The World’s Famous Orations

Continental Europe

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English · 1906 · 6h 52m · History, Anthologies, Essays & Short Works, Politics

World’s Famous Orations gathers speeches and addresses from continental Europe, spanning roughly sixteen centuries—from the early Christian era to 1900.

Arranged by subject, the collection moves through early Christianity and the Reformation before turning to modern France, Italy, Germany, Hungary, and Spain. Its range offers a way to encounter European history through the words speakers used to argue, persuade, and address their own times.

Rather than following a single narrative, this anthology invites listeners to dip into distinct periods and national traditions. It may suit those interested in historical speeches, political and religious rhetoric, or a broad survey of European public life.

Chapters

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Part I. Early Christianity. Saint Chrysostom. The Blessings of Death (about 380) 4:56 Read by Huntly
Saint Augustine. On the Lord’s Prayer 13:34 Read by Huntly
Abelard. The Divine Tragedy 4:01 Read by Huntly
St. Bernard. Why Another Crusade? (about 1145) 3:38 Read by Huntly
Part II. The Reformation. Savonarola. I. A Report on His Embassy to the King (1495) 3:58 Read by Huntly
Savonarola. II. After His Excommunication (1498) 2:25 Read by Huntly
Zwingli. On Mercenary Soldiers (about 1530) 11:08 Read by Huntly
Luther. Before the Diet of Worms (1520) 10:21 Read by Bill Mosley
Melanchthon. On the Death of Luther (1546) 13:20 Read by Bill Mosley
Calvin. On Suffering Persecution 17:49 Read by Richard Stibbard
Part III. Modern France. Bossuet. On the Death of the Great Condé (1686) 5:14 Read by Robert Fischer
Bourdaloue. On the Passion of Christ 11:57 Read by Greg Giordano
Fenelon. True and False Simplicity 8:49 Read by nathanmeyers
Massillon. Of a Malignant Tongue 15:01 Read by Richard Stibbard
Desmoulins. Better to Die than not to Live Free 7:25 Read by Rita Boutros
Mirabeau. I. Necker's Financial Plan (1789) 6:25 Read by ToddHW
Mirabeau. II. On Being Accused of Treasonable Relations to the Court (1790) 23:47 Read by ToddHW
Barnave. Against Majority Absolutism (1791) 8:33 Read by Richard Stibbard
Vergniaud. On the Situation in France (1792) 18:24 Read by ToddHW
Danton. I. ''Dare, Dare Again, Always Dare'' (1792) 3:00 Read by Greg Giordano
Danton. II. On Liberty of Worship (1793) 3:21 Read by Greg Giordano
Danton. III. On Taxing the Rich (1793) 3:44 Read by Greg Giordano
Robespierre. I. Against Granting the King a Trial (1792) 14:38 Read by Dave Campbell
Robespierre. II. His Last Speech (1794) 3:54 Read by Dave Campbell
Marat. In his Own Defense (1793) 6:49 Read by Richard Stibbard
Cambon. On the Situation in France (1793) 5:23 Read by Sonia
St. Just. Invective Against Danton (1794) 8:56 Read by Greg Giordano
Barère. On the Heroism of the ''Vengeur's'' Sailors (1794) 10:03 Read by Greg Giordano
Napoleon. I. To the Army in Italy (1796) 3:46 Read by Alan Mapstone
Napoleon. II. To the Army of Italy Again (1796) 4:42 Read by Alan Mapstone
Napoleon. III. Speech to the Directory (1797) 2:43 Read by Alan Mapstone
Napoleon. IV. During the Egyptian Campaign (1798) 4:47 Read by Alan Mapstone
Napoleon. V. On the Anniversary of Austerlitz (1806) 2:26 Read by Alan Mapstone
Napoleon. VI. To his Soldiers at Fontainebleau (1814) 2:39 Read by Alan Mapstone
Napoleon. VII. After the Return from Elba (1815) 2:17 Read by Alan Mapstone
Carnot. Against Setting up an Emperor (1802) 11:42 Read by ChrisPT
Lamartine. To a Deputation of Poles (1848) 8:45 Read by Robert Fischer
Hugo. In Defense of his Son (1851) 8:09 Read by Kerry Adams
Gambetta. Education for the Peasantry in France 7:09 Read by Beeswaxcandle
Baron d'Estournelles de Constant. France and the United States (1902) 13:17 Read by Beeswaxcandle
Jaurès. In the Debate on Socialism with Clemenceau (1906) 10:09 Read by Beeswaxcandle
Clemenceau. In the Debate on Socialism with Jaurès (1906) 14:24 Read by Richard Stibbard
Part IV. Italy. Mazzini. To the Young Men of Italy (1848) 7:09 Read by Phillip Forshaw
Garibaldi. To his Soldiers (1860) 5:05 Read by Phillip Forshaw
Cavour. Rome as the Capital of United Italy (1861) 9:26 Read by Phillip Forshaw
Part V. Modern Germany, Hungary and Spain. Frederick the Great. I. To his Generals before Invading Silesia (1740) 2:29 Read by CadenB
Frederick the Great. II. To his Generals before the Battle of Leuthen (1757) 2:43 Read by CadenB
Bismarck. The Canossa Speech (1872) 9:42 Read by Greg Giordano
Kossuth. On his Welcome to New York (1851) 11:14 Read by Bill Jones
Castelar. Plea for a Republic in Spain (1869) 12:08 Read by Bill Jones
Apponyi. On the Death of Louis Kossuth (1894) 5:30 Read by Bill Jones