Rule over insomnia and go to sleep with the pithy prose of Machiavelli. But first, a long introduction to the twisted papal politics of 15th century Italy that spawned this influential book. Yawn! Keep this podcast ad-free and relaxed by joining our Patreon or dropping us a tip via Buy Me A Coffee. Everyone contributing in August will be entered in this month's drawing for a free three-month subscription (and three free audiobooks of your choice) at Libro.fm! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/d5kcMsW Read "The Prince" at Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1232 Music: “Dream Colours” by Lee Rosevere, licensed under CC BY http://leerosevere.bandcamp.com If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading for soft-spoken relaxation to help you overcome insomnia, anxiety and other sleep issues, connect on our website, boringbookspod.com.

The Prince, by Niccolo Machiavelli, Part 1

Boring Books for Bedtime is a weekly sleep podcast in which we calmly, quietly read something rather boring to silence the brain chatter keeping you awake. Think Aristotle, Thoreau, and whoever wrote the 1897 Sears Catalog—mostly nonfiction, mostly old, a perfect blend of vaguely-but-not-too interesting.

If you're on Team Sleepless, lie back, take a deep breath, and let us read you to rest.

Health & Fitness

Mental Health

 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 of dreams.    Help us stay ad-free and 100% listener-supported!  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod  Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/d5kcMsW   Read “Our National Parks” at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/60929   Music: "Watching Whale on the Moon,” by Lee Rosevere, licensed under CC BY, https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com   If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading for soft-spoken relaxation to help you overcome insomnia, anxiety and other sleep issues, connect on our website, http://www.boringbookspod.com.

Our National Parks, by John Muir, Part 4

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 100% listener-supported!  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod  Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/d5kcMsW   Read “Handbook on Cheese Making” at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/70813   Music: "Chasing Colours,” by Lee Rosevere, licensed under CC BY, https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com   If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading for soft-spoken relaxation to help you overcome insomnia, anxiety and other sleep issues, connect on our website, http://www.boringbookspod.com.

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

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 us stay ad-free and 100% listener-supported!  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod  Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/d5kcMsW   Read “Mars and Its Canals” at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/47015   Music: "Dream Colours,” by Lee Rosevere, licensed under CC BY, https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com   If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading for soft-spoken relaxation to help you overcome insomnia, anxiety and other sleep issues, connect on our website, http://www.boringbookspod.com.

Mars and Its Canals, by Percival Lowell, Part 3

 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? Impossible!    Help us stay ad-free and 100% listener-supported!  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod  Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/d5kcMsW   Read “Practical Mind Reading” at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/41358   Music: "Exit Exit,” by PC III, licensed under CC BY   If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading for soft-spoken relaxation to help you overcome insomnia, anxiety and other sleep issues, connect on our website, http://www.boringbookspod.com.

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

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-supported!  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod  Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/d5kcMsW   Read “The Wealth of Nations” at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/3300   Music: "earth 2 earth,” by PC III, licensed under CC BY   If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading for soft-spoken relaxation to help you overcome insomnia, anxiety and other sleep issues, connect on our website, http://www.boringbookspod.com.

The Prince, by Niccolo Machiavelli, Part 1

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