Audibly Speaking: Listening to History

Freedom, Responsibility and The Strange “Truthiness” of Science

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An American in Europe in Extraordinary Times

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Book 2, Chapter 16: “Still Knitting”

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Nine Days

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The Need to Remember: Fighting Back Against Bigotry toward Asian Americans

The shocking attacks against Asian Americans in 2021 are outgrowths of a long history of bigotry against these, our fellow citizens. Besides bringing shame to America’s claim of “liberty and justice for all,” these attacks flow from the ignorance of too many Americans in this history of bigotry, especially of the worst violation of civil … Continue reading The Need to Remember: Fighting Back Against Bigotry toward Asian Americans →

Demystifying the JFK Assassination: Unit 1, Part 1

In this first Unit of a new online course that seeks to demystify the evidence in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, we look at the first evidence, the evidence against Lee Harvey Oswald in the first eighty minutes following the assassination.

“Darkness,” from A Tale of Two Cities (Book Three, Chapter 12)

Carton reconnoiters the Defarge’s wine shop in this episode, and learns of Madame Defarge’s dark plans for the Evremonde family. Dr. Manette, out of the trauma of his son-in-law’s imminent execution (and its connection to his own testimony), returns to his shoemaking once again. Carton instructs Jarvis Lorry on what he should do the next … Continue reading “Darkness,” from A Tale of Two Cities (Book Three, Chapter 12) →

Introduction to “A Tale of Two Cities”

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Book Three, Chapter Thirteen: “Fifty-Two,” from “A Tale of Two Cities”

This is where the plot finally comes together. Carton visits Darnay to change places in LaForce, with the aid of chloroform. Barsad takes Darnay to Lucy and all but Jerry and Miss Pross board the carriage and leave to flee Paris for England. Dickens is herein a master of suspense, which builds to a crescendo … Continue reading Book Three, Chapter Thirteen: “Fifty-Two,” from “A Tale of Two Cities” →

Final Episode from A Tale of Two Cities: “THE FOOTSTEPS DIE OUT FOR EVER”

I have finally crossed the finish line! My audio narration for Librivox is finally complete, with all forty-five chapters now in the can. I can now say “it’s a wrap.” And what a terrific chapter to end on. Dickens is at his most reflective. A novel of horror somehow has wended its way to a … Continue reading Final Episode from A Tale of Two Cities: “THE FOOTSTEPS DIE OUT FOR EVER” →

“The Footsteps Die out For Ever:” The final chapter in “A Tale of Two Cities”

I have finally crossed the finish line! My audio narration for Librivox is finally complete, with all forty-five chapters now in the can. I can now say “it’s a wrap.” And what a terrific chapter to end on. Dickens is at his most reflective. A novel of horror somehow has wended its way to a...

Book the Third, Chapter 14 of A Tale of Two Cities: “The Knitting Done”

Madame Defarge discovers that her prey, Lucy, Little Lucy and Dr. Manette, have fled her clutches and are on the country roads of France, fleeing for England, What she does not know is that her most important enemy, Charles Darnay, is with them, having exchanged places in Laforce prison with Sidney Carton. Standing between Madame … Continue reading Book the Third, Chapter 14 of A Tale of Two Cities: “The Knitting Done” →

“The Substance of the Shadow” from Dickens’s A Tale of Two Cities

In this chapter, Dr. Manette’s long-buried message, found in the Bastille by Ernest Defarge, is used to condemn Charles Darnay, son-in-law of the good doctor and husband of his fair daughter, to death at the Guillotine!  In vain does Dr. Manette protest that he no longer condemned the entire Evremonde family to the last of … Continue reading “The Substance of the Shadow” from Dickens’s A Tale of Two Cities →

“The Game Made,” a “Tell” Chapter from A Tale of Two Cities (Book the Third, Chapter Nine)

In this chapter of A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Darnay is sentenced to death on the accusations of the Dafarges and, incredibly, Dr. Manette, in the form of an old condemnation by the prisoner in the Bastille long before he knew Charles. Sydney Carton persuades Jarvis Lorry to rap up affairs in Paris and … Continue reading “The Game Made,” a “Tell” Chapter from A Tale of Two Cities (Book the Third, Chapter Nine) →

A Most Difficult Chapter from “A Tale of Two Cities”

“A Hand at Cards,” Book Three, Chapter Eight of A Tale of Two Cities.  Here many of the characters in the novel are on stage in one chapter.  Carton reappears and must “turn” the spy John Barsad to his purposes.  Pross and Cruncher are “over the top,” as usual, but Carton is another matter entirely. … Continue reading A Most Difficult Chapter from “A Tale of Two Cities” →

Chapter Six, Book Three, “Triumph,” from A TALE OF TWO CITIES

In this chapter, Charles Darnay is saved. Or is he?  The good Doctor Manette works his magic.  But the Defarges will not give up on their quest to send every member of the Evremonde family to the guillotine.

Book Three, Chapter Five of “A Tale of Two Cities:” THE WOOD-SAWYER

Dickens’s most atypical novel grows still darker, even for him, in this terrifying chapter from A Tale of Two Cities.  Lucy travels into the chaotic streets of revolutionary Paris to try to catch a glimpse of her beloved Charles in the Bastille.  She runs into a wood-sawyer, enraptured by La Guillotine and bent on revenge against … Continue reading Book Three, Chapter Five of “A Tale of Two Cities:” THE WOOD-SAWYER →

“Calm in Storm,” from “A Tale of Two Cities”

Book Three, chapter Four of Dickens’s classic novel. Doctor Manette is off to La Force to try to save the life of Charles Darnay. Will he succeed?  Stay tuned, as they say, and “Listen to History” on audiblyspeaking.com.

“The Grindstone,” from A Tale of Two Cities

Another entry in my evolving audio narration of Charles Dickens’s magisterial novel, A Tale of Two Cities.  This chapter is called “The Grindstone.”  It is a difficult chapter to read because it involves characters of different sexes exchanging dialogue quickly and in states of duress.  Unlike other chapters where the characters are over the top in … Continue reading “The Grindstone,” from A Tale of Two Cities →

Newest Episode: “Fire Rising,” Chapter 29 from A Tale of Two Cities

In this episode, the mansion of the Marquis St. Evremonde goes up in flames as the Revolutionary mob torches the ancestral home of Charles Darnay (secretly the new Marquis).  The old Marquis’s functionary, Gabelle, is, in consequence, about to be arrested.   This will draw Darnay from safety in England to mortal peril in France, as … Continue reading Newest Episode: “Fire Rising,” Chapter 29 from A Tale of Two Cities →

New on AudiblySpeaking: Chapter 30 of “A Tale of Two Cities”

Another preview of my upcoming Librivox recording of A Tale of Two Cities, due out in April 2020. This is chapter 30, “Drawn to the Loadstone Rock.” If you enjoy this, won’t you leave a comment telling me so?

Seceding from History: An AudiblySpeaking Moment on January 6, 2021

Here is my audio narration of my podcast on the insurrection against the Capitol on January 6, 2021 and its historical significance.

Book Two, Chapter 21 of “A Tale of Two Cities:” Echoing Footsteps

Book Two, Chapter 21, “Echoing Footsteps,” of A Tale of Two Cities, by the inimitable Charles Dickens.

“An Opinion,” From “A Tale of Two Cities”

Book Two, Chapter 25 of Dickens’s classic novel. Book Two, Chapter 19 of Dickens’s classic.

Audibly Speaking on Substack: History “Hack” for January 2

  The Representatives who Weren’t: The little matter of the Oath More than half of the Republicans in the so-called House of Representatives have just pledged to violate their oaths to uphold the Constitution. They have just declared that they would be the commanders, and not the representatives, of the people who just elected or … Continue reading Audibly Speaking on Substack: History “Hack” for January 2 →

A Sample of my audio narration of “A Tale of Two Cities,” by Charles Dickens

This chapter of “A Tale of Two Cities,” is called “The Gorgon’s Head,” and is one of the more difficult chapters in the novel to narrate, at least in my opinion.  It has more than its share of the long, meandering and prolix sentences for which Dickens was famous. Even when read with the eyes, … Continue reading A Sample of my audio narration of “A Tale of Two Cities,” by Charles Dickens →

“A Scandal in Bohemia” by Arthur Conan Doyle

Narrated by Dr. Rick Reiman In this classic short story in the Sherlock Holmes series, Holmes, with the help of Dr. Watson, matches wits with a woman, Irene Adler. Spoiler alert: The woman wins. It is one of the few Sherlock Holmes stories in which Holmes fails. And he never forgets it! The players: Sherlock … Continue reading “A Scandal in Bohemia” by Arthur Conan Doyle →

The Story Continues (Chapter 2, “The Mail,” from “A Tale of Two Cities,” by Charles Dickens)

Read for you by the host of Audiblyspeaking, Dr. Richard Reiman Your professor, Dr. Reiman, continues his narration of this classic novel, with “The Mail,” chapter two.  In this chapter we meet some of the characters in the novel.  I hope you enjoy this addition to the Breakaway Cafe in the course.

My Experience with Absentee Voting in Georgia

Is Absentee voting safe in Georgia? I can’t say but here I share my experience with it. I found it pleasant and largely hassle-free, and gained some insights into it that I thought I would share here.

The Period

The Breakaway Cafe is the name for a place to chill in this course. In this time of Covid sometimes we all need to take a break. Breakaway Cafe is such a place. Historians are people who tell (true) stories. But in Breakaway Cafe, I tell short stories that are often fiction, narrated by yours … Continue reading The Period →

Story #1 from The Breakaway Cafe: Chapter 1 of “A Tale of Two Cities,” by Charles Dickens

The Breakaway Cafe is the name for a place to chill in this course. In this time of Covid sometimes we all need to take a break. Breakaway Cafe is such a place. Historians are people who tell (true) stories. But in Breakaway Cafe, I tell short stories that are often fiction, narrated by yours...

The Constitution in Context

The following podcast is a feature of “Constitution Day 2020” at South Georgia State College. As a result of the pandemic, the different elements of the event are presented in a manner consistent with safety and social distancing. The South Georgia College website (http://www.sgsc.edu) contains a webpage with more information on the displays for Constitution … Continue reading The Constitution in Context →

Dancing Around the Rubric Questions: Analyzing Darcy Frey’s “The Last Shot”

Make sure that you follow the rubric questions exactly in writing your Reflection post on Darcy Frey’s “The Last Shot.” This assignment will have you using GALILEO on your SGSC web site to help answer one of the rubric questions. See the grading rubric in the Advance Organizer for this Reflection assignment for more information … Continue reading Dancing Around the Rubric Questions: Analyzing Darcy Frey’s “The Last Shot” →

Dancing Around the Rubric Questions: Analyzing Peggy McIntosh’s “Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack”

Here I discuss student reactions in the past to Peggy McIntosh’s 1989 article on “White Privilege.” Some students have said that this article is out of date and does not really apply to today.  Or is that reaction just a dodge to avoid recognizing the reality of white privilege?  Such avoidance may actually “prove” McIntosh’s … Continue reading Dancing Around the Rubric Questions: Analyzing Peggy McIntosh’s “Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack” →

Understanding the Rubric Questions for Peggy McIntosh’s, “Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack”

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Understanding the Rubric Questions for Francisco Jimenez’s, “The Circuit.”

Understanding the Rubric Questions for Anna Quindlen, “How Reading Changed My Life.”

Understanding the Rubric Questions for Anna Quindlen, “How Reading Changed My Life.”

Dancing Around the Rubric Questions: Contextualizing Anna Quindlen’s How Reading Changed My Life

In this podcast episode I discuss how you can best approach the article by Anna Quindlen, “How Reading Changed My Life,” and write a Reflection post to complete the assignment and achieve the highest grade you can possibly earn. Good luck!

Dancing Around the Rubric Questions: Contextualizing Francisco Jimenez’s “The Circuit”

You can find the questions in the grading rubric for this assignment that you need to answer about Francisco Jimenez’s childhood.  In this podcast episode, I merely discuss the strategies that you should use to find the answers to these questions.

Crazy About Covid: Anti-Science America and the Rising Covid Death Rate

In this, episode 2 of my reflections on the Covid Crisis in 2020, we look at how ignorance of common sense and a suicidal disdain for science is once again making this once great nation a byword for the the world.  It is May 4, 2020, and here is how things stand on America in … Continue reading Crazy About Covid: Anti-Science America and the Rising Covid Death Rate →

The Power of Inference: An Audio Recording at 12:30 pm CST in Dealey Plaza, 11/22/1963?

In this podcast we look at how primary sources, in this case an audio recording purporting to be from Dealey plaza during the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, can raise questions tentatively resolved through inference.  In this case, the inference proved correct, confirmed by additional research.

A Special Podcast: Please be alert to the danger that opening of state economies prior to June 1 may cause Covid cases to Spiral

In this podcast I discuss my concerns that Southern Governors are leading the way to a disasterous, premature opening of swaths of their economies.  Medical experts have warned against this and it appears to be based not on the facts critical to public health but to economic considerations alone. Am I an epidemiologist? No, but … Continue reading A Special Podcast: Please be alert to the danger that opening of state economies prior to June 1 may cause Covid cases to Spiral →

Podcasting in the Time of Coronavirus: Episode 1

Podcast episode reflecting on the the news of coronavirus in the United States, from a political perspective. Please seek other sites for medical or safety-related recommendations. Episode 1: A critique on information distribution by the Trump administration.

Unit 6, Discussion 5: Back to the Brink? The Unraveling of the Postwar Era, 1989 to Today

Whither the world order created in 1945?

Unit 6, Discussion 4: The European Union, 1951-?

Click Here for Episode Transcript What are the strengths and weaknesses of the European Union, as well as the prospects for its long-term survival?

Unit 6, Discussion 3: The Cold War, Part Two

The Cold War from 1962 to 1991. Photo of Mikhail Gorbachev, final president of the Soviet Union.  Click Here for an Enhanced Transcript of this Episode

Unit 6, Discussion 2: The Cold War, Part One

We look at the Cold War from 1945 to 1962 in this podcast. Refer to your Unit 6, Discussion 2 assignment in GeorgiaVIEW for the question that you must answer for this assignment. Click Here for an Enhanced Transcript of this Episode.

Unit 6, Discussion 1: Preview of Postwar American Art and Philosophy, 1945-1919

Click Here for Enhanced Transcript Culture in art and ideas.

Unit 5, Discussion 5: The Holocaust, 1941-1945

Click Here for Enhanced Transcript of this Episode What were the causes of the Holocaust? What was it? What was its nature? How does it represent a new crime in history? What does it say about so-called Western “civilization?” We explore all these questions in this important podcast episode in our course.  

Unit 5, Discussion 4: The Second World War, 1939-1945

Click Here for an Enhanced Transcript of this Episode In this podcast we trace the major events of the Second World War. This podcast will help you answer the Discussion assignment question that you have for the Unit 5, Discussion 4 of this course.