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Artwork for The History of Literature

The History of Literature

Jacke Wilson / The Podglomerate
Literature
Margaret Cavendish
Chapters
The Blazing World
Shakespeare
Warfare
Feminism
17th Century Literature
Science Fiction
Modernism
Poetry
White Other
Reading
Propaganda
A Visit From St. Nicholas
Books
The History Of Literature
Henry David Thoreau
Bede
Tickets, Please

Amateur enthusiast Jacke Wilson journeys through the history of literature, from ancient epics to contemporary classics. Episodes are not in chronological order and you don't need to start at the beginning - feel free to jump in wherever you like! Find out more at historyofliterature.com and facebook.com/historyofliterature. Support the show by visiting patreon.com/literature or historyofliteratur... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes756Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArtsHistory

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Artwork for The History of Literature

Latest Episodes

The "Forgotten Women of Literature" series continues with a look at Aemilia Bassano Lanyer (1569-1645), the first Englishwoman to publish a volume of poetry, the protofeminist Salve Deus Rex Judaeorum (1611), which tells the story of Christ's crucifi... more

What happens when an abnormally average man is suddenly on a path to greatness, as his picks in the NCAA Men's Basketball tournament start panning out? Will he predict a perfect bracket, capturing the billion-dollar prize? And what will this mean fo... more

In 2025, Jacke began a countdown of the top 25 greatest books of all time, as part of a series called "25 for 25." In this episode, Jacke reveals the #2 and #1 entries on the list. Then Mike Palindrome, longtime friend and President of the Literature... more

Nineteenth-century art critic and polymath John Ruskin (1819-1900) was a visionary thinker and influential social commentator who revolutionized how society viewed art and its connection to life. In this episode, Jacke talks to Bob Blaisdell (editor ... more

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Recent Guests

Matthew Zapruder
Poet and professor, author of Why Poetry
University (professor) / Writer
Episode: 787 Why Poetry with Matthew Zapruder Encore
Travis Franks
Assistant Professor of Literature at Utah State University
Utah State University
Episode: 786 Cherokee Novelist and Poet John Rollin Ridge (with Travis Franks)
Daniel A. Olivas
Attorney, playwright, novelist, short story writer, poet, and critic; author of Chicano Frankenstein and Waiting for Godínez
Attorney General's Office, California; author
Episode: 785 Literature in an Age of Anti-Immigration Sentiment (with Daniel Olivas) | My Last Book with Janet Todd
William O. Stephens
Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Creighton University; author of Marcus Aurelius, A Guide for the Perplexed
Creighton University
Episode: 784 Marcus Aurelius: Philosopher-King (with William O. Stephens)
John McMurtrie
Editor of Literary Journeys, Mapping Fictional Travels Across the World of Literature
Literary Journeys
Episode: 783 Southern Imagining (with Elleke Boehmer) | My Last Book with John McMurtrie
Elleke Boehmer
Professor of World Literature and English at the University of Oxford; author of Southern Imagining
University of Oxford
Episode: 783 Southern Imagining (with Elleke Boehmer) | My Last Book with John McMurtrie
Zoë McGee
Author of Courting Disaster, Reading Between the Lines of the Regency Novel
Queen Mary University of London; University of Oxford; author
Episode: 782 Consent in the Regency Novel (with Zoë McGee)
James Geary
Adjunct lecturer in public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School and author of The World in a Phrase, A Brief History of the Aphorism.
Harvard Kennedy School
Episode: 778 A History of Aphorisms (with James Geary) | My Last Book with Paul Chrystal
Kate Deimling
A poet and translator with a PhD in French Literature from Columbia University
Episode: 777 T.S. Eliot's "Preludes" | "The Story of the Marquis de Cressy" by Marie-Jeanne Riccoboni (with Kate Deimling)

Host

Jacke Wilson
An amateur enthusiast who engages audiences on literary topics ranging from historical to contemporary literature, inspiring listeners to connect with books and discussions in a meaningful way.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 3k ratings
  • Too much fluff

    Found this podcast after searching for an episode on The Brothers Karamazov. I’m 40 minutes in and he has not even started talking about the book. It feels more like a personal therapy session than a book analysis/discussion.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    tayshotzy
    United Statesa month ago
  • A Virtual Round Table

    I love this podcast! Great guests. The company carries me right back to college class discussions about literature; I can’t shake the note-taking habit, but I do respond (a little) less out loud.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    audrey e. w.
    United Statesa month ago
  • Literature is not dead

    This a very interesting and engaging podcast about literature and I have found a renewed interest in books I have not read in a long time. However, I could live without the commentary on current politics. It is nice to have a little escape from all that, even if it just for a few minutes.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    OttosGrandma
    United States3 months ago
  • Great Show!

    He sounds exactly like the girl from The Stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Identical!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    James@Jameswest
    Canada3 months ago
  • This podcast will inspire you

    You will feel inspired to read. You will pay attention to the sound of words. You will find yourself seeking to improve your vocabulary. This podcast will enrich your inner life.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BGDem
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Many find the interviews with guests illuminating, bringing new insights into classic works.
Listeners often appreciate the engaging exploration of literature and the host's passion for the subject.
Reviews highlight the blend of scholarly analysis with relatable anecdotes, making complex themes approachable.
Some have expressed a desire for less personal commentary and more focus on literary analysis.
Overall, the community expresses gratitude for the new motivation to read and engage with literature.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#55
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#171
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#38
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#100
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#114
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#151
Canada/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

785 Literature in an Age of Anti-Immigration Sentiment (with Daniel Olivas) | My Last Book with Janet Todd
Q: How do you balance a demanding legal career with writing and teaching creative work?
Olivas replies that writing is a joyful, personal pursuit that also serves as a therapeutic outlet; he outlines a routine and emphasizes that many writers have day jobs, so balancing time, discipline, and passion is essential.
783 Southern Imagining (with Elleke Boehmer) | My Last Book with John McMurtrie
Q: Who did you write this book for, and what should readers take away?
The book is for all readers, with a wake-up call to Northern readers and an invitation for Southern Hemisphere readers to hold distance as a valuable tool for holistic planetary thinking.
783 Southern Imagining (with Elleke Boehmer) | My Last Book with John McMurtrie
Q: How has literature tended to treat the North versus the South, and can it help us re-center the world?
Certain navigational writers like Melville, Conrad, and Coleridge offer empathy and holistic space that can guide readers to see the world as interconnected, not just North-centric.
783 Southern Imagining (with Elleke Boehmer) | My Last Book with John McMurtrie
Q: Let's talk about the scope of your examination. When does your story begin and how many centuries back does this phenomenon show up?
It begins millennia ago, with modern history starting in the 1400s with Portuguese explorers; but the project also reaches far back to mythic traditions of Southern cultures to understand the world holistically.
780 Chekhov on Writing (with Bob Blaisdell)
Q: Where were these things located?
Most of the quotations come from Chekhov's letters, which Blaisdell had studied for decades; he explains the role of translations and multiple letter collections as sources for the Dover edition.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Professions
Age Range
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Frequently Asked Questions About The History of Literature

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

A deep exploration of literature spans from ancient epics to contemporary classics, engaging listeners with both renowned and lesser-known works. The discussions often include biographical insights into significant authors, the context of their creations, and the relevance of their writings in today's society. Particularly noteworthy is the accessible style, which invites participation regardless of listeners' familiarity with the literary world, making complex themes digestible and relatable. The blend of scholarly analysis and personal anecdotes aims to enrich the audience's understanding and appreciation of literature, inspiring a renewed love for reading and engaging with provocative literary questions.

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Which podcasts are similar to The History of Literature?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The History of Literature:

1. Backlisted
2. In Our Time
3. Close Readings
4. Literature and History
5. The LRB Podcast

How many episodes of The History of Literature are there?

The History of Literature launched 11 years ago and published 756 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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What guests have appeared on The History of Literature?

Recent guests on The History of Literature include:

1. Matthew Zapruder
2. Travis Franks
3. Daniel A. Olivas
4. William O. Stephens
5. John McMurtrie
6. Elleke Boehmer
7. Zoë McGee
8. James Geary

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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