Tonight, let's take another calming dip into the curious 19th century world of the Sears Catalog. This time, we'll explore the Bicycle Department, and 1897's latest velocipedes, cycling suits, and quality guarantees. Plug in, and pedal to peace

1872 Sears Roebuck & Co. Catalog, Drugs Department

Nov 12th, 2018 57m 5s

In this episode, we venture through some of the 700+ pages of the 1872 Sears Roebuck & Co. Catalog, and discover everything there is to know about freight shipping. We also trip into the Drugs Department, which is both quite boring and mildly h

Sailing Alone Around the World, by Capt. Joshua Slocum, Part 2

8 hours ago 49m 54s

Let’s relax and sleep with more from this solo journey by sailboat. This time, we cross the Atlantic, serenade dolphins, and…a seafaring ghost saves our narrator from a cheese-induced fever? Sure, why not. I don’t write them, friends. Help

Flatland, by Edwin A. Abbott, Part 4

7 days ago 59m 54s

Let’s relax and sleep with more from a classic that combines mathematics and social commentary with pointed angularity. This time, our narrator is inducted into that most secret of secrets…three dimensions. Why, it’s madness, I tell you. Hel

Pyrotechnics, the History and Art of Firework Making, Part 2

14 days ago 44m 25s

Let’s celebrate our 300th episode and 10 MILLION listens with a bit of fireworks! That sounds exciting, but it’s really just a sleepy catalog of firework displays in England up to the 19th century. Flaming dragon battles and “philosophical fire

The Prince, by Niccolo Machiavelli, Part 3

21 days ago 1h

Let’s return to a political classic and learn more about how to govern as a prince. This time, we hear why neither the rich nor the mercenary can be trusted, why it’s easy to earn the people’s faith by being nice, and the excellent word “dastar

1912 Ford Motor Cars Model T Instruction Manual, Part 1

28 days ago 54m 16s

This week, let’s relax with the intricacies of car maintenance as we learn the proper care and operation of a 1912 Model T Ford. Why, it’s so simple, anyone can fill the dope caps and grind the valves. Ford thinks you can, anyway, and isn’t t

The Book of the Ocean, by Ernest Ingersoll, Part 4

Jun 10th, 2024 45m 13s

Let’s sail to sleep with more about the history of maritime exploration, including Vikings in North America, the Chinese invention of the compass, Arabic navigation tools, and the rise of the Portuguese. Dreams ahoy! Help us stay ad-free an

Etiquette, by Emily Post, Part 6

Jun 3rd, 2024 54m 10s

Let’s return to this relaxing classic and learn more sleepy advice about paying visits, leaving cards, proper wedding invitations, and how to sit in a chair. Dear listeners, it seems your reader had no idea. Help us stay ad-free and 100% lis

On Horsemanship, by Xenophon, Part 2, and Project Gutenberg License

May 27th, 2024 56m 54s

This week, we conclude a relaxing Greek classic about getting the best from your cavalry horse, including what to wear, and then fall asleep to the riveting legalese of Project Gutenberg’s usage license for all these free eBooks I share with yo

The Principles of Chemistry, by Dmitri Mendeleev, Part 5

May 20th, 2024 49m 45s

Let's continue to wend our relaxing way through a fundamental text of science and explore how elements combine and de-combine with that wonderful substance, water. Truly the solution for sleep! Giveaway! All Patreon supporters in May will hav

The Railway Traveller's Handy Book, Part 2

May 13th, 2024 55m 49s

Let’s return to this sleepily detailed guide to rail journeys in 1860, and learn what to wear, the importance of travel insurance, and how to steal a horse to get to the station on time. Handy indeed! Giveaway! All Patreon supporters in May w

1890 Gardiner and Co. Seed Annual 1: Flower Novelties

May 6th, 2024 50m 48s

Tonight, let’s celebrate the sleepy splendors of spring and go shopping for the latest in floral novelties offered by Gardiner & Co. in their seed annual. Apparently, in 1890, Japanese delights were all the rage. I also announce a new Giveawa

1890 Gardiner and Co. Seed Annual 1: Flower Novelties

May 6th, 2024 50m 47s

Relaxation Rewind! How to Listen to Music, by Henry E. Krehbiel, Part 1

Apr 29th, 2024 47m 29s

Tonight, while your reader recovers from a snuffly illness, let’s rewind to 2021 and fall into the rhythm of sleep with a book that works hard to put meaning into music, but mostly just manages to make it boring. So…kind of perfect, really.

Our National Parks, by John Muir, Part 4

Apr 22nd, 2024 53m 20s

Let’s celebrate Earth Day with more from Muir’s poetic ode to the spectacular natural wonders of North America. This time, we complete our relaxing tour of Yellowstone and head to beautiful Yosemite, the jewel of the Sierras. Truly the stuff o

Handbook on Cheese Making, by George E. Newell, Part 2

Apr 15th, 2024 49m 20s

Let’s return to the relaxing world of dairy products and learn more about the design of a good curing room, dividing profits among your producers, and what makes a great cheese. Hint: it’s definitely not skim milk! Help us stay ad-free and 1

Mars and Its Canals, by Percival Lowell, Part 3

Apr 8th, 2024 51m 20s

Let’s return to this sleep-inducing exploration, and speculation, about the Red Planet. This time, we learn about seasonal fluctuations of the poles and how they do or don’t mirror our own. Which is exactly as interesting as it sounds. Help

Practical Mind Reading, by William Walker Atkinson, Part 3 (Conclusion)

Apr 1st, 2024 1h 3m

Let’s find our mental rapport with sleep as we conclude this, uh, scientific guide to mind reading, learn how to find cards and drive a wagon while blindfolded, and discover how naughty charlatans dupe the public. Fake mind readers, you say? I

The Wealth of Nations, by Adam Smith, Part 3

Mar 25th, 2024 49m 47s

Let’s spend our way to sleep as we learn more about the concept of value, why pounds are silver instead of gold, and how rent should be charged in corn rather than coin. Truly priceless boredom! Help us stay ad-free and 100% listener-support

Mount Everest, the Reconnaissance of 1921, Part 4

Mar 18th, 2024 49m 9s

Let’s climb the slopes of sleep as we continue this history-making journey to study the world’s mightiest mountain. This time, our yaks run wild, we eat dumplings, cross quicksand, and take the first photo of a lama. Dreamy adventure awaits!

Cassell's Book of Birds, Part 5 - Parrots Continued

Mar 11th, 2024 58m 30s

Let’s fly away to sleep with more about beautiful birds and that fantastic family of feathered friends, the parrots. This time, we marvel at lovebirds, cockatoos, and the curious kakapo. Adorable! Help us stay ad-free and 100% listener-suppo

Science in the Kitchen, by Mrs. E.E. Kellogg, Part 1

Mar 4th, 2024 46m 52s

Let’s relax and sleep as one of the Kellogg clan takes the fun out of food through a heady combination of 19th-century food chemistry and moralizing about the perils of spices. Lovers of flavor beware! Help us stay ad-free and 100% listener-

The Problems of Philosophy, by Bertrand Russell, Part 3

Feb 26th, 2024 54m 9s

Let’s calm our minds and relax with more deep thoughts about the nature of reality, what knowledge is, whether the past exists at all, and why the sun may not rise tomorrow. It probably will, though, so not to worry. Help us stay ad-free and

Cottages; or Hints on Economical Building, Part 2

Feb 19th, 2024 51m 43s

Let’s relax with more advice about building cozy cottages, decorating with simplicity and style, and how to dig a well that doesn’t fill with poisonous sewage. Which…seems like a good idea, really. Help us stay ad-free and 100% listener-supp