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On the Duty of Civil Disobedience audiobook cover art

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This essay by Thoreau first published in 1849, argues that individuals should not permit governments to overrule their consciences. It goes on to say that individuals have a duty to avoid allowing the government to make them the agents of injustice. The quote: "That government is best which governs least," sometimes attributed to Thomas Jefferson or Thomas Paine, actually was first found in this essay. Thoreaus' thoughts were motivated by his disgust with slavery and the Mexican-American War but they are still relevant and resonate today.

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Meditations of Marcus Aurelius audiobook cover art

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Thoreau's classic account of the solitary life, describing his attempts to simplify his life and sort out his priorities by living alone in a cabin beside Walden Pond for nearly two years, is one of the most influential books ever written. The bible of the environmental movement, Walden vividly portrays Thoreau's reverence for nature, and his understanding of the idea that nature is made up of crucially interrelated parts.

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The Manual audiobook cover art

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Epictetus (c. AD 50-135) was a former Roman slave (he was also lame in one leg, and walked with a crutch) who went on to become a great teacher. His philosophy, Stoicism, was practical, not theoretical - aimed at relieving human suffering here and now. The Manual is a collection of Epictetus' essential teachings and pithy sayings, compiled by one of his students.

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A Book of Five Rings audiobook cover art

  • A Book of Five Rings

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Walking audiobook cover art

  • Walking

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> Walking is not as well known as Thoreau's other works Walden, The Maine Woods, and Civil Disobedience. But it is a good place to start exploring his writing because it was his last book, in 1862, published by the Atlantic Monthly shortly after his death. It is less well known because it is general, as opposed to singular, in focus. It is his summing up of his thoughts on life: One should saunter through life and take notice; one need not go far.

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Publisher's Summary

Ralph Waldo Emerson was an American philosopher, lecturer, essayist, and poet, who is best remembered for leading the Transcendentalist movement of the mid-19th century. He was a a champion of individualism and wrote dozens of essays. Most criics consider "Self-Reliance" his best. It has the most thorough statement of one of Emerson's repeating themes, the need for each individual to avoid conformity and false consistency. It also emphasized the need to follow one's own instincts and ideas. "Self-Reliance" contains one of Emerson's most famous quotes: "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds."
Public Domain (P)2010 Jimcin Recordings

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful

If you could sum up Self-Reliance in three words, what would they be?

Wonderful rendition of one of my favorite essays.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

Clear, concise, thoughtful

What about Jim Killavey’s performance did you like?

Did a great job.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The whole thing

Any additional comments?

Intend to listen to "Civil Disobedience" next. Hope it's the same reader.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Narrator didn't pronounce his Rs

I guess it's realistic because Emerson was a Bostonian, but it was really annoying that he said, for example, propahty instead of property. Really. It got annoying and hard to understand at times.
Text is obviously a classic of American literary thought.

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Great points but read to hastily to retain it.

Lots of great points, but it's read so fast that it's difficult to comprehend and retain it all even after a second listen.

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Disappointing Performance

Self Reliance is one of my favorite essays. In this case, the meaning is often lost. Killavey enunciates clearly, but each word is given the same tonal value -- as if reading a list -- which results in inappropriate pauses (or lack of) and emphasis which makes the thoughts / ideas hard to follow. I'm disappointed...

2 of 13 people found this review helpful