Kaiya Reads

"Know the enemy; know yourself, and you will meet with no danger in a hundred battles."

Sun Tzu discusses the benefits of acquiring and/or undermining your enemy rather than focusing on destruction, as a way of preserving one's own forces and resources. [Voice: Lilissen]

Intro/outro music: Eidolon by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au (track modified for length).

"Although killing the enemy is all a question of rage, wresting advantage from the enemy is something else, a question only of wealth."

Sun Tzu explains the factors to consider when outfitting an army at the start of a campaign, and the key role of decisiveness and resourcefulness in ensuring that a war doesn't drag out longer than the country's ability to support it. [Voice: Lilissen]

Intro/outro music: Eidolon by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au (track modified for length).

"Warfare is the art of deception."

In the first part of this landmark work, Sun Tzu explores the foundations for determining, at the highest level, who will emerge the victor in any given combat. [Voice: Lilissen]

Intro/outro music: Eidolon by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au (track modified for length).

Kaiya takes a brief look back on Beowulf in its entirety, reflecting on its structure and message - and announces what's next for Kaiya Reads.

Intro/outro music: Awakening by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au (track modified for length).

The Geats take stock of the challenges ahead that they must face without Beowulf to guide them, and they honor their fallen leader with a truly kingly pyre.

Intro/outro music: Awakening by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au (track modified for length).

As Beowulf dies, he worries about the legacy he will leave for the Weather-Geats, and requests to see the treasures for which he has traded his life. A grieving Wiglaf excoriates and exiles the faithless thanes who had abandoned Beowulf in his fight.

Intro/outro music: Awakening by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au (track modified for length).

Age and infirmity sap Beowulf's strength as he faces the dragon. Shame, pride and obligation drive his young kinsman Wiglaf to aid the old king, and together they slay the dragon, although not without a terrible cost.

Intro/outro music: Awakening by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au (track modified for length).

Beowulf reflects upon all the war and death that he has seen in the span of a man's lifetime - fratricide in his boyhood foster family, the feud that left the Geat throne empty for him, the war in which he won his sword Naegling - before he girds himself for battle against the dragon, an enemy beyond even the strength of men.

Intro/outro music: Awakening by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au (track modified for length).

Fifty years after Beowulf won fame and recognition by defeating Grendel and Grendel's mother, a hapless fugitive rouses the ire of a dragon by taking a single piece of its barrow-gold.

Intro/outro music: Awakening by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au (track modified for length).

Kaiya reflects on the first two parts of this epic poem, highlighting the culture of feud and family, the difference between fighting men and monsters, a surprising reveal about Beowulf's upbringing, and the role of the weapons of war.

Intro/outro music: Awakening by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au (track modified for length).