Impact in the 21st Century

EP #24: Alberto Manguel – Why We Read | The Memory of Books | Stories that Shape Civilizations


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Episode #24 of Impact in the 21st Century features the legendary author, editor, and bibliophile Alberto Manguel.

Alberto Manguel is the acclaimed author of A History of Reading, The Library at Night, and dozens of other works exploring literature, memory, and the profound human need for stories. A lifetime reader and former Director of the National Library of Argentina, Manguel has lived a life shaped by books—reading to Jorge Luis Borges as a teenager, curating libraries across continents, and writing deeply about the roles books play in our personal and collective lives.

In this episode, Manguel offers a masterclass on the power of reading in shaping empathy, identity, and civilization itself. We explore:

  • What it means to read deeply in a distracted age

  • How libraries function as the “memory of humanity”

  • Why stories hold the key to understanding ourselves and our societies

  • His reflections on the current state—and future—of reading

  • This is a timeless conversation for lovers of language, ideas, and the written word.

     

    🎙️ What is Impact in the 21st Century?

    Impact in the 21st Century is a podcast that celebrates the impactful work being done around the globe, and shares the stories of the inspiring individuals who are behind it.

    👤 Who hosts the podcast?

    Aaron Friedland is a National Geographic Explorer, PhD Candidate in Econometrics at UBC, and the Founder of Simbi Foundation.

    🦻Who Makes It Sound Good? 

    Tom Foster is an Award-Winning Recording Engineer and Cinematographer, Up-and-Coming Composer, Film Scoring Student at Berklee College of Music, and Head of Audio & Music for the Sea Change Project.

    This podcast is brought to you by Simbi Foundation & The Goood Life.

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    Impact in the 21st CenturyBy Simbi Foundation

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