The Richard Burton Library cover art

The Richard Burton Library

The Richard Burton Library

By: Sir Richard Francis Burton
Listen for free

Enter The Richard Burton Library, wherein the curious listener may accompany that restless company of pilgrims, wanderers, merchants, poets, princes, and philosophers who people the books of Sir Richard Francis Burton. Here are his works read in full: voyages into Arabia, Africa, India, and the chambers of ancient story; observations of men and manners; translations from tongues remote and richly storied; and those strange byways of learning which Burton pursued with equal parts courage, appetite, and disdain for convention. For the lover of travel, letters, and the wider world, the road begins here.Public domain Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah & Meccah Chapter XXII - The Saints' Cemetery, part 1

    Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah & Meccah Chapter XXII - The Saints' Cemetery, part 1
    Jun 29 2026
    In which the solemn reverence for the burial places of the Prophet’s close companions and family is tenderly recounted, leading to the preparations and anxious farewells accompanying the departure of the Damascus Caravan from Al-Madinah, through rugged terrain beset by natural hardships and the ever-present menace of desert robbers. The narrative gently unfolds the careful arrangements with local guides and the somber mood of parting pilgrims, capturing both the practicalities and the pious hopes that gird the beginning of this formidable pilgrimage journey.
    Show More Show Less
    27 mins
  • Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah & Meccah Chapter XXI - The People of Al-madinah, part 2

    Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah & Meccah Chapter XXI - The People of Al-madinah, part 2
    Jun 29 2026
    In which the sanctity and solemnity of Al-Bakia cemetery in Al-Madinah are meticulously explored, revealing its countless revered graves, humble mausolea, and the deeply ingrained customs surrounding visitation and prayers for the departed. The narrative gently unfolds the historical and spiritual significance of the place, alongside the lively interactions of pilgrims, beggars, and custodians, evoking the austere yet profound atmosphere of this hallowed resting-ground.
    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
  • Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah & Meccah Chapter XXI - The People of Al-madinah, part 1

    Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah & Meccah Chapter XXI - The People of Al-madinah, part 1
    Jun 28 2026
    In which the learned traveller unfolds a detailed portrait of Al-Madinah’s diverse population, from venerable prophetic families to itinerant settlers, revealing their customs, social stratifications, dress, and peculiarities with a discerning eye. He then recounts the outbreak of tribal strife that thwarts his planned journey and leads to a solemn pilgrimage to the revered Saints’ Cemetery, where reflection on faith and mortality commences.
    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
No reviews yet