Best translation

After checking many translations, this is by far the best. This is essentially Long's translation but simplified, free of "thy" and "thou". Not to mention it's available in both audio AND written format, which isn't the case for a lot of other books. Five stars.

4 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Nice retelling of an ancient classic

I tried reading other translations of this book. I prefer this rendition. The narrator's voice, however, seems better suited to lighter reading, or even a Mark Twain novel. I found it distracting. It was professionally read and I find no fault in the production. This is probably nothing more than a matter of personal taste.

3 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Quality of thoughts = happiness of your life

Marcus Aurelius was the last of the Five Good Emperors, as described by Machiavelli. He was also a renowned Stoic philosopher.

The book is a compilation of thoughts written in a period of 20 years by the Emperor, however; the meditations were not meant to be published but were rather for self reflection.

It was very easy to follow along and absorb many of the thoughts by the way the book was adapted for the contemporary reader. It feels as if a wise older man, think grandfather, was sharing his wisdom to a grandson.

Regardless of the simplicity of the book, it should be read (listened to) a couple times as the knowledge laying on the pages cannot be absorbed in one sitting.

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

2 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Important ideas delivered poorly

Maybe it has to do with how Latin was written but this adaptation felt like a long run on sentence.

Narration too often veered towards the monotone. If adapting to a contemporary audience (per the subtitle) then perhaps making the text flow more like modern readings is warranted.

Also, some terms were mid-pronounced and that always is distracting.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

I loved listening to this classic!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I probably would not have ever sat down to read Marcus Aurelius' Meditations in its entirety. This audio version allowed me to listen to the whole thing, and enjoy it as I did. Aurelius provides great wisdom that transcends generations.

If you could give Marcus Aurelius - Meditations a new subtitle, what would it be?

Everything I ever learned in my long life.

Any additional comments?

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

Insightful and Inspiring

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, it provides great insight and wise philosophies for a complete life. It was awe-inspiring and a great, productive listen.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

Thoughts are things which can drive and create a fulfilled life.

Have you listened to any of Gregory Allen Siders’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Great strong narration for this subject matter.

Any additional comments?

"This review copy audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost."

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

Adapted for modern listeners

Would you consider the audio edition of Marcus Aurelius - Meditations to be better than the print version?

I hadn't read the print version so this is my only exposure. .

What about Gregory Allen Siders’s performance did you like?

His narration is very even but not monotone or boring. Nicely done.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

It is pretty dense and I feel like I will better understand after another listen. Also, I wouldn't recommend speeding up the narration as there is so much information I really needed to stop and digest what was just said about every minute or so because if I didn't pay attention it would just kind of just fly by me. Wasn't able to multitask while listening. Would be great for walks or maybe driving.

Any additional comments?

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

A Study in Virtue Ethics

Marcus Aurelius meditated and wrote what a person should behave like in times of turmoil. He advised to always seek the best path in a bad situation and to not deviate even when no one is watching. Aurelius advocates that this path will always bring one tranquility in life.

This was an interesting, but difficult listen. I enjoyed listening to the thoughts of an emperor who lived so long ago and I truly hope that Marcus Aurelius lived life according to his own philosophy. Many other Roman emperor’s did not. But the listen itself was not one that I enjoyed. The narrator, Gregory Siders, had a nasal quality to his tone that was distracting for me. The translation was also a little distracting. Instead of giving a list of reasons or items, the translator chose to insert ‘and’s’ or ‘or’s’ to the list. This got a bit redundant for me. The cover said it was adapted for contemporary listeners but I still feel like some work could done on the actual translation to make it not so repetitive.

I received this audiobook for free through Audiobook Boom! in exchange for an honest review.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

Amazing

Any additional comments?

This is a very good book with a lot of wise philosophies and meditations. It has many, short statements by Marcus Aurelius on how to live the best life possible. The narrator did a very good job. Highly recommend this book!

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

Wise Philosophical Meditations

Marcus Aurelius was a practitioner of stoicism and these meditations were his philosophies. His are wonderful words to live by. There are many questions he thought about and answered in such a profound way. He talks about the universe a lot, as it were perhaps in a context of the nature of reality.

This truly was a gem to listen to.

Gregory Allen Siders' performance was very good. He spoke in a stoic way in which this book should be read. He spoke clearly and made this an easy listen. Very enjoyable and recommended.

I was provided this audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile