Letters from a Stoic
Penguin Classics
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Letters from a Stoic
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Narrated by:
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Julian Glover
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By:
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Seneca
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Robin Campbell
About this listen
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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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- S. N. Bordoli
- 07-03-21
Perfectly performed
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 less interesting towards the end though.
The audible reading here is just so good, with Julian Glover really inhabiting the work.
I prefer Marcus Auerilious' 'Mediataions' but, Like his 'On the shortness of life'', Seneca's writing stands up very well today.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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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.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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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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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Apala
- 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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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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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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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Soul
- 21-04-21
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.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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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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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Kane Wootton
- 27-02-21
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
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- J. Hickey
- 09-04-21
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.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Karl bernhardt
- 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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