Herodotus Book 1 reading questions
Greetings Fellow Herodotus Readers!
I am so sorry I had to miss the first call introducing Herodotus. Phil did a great job bringing us together and getting us started on this reading journey. I am Andre Stipanovic and I have worked with Phil on the Reading Odyssey for a few years now.
From the bios and the emails I have seen so far and the response to the first conference call, I can tell that there is a lot of enthusiasm for reading Herodotus in this new Robert Strassler edition. For visual learners like me, the maps are truly a gift.
Enjoy the great stories in Book I and we will discuss our observations and thoughts on the next conference call Monday April 7. In the meantime, please think about the questions below as you read Book 1.
Separately, I encourage you to e-mail your thoughts to the whole reading group as you work your way through Book 1. The more comments, musings and ancedotes we have to chew on in between calls, the further we can get to know each other better and probe into the intricacy and power of Herodotus’ writing.
I’ll speak to you April 7 – e-mail me or the group as a whole (mailto: Herodotus2008@creativegood.com) if you have any questions about the text or the format!
Thanks!
Andre
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Book 1 reading questions
Question 1
Herodotus famously says in his introduction that he will talk about not just great cities but small – How do Croesus and Cyrus serve as examples for this important part of Herodotus’ philosophy?
Question 2
Oracles play a key role in the first half of Book 1. Be prepared to talk about the Oracles – what was prophesied, the impact the oracles had and the role of fate in ancient Greece/Herodotus. Also think about “asking for help” – it comes up throughout Herodotus.
Question 3
Book 1 is full of stories – some of these may be familair to you because many writers have read Herodotus and been influenced by or borrowed from him. What are some of your favorite stories from this first book?
Seeking Wisdom – March 2008 – audio recording
Here’sthe audio recording for the second Seeking Wisdom call.Listen online or download the mp3 file and listen to it as a podcast onyour ipod.
Jim Janicki (H2008)
Jim Janicki is VP/GM of Invitrogen’s Applied Markets Business. Invitrogen is a biotechnology company that sells products for research, drug discovery, and bioproduction in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Jim’s mission is to move beyond the traditional customers of Invitrogen and evolve Invitrogen technologies into solutions that benefit new markets Current markets being explored and expanded into include Transplant Diagnostics; Point-of-Care diagnostics; air, soil, water, & food testing; forensics, veterinary diagnostics, and biofuels.
Jim’s previous role at Invitrogen was VP, Global Operations for the Cell Culture/Bioproduction division as well as Invitrogen-wide operations in the Asia/Pacific region. Jim has held previous positions at Sun Microsystems, GE Lighting, GE Plastics, Pharmacia & Upjohn Pharmaceuticals, and Union Carbide Specialty Chemicals.
Jim holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University and a MBA from Western Michigan University. He is a registered Professional Engineer and a certified Master Black Belt in Lean and Six Sigma.
Jim and his wife live in San Mateo, CA and his leasure interests include rock, ice, and mountain climbing, photography, kite boarding, wine tasting, and dreaming up new business ideas.
Josh Kirschner (H2008)
Josh Kirschner is Senior Vice President of Product Development at Marsh, Inc. In this role, he develops innovative risk management and insurance services that help Marsh clients better manage their business risks.
Prior to joining Marsh, Josh spent nine years at Standard & Poor’s, most recently leading Global Product Development for S&P Credit Ratings. Between 1999 and 2004, Josh was Managing Director of Market Development for S&P’s Institutional Market Services Group, leading all marketing and strategy efforts.
Josh also spent five years at Andersen Consulting (Accenture) and was a senior consultant in the Government Services division.
Josh holds an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business and a BA in Economics from Haverford College.
He lives in New York City with his wife and two children, Alanna (6) and Zach (4). In his spare time, Josh is a dedicated foodie and the “best cook in the world” (according to his kids).
Intro Landmark Herodotus – audio recording
Here’sthe audio recording for the Landmark Herodotus March 2008 Intro call.Listen online or download the mp3 file and listen to it as a podcast onyour ipod.
March 2008 Team of Rivals – audio recording
Here’s the audio recording for the Team of Rivals March call. Listen online ordownload the mp3 file and listen to it as a podcast on your ipod.
Scott Gunn (H2008)
Scott Gunn is a priest in the Episcopal Church and a certified technophile. He is now priest-in-charge at Christ Church in Lincoln, RI. Prior to ordination, his field was information technology, where he worked in a variety of roles. His employers included the MIT Media Lab, Education Development Center, and a media group that owned The Atlantic Monthly & Fast Company magazines. Scott enjoys reading, travel, and music. He blogs at www.sevenwholedays.org/ . In real life, you can find him living in Seekonk, MA with his partner, two dogs, and a cat.
Alessandra Stapleford (H2008)
Alessandra Stapleford is a teacher at a public middle school in Brooklyn, New York. She works with children who have learning disabilities in a general education setting. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband, Patrick Barth, also a member of the Book Group, and their 9 month old daughter. She is currently learning to play the guitar, with the help of her baby, who plays percussion on same guitar.
Seeking Wisdom call and questions
The second call of the Seeking Wisdom reading group that Phil is moderating is coming up March 25.
Tuesday, March 25
The Physics and Mathematics of Misjudgments
12 – 1pm NY time (9 – 10am California time)
1-800-615-2900
1-661-705-2005 itl
code: 11215
*This call will be recorded
This call will cover Part 3 of the book – “The Physics and Mathematics of Misjudgments”. The reading questions are listed below.
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Reading questions
1. Predictions.
Why are predictions difficult to make? Do you think history repeats itself or rhymes? Do you think it was possible to see that the current credit and housing crisis was coming? How? Four years ago I started warning council members about problems in consumer spending, housing, savings rates and so on. I also said that I could not predict what would happen. Was I right in not making a prediction? Was there something more I should have done to help members prepare for the current crisis and the impact it’s having on the overall economy not to mention their businesses? Side note: let me know if you want a great analysis on the mortgage meltdown that a good friend of mine and value investor recently created.
2. Scale of size and time
Understand the basics of size and time. Why if you double the size of a dinosaur does it weigh six times as much? What are the implications of this for businesses that we build? Why does Buffett call a $20,000 assistant a $3 million decision?
3. Numbers and their meaning
Money has a price? What does that mean? Make sure you understand the basics of the time value of money. Let me know if you don’t (no shame in that!) and we can review it.
4 & 5. Probabilities
Definition of probability by Feynman: “The theory of probability is a system for making better guesses.”
This may be one of the most important chapters. I spoke about probability in my fall lectures. Let’s review it here – we could run an entire reading group on this chapter.
Be familiar with the basics of this whole chapter – concepts like relative frequency, educated guesses, relevant comparison groups, independent outcomes and be prepared to explain why probability provides the foundation for critical insights like: “it’s easier to destroy a system than create one”; “most people think dramatically not qualitatively”; the problem with short-term thinking.
6. Scenarios
The scenario chapter provides an important insight as to why simplicity is so powerful. What is that insight? Be prepared to explain it – and talk about how that impacts your own evaluation of your business and it’s relative complexity or simplicity.
7. Coincidences and miracles
Explain why probability theory counter-intuitively supports Aristotle’s notion that “it is likely that unlikely events should happen.” What is required to make unlikely events happen? In my fall lecture I estimated that members of the Executive Councils have about a 3% chance in any year to realize their dreams of becoming senior management. I then showed how even a small change to that probability *over* time makes it almost a 50/50 proposition. Be prepared to explain my logic.
Thanks, next steps for Herodotus Book 1!
Folks,
Really enjoyed our kickoff call tonight. What a great group of readers – I’m honored you have chosen to read Herodotus together.
Next steps:
1. Dates
Make sure you have all the dates for the calls (listed again below) – including the special call with Professor Paul Cartledge on June 4 *and* the annual “ROAM” (Reading Odyssey Annual Meeting), Friday, August 8 at 3pm at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
2. Andre Stipanovic
Andre is your moderator and will be leading your next call. He’s so sorry to have missed tonight’s kickoff.
3. Book 1 reading questions
Andre will circulate reading questions to help you think about Book
1. He will also reach out to a group of you to ask you to kickoff the discussion in the Book 1 phone call
4. “How to Read a Book” by Martin Adler
Do pick up that book if you can. It has great tips for reading books that are hard to read – including to keep going! Don’t let any momentary difficulties stop you. Keep reading and the larger story will emerge.
5. Special call with Professor Cartledge
We have a special call with Cambridge classicist Dr Paul Cartledge Wednesday, June 4 at 1pm NY time. Do put that on your calendar.
6. Final call with Bob Strassler?
Bob has agreed to do one call with us – and we’ll likely have him for the final call. Good incentive to stick with the whole book 😉
7. ROAM 3 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art?
You simply must come for the Reading Odyssey Annual Meeting Friday, August 8 at 3pm. Joining us will be classicist Professor John Marincola – a humanitarian and scholar (and world-renowned expert on Herodotus). Come for my private literary tour of the ancient galleries, cocktails and dinner in the trustee’s dining room!
My mission is simple: create an environment so that you can tap into the greatest knowledge of humanity starting with one of the greatest, Herodotus.
Not all of this book will be easy. I believe, however, that you will find your invested time and effort well worth it!
Thank you,
Phil
Herodotus Call dates
All calls:
– Mondays @ 8pm ET
– 1-800-615-2900 / 11758#
Call 1: Intro – Mon Mar 17
Call 2: Book 1 – Mon Apr 7
Call 3: Book 2 and 3 – Mon May 5
Call 4: Books 4 and 5 – Mon June 2
Call 5: Book 6 – Mon June 30
Call 6: Book 7 – Mon Aug 4
Call 7: Book 8 & 9 – Mon Sept 8
18. March 2008 by Arrian
Categories: Commentary, Herodotus | Tags: Herodotus | Comments Off on Thanks, next steps for Herodotus Book 1!