A Bibliophile's Odyssey: Reading The Great Books

Great Books Ep 118. Herodotus - The History - Book 9 (Calliope). Belief can win Wars

The Greeks at sea hear a rumor that the Greeks on land have defeated the Persians. The belief that they can defeat the Persians removes fear and they…

Apr 4 • Rob, a bibliophile

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March 2026

Great Books Ep 117. Herodotus - The History - Book 8 (Urania). Navigating the Unknown using Strategy

Many times, you should not only think of how to outsmart your enemies but also how to manipulate your own army or allies, which is what Themistocles…

Mar 23 • Rob, a bibliophile

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Great Books Ep 116. Herodotus - The History - Book 7 (Polymnia). When Dreams Urge us on a Specific Path

How a recurring dream caused Xerxes to launch a massive attack against the Greeks without which the course of history could have been altogether…

Mar 6 • Rob, a bibliophile

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February 2026

Great Books Ep 115. Herodotus - The History - Book 6 (Erato). Even the Best Leadership Fails Without a Committed Team

When a team says slavery is better than hardship, the leadership either pushed them too hard or did not do enough to convince the people of the…

Feb 8 • Rob, a bibliophile

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December 2025

Great Books Ep 114. Herodotus - The History - Book 5 (Terpsichore). Weeping for the Newborn, Cheering for the Dead

When you are in a hopeless situation, death means a definitive end to pain, end of agony, end of fear, exploitation, humiliation and utter sadness.

Dec 1, 2025 • Rob, a bibliophile

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October 2025

Great Books Ep 113. Herodotus - The History - Book 4 (Melpomene). Birds and Thoughts

Being able to have time to think freely is the best gift that a person can have.

Oct 27, 2025 • Rob, a bibliophile

Great Books Ep 112. Herodotus - The History - Book 3 (Thalia). Leadership and the Destiny of Nations

Leaders and their decisions have direct impact on the fate of people they lead, not only in that generation but also the next or more.

Oct 7, 2025 • Rob, a bibliophile

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September 2025

Great Books Ep 111. Herodotus - The History - Book 2 (Euterpé), Part 3. Unstring Your Bow from Time to Time

Just as a bow needs to be unstrung to let it rest, our minds need to be released from the constant tension of serious work or thought.

Sep 12, 2025 • Rob, a bibliophile

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August 2025

Great Books Ep 110. Herodotus - The History - Book 2 (Euterpé), Part 2. Egypt and the Sacred Life of Animals

To the Egyptians, animals were not lower creatures, but vessels of divine power.

Aug 31, 2025 • Rob, a bibliophile

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Great Books Ep 109. Herodotus - The History - Book 2 (Euterpé), Part 1. Egypt - The Gift of Nile, The Land of Wonders

Reflecting on early childhood development, reduction of toil, who is a citizen, perils of infighting and food restriction customs

Aug 4, 2025 • Rob, a bibliophile

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July 2025

Great Books Ep 108. Herodotus - The History - Book 1 (Clio), Part 3. The Persian Expansion and Fall of Cyrus

The Persian Empire under Cyrus conquers Greek cities, Babylon, and numerous kingdoms across Asia.

Jul 28, 2025 • Rob, a bibliophile

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June 2025

Great Books Ep 107. Herodotus - The History - Book 1 (Clio), Part 2. How Trying to Prevent Fate Creates It

The attempts to control the future by trying to eliminate perceived threats like AI or human imperfection are probably less wise than guiding their…

Jun 1, 2025 • Rob, a bibliophile

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