Tag Archives: Herodotus

Herodotus: Historian or Epic Poet?

Posted on September 11, 2012 by Dr. J

I’m a day late with this week’s Great Books post, but I hope your anger will be assuaged when you learn that we are finishing a Gateway to the Great Books volume this week. Yes, really! Here are the readings … Continue reading →

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A Fond Farewell to Herodotus

Posted on July 18, 2011 by Dr. J

This week we will break the 3,000-page mark in our Great Books reading project. If you are new to this site, don’t let that number discourage you for a minute! Everyone starts from zero, and it’s not necessary to read … Continue reading →

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Faust Was a Keynesian

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Dr. J

I confess that there have been a few times since beginning this Great Books project that I’ve looked at my reading list for the week with trepidation, as a chore to be accomplished. This past week, though, I kept on … Continue reading →

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I’ll Take Herodotus Over “300,” Thank You Very Much

Posted on July 5, 2011 by Dr. J

Here are some of my observations from last week’s Great Books readings: Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe, Chapter XVII: Assuming that this wasn’t a “Mutiny on the Bounty,” I suppose we can say Crusoe did the right thing by helping … Continue reading →

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Great Books Catch-up

Posted on June 28, 2011 by Dr. J

I finally managed to complete last week’s readings early this morning. Here are some thoughts: Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe, Chapter XVI: If this isn’t Hollywood action-flick material, I don’t know what is. Crusoe and Friday attack twenty-one cannibals in … Continue reading →

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First You Decorate Him, Then You Shoot Him

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Dr. J

It’s Great Books Monday once again, and I’m ready to dig into another serving of some of the best books ever written. If you haven’t joined the party yet, why on earth not? Step up and let your mind expand. … Continue reading →

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Proof That Not All Cultures Are Equal

Posted on June 13, 2011 by Dr. J

Straight lines perpendicular to planes, birds carrying gems to poor people, cannibals, bridge building . . . you encounter all kinds of different things when you read the Great Books. I hope you’ve been following along because we’re closing in … Continue reading →

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The Most Famous Footprint Ever

Posted on June 6, 2011 by Dr. J

It’s another Great Books Monday here at the Western Tradition, where we are deep into several classics of Western civilization. Fortunately, I’ve managed to keep a couple of short works in the weekly reading lists for the more casual visitors … Continue reading →

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A Party Where Everyone Dies Is No Fun

Posted on May 30, 2011 by Dr. J

Happy Memorial Day to everyone! What better way to spend a portion of your day off work than to read part of one of the great works of Western Civilization? Here are the readings for the upcoming week: Robinson Crusoe … Continue reading →

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Exposing the Grandchild Didn’t Work for Astyages, Either

Posted on May 23, 2011 by Dr. J

It’s Great Books Monday here at the Western Tradition, and this past week has been the first where we were in five long works simultaneously . . . probably not the best moment for a newcomer to jump in. However, … Continue reading →

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