I’m the business manager at Landmark Booksellers in Franklin, TN. Our owner recently purchased this book for all staff members so that we could read and discuss it. I’m so glad he did. I loved this book and it reignited a deep love and passion for bookstores.

It also provided a number of ideas that I highlight in this episode. I share three things that stuck out to me and got me thinking and then talk about some of my favorite bookstores over the years.

I read an illustrated edition of Aesop’s Fables earlier this year and came away quite disappointed. I knew Aesop lived in the 7th century BC, but the book of fables contained elements from much later during the Roman period. I came away confused and wanting to know more.

Someone suggested I pick up the Loeb Classical Library version of Babrius and Phaedrus to dig deeper. I’m so glad I did.

We don’t have actual writings or fables from Aesop. We do have collections from 600+ years later from these two, Babrius and Phaedrus, who collected, added, and made innovations to Aesop’s Fables. Babrius wrote in Greek and Phaedrus in Latin. So, technically, this Loeb book should look like this:

Here’s my original episode covering the illustrated Aesop’s Fables:

In his introduction to The Theban Plays, Charles Segal highlights the question Sophocles asks in his plays:

“Why should a man or woman of noble character and good intentions have to bear a life of suffering?”

If Antigone is the woman of nobel character and Creon the man of, arguably, good intentions, why must they suffer? Why must bad things happen to good people?

Sophocles uses character, circumstances, and divine agency to address this question.

In this episode of the podcast, I highlight the themes, important ideas, and the one image I still have in my head after having read Antigone by Sophocles.

Books of Titans is a listener-supported podcast. To support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In this episode, Erik Rostad compares Lyndon B. Johnson and Robert Moses, discussing the similarities and differences in their use and abuse of power. Show Notes Author: Robert A. Caro Other Robert Caro Podcast Episodes: First Episode: The Path to Power Second Episode: Means of Ascent Third Episode: Master of the Senate Fourth Episode: The...

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In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses books 30 & 31 from his 2021 Reading List – Lost in Thought: The Hidden Pleasures of an Intellectual Life by Zena Hitz and The Second Mountain: The Quest for a Moral Life by David Brooks. Show Notes Author: Zena Hitz Author: David Brooks Support the Podcast! Buy me a Book...

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In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses book 28 from his 2021 Reading List – The Civil War Volume I: Fort Sumter to Perryville by Shelby Foote. Show Notes Author: Shelby Foote Support the Podcast! Buy me a Book for my 2022 Reading List – Amazon Wish List My thoughts about the book Purchase the Book Reading Resources Books...

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In this episode, Dr. Jason A. Staples joins Erik Rostad to discuss his book The Idea of Israel in Second Temple Judaism: A New Theory of People, Exile, and Israelite Identity. Show Notes Author: Jason A. Staples Purchase a Signed Copy of The Idea of Israel Join the Fall 2021 Seminar with Jason as he...

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In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses book 26 from his 2021 Reading List – The Power Broker by Robert A. Caro. Show Notes Author: Robert A. Caro Other Robert Caro Podcast Episodes: First Episode: The Path to Power Second Episode: Means of Ascent Third Episode: Master of the Senate Fourth Episode: The Passage of Power The Years of...

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In this episode, Erik Rostad takes stock of his reading status at the mid-point of 2021. He highlights the current status of his 37-book goal, provides a reading project update, and highlights key takeaways from the books so far this year. 2022 Reading List Support the Podcast! Buy me a Book from my 2022 Reading...

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In this episode, Erik Rostad interviews Gene Hanratty about his 10-year project of reading through a book about each president. Show Notes Guest: Gene Hanratty Gene’s Presidential Reading List 1776 by David McCullough (decided to add this book to the library because without the significant events of this year the rest of the list would...

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In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses all books written by economist Russ Roberts. These are books 19 through 23 from his 2021 Reading List. Show Notes Author: Russ Roberts The EconTalk Podcast All Books Suggested in EconTalk Episodes 2018 Books of Titans Episode covering How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life Books Covered In This Episode: The...

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In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses book 24 from his 2021 Reading List – Working: Researching, Interviewing, Writing by Robert A. Caro. Show Notes Author: Robert A. Caro LBJ Series Podcast Episodes: First Episode: The Path to Power Second Episode: Means of Ascent Third Episode: Master of the Senate Fourth Episode: The Passage of Power The Years...

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In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses the Retelling the Story Series of three books by Russ Ramsey. These are books 16 through 18 from his 2021 Reading List. Show Notes Author: Russ Ramsey Purchase the Series Reading Resources Books of Titans Website

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Sophocles was a friend of Herodotus and a contemporary of the other Greek tragedy playwrights Aeschylus and Euripides. He wrote over 120 plays and seven of those survive. The Theban Plays (Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, and Antigone) cover major events in the life of the mythical king Oedipus of Thebes and of his children.

In this podcast episode, I talk about the two Sophoclean plays about Oedipus and share what I learned about Sophocles’ discussion of prophecy, the Greek concept of a curse, and the little tiny light at the end of this disastrous tunnel of tragedy.

I read translations by David Grene, Paul Woodruff, and Robert Fagles.

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses The Lord of the Rings four-book series by J.R.R. Tolkien (including The Hobbit). These are books 12 through 15 from his 2021 Reading List. Show Notes The Hobbit The Fellowship of the Ring The Two Towers The Return of the King Author: J.R.R. Tolkien Purchase the Series Reading Resources Books of Titans...

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In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses The Years of Lyndon Johnson four-book series by Robert A. Caro. These are books 8 through 11 from his 2021 Reading List. Show Notes First Episode: The Path to Power Second Episode: Means of Ascent Third Episode: Master of the Senate Fourth Episode: The Passage of Power Author: Robert A....

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In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses book 11 of 35 from his 2021 Reading List – The Passage of Power by Robert A. Caro. Show Notes First Episode: The Path to Power Second Episode: Means of Ascent Third Episode: Master of the Senate Author: Robert A. Caro Lyndon B. Johnson My thoughts about the book Purchase the Book...

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In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses book 10 of 35 from his 2021 Reading List – Master of the Senate by Robert A. Caro. Show Notes First Episode: The Path to Power Second Episode: Means of Ascent Author: Robert A. Caro Lyndon B. Johnson My thoughts about the book Purchase the Book Reading Resources Books of Titans Website

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In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses book 9 of 35 from his 2021 Reading List – Means of Ascent by Robert A. Caro. Show Notes Author: Robert A. Caro Lyndon B. Johnson Video: Special Message to the Congress: The American Promise [on the Voting Rights Act], 3/15/65 My thoughts about the book Purchase the Book Reading Resources Books...

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In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses book 8 of 35 from his 2021 Reading List – The Path to Power by Robert A. Caro. Show Notes Author: Robert A. Caro Lyndon B. Johnson My thoughts about the book Purchase the Book Reading Resources Books of Titans Website

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In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses his first book series from his 2021 Reading List – The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. Show Notes Author: C.S. Lewis My thoughts about each book: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe Prince Caspian The Voyage of the “Dawn Treader” The Silver Chair The Horse and His...

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In this episode, special guest Ivan Nekrasov joins Erik Rostad to discuss book 44 of 52 from Erik’s 2020 Reading List – Our Hope by Father Dmitrii Dudko. Show Notes Father Dmitrii Dudko Special Guest: Ivan Nekrasov My thoughts about the book The Gulag Archipelago Splendor of God Purchase the Book Reading Resources Books of Titans...

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In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses book 45 of 52 from his 2020 Reading List – Life of Wallace by James Paterson. Show Notes William Wallace Author: James Paterson (no, not that James Patterson) My thoughts about the book Braveheart Purchase the Book Support the Podcast Get Book Ideas Books of Titans Website

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In this episode, Erik Rostad stacks each of the 45 books from his 2020 reading list on his desk, picks them up one by one, and shares the one thing he recalls from each book. This episode is a test to see how much he remembers after spending 491+ hours reading the books. It’s also...

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Seven plays survive out of more than 70 written by Aeschylus during his lifetime. Last week, I covered The Oresteia, his famous trilogy, and this week I cover his four other surviving tragedy plays.

I highlight the following three contrasts I’ve found throughout Greek Literature and share what we learn within these Aeschylean plays:

* Fate vs The Will of Zeus

* Ares (force) vs the Areopagus (debate/civilization)

* Family Curse vs Human Agency

Daniel Midson-Short recently interviewed Erik Rostad about the Books of Titans project. This episode contains the conversation that covers Erik’s reading life, why he started this project, and what he’s learned along the way. Show Notes Daniel Midson-Short Shorthand Content Marketing – Daniel’s Company Erik’s 2021 Reading List Support the Podcast Email me with thoughts, questions,...

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In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses book 41 of 52 from his 2020 Reading List – Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom by David W. Blight. Show Notes Frederick Douglass Author: David W. Blight Podcast Episode: Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass Purchase the Book Support the Podcast Get Book Ideas Books of Titans Website

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In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses each of the 35 books chosen for his 2021 reading list. Show Notes Erik’s 2021 Reading List The Idea of Israel in Second Temple Judaism: A New Theory of People, Exile, and Israelite Identity by Jason A. Staples (releases April 30, 2021 – pre-order today) Podcast Episode: How to...

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In this episode, Jason A. Staples, Ph.D. and Erik Rostad discuss Blood Meridian: or The Evening Redness in the West by Cormac McCarthy. Show Notes Jason A. Staples, Ph.D. website – https://www.jasonstaples.com/ Jason’s upcoming book to be published by Cambridge University Press – The Idea of Israel in Second Temple Judaism: A New Theory of People,...

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In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses book 40 of 52 from his 2020 Reading List – Blood Meridian: or The Evening Redness in the West by Cormac McCarthy. Show Notes Author: Cormac McCarthy My Thoughts About Blood Meridian Purchase the Book Help Build the new Books of Titans Library and Studio! Get Book Ideas Books...

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In this fourth of a series of four episodes, Erik Rostad discusses book 38 of 52 from his 2020 Reading List – Where You Go: Life Lessons from My Father by Charlotte Pence. Show Notes Author: Charlotte Pence My Thoughts About Where You Go Purchase the Book Help Build the new Books of Titans Library and...

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In this third of a series of four episodes, Erik Rostad discusses book 37 of 52 from his 2020 Reading List – Promises to Keep by Joe Biden. Show Notes Author: Joe Biden My Thoughts About Promises to Keep Purchase the Book Help Build the new Books of Titans Library and Studio! Get Book Ideas Books...

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In this second of a series of four episodes, Erik Rostad discusses book 36 of 52 from his 2020 Reading List – Crippled America: How to Make America Great Again by Donald J. Trump. Show Notes Author: Donald J. Trump My Thoughts About Crippled America Purchase the Book Help Build the new Books of Titans Library...

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In this first of a series of four episodes about the 2020 candidates, Erik Rostad discusses book 35 of 52 from his 2020 Reading List – The Truths We Hold by Kamala Harris.

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses book 33 of 52 from his 2020 Reading List – David Crockett: The Lion of the West by Michael Wallis. Show Notes Author: Michael Wallis David Crockett My Thoughts About David Crockett Purchase the Book Help Build the new Books of Titans Library and Studio! Get Book Ideas Books...

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In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses book 13 from his 2024 Reading List - The Oresteia by Aeschylus.

Show Notes

* Aeschylus

* Purchase The Oresteia

* Support the Podcast - Hire EPR Creations for Online Consulting

* The Books of Titans Book Subscription with Landmark Booksellers

* The Great Books Reading List

* 2024 Reading List

* Reading Resources

* Books of Titans Website

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses book 32 of 52 from his 2020 Reading List – Draft No. 4 by John McPhee. Show Notes Author: John McPhee My Thoughts About Draft No. 4 Purchase the Book Help Build the new Books of Titans Library and Studio! Get Book Ideas Books of Titans Website

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In this episode, Erik Rostad provides 4 rules for choosing books and shares his method for choosing his 52-book reading list for 2021. Support Books of Titans Here are some other podcast episodes related to this episode: 10 Rules for Reading The Books of Titans Story How to Remember What You Read How to Double...

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In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses book 27 of 52 from his 2020 Reading List – Antifragile by Nassim Nicholas Taleb. Show Notes Author: Nassim Nicholas Taleb My Thoughts About Antifragile Purchase the Book Help Build the new Books of Titans Library and Studio! Get Book Ideas Books of Titans Website

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In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses book 26 of 52 from his 2020 Reading List – The Romanovs by Simon Sebag Montefiore. Show Notes Author: Simon Sebag Montefiore My Thoughts About The Romanovs Purchase the Book Help Build the new Books of Titans Library and Studio! Get Book Ideas Books of Titans Website

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In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses book 25 of 52 from his 2020 Reading List – The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins. Show Notes Author: Suzanne Collins My Thoughts About The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes The Wedding Scene in Mockingjay Part II Purchase the Book Help Build the new Books of...

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In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses book 17 of 52 from his 2020 Reading List – The Highlander’s Last Song by George MacDonald. Show Notes Author: George MacDonald My Thoughts About The Highlander’s Last Song Purchase the Book Support the Podcast Get Book Ideas Books of Titans Website

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In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses book 18 of 52 from his 2020 Reading List – Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein. Show Notes Author: David Epstein David Epstein on EconTalk Erik’s thoughts about the book Purchase the Book Get Book Ideas Books of Titans Website

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In this episode, Erik Rostad takes stock of his reading status at the mid-point of 2020. He highlights the current status of his 52-book goal, provides a personal update, shares favorite books this year, and discusses two main ideas that have popped up in a variety of books. Support Books of Titans Here are some...

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In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses book 22 of 52 from his 2020 Reading List – Permanent Record by Edward Snowden. Show Notes Author: Edward Snowden My Thoughts About Permanent Record Joe Rogan Podcast Interview Purchase the Book Get Book Ideas Books of Titans Website

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In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses book 19 of 52 from his 2020 Reading List – The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Show Notes Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald My Thoughts About The Great Gatsby Podcast: The Art of X-Ray Reading Purchase the Book Get Book Ideas Books of Titans Website

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In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses book 11 from his 2024 Reading List – Fables by Aesop. Show Notes Aesop Purchase Aesop’s Fables Support the Podcast – Hire EPR Creations for Online Consulting The Books of Titans Book Subscription with Landmark Booksellers The Great Books Reading List 2024 Reading List Reading Resources Books of Titans...

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In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses book 16 of 52 from his 2020 Reading List – Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky. Show Notes Author: Fyodor Dostoevsky List of Characters My Thoughts About Crime and Punishment Purchase the Book Get Book Ideas Books of Titans Website

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In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses book 15 of 52 from his 2020 Reading List – Destiny Disrupted by Tamim Ansary, a History of the World through Islamic Eyes. Show Notes Author: Tamim Ansary My Thoughts About Destiny Disrupted Purchase the Book Get Book Ideas Books of Titans Website

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In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses book 14 of 52 from his 2020 Reading List – Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates, a letter from a father to his son on race. Show Notes Author: Ta-Nehisi Coates My Thoughts About Between the World and Me Purchase the Book Get Book Ideas Books of...

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