Length: 54 minutes
Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/empire/id1639561921?i=1000642853857
The introduction to this podcast episode sucked me in. It was eloquent and well presented. I didn’t know anything about the historical figure to be discussed but I wanted to learn more about Nader Shah after listening to the first minute.
It was clear from listening to this podcast that the hosts William Dalrymple and Anita Anand know a lot about history. They worked together well and at times it seemed like it was just two friends discussing history. This presented an informal listening atmosphere. At times it seems like they are easily sidetracked by neat historical facts that draw away from the topic of conversation.
There were often references to past episodes so it appears that these episodes build upon one another to present a wider view of the subject. The current topic is the Persian Empire. Despite this I felt that I could just begin with this episode and still learn. Dalrymple also does a good job of plugging his book during the podcast.
I felt like they tried to cover too much ground in this podcast and it might have been better suited for a couple of episodes. I feel like I learned interesting facts about Nader Shah but not quite as much substance as I would have liked.
Overall it was an enjoyable podcast. I will listen to a few more episodes and see if it makes it into my library.
Great literature should do more than entertain us. It should provide a roadmap to improving our lives.
In A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens introduced readers to Sydney Carton, one of literature's most compelling and deeply flawed characters. Dickens also gives him an unusual title: the Jackal.
His struggles raise questions that remain relevant today.
Are we defined by our past mistakes? Can we overcome our weaknesses? What separates the people we are from the people we could become?
Lessons From the Jackal is a 25-day character study exploring these questions through Sydney Carton’s life, decisions, relationships, and personal development.
This is not a traditional course on A Tale of Two Cities. Our reading assignments will focus specifically on Carton, with sufficient background provided to understand his story. No previous knowledge of the novel is necessary.
Each day will feature selected readings, historical comparisons, reflection questions, discussions, and practical challenges ...
Lessons From the Jackal will return next week. Based on the first five days are there any thoughts you want to share? Are there any changes you would like to see? What do you like most about the course? What do you like least? Any feedback would be great as a finalize the next lessons in the series.
Five days ago, we began with a simple question: How do you measure potential?
Over the course of this week, Sydney Carton has challenged us to reconsider what potential really means.
We met a man whose careless appearance concealed remarkable intelligence. We watched him make observations that others overlooked, only to receive little recognition for his contributions.
We discovered a man who recognized in Charles Darnay a reflection of what he might have become, yet seemed unwilling or unable to pursue that possibility.
We examined his relationship with Mr. Stryver and considered what it means to become a jackal: someone who possesses the ability to contribute to another person’s success while neglecting the pursuit of his own.
Finally, we learned that Carton’s habits began long before his professional career. Even as a schoolboy, he devoted his abilities to completing the work of others while neglecting his own.
Carton attributes some of his disappointments to bad luck. Perhaps circumstances have indeed worked ...
