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Artwork for Literature and History

Literature and History

Doug Metzger
Muhammad
Byzantine Empire
Islam
The Qur'an
Gregory Of Tours
Merovingian Dynasty
Pre-Islamic Arabia
Antarah Ibn Shaddad
The History Of the Franks
Islamic Law
Talmud
Bubonic Plague
Venantius Fortunatus
Arabic Poetry
Umayyad Caliphate
Chilperic II
Guntram
Childebert II
Queen Fritigand
Merovingian Gaul

With millions of downloads, hundreds of hours of soundtracked content, and an overall emphasis on the cultural history behind famous works of literature, Literature and History is one of the most popular independent podcasts on its subject. Starting with Sumerian cuneiform in 3,100 BCE, Literature and History moves forward in chronological order through Assyriology, Egyptology, the Old Testament, ... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes125Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArtsHistory

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Artwork for Literature and History

Latest Episodes

The Bundahisn is the Zoroastrian creation story. At once an epic and encyclopedia, it's also a window into the end of Zoroastrianism's ascendancy in Iran. Episode 125 Quiz: literatureandhistory.com/quiz-125/ Episode 125 Transcription: https:... more

DOUG'S NEW BOOK - The Odyssey: An Illustrated Guide COLORING BOOK VERSION - The Odyssey Coloring Book Episode 124 Quiz: literatureandhistory.com/quiz-124/ Episode 124 Transcription: literatureandhistory.com/episode-124-the-last-gre... more

The hadiths are second only to the Qur'an in Islam. Short narratives about the Prophet Muhammad - the things he said and did - hadiths have been a source of wisdom and inspiration for Muslims for more than a thousand years. Episode 123 Quiz: https://... more

From 750-861, a dynasty of ten caliphs seated in modern-day Iraq ruled one of history's largest empires. The territory they lost and won, the wars they fought, and the cultural renaissance that they helped usher in all had far reaching impacts on wor... more

Key Facts

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Host

Doug Metzger
Host of Literature and History

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 3.9k ratings
  • So intelligent

    I picked up this podcast a few months ago from History of English Podcast as a recommendation and have not been disappointed. Working my way back to the original episodes and bonus content and I feel like I have learned so much. Check this out! It’s truly a labor of love from the creator.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Shanijeanius
    United States20 days ago
  • Entertaining and educational from a host who knows his stuff and clearly has a passion for the subject. Highly recommend it!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Pleasure Goblin
    21 days ago
  • A great podcast

    I have been listening to Kevin Stroud’s History of English podcast for a number of years. He had Doug on that podcast several months ago. I started listening to Literature and History shortly after that and have been listening to it ever since. I started at the beginning and have begun to work my way through the series. I am working on episode 82. Literature and History is in my top two or three podcasts, along with History of English. The episodes are long (between 1-3/4 hours and 2-1/4 h... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Backwoods Southern Lawyer
    United Statesa month ago
  • The best there is

    I am in awe of Dr Metzger, I truly am. I was lucky enough to study literature and history my whole life, first at liceo classico in Italy and then majoring in History, so nothing is new to me to here… but the pleasure I get from listening to this brilliant, passionate and very funny podcast is unmeasurable. Thank you very much Dr Metzger, your work is stellar.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    elena.keats
    Italya month ago
  • Pure gold educational podcast

    So grateful History of English podcast featured Literature and History a few months ago- I have been listening to ancient texts and Doug’s deft interpretations ever since. Like 4 hours a day. This combo of literature and the context and story of history is scratching a real itch. Thank you Doug!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gearformusicians
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Episodes are noted for balancing detailed analysis with clear explanations, though a few reviews mention audio mixing quirks or pronunciation choices.
Listeners consistently praise the depth and breadth of research, calling it educational and enlightening.
The host's storytelling and musical elements are repeatedly highlighted as engaging and memorable.
The show's rigorous content earns high praise from long-time listeners and newcomers alike.
Many appreciate the ad-free, scholarly approach and the accessibility of transcripts and resources.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#19
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#61
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#18
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#52
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#55
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#142
United Kingdom/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 115: The Life of Muhammad, Part 2: Community
Q: What is the significance of the Constitution of Medina?
It is a legal framework that established the rights and obligations of the Mumenun and their Jewish allies, promoting cooperation and equality within the diverse community of Yethrib.
Episode 110: Questions
Q: What is your favorite misconception you frequently encounter on the topics you researched so far?
The misconception that certain inventions or cultural practices originated with historical figures or societies, not recognizing the rich tapestry of interconnected human culture before those events.
Episode 110: Questions
Q: Do you think literature has changed or affirmed any biases you initially held?
The podcast has shown that literature can change perceptions and reaffirm human compassion in distressing historical contexts.
Episode 110: Questions
Q: How do you manage your time to produce these fully researched episodes?
Management comes from being a fast reader and writer, using established research tricks learned in grad school, and being motivated by listener appreciation.
Episode 110: Questions
Q: What is your research process for gathering information for the podcast?
The research begins with the main texts, followed by reading scholarly introductions and utilizing bibliographies to gather additional sources, including free library apps and academic databases.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Literature and History

What is Literature and History about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A rigorous, chronologically organized exploration of literature and its cultural context, with deep dives into how historical forces shaped famous works. Each episode typically starts with an accessible overview, provides a thorough summary for listeners new to the work, and then analyzes literary themes alongside biographical and historical influences. Music and transcripts accompany the narration, and the host emphasizes a scholarly, ad-free approach focused on education and context. The long-running series covers ancient to medieval topics, often blending literature, history, and philosophy to illuminate how texts reflect their eras and societies. A standout feature is the commitment to high-quality research, disciplined presentation, an... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Literature and History?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Literature and History:

1. The History of English Podcast
2. The History of Literature
3. The Ancients
4. Tides of History
5. History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps

How many episodes of Literature and History are there?

Literature and History launched 10 years ago and published 125 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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