This week I stumbled across the name Demosthenes. The claim was made that he was one of the greatest orators that ever lived. I decided to see if I could find some of his speeches and came across a collection of some of his speeches. I was successful and checked a book out that covered some of the speeches that he gave between 354-330 BC.
In the introduction Demosthenes is credited as being an inspiration for orators like Cicero and the authors of the Federalist Papers. And I had never heard of him before.
As with many orators his speeches revolved around the political issues of his day. Many of them centered around the dangers posed by Phillip of Macedon. A couple of the themes that stood out to me were his focus on the importance of liberty and his disdain for oligarchy.
Overall it was a semi interesting collection of speeches that provided a glimpse into the past. Perhaps they would have been more impactful if I was more versed on Athenian history or heard them delivered.
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 ...
Alexander Hamilton (1755 - 1804)
Military Officer, Statesman, Found Father of USA
In 1777, a young Alexander Hamilton was appointed aide-de-camp to General George Washington during the American Revolution.
Hamilton possessed extraordinary intelligence, ambition, and organizational ability. Yet his responsibilities largely involved working behind the scenes. He drafted correspondence, communicated military orders, and helped manage the administrative affairs of the Continental Army.
Washington was the celebrated general. Hamilton was the young officer whose talents helped Washington fulfill his responsibilities.
In many respects, Hamilton was an amazingly good jackal.
But Hamilton was not satisfied with remaining in another man’s shadow.
He wanted opportunities to demonstrate his own abilities, earn recognition, and distinguish himself on the battlefield. In 1781, he finally received a field command and helped lead the successful assault on a British redoubt during the Battle of Yorktown.
Hamilton would ...
