Showing results by narrator "Tony Honickberg" in All Categories

The Crowd: A Study of the Popular Mind, first published in 1895, is a classic psychology text that is both thorough and easy to understand. It is considered seminal work in the study of crowd psychology. In it, Le Bon covers many aspects of crowd psychology and writes that crowd psychology exhibits "impulsiveness, irritability, incapacity to reason".

Pericles was a statesmen, general, and speaker during the Golden Age of Athens. His impact on the city-state would be so great that Thucydides, an honored historian, would refer to him as the city's First Citizen. In what would be titled the "Age of Pericles", he would turn the Delian League from an alliance to an Athenian Empire and foster the arts and sciences within his country more than any leader had before him. He is responsible for starting the great projects of Athens, like the Acropolis and Parthenon, which can still be seen in their glory today.

The Psychology of the Unconscious Processes by Carl Jung examines the fantasies of a patient whose poetic and vivid mental images assisted Jung in redefining libido as psychic energy, which rises from the unconscious to manifest itself consciously in symbolic form. Jung's commentary on these fantasies reveals a wealth of symbolic parallels present in mythology, religion, ethnology, art, and literature.

Will Rogers (1879 to 1935), born William Penn Adair, was an American stage and film actor, vaudeville performer, and newspaper columnist, known primarily for his humor and social commentary. He is significant in that he was a Cherokee citizen born in the Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory (now part of Oklahoma). During Rogers’ long career, he made over 70 films and wrote more than 4,000 newspaper columns. Rogers was born in 1935 and was raised and worked on his parents' ranch The Dog Iron Ranch in the Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory. 

Robespierre was a poor, well-educated activist and politician who would seize power during the French Revolution...today he is not remembered for his work on universal male voting rights, price controls for basic food needs, and abolishing slavery...but for his Reign of Terror. How did an intelligent man driven by morals of freedom and justice end up executing thousands in a mad grab to maintain power? Follow his fascinating descent from the Hero of the Republic to its true enemy.

The first monotheistic religion was born in ancient Persia, more than 2000 years before any other under the leadership of Zoroaster. As a lone philosopher and wanderer, Zoroaster traveled Persia to spread his teachings facing persecution, assassination attempts, and more. Dive into both Zoroaster's life and the beliefs of the faith practice Zoroastrianism, which is still alive today. Just as in ancient times, many practitioners are forced to survive persecution and violence in order to keep their cultural heritage alive.

Bob Hope (1903-2003) born Leslie Townes Hope, was an American comedian whose career spanned 78 years. During Hope’s long career, he achieved recognition as a stand-up comedian, a vaudevillian, an actor, a singer and dancer, an author, and even an athlete.

Cleopatra was the last Egyptian pharaoh who ruled over Egypt, though her leadership was fraught with peril and political intrigue from the Greco-Roman sphere. She was the only member of her Greek family who bothered to learn the language of her people, and this dedication to the good of Egypt would be reflected in the way she ruled. 

Vladimir Putin is the current president of Russia, serving in his third term since 2012. He started his career as an intelligence officer and politician. Raised and educated in the Soviet Union, he saw great prosperity and growth during his first term. His leadership has been fraught with accusations and scandals, particularly in his handling of human rights and justice cases, as well as his alleged involvement in the United States politics.

In 2017, the 29th Sultan of Brunei, Hassanl Bolkiah, celebrated his Golden Jubilee, marking his 50th year in power. Bolkiah negotiated Brunei's independence from the British Empire in 1978, a freedom which they achieved in 1984. The first sultan to also serve as Prime Minister, Bolkiah has ruled over this prosperous nation ever since. He is officially the world's wealthiest monarch thanks to his country's oil and gas reserves. Whether you know him for his extravagant lifestyle or his political work establishing Shari'ah Law, the Sultan of Brunei is a powerful leader.

Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa was one of the greatest Romans who ever lived. A man of constant honor, he worked side by side with Augustus and was responsible for the marble masterpieces of architecture ancient Rome is known for today. He was a consul, general, architect, and statesman and lived his life according to a strict code of conduct. If not for his early death, the people of Rome were expecting him to be their next emperor. Explore his life and regal legacy and the incredible impact one person can have on the course of a nation's history.

On War by the Prussian General Carl von Clausewitz (1780-1831) is a classic of war and military strategy published in 1832. Some of the key concepts discussed in the book include: the methods of critical analysis, the uses and abuses of historical studies, the nature of the balance-of-power mechanism, the relationship between political objectives and military objectives in war, the asymmetrical relationship between attack and defense, strategic and operational "centers of gravity", the "culminating point of the offensive", and the "culminating point of victory".

The Vietnam War, known in Vietnam as the Resistance War Against America, was an undeclared conflict spanning Vietnam, Laos (with the Laotian Civil War), and Cambodia from 1955 to 1975. The war was officially fought between Communist North Vietnam and opposing South Vietnam. The former was supported by the Soviet Union, China, and other communist allies; the latter was supported by the United States, South Korea, Philippines, Australia, and other anti-communist allies. The guerrilla warfare tactics used by the Viet Cong is one of the most well-known aspects of the war. 

The Scientific Revolution was a chain of events that unfolded during the 16th and 17th centuries, which brought about drastic changes in scientific thought. Modern science emerged as advances in astronomy, biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics transformed society’s perceptions of nature. 

The Industrial Revolution took place in Europe and the United States from the 1760s to the 1840s. It began in Great Britain, stimulated by expanding trade and the rise of business. The era saw a transition from methods of manual production to the use of machines and new manufacturing processes. This transition was marked by technical innovation, the harnessing of steam and water power, the development of machine tools, and the birth of mechanized factories.

Dolley Madison (1768 to 1849) born Dolley Payne, was the fourth first lady of the United States and wife of James Madison, founding father and fourth president of the United States. Madison is now most famous for holding large Washington social functions to which members of both political parties where invited. Dolley Madison, essentially, helped create the concept of bipartisan cooperation and furthered the idea that both parties could socialize, debate, and negotiate with each other amicably and without descending into violence. 

Cornelius Vanderbilt (1794 to 1877) was an American business magnate whose wealth and significance was rooted in the shipping industry and the development of railroads. Cornelius was also the patriarch of the extremely wealthy influential Vanderbilt family. During the 1850s and beyond, Vanderbilt took an interest in various US railroads, and bought, invested in, and developed various railroad routes, not only earning a vast amount of wealth but also, as some historians have stated, expanded America’s transportation infrastructure, transforming the very geography of the United States.

The University of Kentucky is an educational institution with a 150-year old history. It's also the headquarters of "Big Blue Nation", UK's network of alumni and fans who bleed the school colors blue and white. UK boasts a solid academic record, but most people know it for its fanatical sports fans cheering on their Wildcats in basketball and football.

Fred Astaire, 1899 to 1987, born Frederick Austerlitz, was an icon and extremely influential American dancer, singer, actor, and choreographer. Although Astaire refused dance lessons at first, he quickly picked up choreography and showed himself to be a natural talent; he also began learning various instruments. Overall, Astaire’s stage and film and television career spanned 76 years. Astaire starred in more than 10 Broadway musicals, over 30 musical films, and numerous television specials, radio specials, and recordings.

Australia's contributions in the Pacific War are often forgotten in history lessons today. However, Australia faced the bombing of its cities and invasions of nearby islands much like the rest of the world, and stood up to fight as needed. They placed a central role from 1942 to 1943 in the New Guinea Campaign and defended Japanese forces invading Port Moseby. Japanese forces then invaded the Australian mainland, trying to cut supply lines, but were fought back by valiant forces. Take to the ground and skies during this mix of intense land and air battles.