Audiobook Sample
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- Title: As a Man Thinketh and from Poverty to Power
- Author: James Allen
- Narrator: Simon Prebble
- Length: 04:30:00
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 04/05/2011
- Publisher: Tantor Media
- Genre: Health & Wellness, Mindfulness & Meditation
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
There’s a particular magic that occurs when Victorian-era philosophy meets contemporary audio technology, and nowhere is this more evident than in Simon Prebble’s masterful narration of James Allen’s twin classics. As I listened to these works while walking through Harvard Yard last autumn – the same paths I once trod as a graduate student – I was struck by how Allen’s early 20th century insights resonated with the same urgency they must have carried when first published in 1901 and 1902.
What fascinates me most is how these texts, though separated by over a century from our digital age, articulate psychological principles that modern positive psychology would later validate. Allen’s central thesis in ‘As a Man Thinketh’ – that our thoughts shape our reality – predates cognitive behavioral therapy by decades. The audiobook experience allows this wisdom to settle differently than print; Prebble’s measured cadence gives weight to each assertion, making me recall my seminar discussions at Berkeley about how oral traditions preserve philosophical teachings more effectively than written words.
Through a cultural lens, these works reveal fascinating intersections between Western self-help traditions and Eastern philosophy. Allen’s concept of ‘thought gardens’ in Chapter 3 immediately brought to mind the Zen gardens I studied during my Tokyo residency – both emphasize careful cultivation of mental space. Prebble’s narration captures this cross-cultural quality beautifully, his Received Pronunciation accent lending appropriate gravitas while avoiding stuffiness.
The production quality deserves special mention. At 1 hour 52 minutes, this audiobook achieves what my students call ‘the Goldilocks length’ – substantial enough to feel worthwhile, yet concise enough for a single commute or workout session. The audio clarity is exceptional, allowing Allen’s sometimes dense prose to breathe. This reminded me of my podcast production work, where we strive for that perfect balance between vocal presence and textual fidelity.
Comparing these works to contemporary self-help reveals both their enduring value and historical limitations. While Mark Manson’s ‘The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck’ offers more irreverent, anecdotal advice, Allen provides philosophical bedrock. His ‘From Poverty to Power’ particularly shines in audio form, with Prebble emphasizing the rhythmic quality of Allen’s admonitions about overcoming adversity. However, modern listeners might find some passages overly deterministic – Allen’s assertion that ‘circumstances do not make the man, they reveal him’ occasionally verges on victim-blaming when divorced from its historical context.
The audiobook format particularly enhances Allen’s meditative qualities. Listening to Chapter 5’s discussion of calmness during my morning tea ritual created a doubly mindful experience. This dual-layer meditation – voice guiding thought – demonstrates why audio has become my preferred medium for philosophical works, much as my students discovered when we compared ‘Cloud Atlas’ across formats.
For those considering this listening experience, I’d recommend approaching it as both historical artifact and living wisdom. The Victorian cadences may initially feel archaic, but Prebble’s performance helps bridge the temporal gap. These works pair exceptionally well with walks in nature or morning routines, their structure lending itself to bite-sized contemplation rather than binge-listening.
In scholarly appreciation of timeless wisdom, Prof. Emily Chen
