The Essential Marcus Aurelius, Jacob Needleman
The Essential Marcus Aurelius, Jacob Needleman
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The Essential Marcus Aurelius

Author: Jacob Needleman, John Piazza

Narrator: Victor Bevine

Unabridged: 2 hr 56 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Published: 11/08/2022


Synopsis

This inaugural-and all new-Tarcher Cornerstone Edition presents a stunningly relevant and reliable translation of the thoughts and aphorisms of the Stoic philosopher and Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, properly placing the philosopher-king's writings within the vein of the world's great religious and ethical traditions.

The late antique world possessed no voice like that of Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius (121-180 CE). His private meditations on what constitutes a good life have withstood the centuries and reach us today with the same penetrating clarity and shining light as the words of Shakespeare, Emerson, or Thoreau.

In this remarkable new translation, bestselling religious philosopher Jacob Needleman and classics scholar John P. Piazza have retained the depth of Marcus's perspective on life. They have carefully selected and faithfully rendered those passages that clarify Marcus's role as someone who stood within the great religious and ethical traditions that extend throughout every culture in human history. The voice that emerges from their translation is a universal one, equally recognizable to students of Christ, Buddha, the Vedas, the Talmud, and to anyone who sincerely searches for a way of meaning in contemporary life.

About The Author

The acclaimed author of The American Soul, Why Can’t We Be Good? and Money and the Meaning of Life, Jacob Needleman is Professor of Philosophy at San Francisco State University, and former Director of the Center for the Study of New Religions at the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley. He lives in Oakland, CA.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Kelly on August 11, 2015

Of all the words I thought I was going to choose to describe this book, I didn't think 'adorable' would be one of them. And really, it isn't. But it does have sort of the aura, the fragrance the... je ne sais quoi, if you will, of adorable. I am absolutely reacting to this having just lived through......more

Goodreads review by The Literary on October 24, 2018

Has your rule been literally plagued by disease? Have you been the object of adoration, but also of hatred? Has the market devastated your 401(k)? Ever lose a loved one? Miss your train to Great Neck? Had to fend off invaders from the east? Whatever the setback, Marcus Aurelius will get you through......more

Goodreads review by Cristian on July 21, 2017

12.4 "I have often been amazed at how every person loves himself more than he loves others yet places less value on his own judgment of himself than on the judgments of others concerning him. " 12.21 "Consider that before long you will be nobody and nowhere; nor will even one of the things you now se......more

Goodreads review by Clay on April 24, 2010

The four stars come from the content, which is Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius' meditations on life -- in fact, the title of this book is usually "Meditations." But Jacob Needleman and John Piazza have, for some reason, decided to eliminate much of the content of the original work, apparently in an ef......more

Goodreads review by Aleksander on August 28, 2023

This book offers a profound glimpse into the mind of one of history's great Stoic philosophers and Roman emperors. This collection of writings and meditations reflects Aurelius's timeless wisdom, emphasizing the importance of virtue, self-discipline, and embracing life's challenges. With its insight......more