This podcast began by describing Tehran in the early 20th century and Reza Khan’s plans to modernize the city and country. The introduction is meant to capture your attention and it was successful. About three minutes in the narrator introduces herself. The podcast is going to tell the story of modern Iran.
Oriana Coburn does a good job of narrating the podcast. The episode focuses on a tobacco protest in 1891. The introduction doesn’t relate to podcast episode, so it must be an indicator of where book one is going to conclude. If not it didn’t need to be included in the podcast episode and should have been saved for an episode that actually discussed 1924 Iran.
I enjoyed listening to the podcast and it serves as a good source to gain an introductory level of Iranian history.
Below is one of my favorite quotes from the podcast:
“The tobacco protests were narrow in scope and didn’t result in any massive changes or a political reconstruction but the movement itself became a symbol, a sign of hope that through action and devotion anything was possible. By finding a common cause that everyone could relate to the issue of tobacco became a stepping stone to prepare Iranians for the bigger fights to come.”
Overall I enjoyed listening and will add this podcast to my library. This is a very new podcast as the first episode was only published on March 20th.
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 ...
