The Courtier
Il Cortegiano
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The Courtier
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Narrated by:
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Peter Batchelor
About this listen
The Book of the Courtier remains the definitive account of Renaissance court life. Because of this, it is considered one of the most important Renaissance works.
The book is organized as a series of fictional conversations that occur between the courtiers of the Duke of Urbino in 1507 (when Baldassare was in fact part of the Duke's Court). In the book, the courtier is described as having a cool mind, a good voice (with beautiful, elegant and brave words) along with proper bearing and gestures. At the same time though, the courtier is expected to have a warrior spirit, to be athletic, and have good knowledge of the humanities, Classics and fine arts. Over the course of four evenings, members of the court try to describe the perfect gentleman of the court. In the process they debate the nature of nobility, humor, women, and love.
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-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 10,354
One of the most significant books ever written by a head of state, the Meditations are a collection of philosophical thoughts by the Emperor Marcus Aurelius (121 - 180 ce). Covering issues such as duty, forgiveness, brotherhood, strength in adversity and the best way to approach life and death, the Meditations have inspired thinkers, poets and politicians since their first publication more than 500 years ago. Today, the book stands as one of the great guides and companions - a cornerstone of Western thought.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Excelent reading of an excellent classic
- By David on 10-22-16
By: Marcus Aurelius, and others
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The Pilgrim's Progress (AmazonClassics Edition)
- By: John Bunyan
- Narrated by: Steve West
- Length: 9 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 72
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 55
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Story4 out of 5 stars 54
Plagued by spiritual anguish, devout everyman Christian fears his fate in the sinful City of Destruction. He’s told that only by embarking for the Celestial City can he achieve personal salvation. After his wife and children refuse to join him, he sets forth alone into the unknown. Mocked for his faith, tempted at every turn, and heartened by fellow pilgrims, Christian’s winding journey toward grace unfolds. But as he reaches Mount Zion, his family chooses to follow the same treacherous path, hoping to join Christian in the shining light.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Best version I have heard
- By Julie Rae Loving on 11-09-19
By: John Bunyan
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La Vita Nuova (The New Life)
- By: Dante Alighieri
- Narrated by: Jack Wynters
- Length: 2 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 26
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 23
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 24
Composed around 1294 in Italian, the Vita Nuova tells the story of Dante's encounters with and love for Beatrice, culminating in her early death and its effect upon him. Utilizing and developing the conventions of courtly love, in a mixture of prose and verse, Dante deepens the emotional content of the genre, while pointing the way towards the intellectual and spiritual journey of the Divine Comedy.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Deeply moving
- By Michael J Gore on 07-08-21
By: Dante Alighieri
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Troilus and Cressida
- Arkangel Shakespeare
- By: William Shakespeare
- Narrated by: Ian Pepperell, Julia Ford
- Length: 3 hrs and 4 mins
- Original Recording
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 61
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 53
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 53
Troy is besieged by the invading Greeks, but the young Trojan prince Troilus can think only of his love for Cressida. Her uncle Pandarus brings the two together, but after only one night news comes that Cressida must be sent to the enemy camp. There, as Troilus looks on, she yields to the wooing of the Greek Diomedes. The tragic story is undercut by the commentary of Thersites, who provides a cynical chorus.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Wounds Heal Ill That Men Do Give Themselves
- By Darwin8u on 08-30-17
![La Vita Nuova [The New Life] Audiobook By Dante Alighieri cover art](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51+N56si4dL._SL320_.jpg)
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La Vita Nuova [The New Life]
- By: Dante Alighieri
- Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
- Length: 2 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 26
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 22
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 22
Written in alternating prose and poetry, La Vita Nuova is a profound reflection on the nature of love, devoted to Dante's muse Beatrice. Following Beatrice's death in 1290, Dante became obsessed with the young Florentine woman, whom he only ever knew from a distance. He believed his love for her was a form of divine love and saw her as an image of salvation itself - a theme that is later explored in his masterpiece The Divine Comedy, where she guides him through heaven.
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5 out of 5 stars
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A must
- By Barnaby on 11-15-20
By: Dante Alighieri
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Measure for Measure
- By: William Shakespeare
- Narrated by: John Gielgud, Ralph Richardson
- Length: 2 hrs and 26 mins
- Original Recording
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 25
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 24
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 24
Renowned Shakespearean actors John Gielgud and Ralph Richardson lead a full-cast performance of this beloved Shakespeare play. Dealing with issues of mercy, justice, and truth, and their relationship to pride and humility, this is Shakespeare at his most complex and rewarding.
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5 out of 5 stars
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wonderful production
- By KSK5 on 01-26-19
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The Misanthrope
- By: Molière, Richard Wilbur - translator
- Narrated by: Brian Bedford, J. D. Cullum, Sarah Drew, and others
- Length: 1 hr and 50 mins
- Original Recording
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 68
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 57
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 57
This timeless comedy of manners is considered one of Molière's most probing and mature works. While it's still an exemplar of 17th century farce, Molière went beyond his usual comic inventiveness to create a world of rich, complex characters, especially in the cynical title character Alceste, played here by the Tony Award-winning actor Brian Bedford.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Good play, great translation, good performance
- By Timoteo on 03-08-18
By: Molière, and others
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Plato's Symposium
- By: Plato
- Narrated by: Ray Childs
- Length: 2 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 107
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 90
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 90
The dramatic nature of Plato's dialogues is delightfully evident in Symposium. The marriage between character and thought bursts forth as the guests gather at Agathon's house to celebrate the success of his first tragedy. With wit and insight, they all present their ideas about love - from Erixymachus' scientific naturalism to Aristophanes' comic fantasy. The unexpected arrival of Alcibiades breaks the spell cast by Diotima's ethereal climb up the staircase of love to beauty itself.
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5 out of 5 stars
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fantastic
- By Aleksander on 11-09-16
By: Plato
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The Memorable Thoughts of Socrates
- By: Xenophon, Edward Bysshe - translator
- Narrated by: Nicholas Tecosky
- Length: 6 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 73
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Performance4 out of 5 stars 60
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 62
Xenophon was a Greek who admired and studied with Socrates. He marched with the Spartans and later was exiled from Athens. He wrote about the history of his times, the sayings of Socrates and about life in Greece. Edward Bysshe translated Xenophone's work in 1702. This translation has continued to have an excellent reputation. In this work Xenophon discusses the views of life taught by Socrates.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Philosopher, Soldier, Historian and Mercenary
- By Darwin8u on 12-04-12
By: Xenophon, and others
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Don Quixote
- By: Tobias Smollett - translator, Miguel de Cervantes
- Narrated by: Robert Whitfield
- Length: 36 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 1,094
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 658
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Story4 out of 5 stars 654
Don Quixote, the world's first novel and by far the best-known book in Spanish literature, was originally intended by Cervantes as a satire on traditional popular ballads, yet he also parodied the romances of chivalry. By happy coincidence he produced one of the most entertaining adventure stories of all time and, in Don Quixote and his faithful squire, Sancho Panza, two of the greatest characters in fiction.
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5 out of 5 stars
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A MUST READ CLASSIC
- By Randall on 04-25-09
By: Tobias Smollett - translator, and others
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The Life of God in the Soul of Man
- By: Henry Scougal
- Narrated by: Charles Olsen
- Length: 2 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 58
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Performance4 out of 5 stars 52
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 51
It has been said that this work by Henry Scougal was "almost universally praised by the leaders of the Great Awakening". It is a piece of literature that has been used by God to influence the souls of men for the glory of Christ. Regardless of the times we live in, the great works of the men of God of old are still applicable today. In an age of lukewarm believers, we need the fire of God to burn us afresh and give us a clear vision of his holy will.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Knowing God & Drawing Closer to Him
- By Andrew Lipp on 10-13-18
By: Henry Scougal
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Don Quixote (Adapted for Modern Listeners)
- By: Miguel de Cervantes
- Narrated by: Johnny Heller
- Length: 4 hrs and 39 mins
- Abridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 218
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 175
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 175
Quixotic is a word that the dictionary defines as "extravagantly chivalrous or romantic; visionary...." and that is a fitting definition, indeed, for this charming retelling of Don Quixote, the 17t- century Spanish classic by Miguel de Cervantes, now updated for the modern listener. The gallant and fragile Quixote will touch listeners, as will his faithful squire Sancho Panza and the tragically beautiful heroine of the gentle Don’s chivalries, the fair Dulcinea.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Great way in
- By pxriver on 07-12-18
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Don Quixote
- By: John Ormsby - translator, Miguel de Cervantes
- Narrated by: Roy McMillan
- Length: 36 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,076
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 918
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 913
The most influential work of the entire Spanish literary canon and a founding work of modern Western literature, Don Quixote is also one of the greatest works ever written. Hugely entertaining but also moving at times, this episodic novel is built on the fantasy life of one Alonso Quixano, who lives with his niece and housekeeper in La Mancha. Quixano, obsessed by tales of knight errantry, renames himself ‘Don Quixote’ and with his faithful servant Sancho Panza, goes on a series of quests.
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4 out of 5 stars
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More than funny
- By Colin on 08-21-11
By: John Ormsby - translator, and others
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Symposium
- By: Plato
- Narrated by: full cast
- Length: 2 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 441
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 351
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 350
The Greek word sumposion means a drinking party (a fact shamefully ignored by the organizers of modern symposia), and the party described in Plato's Symposium is one supposedly given in the year 416 BC by the playwright Agathon to celebrate his victory in the dramatic festival of the Lenaea. He has already given one party, the previous evening; this second party is for a select group of friends, and host and guests alike are feeling a little frail.
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3 out of 5 stars
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Greek Philosophy over a Good Wine
- By Cathy on 02-16-06
By: Plato
What listeners say about The Courtier
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jack Thiel
- 08-02-21
One of the best books I have come across.
A lot of the major principles of life have been thoroughly developed in this book. What amazes me even more is how these principles still hold today, after five centuries of their publication in Venice.
To be read many times in the future.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Emanuele
- 05-10-15
A classic of Italian letterature
going behind etymology on the meaning of courtesy and what makes human civilized. not for bigots, requires critical thinking and perspective to follow. if after an easy reading leave this one for when you feel ready for broadening your perspectives instead
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 04-03-22
Misspelling
It would help if the author's name were spelled correctly. On the information about the audiobook it is correct (Castiglione with one "n"), but on the author's portrait both on Audible and on Amazon it is misspelled (Castiglionne with 2 n's). Really Audible/Amazon? You can't consistently spell the author's name right? Why, because it's Italian and only "American" names matter to you enough to double check the spelling before publishing?
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- gnudung
- 12-25-14
Very many Italian words mispronounced, gruesomely
What made the experience of listening to The Courtier the most enjoyable?
The story and the translation.
What other book might you compare The Courtier to and why?
There is no book to which I can compare this one.
How did the narrator detract from the book?
By pronouncing Giuliano as Gwee-lee-ah-no, by pronouncing Cagliari as Caligari. I would expect him to order la-zahg-na in a restaurant. His eye seems to trick him when he looks at Italian words, and diphthongs such as gn and gl are beyond his ken. H following a g or c makes the sound hard. Italian is not difficult to pronounce.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
No.
Any additional comments?
This might be just fine for you if you don't care how Italian words are pronounced. The reader does a passable job with voice characterizations, and has a pleasant UK accent.
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8 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Stan
- 04-14-15
Educational book for gentlemen
I looked for the way a man should behave, what a better way than to learn from the elders of previous generations.
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