Historia Calamitatum - The Story of My Misfortunes - Autobiography of Peter Abelard

Peter Abelard

Summary

Historia Calamitatum (known in English as The Story of My Misfortunes or The History of My Calamities) is an autobiographical work in Latin by Peter Abelard, a medieval French pioneer of scholastic philosophy. The work is one of the first autobiographical works in medieval Western Europe, written in the form of a letter (and, as such, is clearly influenced by Augustine's Confessions). The letter is an extensive and honest self-analysis of Abelard up to the age of about fifty-four, and provides readers with knowledge of his views of women, learning, monastic life, Church and State combined, and the social milieu of the time. It should be particularly noted that the work was written at a time when Western Europe had only recently surfaced into the world of philosophy. Abelard emphasizes how persecuted he feels by his peers throughout the work. He quotes saints, apostles, and at one point, compares his struggles in likeness to those of Christ.

Available since: 05/05/2023.

Print length: 89 pages.

Other books that might interest you

Robespierre - The Architect of...

Kelly Mass

Imagine you are sick of the government. Bureaucrats and aristocrats are constantly telling you what to do, basically enforcing a totalitarian regime. Maybe this is not so hard to imagine after what has been happening in recent years. And then imagine you protest. But the government has come up with a new method to kill people: The guillotine. Way more efficient than simple beheading, some jerk at the top then decides that anyone who is suspicious of rebellion needs their head chopped off, like the crazy lady in Alice in Wonderland.
This is Robespierre’s legacy. The evil French guy knew hardly any boundaries. He was vicious, murderous, and not to be taken lightly.
One of the most widely known figures of the Reign of terror was Maximilien François Marie Isidore de Robespierre, a French attorney and statesman. He promoted universal manhood suffrage and the removal of both clergy celibacy and oppression as a member of the Constituent Assembly and the Jacobin Club. In 1791, Robespierre ended up being a singing advocate of male residents without a political voice, promoting for their limitless entry to the National Guard, public workplaces, and the right to bear arms in self-defense. Robespierre was a key figure in the agitation that led to the deposition of the French monarchy on August tenth, 1792, and the assembling of a National Convention. His purpose was to establish a single, indivisible France, equality before the law, the abolition of authorities, and the defense of direct democratic ideal visions.
Read or listen to the book to learn more!

Show book

American Evita - Hillary...

Christopher Andersen

"I don't quit. I keep going."–Hillary Rodham ClintonShe is, quite simply, the most famous, most complex, most loved/hated/admired/reviled woman -- perhaps person -- in America. And, whether she fulfills her life's ambition or not, she can already lay claim to being the first woman ever considered a serious contender for the presidency.From the beginning, there have been the inevitable comparisons to Argentina's legendary Eva Perón. Sex, power, money, lies, scandal, tragedy, and betrayal were the things that defined the lives of both women. Yet most of what we know about Hillary Rodham Clinton is seen in the context of her tumultuous marriage to the 42nd President. Now a power in the Senate, Hillary waits for the right moment to make her own run for the White House. In the style of his #l New York Times bestsellers The Day Diana Died and The Day John Died, as well as Jack and Jackie, Jackie After Jack, George and Laura and  Sweet Caroline,  Christopher Andersen draws on important sources -- many speaking here for the first time -- to paint a startling portrait of America's most controversial woman.  Among the revelations:How U.S. history has been shaped -- and will continue to be shaped -- by the arrangement between Hillary and Bill known as "The Plan."Important new details about the role Hillary played in the scandalous eleventh hour pardons of armed radicals, drug dealers, tax cheats, embezzlers, money launderers and more.How the outgoing First Lady registered like a bride at a gift store and left the White House with $400,000 worth of "gifts" belonging to the American people.How JFK Jr. almost thwarted her Senate plans.New details about Hillary's relationship with Vince Foster.How Hillary has coped with Bill's hundreds of affairs, and the new women in her husband's life.What Martha Stewart did for Hillary, and how Hillary repaid her.How Hillary is using the 2004 elections as a springboard to her own future presidential candidacy—regardless of who wins.Whatever the ultimate judgment of history, the ongoing saga of Hillary Clinton's inexorable rise to power continues to stir passions, and to make her the American Evita.

Show book

Full Battle Rattle - My Story as...

Changiz Lahidji, Ralph Pezzullo

With over 100 combat missions, and 24 years as a Green Beret, Changiz Lahidji is an expert in military operations. Full Battle Rattle is the legendary audiobook memoir of a soldier who served America in every war since Vietnam.Master Sergeant Changiz Lahidji served on Special Forces A teams longer than anyone in history, completing over a hundred combat missions in Afghanistan. Changiz is a Special Forces legend. He also happens to be the first Muslim Green Beret.Changiz served this country starting with Operation Eagle Claw in 1980, when he entered Tehran on a one-man mission to spy on Iranian soldiers guarding the US Embassy where 52 US diplomats were being held hostage. Three years later, he was in Beirut, Lebanon when a suicide car bomb exploded in front of the US Embassy killing 83 people. Weeks after that, he was shot by Hezbollah terrorists on a night mission.In Operation Iraqi Freedom, he led a convoy that was ambushed on its way to Fallujah. He was clearing houses in Mogadishu, Somalia on October, 1993 when a US Black Hawk helicopter was shot down 50 feet away from him in the incident that inspired Black Hawk Down. In 2002, he dressed as a farmer and snuck into Eastern Afghanistan and located Osama Bin Laden for the CIA. Along the way, Changiz earned numerous commendations, including the Special Forces Legion of Merit, Purple Hearts, and many others. Last year he was nominated for induction in Military Intelligence Hall of Fame and cited as “the finest noncommissioned officer to ever serve in Special Forces.”Written with Ralph Pezzullo, Changiz's story is an amazing audiobook of perseverance and courage, of combat and one man’s love for his adopted country.

Show book

To Walk It Is To See It - 1...

Kathy Elkind

In 2018, Kathy Elkind and her husband decided to take a grown-up “gap year” in Europe and walk the 1,400-mile Grande Randonnée Cinq (GR5) across The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and France. 
At fifty-seven, Kathy has chosen comfort over hardship: she and Jim get to indulge in warm beds and delicious regional food every night and croissants in the mornings. But the GR5 is not all comfort. Walking day after day for ninety-eight days brings sickness, accommodation struggles, language barriers, and storm-shrouded mountains in the Alps. As the days unfold, however, she discovers her own wise strength and comes to the gratifying realization that a long marriage is like a long trail: there are ups and downs and it takes hard work to keep going, but the beauty along the way is staggering. 
Written with raw honesty and compassion and rich with dazzling scenery, To Walk It Is To See It will inspire you to lace up your walking shoes and discover your own path. 
“Showing us the importance of adventure and wonder throughout our lives, Elkind's wise and funny book will have you reaching for your bootlaces and backpack.” 
Kerri Andrews, author of Wanderers: A History of Women Walking 
"Full of profound personal insights and sharp observations of the world around her, Elkind's journey is a joy to follow."  
Ben Shattuck author of Six Walks: In the Footsteps of Henry David Thoreau

Show book

I'm No Philosopher But I Got...

Kristin Chenoweth, Ariana Grande

Read by the author with audiobook-exclusive bonus commentary.(How about some women, am I right?) 
From television actress, Broadway star, and New York Times bestselling author Kristin Chenoweth comes I'm No Philosopher, But I Got Thoughts, a book featuring philosophical-ish musings on connection, creativity, loss, love, faith, and closure. Just like Kristin’s grandmother inspired her to trust her heart and develop her own belief system, you'll be inspired to develop your own life philosophies, as you journey through some of Kristin's most vulnerable and humorous personal stories, in her constant pursuit to make the most out of life. 
In each chapter, you'll find behind-the-scenes stories from Kristin’s personal life, engaging prompts, prayers, and inspiring quotes. 
Oh, and a warning: There will be Bible verses. There will be f-bombs. Read responsibly. 
I'm No Philosopher, But I Got Thoughts is the perfect book to pick up on days when you need an extra shot of encouragement, a little laughter, and a gentle reminder that kindness can take you a long way. This is perfect for fans of Kristin Chenoweth, known for her Emmy Award–winning role in the ABC hit series Pushing Daisies and Broadway's Wicked.

Show book

The Bedwetter - Stories of...

Sarah Silverman

From the outrageously filthy and oddly innocent comedienne and star of the powerful 2015 film I Smile Back Sarah Silverman comes a memoir—her first book—that is at once shockingly personal, surprisingly poignant, and still pee-in-your-pants funny. If you like Sarah’s television show The Sarah Silverman Program, or memoirs such as Chelsea Handler’s Are You There Vodka? It’s Me Chelsea and Artie Lange’s Too Fat to Fish, you’ll love The Bedwetter.

Show book