the Critique of Pure Reason, Immanuel Kant explores the foundation of human knowledge and its limits, as well as man's ability to engage in metaphysics.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Excellent book, Wrong medium
- By Joshua J Eller on 01-15-19
By: Immanuel Kant
Publisher's summary
Brought to you by Penguin.
This Penguin Classic is performed by Philip Stevens. This definitive recording includes an introduction by Christopher Brooke.
Thomas Hobbes lived through the Thirty Years War and Britain's civil wars, and the trauma of these events led to his great masterpiece of political thought. How could humankind rescue itself from life in the natural state, which was 'poor, nasty, brutish and short'? What form of politics would provide the security that he and his contemporaries craved?
Vilified and scorned from the moment it was published, Leviathan was publicly burnt for sedition, but ever since it has exercised a unique fascination upon its readers, both for its ideas and its remarkable prose. Its concepts helped to drag Europe into a new world - one in which we still live today.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
More from the same
What listeners say about Leviathan
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 05-27-23
A leviathan indeed
A long work but worth it. I’m amazed at how a book written so long ago can be so relevant today, especially concerning the Church and the universities and how they’ve gone wrong
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
People who viewed this also viewed...
-
Leviathan
- or The Matter, Form, and Power of a Commonwealth, Ecclesiastical and Civil
- By: Thomas Hobbes
- Narrated by: James Adams
- Length: 23 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 229
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 206
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 204
The leviathan is the vast unity of the State. But how are unity, peace, and security to be attained? Hobbes’ answer is sovereignty, but the resurgence of interest today in Leviathan is due less to its answers than its methods: Hobbes sees politics as a science capable of the same axiomatic approach as geometry.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
For PoliSci Graduate Students as a Readalong
- By deborah on 01-14-12
By: Thomas Hobbes
-
Leviathan (AmazonClassics Edition)
- By: Thomas Hobbes
- Narrated by: Simon Mattacks
- Length: 21 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 13
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 10
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 10
In a world rife with willful chaos, how can order be restored? Philosopher Thomas Hobbes’s answer, composed amid the violence of the English Civil War, revolutionized political thought. His solution was a commonwealth, or Leviathan, a body politic ruled and protected by an absolute sovereign. Its power would be dependent on the people to exchange their freedom for the security and order of a common law. Only with this social contract, Hobbes argued, can civil peace be established.
-
2 out of 5 stars
-
Poor narration
- By Hermitage on 12-21-19
By: Thomas Hobbes
-
Leviathan
- By: Thomas Hobbes
- Narrated by: David McCallion
- Length: 22 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 57
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 49
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 49
Published in 1651, Leviathan is considered to be one of the most important works of political philosophy and a major contribution to the modern idea of central government. In the mid-17th century, England was going through a turbulent time of change and unrest, which likely shaped Hobbes' ideas on strong government. Thomas Hobbes established the social contract theory. He believed that self-government did not create the ideal state due to the human tendency to be self-serving, something he believed would eventually lead to chaos.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
For the philosophical minds
- By Nicole on 07-15-17
By: Thomas Hobbes
-
Leviathan
- Or, the Matter, Forme and Power of a Common Wealth Ecclesiasticall and Civil
- By: Thomas Hobbes
- Narrated by: Peter Wickham
- Length: 21 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 19
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 17
-
Story3.5 out of 5 stars 16
Born out of the political turmoil of the English Civil War, Leviathan stands out as one of the most in influential political and philosophical texts of the 17th century. It argues for the restoration of the monarchy in light of the republic and calls for a commonwealth ruled by an authoritative, autocratic figure with absolute sovereignty. This would put an end to all controversy, war, and fear and establish peace via social contract.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Definitely worth the listen
- By NY Critic on 11-27-23
By: Thomas Hobbes
-
Two Treatises of Government
- By: John Locke
- Narrated by: James Langton
- Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 483
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 421
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 412
Often considered the foundation of political liberalism, John Locke's Two Treatises of Government was first published anonymously in 1689, in the wake of England's Glorious Revolution. In The First Treatise of Government, Locke refutes the idea of divine monarchy, while The Second Treatise of Government articulates Locke's philosophy of government, which he based upon his theories of natural rights and the social contract.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Don't let the title scare you off!
- By Travis on 07-09-12
By: John Locke
-
The Spirit of the Laws
- By: Charles de Secondat Baron de Montesquieu
- Narrated by: Martyn Swain
- Length: 23 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 32
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 27
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 27
From the moment of its publication in 1748, The Spirit of the Laws proved to be a controversial work provoking widespread interest. Within three years it had been translated into various European languages - and was swiftly added to the List of Prohibited Books by the Roman Catholic Church. It is a remarkable book, a potpourri of observations and comments ranging far and wide over the social activities of mankind and it exerted a great influence on political leaders in the following decades.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Truly Excellent Audiobook!
- By No to Statism on 09-09-19
-
Leviathan
- or The Matter, Form, and Power of a Commonwealth, Ecclesiastical and Civil
- By: Thomas Hobbes
- Narrated by: James Adams
- Length: 23 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 229
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 206
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 204
The leviathan is the vast unity of the State. But how are unity, peace, and security to be attained? Hobbes’ answer is sovereignty, but the resurgence of interest today in Leviathan is due less to its answers than its methods: Hobbes sees politics as a science capable of the same axiomatic approach as geometry.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
For PoliSci Graduate Students as a Readalong
- By deborah on 01-14-12
By: Thomas Hobbes
-
Leviathan (AmazonClassics Edition)
- By: Thomas Hobbes
- Narrated by: Simon Mattacks
- Length: 21 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 13
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 10
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 10
In a world rife with willful chaos, how can order be restored? Philosopher Thomas Hobbes’s answer, composed amid the violence of the English Civil War, revolutionized political thought. His solution was a commonwealth, or Leviathan, a body politic ruled and protected by an absolute sovereign. Its power would be dependent on the people to exchange their freedom for the security and order of a common law. Only with this social contract, Hobbes argued, can civil peace be established.
-
2 out of 5 stars
-
Poor narration
- By Hermitage on 12-21-19
By: Thomas Hobbes
-
Leviathan
- By: Thomas Hobbes
- Narrated by: David McCallion
- Length: 22 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 57
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 49
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 49
Published in 1651, Leviathan is considered to be one of the most important works of political philosophy and a major contribution to the modern idea of central government. In the mid-17th century, England was going through a turbulent time of change and unrest, which likely shaped Hobbes' ideas on strong government. Thomas Hobbes established the social contract theory. He believed that self-government did not create the ideal state due to the human tendency to be self-serving, something he believed would eventually lead to chaos.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
For the philosophical minds
- By Nicole on 07-15-17
By: Thomas Hobbes
-
Leviathan
- Or, the Matter, Forme and Power of a Common Wealth Ecclesiasticall and Civil
- By: Thomas Hobbes
- Narrated by: Peter Wickham
- Length: 21 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 19
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 17
-
Story3.5 out of 5 stars 16
Born out of the political turmoil of the English Civil War, Leviathan stands out as one of the most in influential political and philosophical texts of the 17th century. It argues for the restoration of the monarchy in light of the republic and calls for a commonwealth ruled by an authoritative, autocratic figure with absolute sovereignty. This would put an end to all controversy, war, and fear and establish peace via social contract.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Definitely worth the listen
- By NY Critic on 11-27-23
By: Thomas Hobbes
-
Two Treatises of Government
- By: John Locke
- Narrated by: James Langton
- Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 483
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 421
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 412
Often considered the foundation of political liberalism, John Locke's Two Treatises of Government was first published anonymously in 1689, in the wake of England's Glorious Revolution. In The First Treatise of Government, Locke refutes the idea of divine monarchy, while The Second Treatise of Government articulates Locke's philosophy of government, which he based upon his theories of natural rights and the social contract.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Don't let the title scare you off!
- By Travis on 07-09-12
By: John Locke
-
The Spirit of the Laws
- By: Charles de Secondat Baron de Montesquieu
- Narrated by: Martyn Swain
- Length: 23 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 32
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 27
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 27
From the moment of its publication in 1748, The Spirit of the Laws proved to be a controversial work provoking widespread interest. Within three years it had been translated into various European languages - and was swiftly added to the List of Prohibited Books by the Roman Catholic Church. It is a remarkable book, a potpourri of observations and comments ranging far and wide over the social activities of mankind and it exerted a great influence on political leaders in the following decades.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Truly Excellent Audiobook!
- By No to Statism on 09-09-19
-
The Social Contract
- By: Jean-Jacques Rousseau
- Narrated by: Neville Jason
- Length: 6 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 74
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 59
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 59
Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains. In The Social Contract, Rousseau explores the concept of freedom and the political structures that may enable people to acquire it. He argues that the sovereign power of a state lies not in any one ruler but in the will of the general population. Rousseau argues that the ideal state would be a direct democracy where executive decision making is carried out by citizens who meet in assembly, as they would in the ancient city-state of Athens.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Rosseau's works
- By Anonymous User on 07-24-19
-
On Marriage and Family Life
- Popular Patristics Series
- By: St. John Chrysostom
- Narrated by: Jonah Martin
- Length: 3 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 8
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 8
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 8
Christian tradition often seems to give only grudging approval to married life, particularly its sexual aspect. In these sermons of St John Chrysostom, we find an important corrective to this view.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Very enlightening
- By Pintail50 on 09-21-23
-
Capital: Volume 1
- A Critique of Political Economy
- By: Karl Marx, Samuel Moore - translation, Edward Aveling - translation
- Narrated by: Derek Le Page
- Length: 43 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 337
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 287
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 279
It can be said of very few books that the world was changed as a result of its publication - but this is certainly the case of Capital: A Critique of Political Economy by Karl Marx (1818-1883). Volume 1 appeared (in German) in 1867, and the two subsequent volumes appeared at later dates after the author's death - completed from extensive notes left by Marx himself.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Classic Economics Text - A Good Listen
- By Earth Lover on 04-01-18
By: Karl Marx, and others
-
Democracy in America
- By: Alexis de Tocqueville
- Narrated by: Peter Wickham
- Length: 33 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 21
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 17
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 17
Sent by the French government to examine the American prison system, Alexis de Tocqueville spent nine months touring the United States between 1831 and 1832. However, fascinated by the success of America's democratic system, de Tocqueville took advantage of his stay to examine the country's foundations and glean ideas that might rescue his homeland from the manacles of social inequality. He leaves no stone unturned, exploring each branch of government, the constitution, economics, religion, race, the judiciary, laws, principles, education, culture, and views on wealth and poverty.
-
2 out of 5 stars
-
Narrator killed it for me
- By RebelRandy on 02-22-21
-
Democracy in America
- By: Alexis de Tocqueville
- Narrated by: John Pruden
- Length: 34 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 704
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 578
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 586
In 1831, Alexis de Tocqueville, a young French aristocrat and civil servant, made a nine-month journey through the eastern United States. The result was Democracy in America, a monumental study of the strengths and weaknesses of the nation’s evolving politics. His insightful work has become one of the most influential political texts ever written on America.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Most Listenable, if not the Best Translation
- By Michael Allen on 10-04-13
-
Blackshirts and Reds
- Rational Fascism and the Overthrow of Communism
- By: Michael Parenti
- Narrated by: Timothy Andrés Pabon
- Length: 5 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 368
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 322
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 318
Blackshirts and Reds explores some of the big issues of our time: fascism, capitalism, communism, revolution, democracy, and ecology. These terms are often bandied about but seldom explored in the original and exciting way that has become Michael Parenti's trademark. Parenti shows how "rational fascism" renders service to capitalism, how corporate power undermines democracy, and how revolutions are a mass empowerment against the forces of exploitative privilege.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
couldn't believe this was on audible
- By Amazon Customer on 02-24-22
By: Michael Parenti
Related to this topic
-
Leviathan
- By: Thomas Hobbes
- Narrated by: David McCallion
- Length: 22 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 57
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 49
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 49
Published in 1651, Leviathan is considered to be one of the most important works of political philosophy and a major contribution to the modern idea of central government. In the mid-17th century, England was going through a turbulent time of change and unrest, which likely shaped Hobbes' ideas on strong government. Thomas Hobbes established the social contract theory. He believed that self-government did not create the ideal state due to the human tendency to be self-serving, something he believed would eventually lead to chaos.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
For the philosophical minds
- By Nicole on 07-15-17
By: Thomas Hobbes
-
The City of God
- By: Saint Augustine
- Narrated by: Bernard Mayes
- Length: 47 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 325
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 246
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 247
Written between A.D. 413 and 426, The City of God is one of the great cornerstones in the history of Christian thought, a book which is vital to the understanding of modern Western society. Augustine originally intended it to be an apology for Christianity against the accusation that the Church was responsible for the decline of the Roman Empire, which had occurred just three years earlier. Indeed, Augustine produced a great amount of evidence to prove that paganism was responsible for this event. However, by the time the work was finished, the book had taken on a larger theme.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Great book! If you can get through it.
- By John on 10-23-09
By: Saint Augustine
-
My Religion
- By: Leo Tolstoy
- Narrated by: Bob Souer
- Length: 6 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 44
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 41
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 41
In My Religion, Leo Tolstoy accuses the church of hiding the true meaning of Jesus, which is to be found in the Sermon on the Mount and the call to resist evil. For Tolstoy, it is this command that has been most damaged by ecclesiastical interpretation. Tolstoy had not always been possessed of the religious ideas set forth in My Religion. For 35 years of his life, he was, in the proper acceptation of the word, a nihilist - not a revolutionary socialist but a man who believed in nothing.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Why Did We Not Read This In Bible College?
- By JustinBatzUS on 12-09-16
By: Leo Tolstoy
-
Patriarchs and Prophets
- How it All Began
- By: Ellen G. White
- Narrated by: Eddie Hernandez
- Length: 28 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 250
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 188
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 188
How did the universe begin? How did the world get here? Where and how did the human race start? Patriarchs and Prophets is a book about beginnings. In fascinating, easy-to-understand language, it describes exactly how planet Earth, and the people who live on it, began.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Im satisfied with this
- By Nefel on 02-02-09
By: Ellen G. White
-
The Doctrine of Revelation
- By: Arthur W. Pink
- Narrated by: Jim Denison
- Length: 13 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 35
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 31
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 31
Doubt as to moral and spiritual truth is distilled through a score of channels. Our seats of learning are hotbeds of agnosticism. Our literature, with rare exceptions, makes light of God and jokes about sacred things. The newspapers, the radio broadcasts, public utterances, and private conversations are steadily but surely removing the foundations of righteousness and destroying what little faith in spiritual things still remain.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Very Deep, Very Moving, Very Satisfying!
- By Patrick PK on 02-19-16
By: Arthur W. Pink
-
The Mortification of Sin
- By: John Owen
- Narrated by: Tim Dixon
- Length: 4 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 30
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 23
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 23
In The Mortification of Sin, Owen states not only that sin remains an active and negative force on the lives of Christians, but also that there is a highly effective way to combat that evil force and temptation along with it. Largely addressing Romans 8, this work extracts understanding and brings clarity to the listener on these widely discussed topics. Despite such a potentially disheartening revelation of the impact and influence of sin, Owen reminds the listener of the triumph of Christ.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Skilled narrator
- By Raggle on 03-27-23
By: John Owen