Audiobooks narrated by James Gillies

A Brief History of 20th Century Western Philosophy

During the 20th century, our understanding of the world was transformed thanks to the likes of relativity, quantum physics, molecular biology, chaos theory and computer science. Likewise, our comprehension of ourselves developed dramatically courtesy of theories such as behaviourism, structuralism and cognitive science. The history of Western philosophy in the 20th century broadly reflects all of this change and diversity, but at an abstract level. Part of its story is of the contrast between two conflicting traditions: the analytic and the continental. In the analytic tradition, there are thinkers such as Russell, Quine and Davidson, who, among other things, aim to show how semantic meaning fits into the scientifically conceived physical world. This often goes hand in hand with the idea that social progress must be in part scientific. However, within this analytic branch, there are several counter-narratives, such as the work of the pragmatists and the ordinary language philosophers, who resist the idea that language must conform to an idealized scientific picture, and who often point towards a conception of social progress that is not scientific. In sharp contrast, much continental thought tries to characterise the human condition through descriptions of experience as such in ways that are pre-scientific. This applies especially to thinkers in the phenomenological and existentialist traditions, such as Husserl, Heidegger and Sartre. Branching out from this, hermeneutics examines the art of interpreting texts, especially with regard to the historical and linguistic assumptions that make interpretation possible. Poststructuralism constitutes largely a rejection of these traditions that emphasizes the shifting relations between signifiers within a whole system and which defies all attempts to seek absolutes beyond those relations. In this illuminating overview, Professor Garrett Thomson surveys the field, considering the work and influence of 29 major thinkers representing logical atomism and logical positivism (including Russell and Wittgenstein), analytic philosophy (including Quine, Davidson, Rawls), phenomenology and existentialism (including Husserl, Heidegger, Sartre), hermeneutics (including Gadamer and Habermas) and post-structuralism (including Foucault, Derrida and Deleuze). Also examined are some recent thinkers including Richard Rorty and Charles Taylor. The field is clearly presented with a short biography of the major figures followed by their thoughts and views. With over 20 books to his credit, Professor Thomson is an experienced presenter of his subject, conveying his knowledge expertly while injecting his personal enthusiasm for the challenges of 20th century Western philosophy. The text is read with clarity by James Gillies.

Garrett Thomson (Author), James Gillies (Narrator)

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A Mystery at Carlton House

London, 1819: Captain Lacey is drawn into affairs of the highest in the land when his friend Grenville is asked by the Prince Regent to look into odd happenings in his lavish abode of Carlton House. Objects of value have gone missing, paintings and sculpture have been moved, and the Regent suspects ghosts or other malign spirits. The Bow Street Runners have a more human suspect for these doings, and Captain Lacey is asked by a Runner to help him prepare a case against the man they’ve already arrested. But the suspect is under the protection of James Denis, a leader of crime, which brings Lacey head-to-head with him once more. Opposing Denis can be dangerous, and so can dividing the loyalties of the men who work for him. Meanwhile Lacey has his family to worry about—his daughter, his wife, and new members who have joined. In addition, he’s not convinced that either Denis or the Runners have the right idea in this matter. He must produce the correct answer before Denis loses his patience or one malevolent Runner in particular makes Lacey answer for the crimes.

Ashley Gardner (Author), James Gillies (Narrator)

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An Inquiry into the Human Mind: On the Principles of Common Sense

Though now little known outside specialist philosophical circles, the Scottish philosopher Thomas Reid (1710-1796) is remembered both for the founding of the Scottish School of Common Sense and his major work, An Inquiry into the Human Mind: on the Principles of Common Sense (1764). With his feet firmly on the ground, he challenged the speculative ideas of David Hume and George Berkeley, who regarded ideas in the mind as a basis for the external world. Instead, the pugnacious but lively Reid took a much more ‘common sense' view in basing his ideas of reality on sensus communis. Starting from a Ciceronian, stoical platform, he developed his views on more rational attitudes towards reality - ‘direct realism'. In embarking upon An Inquiry he took a critical stance specifically against John Locke and the Treatise of Human Nature (1739) as he declared in his opening statement. ‘I THOUGHT it unreasonable...upon the authority of philosophers, to admit a hypothesis, which, in my opinion, overturns all philosophy, all religion and virtue, and all common sense: and finding that all the systems concerning the human understanding which I was acquainted with, were built upon this hypothesis, I resolved to inquire into this subject anew, without regard to any hypothesis. WHAT I now humbly present...is the fruit of this inquiry, so far only as it regards the five senses; in which I claim no other merit, than that of having given great attention to the operations of my own mind, and of having expressed, with all the perspicuity I was able, what I conceive every man, who gives the same attention, will feel and perceive.' Thomas Reid became professor of moral philosophy at the University of Glasgow, which underscored his importance, though he swam against the main philosophical tide. Even Hume, on reading An Inquiry, acknowledged that the work ‘is wrote in a lively and entertaining manner'. By restricting himself to an examination of the five senses ‘and the principles of human mind which are employed about'...Reid concluded ‘we have attempted an inquiry only into one little corner of the human mind; that corner which seems to be most exposed to vulgar observation, and to be most easily comprehended'. An Inquiry is read in a characterful manner by James Gillies.

James Reid (Author), James Gillies (Narrator)

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Avarice

When a body is found in a remote Scottish glen, DI Munro comes out of retirement to investigate. The Police chief wants everything wrapped up before the upcoming regatta, but the locals are remarkably unforthcoming with helpful information. Sassy and quick, London detective sergeant Charlotte West is roped in by DI Munro to help solve what is now a murder case. It is good police work that will unravel the truth behind the crime, but not without ruffling a few feathers first. Will the killer escape the sharp-witted detectives' grasp?

Pete Brassett (Author), James Gillies (Narrator)

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Care to Die (Inspector Jim Carruthers Book 2)

A man is discovered stabbed to death in a nature reserve, a ball of cloth rammed in his throat. When a second body is found, Carruthers is convinced that the reason for the deaths lies in the past. But how is the historical disappearance of a boy, the murder of a former journalist and a bitter dispute about a nature reserve connected? Are they hunting for one killer... or more?

Tana Collins (Author), James Gillies (Narrator)

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Code Name Madeleine: A Sufi Spy in Nazi-Occupied Paris

The captivating story of the valiant Noor Inayat Khan, daughter of an Indian Sufi mystic and unlikely World War II heroine. Raised in a lush suburb of 1920s Paris, Noor Inayat Khan was an introspective musician and writer, dedicated to her family and to her fathers spiritual values of harmony, beauty, and tolerance. She did not seem destined for wartime heroism. Yet, faced with the evils of Nazi violence and the German occupation of France, Noor joined the British Special Operations Executive and trained in espionage, sabotage, and reconnaissance. She returned to Paris under an assumed identity immediately before the Germans mopped up the Allies largest communications network in France. For crucial months of the war, Noor was the only wireless operator there sending critical information to London, significantly aiding the success of the Allied landing on D-Day. Code-named Madeleine, she became a high-value target for the Gestapo. When she was eventually captured, Noor attempted two daring escapes before she was sent to Dachau and killed just months before the end of the war. Carefully distilled from dozens of interviews, newly discovered manuscripts, official documents, and personal letters, Code Name Madeleine is both a compelling, deeply researched history and a thrilling tribute to Noor Inayat Khan, whose courage and faith guided her through the most brutal regime in history.

Arthur J. Magida (Author), James Gillies (Narrator)

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Convinced!: How to Prove Your Competence & Win People Over

Competence does not speak for itself! You can't simply display it; you have to draw people's attention to it. World-renowned negotiation and deception detection expert, business professor, and mentalist Jack Nasher offers effective, proven techniques to convince others that we are talented, trustworthy, and yes, even brilliant. Nasher offers the example of Joshua Bell, possibly the world's most famous violinist. In January 2007, at rush hour, he stepped into a Washington, DC, subway station, dressed like any street busker, and began to play a $4,000,000 Stradivarius. It was part of an experiment staged by a journalist of the Washington Post, who expected Bell's skill alone to attract an immense, awed crowd. But Bell was generally ignored, and when he stopped, nobody applauded. He made $34.17. The good news is that you don't have to accept obscurity: you can positively affect others' perception of your talent. Whether you're looking for work, giving an important presentation, seeking clients or customers for your business, or vying for a promotion, Nasher explains how to use techniques such as expectation management, verbal and nonverbal communication, the Halo Effect, competence framing, and the power of nonconformity to gain control of how others perceive you. Competence is the most highly valued professional trait. But it's not enough to be competent, you have to convey your competence. With Nasher's help you can showcase your expertise, receive the recognition you deserve, and achieve lasting success.

Jack Nasher (Author), James Gillies (Narrator)

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Corporate Crime and Punishment: The Crisis of Underenforcement

“Professor Coffee's compelling new approach to holding fraudsters to account is indispensable reading for any lawmaker serious about deterring corporate crime.” —Robert Jackson, former Commissioner, Securities and Exchange Commission In the early 2000s, federal enforcement efforts sent white collar criminals at Enron and WorldCom to prison. But since the 2008 financial collapse, this famously hasn't happened. Corporations have been permitted to enter into deferred prosecution agreements and avoid criminal convictions, in part due to a mistaken assumption that leniency would encourage cooperation and because enforcement agencies don't have the funding or staff to pursue lengthy prosecutions, says distinguished Columbia Law Professor John C. Coffee. “We are moving from a system of justice for organizational crime that mixed carrots and sticks to one that is all carrots and no sticks,” he says. He offers a series of bold proposals for ensuring that corporate malfeasance can once again be punished. For example, he describes incentives that could be offered to both corporate executives to turn in their corporations and to corporations to turn in their executives, allowing prosecutors to play them off against each other. Whistleblowers should be offered cash bounties to come forward because, Coffee writes, “it is easier and cheaper to buy information than seek to discover it in adversarial proceedings.” All federal enforcement agencies should be able to hire outside counsel on a contingency fee basis, which would cost the public nothing and provide access to discovery and litigation expertise the agencies don't have. Through these and other equally controversial ideas, Coffee intends to rebalance the scales of justice.

John C. Coffee (Author), James Gillies, John C. Coffee (Narrator)

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Death at Brighton Pavilion

When Captain Gabriel Lacey finds himself standing over a dead body in Brighton Pavilion, bloody sword in hand and no memory of how he got there, he immediately fears he is a murderer. The dead man is Colonel Hamilton Isherwood, a man Lacey clashed with after the battle of Salamanca in Spain seven years before. As Lacey tries to piece together the events of the previous night, he discovers he’d promised to help a Quaker gentleman find his missing son, and that the Society of Friends might know far more about his strange night out than anyone else. With the help of Brewster, Grenville, and his wife, Lacey races to save himself from arrest, even it means bringing to light painful scandals from his own past.

Ashley Gardner, Jennifer Ashley (Author), James Gillies (Narrator)

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Duplicity

A businessman disappears, last seen by old friends. DI Munro must cut through a densely-woven web of deceit to find out who killed him, and why. Two families have been friends for years, but resentment simmers under the surface. Despite those who are protecting their own interests, the culprit is found - leading to a wider investigation that takes them to Oslo, deep into the past of a troubled Polish man...

Pete Brassett (Author), James Gillies (Narrator)

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Enmity

A serial killer is framing innocent people. When a young woman is found murdered in her flat, CCTV identifies a suspect. But when he is brought in for questioning, his willingness to cooperate with Munro and West raises doubts about his guilt. When another body turns up, he falls under suspicion once more. But with him off the radar, they must follow a new line of investigation...

Pete Brassett (Author), James Gillies (Narrator)

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Epicurus of Samos: His Philosophy and Life: All the Principal Source Texts

Epicurus of Samos (341-270 BCE) was the founder of the philosophical system to which he gave his name: Epicureanism. It is a label that is often misused and misunderstood today, with ‘a life of pleasure' as the key aim misinterpreted as a life of indulgence. In fact, the philosophy of Epicurus demonstrated also by his life, was anything but! He established a school in Athens called The Garden, underpinned by his system of ethics. He promoted, by his own example, a simple, ordered, calm and reflective life. A life of true pleasure, he proposed, is only possible when unharnessed desire for wealth, position, luxury and power has been dissolved and instead steady living and friendship are the watchwords. It is against this background that the understanding and acceptance of the vicissitudes of life, and the inevitability of death, are the rules by which to live. This was in contrast to Platonism on the one hand and the Cynics on the other. The second major facet of Epicurus' philosophy was his physics, in which he adopted and furthered the theory of atomism introduced by Democritus (460-370 BCE): there was no ‘first mover', no creation myth, no afterlife. Atoms underpinned all existence. Epicurus was a prodigious author, producing many books - yet very few survive. Diogenes Laertius, the third-century Greek biographer, in his sizeable Lives of Eminent Philosophers, devotes Book X, the final book, to Epicurus. In it he gives an account of the life of the philosopher and including three letters from Epicurus to friends, to Herodotus, Pythocles and Menoeceus. The biography concludes with the concise The Principal Doctrines of Epicurus. Then there are various fragments which have come down to us: The Vatican Sayings (a collection found in the Vatican Library, originally compiled in the 14th century and rediscovered in the 19th century); Epicurean Fragments collected in the 19th century from many classical authors; further fragments included in the collection The Villa of the Papyri; and Diogenes' Wall Inscription. There are also important works clearly influenced by Epicurus, notably the long important poem De Rerum Natura (On the Nature of Things) by Lucretius (c99 BCE-c55 BCE). And finally, there is a chapter on The Legacy. This represents comments by such figures as Cicero (who though principally a Stoic clearly retained an admiration for Epicurus) and later Epicureans, including Thomas Jefferson, one of the founding fathers of the US. In Epicurus of Samos, His Life and Philosophy, Hiram Crespo, (founder of the Society of Epicurus) has compiled all the source texts and provided introductions to the topic and each chapter. The title is an original commission by Ukemi Audiobooks.

The Brothers Grimm (Author), James Gillies, Jonathan Booth (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by James Gillies