Letters from a Stoic Audiobook By Seneca, Robin Campbell cover art

Letters from a Stoic

Penguin Classics

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Letters from a Stoic

By: Seneca, Robin Campbell
Narrated by: Julian Glover
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Brought to you by Penguin.

This Penguin Classic is performed by Julian Glover, Olivier Award winning actor, also known for his roles in Game of Thrones and Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets. This definitive recording includes an Introduction by Robin Campbell.


A philosophy that saw self-possession as the key to an existence lived 'in accordance with nature', Stoicism called for the restraint of animal instincts and the severing of emotional ties. These beliefs were formulated by the Athenian followers of Zeno in the fourth century BC, but it was in Seneca (c. 4 BC- AD 65) that the Stoics found their most eloquent advocate. Stoicism, as expressed in the Letters, helped ease pagan Rome's transition to Christianity, for it upholds upright ethical ideals and extols virtuous living, as well as expressing disgust for the harsh treatment of slaves and the inhumane slaughters witnessed in the Roman arenas. Seneca's major contribution to a seemingly unsympathetic creed was to transform it into a powerfully moving and inspiring declaration of the dignity of the individual mind.

Public Domain (P)2019 Penguin Audio Ethics & Morality Greek & Roman Memoirs, Diaries & Correspondence Philosophy Stoicism Classics Witty Thought-Provoking Funny

Featured Article: 25+ of the Best Stoicism Quotes


Stoicism is a school of philosophy dating back to the third century BCE. Founded by Zeno of Citium, the philosophy soon grew to include some of the most influential thinkers of the Greek and Roman era. The Stoic philosophers teach that happiness and fulfillment can be achieved by refusing to be influenced by desire, societal pressures, or anything outside your control. Stoicism is about accepting moments as they arise, and the power of logical thinking. If you're curious about what it is, and how to incorporate it into your daily life, these quotes are the perfect place to start.

Featured Article 25+ of the Best Stoicism Quotes
Immersive Narration • Timeless Wisdom • Enjoyable Performance • Relatable Anecdotes • Insightful Philosophy
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I had bought the complete set, but exchanged for this one. The former narration was so poor that I decided to go with this one.

Short, but narration is superb

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I fear I am one of the fools Seneca decries for enjoying philosophy in terms of entertainment, but the narrator (Julian Glover) has managed to delight me with his performance of this stoic's work all the same.

10/10

The Immersive Style of a Grandfather

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These letters was fascinating to hear. Listening to Senecas view on life and everyday squarrels made this book for me.

Fascinating window into roman time

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The narration of these letters was fine, but please note that although it's listed as unabridged this is not a complete audiobook of the letters, but rather a selection. Listeners looking for a taste will have a very fine time of it, the narrator is pleasant, but those looking for an audiobook of all 124 of the Epistulae should go elsewhere.

Returned - Not "Unabridged"

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For me personally, the mark of the finest quality any person who attempts to give life to a character of a story or even a real figure in history, is when you cannot imagine anyone else doing it. And that certainly holds true for Julian Glover’s reading of Seneca, I can’t picture anyone else giving voice to an enlightened mind.

As for the essays themselves, they stand the rest of time, urging on the reader to hold themselves to higher standards, for their own sake. Philosophy, as Seneca mentions, is meant to improve the lives of people, first and foremost. It is simply amazing that such men provided lessons that apply to our own lives today, almost two millennia later.

A fantastic reading of incredible essays

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At first the narration was bothersome, however about an hour or so in it becomes clear that the narrator and Seneca are a great match. The book is full of knowledge and one that anyone should consider listening to.

Excellent Book!

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Easily the most impactful and succinct stoic book I've read to date, full of anecdotes and parables that I can relate directly to my own experiences and lifestyle almost two millennia after its writing. The performance is outstanding, fatherly and friendly, somber when necessary, but never cold or didactic.

Absolutely brilliant, an instant favorite.

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Overall a fantastic listen/read. There is a great amount of knowledge and wisdom within this book. It seems as though it applies just as much today as it did then. Julian Glover is a phenomenal narrator. I could listen to him all day long. Thank you very much!

Phenomenal

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What’s not to like … great reading of a great philosopher. I very much enjoyed this.

Seneca

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Seneca has some of the best thoughts on life I have heard, but it is not what I was expecting. It is entertaining in that he actually talks about what he is doing in real life, and sometimes it actually makes me laugh, but these ideas are extremely unstructured. Just like Meditations, except Meditations stays more on track. Im thinking of reading the Enchiridion next, that should have plenty of structure...

Some very good advice mixed into rambling

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