Toxophilus by Roger Ascham audiobook.

Genre: history

Written in Tudor England and cast as a lively dialogue, Roger Ascham's Toxophilus pairs two friends in friendly dispute: Toxophilus, whose very name means the lover of the bow, and Philologus, the lover of learning. Their conversation begins with a simple question - is archery merely a pastime, or a practice worthy of serious, educated men? From there, Ascham builds a spirited defense of the longbow as a source of health, discipline, and civic strength, tying the art of shooting to questions of character, training, and public responsibility. As the debate unfolds, the book shifts from persuasion to practical guidance, walking listeners through the essentials of the craft: choosing and caring for a bow, selecting arrows, understanding aim and distance, and developing steady form through thoughtful practice. Along the way, Ascham reveals his larger purpose: to show that skill of hand and cultivation of mind can belong together, and that English recreation can be both moral and meaningful. Part instruction, part cultural argument, Toxophilus stands as a landmark of early English prose and a passionate case for mastery.

For ad-free listening try our premium subscription

Chapters (Approximate)

(00:00:00) Chapter 00

(00:16:31) Chapter 01

(00:43:49) Chapter 02

(01:09:30) Chapter 03

(01:36:22) Chapter 04

(02:07:06) Chapter 05

(02:39:10) Chapter 06

(03:06:46) Chapter 07

(03:32:11) Chapter 08

(03:55:37) Chapter 09

(04:27:04) Chapter 10

(04:53:27) Chapter 11

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices