I love the podcast technology. Radio on demand allows you to listen to shows you miss and also programs that aren't even on radio. From lectures to wide ranging idiosyncratic topics to audio experimentation, this is an emerging outlet well worth your time.
I have spent the last few weeks listening to a history of the Byzantine Empire from Lars Brownworth. 12 Byzantine Rulers seems like a fairly esoteric subject, but it's a great bit of history about a topic I knew nothing about. I found the podcast through itunes.
Brownworth argues that far from being the declining stepchild of the Roman Empire, Byzantium was the center of the enlightened world for 1000 years. Its existence insured that the knowledge of the Greek and Roman world was passed on to the West. This is Big Person history, but the details of the rulers foibles and successes, the palace intrigues, the battles over taxes and services, the clash between competing empires and competing faiths make for a lively tale. The ideas resonate today.
Brownworth's delivery is excellent and his passion is infectious.
He concludes with a reading list and the promise of an upcoming book. I think I will track him down for an interview. We will find out if the history of the Byzantines connects with Weekday listeners.
Have a listen. What podcasts are you listening to?
Steve Scher
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