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The Lectures
- Narrated by: Mark Steel
- Length: 1 hr and 52 mins
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The Lectures
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Summary
"Or that Tom Paine wrote a book pointing out all the places where the Bible contradicts itself and was accused of "preaching atheism". How do you "preach atheism"? Do you knock on the doors of religious people on Sunday mornings, and when they answer say, 'Have you heard the bad news?'
"The subjects of this audio programme - Lord Byron, Aristotle, Billie Holiday and Che Guevara - are classic examples of the flawed, brilliant, courageous, slightly barking, but beautifully human characters from history that can inspire the rest of us, which you certainly won't get from looking at our current leaders. It's unlikely, for example, that anyone has ever said, 'The man who really inspires me is Jack Straw.'"
Mark Steel
What listeners say about The Lectures
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- I. Jamie
- 22-02-09
Biting, inciteful, educational
If you have seen or heard Mark Steele before, you'll know you're in for a treat. If not, give him a go! 30-minute oral essays on famous characters from history. Mr Hatton's history lessons were never like this!!
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6 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Ian Witham
- 05-06-23
A strange choice of subjects
I shouldn't like Mark Steel. He is very left-wing and he as if that isn't bad enough, he is from Kent but I like him because he is funny and he is more accurate than many radio and TV historians. His subjects are people you should have heard of but he drags in twentieth century celebrities that you youngsters haven't heard of. Don't bother searching the World Wide Web for Peter Stringfellow or John Prescott. History has forgotten them and I wish could.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Demeter
- 27-02-11
Brilliant!
In this series of four lectures Mark Steel is at his superb best. Mark's chosen characters range from Aristotle to Billy Holiday. We are given as much genuine information about 'People of Passion' as it is possible to absorb in one go, and it ail done with fantastic humour and a truly genuine understanding of the historical context.
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4 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
- annette
- 21-03-15
Absolutely brilliant! Very very funny!
Mark Steel as always is funny and clever. All lectures should be delivered this way.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
- Colin
- 24-04-09
I'm missing something
I can't believe I paid for this...
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Catherine
- 25-07-15
The most unpatronising lecture I've ever heard.
If you could sum up The Lectures in three words, what would they be?
Brilliant. All lectures should be as irreverent and lively as this. A passionate narrator that chose passionate people to talk about. What an entertaining way to listen and learn!
What other book might you compare The Lectures to, and why?
The quality of the information presented in the lectures are on a par with anything the Modern Scholar series might provide.
I think those who are fans of the "Museum of Curiosity" might also like this book for its insightful quirkiness.
Which character – as performed by Mark Steel – was your favourite?
Mark's presentation of Aristotle was my favourite.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Yes. Up to this point all that I've ever really known about Byron was that he was "mad, bad, and dangerous to know," The portrait presented here of the man does not contradict that but rather qualifies it by indicating when, why and to whom Byron was all these things. I found it touching that a man should fall in love so easily.
Any additional comments?
Yes. Where is Volume 1?
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
- Matthew
- 08-09-12
Dont bother
These are great, they really are.
However all are available for free from his website so paying for them is just stupid.
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26 people found this helpful