A History of the World in 100 Objects (BBC)
Tughra of Suleiman the Magnificent
Personal signature of the great Ottoman ruler Suleiman the Magnificent. Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum examines this monogram which is the ultimate expression of Suleiman's authority at this time - a stamp of state and delicate artwork rolled into one. The Turkish novelist Elif Shafak and the historian Caroline Finkel explore the power and meaning of this object.
(review, feed)
The History of Rome
108- Gordian's Knot
By August of 238, the other five men who had claimed a share of the purple were dead, leaving 13-year-old Gordian III as the last man standing.
(review, feed)
Media Matters with Bob McChesney Podcast
Bob welcomes Glenn Greenwald to Media Matters
(review, feed)
Monday, September 13, 2010
Iran History Podcast - Columbia
By lecture 10 Professor Richard Bulliet's lecture series about the history of Iran (at Columbia University) reaches the arrival of Islam. Bulliet introduces Islam in the same general fashion as he introduced other topics in this course, which, by the way, once again, draws the whole course beyond the regional focus. (feed)
I have had general introductions in Islam at the history courses of UCSD (MMW3 and MMW4) and eventually also Bulliet delivers the traditional narrative as is presented at UCSD. This is the inception story of Islam that the Muslims tell themselves. Bulliet expands only a little bit by not just telling Mohammed was divinely inspired and dictated the Koran by the angel Gabriel. He explores the contemporary traditions which might precede the content of the Koran. The traditions that used Arabic verse and makes an implicit conjecture that Mohammed came from such a background.
However, before Bulliet gives the traditional narrative, he spends a lecture on skeptics about Islam. Eventually he completely rejects their doubts and alternative histories, but he deems it important to familiarize hi audience with their existence. For me, this was completely new. I had never heard of the term Hagarism, in place of Islam and had no idea there were researchers who tried some kind of linguistic analysis of the Koran and study suggestions that the Koran was not written (or recited) by Mohammed, but rather some 200 years later by scholars in Iraq. I hear Bulliet when he claims these ideas are improbable and I understand why he delivers them in a nutshell. I was happy he did just to get an idea where the questions lie.
More:
Armenian History - Nina G. Garsoïan,
History of the Parthians,
History of Iran,
A tip from Baxter Wood,
Iran today.
I have had general introductions in Islam at the history courses of UCSD (MMW3 and MMW4) and eventually also Bulliet delivers the traditional narrative as is presented at UCSD. This is the inception story of Islam that the Muslims tell themselves. Bulliet expands only a little bit by not just telling Mohammed was divinely inspired and dictated the Koran by the angel Gabriel. He explores the contemporary traditions which might precede the content of the Koran. The traditions that used Arabic verse and makes an implicit conjecture that Mohammed came from such a background.However, before Bulliet gives the traditional narrative, he spends a lecture on skeptics about Islam. Eventually he completely rejects their doubts and alternative histories, but he deems it important to familiarize hi audience with their existence. For me, this was completely new. I had never heard of the term Hagarism, in place of Islam and had no idea there were researchers who tried some kind of linguistic analysis of the Koran and study suggestions that the Koran was not written (or recited) by Mohammed, but rather some 200 years later by scholars in Iraq. I hear Bulliet when he claims these ideas are improbable and I understand why he delivers them in a nutshell. I was happy he did just to get an idea where the questions lie.
More:
Armenian History - Nina G. Garsoïan,
History of the Parthians,
History of Iran,
A tip from Baxter Wood,
Iran today.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Heads-up for 12 September 2010
Binge Thinking History Podcast
Ironclads, Big Guns and the road to World War One
Sails are finally done away with as steam power takes over and the race between armour and guns gets under way. Pax Britannia turns maps of the world red as the Americans, Japanese and Germans aspire to have navies just like the British; the road to World War One begins.
(review, feed)
Mahabharata Podcast
Episode 23 - Into the Forest, part 1
This episode covers the Pandava's departure for the forest and the initial fears of theKauravas as they considered what they had done. As things washed out, only the five brothers, Draupadi and a gaggle of Brahmins went into the forest. Yuddistira did some yoga and some austerities and memorized the 108 names of Surya, and was able to get the Sun God to give him the ability to magically feed everyone while they were in the forest.
(review, feed)
Tapestry (CBC)
September 12, 2010 - Hope
We open our season with a program about hope. Joan Chittister, Benedictine nun and author of more than 40 books, weighs in on what hope means in tough times: "Hope is marble", Sister Joan says. "Hope is not marshmallow". Neil Pasricha, blogger about all things awesome, drops by the studio, and writer Teri Degler will share her story about finding hope when she least expected it. Last but not least, we'll treat you to some of the wisdom of the English novelist Terry Pratchett.
(review, feed)
Ironclads, Big Guns and the road to World War One
Sails are finally done away with as steam power takes over and the race between armour and guns gets under way. Pax Britannia turns maps of the world red as the Americans, Japanese and Germans aspire to have navies just like the British; the road to World War One begins.
(review, feed)
Mahabharata Podcast
Episode 23 - Into the Forest, part 1
This episode covers the Pandava's departure for the forest and the initial fears of theKauravas as they considered what they had done. As things washed out, only the five brothers, Draupadi and a gaggle of Brahmins went into the forest. Yuddistira did some yoga and some austerities and memorized the 108 names of Surya, and was able to get the Sun God to give him the ability to magically feed everyone while they were in the forest.
(review, feed)
Tapestry (CBC)
September 12, 2010 - Hope
We open our season with a program about hope. Joan Chittister, Benedictine nun and author of more than 40 books, weighs in on what hope means in tough times: "Hope is marble", Sister Joan says. "Hope is not marshmallow". Neil Pasricha, blogger about all things awesome, drops by the studio, and writer Teri Degler will share her story about finding hope when she least expected it. Last but not least, we'll treat you to some of the wisdom of the English novelist Terry Pratchett.
(review, feed)
Making Love in the Kitchen - Meghan Telpner
Here is a podcast I ran into by accident Making Love in the Kitchen. Meghan Telpner is a nutritionist who keeps a blog and podcast about healthy living. She takes an angle on diet that is very much to my liking: in stead of suggesting some short term regimen that will bring the kilos off, she concentrates on what is healthy food and emphasizes how you can feel better, including losing superfluous weight, by cooking right, eating well and living properly. I for one can say that this way, I keep my weight right. (feed)
I have listened to two episodes. One is episode #2 (A Diet That Works: Healthy Living) in which she interviews one of her clients about her new life style. What comes out is almost a gourmet conversation, you will almost forget that the original point of it all was weight loss. The two ladies discuss cooking, recipes, ingredients and it sounds plentiful all day long. But the efficacy lies herein that food is prepared with good, natural components, the meal is enjoyed in time and consequently there is no snacking in between and no intake of bad fats and sugars.
The other episode I listened to was #9 (What’s In A Supplement) in which Telpner interviews Alain Roy about supplements. Supplements are not food and do not replace food, they are taken as additives to specifically address an issue. Whether it is vitamins, minerals or others, whether separate or in combination, Roy tries to point out how to choose the right supplement. He also gets the opportunity to expand upon the product of the company he works for which makes it come rather close to a promotional talk, but surely his narrative is very interesting.
I have listened to two episodes. One is episode #2 (A Diet That Works: Healthy Living) in which she interviews one of her clients about her new life style. What comes out is almost a gourmet conversation, you will almost forget that the original point of it all was weight loss. The two ladies discuss cooking, recipes, ingredients and it sounds plentiful all day long. But the efficacy lies herein that food is prepared with good, natural components, the meal is enjoyed in time and consequently there is no snacking in between and no intake of bad fats and sugars.The other episode I listened to was #9 (What’s In A Supplement) in which Telpner interviews Alain Roy about supplements. Supplements are not food and do not replace food, they are taken as additives to specifically address an issue. Whether it is vitamins, minerals or others, whether separate or in combination, Roy tries to point out how to choose the right supplement. He also gets the opportunity to expand upon the product of the company he works for which makes it come rather close to a promotional talk, but surely his narrative is very interesting.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Heads-up for 11 September 2010
Omega Tau Podcast
/43/ Flying the Space Shuttle
In this episode we talk with Duane “Digger” Carey about flying the US Space Shuttle. We cover all the major phases of a shuttle flight (countdown, launch, orbit insertion, on orbit, breaking, reentry and landing) and discuss the activities of the pilot and commander. We also cover briefly some of the Shuttle’s systems. We conclude the episode with a brief look at Shuttle pilot and commander training.
(review, feed)
New Books In History
Kip Kosek, “Acts of Conscience: Christian Nonviolence and Modern American Democracy”
There’s a quip that goes “Christianity is probably a great religion. Someone should really try it.” The implication, of course, is that most people who call themselves Christians aren’t very Christian at all.
(review, feed)
Big Ideas (TVO)
Gerard t'Hooft on Science Fiction and Reality
Gerard t'Hooft, a Nobel Laureate from Utrecht University, delivers a lecture on Science Fiction and Reality at the Perimeter Institute in Waterloo, Ontario on May 7, 2008
(review, feed)
Philosophy Bites
Cynthia Freeland on Portraits
What is a portrait? What can it reveal? Cynthia Freeland explores the nature of portraits in this interview with Nigel Warburton for the Philosophy Bites podcast. Philosophy Bites is made in association with the Institute of Philosophy. A book, Philosophy Bites, based on 25 interviews, is now available from Oxford University Press.
(review, feed)
Veertien Achttien
Annie Besant en de unie van harten
Met een geschiedenis als stakingsleidster en een overtuiging als theosofe stort de Britse Annie Besant zich in de Grote Oorlog op het India's nationalisme. Het imperiale gezag van de Raj gaat Besant interneren, maar moet haar na demonstraties al snel weer vrijlaten. In de jaren daarna mist ze de aansluiting met Gandhi.
(review, feed)
Schlaflos in München
Salat, Gedanken und nochmal Salat
Heute mal live aus der Küche - ganz ohne Kochshow. Also lauter aufdrehen!
(review, feed)
/43/ Flying the Space Shuttle
In this episode we talk with Duane “Digger” Carey about flying the US Space Shuttle. We cover all the major phases of a shuttle flight (countdown, launch, orbit insertion, on orbit, breaking, reentry and landing) and discuss the activities of the pilot and commander. We also cover briefly some of the Shuttle’s systems. We conclude the episode with a brief look at Shuttle pilot and commander training.
(review, feed)
New Books In HistoryKip Kosek, “Acts of Conscience: Christian Nonviolence and Modern American Democracy”
There’s a quip that goes “Christianity is probably a great religion. Someone should really try it.” The implication, of course, is that most people who call themselves Christians aren’t very Christian at all.
(review, feed)
Big Ideas (TVO)
Gerard t'Hooft on Science Fiction and Reality
Gerard t'Hooft, a Nobel Laureate from Utrecht University, delivers a lecture on Science Fiction and Reality at the Perimeter Institute in Waterloo, Ontario on May 7, 2008
(review, feed)
Philosophy Bites
Cynthia Freeland on Portraits
What is a portrait? What can it reveal? Cynthia Freeland explores the nature of portraits in this interview with Nigel Warburton for the Philosophy Bites podcast. Philosophy Bites is made in association with the Institute of Philosophy. A book, Philosophy Bites, based on 25 interviews, is now available from Oxford University Press.
(review, feed)
Veertien Achttien
Annie Besant en de unie van harten
Met een geschiedenis als stakingsleidster en een overtuiging als theosofe stort de Britse Annie Besant zich in de Grote Oorlog op het India's nationalisme. Het imperiale gezag van de Raj gaat Besant interneren, maar moet haar na demonstraties al snel weer vrijlaten. In de jaren daarna mist ze de aansluiting met Gandhi.
(review, feed)
Schlaflos in München
Salat, Gedanken und nochmal Salat
Heute mal live aus der Küche - ganz ohne Kochshow. Also lauter aufdrehen!
(review, feed)
Armenian History - Nina G. Garsoian
As I wrote before I am tremendously enjoying Professor Richard Bulliet's 2008 course on the history of Iran at Columbia university. While at it, I was motivated though, to make a side step and search the realms of podcast in search for some of the names and places he brings up that I would love to find out more about.
For example about the Armenians. I could not find any podcast dedicated to Armenian History and I know of very few general podcasts that have given ample attention. One interesting lecture I found in a vodcast from the Metropolitan Museum of Art - Medieval Art. The museum acquired an Armenian stone cross (Armenian Khatchkar) on loan and for the occasion invited historian Nina G. Garsoïan to speak about Armenian Medieval History. (iTunesU feed) In spite of the fact that this is video, there is absolutely nothing you miss out if you merely listen to it.
Garsoïan takes on the lecture with a very ambitious goal. She sets out to do something other than outline the bloom period of Armenia in the Middle Ages, but rather embark on an analysis of the various rises and falls of Armenia and try to explain why it is that the Armenian culture has survived when most of history there was no geographic or political integrity that could be called Armenia. In her words: how could the Armenians survive as a people without a land? And this reaches to the heart of Armenian History, the culture and an explanation for its resilience. The paradoxical thing is that the Armenians rather by division than by unity seem to stand.
More:
History of the Parthians,
History of Iran,
A tip from Baxter Wood,
Iran today,
Iran in 2009.
For example about the Armenians. I could not find any podcast dedicated to Armenian History and I know of very few general podcasts that have given ample attention. One interesting lecture I found in a vodcast from the Metropolitan Museum of Art - Medieval Art. The museum acquired an Armenian stone cross (Armenian Khatchkar) on loan and for the occasion invited historian Nina G. Garsoïan to speak about Armenian Medieval History. (iTunesU feed) In spite of the fact that this is video, there is absolutely nothing you miss out if you merely listen to it.Garsoïan takes on the lecture with a very ambitious goal. She sets out to do something other than outline the bloom period of Armenia in the Middle Ages, but rather embark on an analysis of the various rises and falls of Armenia and try to explain why it is that the Armenian culture has survived when most of history there was no geographic or political integrity that could be called Armenia. In her words: how could the Armenians survive as a people without a land? And this reaches to the heart of Armenian History, the culture and an explanation for its resilience. The paradoxical thing is that the Armenians rather by division than by unity seem to stand.
More:
History of the Parthians,
History of Iran,
A tip from Baxter Wood,
Iran today,
Iran in 2009.
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