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Canonball
Episodes
92 episodes
Discussing "Mozart On The Way To Prague" By Eduard Mörike
In this episode of Canonball we discuss "Mozart On The Way To Prague" by Eduard Mörike, which was published in 1856.Here is the final scene of Don Giovanni, Mörike's description of which we discuss at around 28:32
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Discussing Petrarch's "Scattered Rhymes"
In today's episode of Canonball we discuss Francis Petrarch's "Scattered Rhymes," which were written over 40 years and finalized as a collection shortly before Petrarch's death in 1374.
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Discussing Max Planck's "Where Is Science Going?"
In this episode of Canonball we discuss "Where Is Science Going?" by Max Planck, which was published in 1932.
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Discussing "Novum Organum" By Francis Bacon
In this episode of Canonball we discuss "Novum Organum," which Francis Bacon wrote and which was published in 1620.
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Discussing The Oresteia – Part III: Eumenides – By Aeschylus With Evan
In this episode of Canonball, Evan and I discuss the play "Eumenides," which is the third part of Aeschylus' only extant trilogy "Oresteia," which premiered in 458 BC.The cover art for this episode is from a painting titled Pallas At...
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How To Actually Learn Any Language
This is a summary of what I think is the best approach to learning a language, based on my experience mastering a foreign language as an adult. Here you can download the software that I mentioned, Anki: https://apps.ankiweb.net/...
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Discussing "The Life Of Saint Louis" By Jean De Joinville
In this episode of Canonball we discuss "The Life Of Saint Louis," which Jean de Joinville completed in 1309. The cover art for this episode is a painting titled Louis IX that Émile Signol completed in 1844.The other...
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Discussing The Fragments Of Heraclitus
In this episode of Canonball we discuss the fragments of Heraclitus, who lived in the sixth and fifth centuries BC. The cover art for this episode is The Burning of the Houses of Lords and Commons, which JMW Turner complete...
Discussing The Oresteia – Part II: The Libation Bearers – By Aeschylus With Evan
In this video, Evan and I discuss "The Libation Bearers," which is the second play in the Aeschylus' trilogy Oresteia.The cover art for this episode is from Orestes Pursued by the Furies, which William-Adolphe Bouguereau complet...
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Discussing "The Civilization Of The Renaissance In Italy" By Jacob Burckhardt
In this episode of Canonball we discuss "The Civilization Of The Renaissance In Italy," which was written by Jacob Burckhardt and published in 1860. Get a copy of my edition of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein at my website:&nbs...
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Colleges Are Abandoning the Classics — Down 70% Since 2008
The data below are in the format indicated in the first line: The first word given is the term that I searched on opensyllabus.org, followed by its frequency in 2008, its frequency in 2024, and the percent change. So, for example, the first ter...
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Discussing "The Revolt Of The Masses" By Jose Ortega y Gasset
In this episode of Canonball we discuss "The Revolt Of The Masses" which Jose Ortega y Gasset first published as a series of essays in 1929 before it was published as a book in 1930. Get a copy of my edition of Mary Shelley's Fr...
Discussing The Oresteia – Part I: Agamemnon – By Aeschylus With Evan
In this episode of Canonball we discuss the play "Agamemnon," by Aeschylus, which is the first part of Aeschylus' only extant trilogy "Oresteia," which premiered in 458 BC.I was very pleased to have my good friend Evan join me for this d...
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Discussing "The Protestant Ethic And The Spirit Of Capitalism" By Max Weber
In this episode of Canonball we discuss "The Protestant Ethic And The Spirit Of Capitalism," which was written by Max Weber and published in 1904.Get a copy of my edition of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein at my website:
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Bookstore Talk: Exploring Frankenstein And The World In Which Mary Shelley Created A Monster
This is a talk I gave at a bookstore in Western Maryland in October 2025 discussing the world in which Mary Shelley was living when she wrote Frankenstein. Pick up my edition of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein at my website: https://ww...
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Discussing "The Spirit Of The Laws" By Montesquieu
In this episode of Canonball we discuss "The Spirit Of The Laws," which was written by Montesquieu and published in 1748.Get a copy of my edition of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein at my website: VollrathPublishing.com
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Discussing "Fathers And Sons" By Ivan Turgenev
In this episode of Canonball we discuss "Fathers And Sons," which was written by Ivan Turgenev and published in 1862.Get a copy of my edition of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein at my website: VollrathPublishing.com
Discussing "We" By Yevgeny Zamyatin
In this episode of Canonball we discuss "We," which was written by Yevgeny Zamyatin and first published in 1924. Get a copy of my edition of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein at my website: VollrathPublishing.com
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Discussing "The New Science" By Giambattista Vico – Part II
In this episode of Canonball we continue discussing "The New Science," which was written by Giambattista Vico and first published in 1725, before being republished in a revised edition in 1730, and a final edition in 1744. See also Part I for m...
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Discussing "The New Science" By Giambattista Vico – Part I
In this episode of Canonball we begin discussing "The New Science," which was written by Giambattista Vico and first published in 1725, before being republished in a revised edition in 1730, and a final edition in 1744. See also Part II for mor...
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Discussing "The Devil's Dictionary" By Ambrose Bierce
In this episode of Canonball we discuss "The Devil's Dictionary," which was written by Ambrose Bierce and first published as a book in 1906 before being republished in 1911.Get a copy of my edition of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
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Discussing "The Last Man" By Mary Shelley
In this episode of Canonball we discuss "The Last Man," which was written by Mary Shelley and published in 1826.Get a copy of my edition of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein at my website: VollrathPublishing.com
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Mendacious Impressions – An Original Short Story
This is a short story I wrote. I hope you enjoy it. Get a copy of my edition of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein at my website: VollrathPublishing.com
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