The Emperor's Handbook Audiobook By Marcus Aurelius, C. Scot Hicks - translator, David V. Hicks, C. Scot Hicks cover art

The Emperor's Handbook

A New Translation of the Meditations

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The Emperor's Handbook

By: Marcus Aurelius, C. Scot Hicks - translator, David V. Hicks, C. Scot Hicks
Narrated by: Stephen Graybill, Aden Hakimi, Sarah Naughton, Jaime Lincoln Smith, Eunice Wong
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A powerful and accessible translation of Marcus Aurelius’s timeless book on character, what it takes to be a good leader, and how to live a fulfilling life.

Marcus Aurelius ruled the Roman Empire at its height, yet he remained untainted by the immense wealth and absolute power that had corrupted many of his predecessors. He knew the secret of how to live the good life amid trying and often catastrophic circumstances, of how to find happiness and peace when surrounded by misery and turmoil, and how to make the right choices—even if they are more difficult—without regard for self-interest.

Offering a vivid and fresh translation of this important piece of ancient literature, Meditations brings Marcus’s inspiring words to life and shows his wisdom to be as relevant today as it was in the second century. This book speaks to the soul of anyone who has ever faced adversity or believed in a better day.

*Previously published as The Emperor’s Handbook

©2002 C. Scot Hicks and David V. Hicks. All rights reserved. (P)2022 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved. Alternative & Complementary Medicine Ancient Greek & Roman Meditation Philosophy Rome
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A little repetitive but it drives home stoic fundamentals that are still VERY practical nowadays

Great listen

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Very well read and translated. I enjoyed this book. The translations were clear so that the precept came through. In our current societal climate, where complaining, selfishness and our emotions are our masters, these thoughts are much needed reminders of doing what’s right for the sake of just doing right.

Much needed lessons

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interesting and insightful. The narration was well done. I would recommend this audiobook to anyone.

Loved it!

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While I loved The Meditations 15 years ago, rereading it, I got bored by the middle of the book by its repetitiveness, impracticality, and dull seriousness/lack of joy or fun.

While Stoicism is useful to handle the worst pain and torture of life, it's a recipe of dull seriousness, lack of humor/joy, and a rigidity of life that would drive away friends/family. Its repeated fatalism, acceptance of horrible things in life due to "fate" or "the gods," and passivity is NOT how I actually want to live.

Sad how a book I loved years ago seems now so quaint, naive, one-note, and impractical.

Marcus Aurelius was such a killjoy. Would not want to hang with him or someone who literally follows this book.

Repetitive, impractical, tiresome, and no fun

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