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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
17th Century Literature
Science Fiction
Feminism
Poetry
White Other
Propaganda
Reading
A Visit From St. Nicholas
Books
The History Of Literature
Henry David Thoreau
Bede
Tickets, Please
Philosophy

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 weeklyEpisodes741Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryArtsBooks

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Artwork for The History of Literature

Latest Episodes

As fans of the novel know, Frankenstein began with a flash of insight during an ill-fated holiday near Geneva in the summer of 1816, when the young woman then known as Mary Godwin contributed the modern-day Promethean tale to the ghost stories being ... more

When assessing the literature of an era, we tend to think of the works that have made it into the canon - but in so doing, we're in danger of overlooking the many different kinds of books and texts that people were actually reading. In this episode, ... more

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) suffered from poor health for most of his life, and yet he possessed immense vitality. In this episode, Jacke talks to biographer Leo Damrosch (Storyteller: The Life of Robert Louis Stevenson) about his efforts to b... more

In mid-December 2025, the world was shocked by the horrible and tragic news that beloved film director Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle Singer Reiner had been murdered at their home. In this episode, Jacke and Mike celebrate Reiner's amazing run of i... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Sarah Allison
Associate Professor of English at Loyola University, New Orleans
Loyola University, New Orleans
Episode: 775 Celebrity Authorship in the Nineteenth Century (with Sarah Allison) | My Last Book with Emily Van Duyne
Emily Van Duyne
Author of "Loving Sylvia Plath, A Reclamation"
Episode: 775 Celebrity Authorship in the Nineteenth Century (with Sarah Allison) | My Last Book with Emily Van Duyne
Leo Damrosch
Professor of Literature Emeritus at Harvard University and acclaimed biographer.
Harvard University
Episode: 774 Robert Louis Stevenson (with Leo Damrosch)
Mike Palindrome
A fan of Rob Reiner's films and film enthusiast
Episode: 773 The Films of Rob Reiner (with Mike Palindrome) | My Last Book with Matt Abrahams
Matt Abrahams
Host of the Think Fast, Talk Smart podcast and author of Think Faster, Talk Smarter
Episode: 773 The Films of Rob Reiner (with Mike Palindrome) | My Last Book with Matt Abrahams
Polly Low
Professor in the Department of Classics and Ancient History at Durham University, specializes in the political history of the Classical Greek world.
Durham University
Episode: 772 Thucydides and The History of the Peloponnesian War (with Polly Low and Robin Waterfield) | My Last Book with James West
Robin Lithgow
An advocate for arts education, educator, and member of a theatrical family. Her father was a Shakespeare promoter and her brother is actor John Lithgow.
Los Angeles Unified School District
Episode: 771 Shakespeare and the Generation of Genius - The Role of Performing Arts in education (with Robin Lithgow) - RECLAIMED
Indira Ghose
Emeritus Professor of English at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland
University of Fribourg
Episode: 770 Shakespeare and Civility (with Indira Ghose) | Robert W. Service and "The Cremation of Sam McGee"
Jonathan Gross
Professor of English at DePaul University and Joint President of the International Association of Byron Societies
DePaul University
Episode: 769 The European Byron (with Jonathan Gross) | The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald (#3 GBOAT)

Host

Jacke Wilson
Host and amateur enthusiast specializing in literature, guiding discussions on literary history and significant texts.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 3k ratings
  • 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 Statesa month ago
  • Great Show!

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    James@Jameswest
    Canadaa month 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 States2 months ago
  • informative interviews, other stuff is boring

    The interviews and discussions with experts are always great.

    But the host talks way too quiet/soft and somewhat slow - just ends up being boring. The endless introductions are often just laudatory, which is really unnecessary when you're talking about the classics of literature. Just focus on what you do well and cut the fluff.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    etPotterGRRM
    United States3 months ago
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    Podchaser
    5
    samharrisonn99
    3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the engaging and enriching literary discussions, often finding the content intellectually stimulating and enjoyable.
Overall, the podcast is seen as a valuable resource for literature lovers wanting deeper insights into texts and authors.
Many reviews highlight the host's passion for literature and his ability to make complex topics accessible.
Some feedback notes that episodes can contain too much banter that distracts from the main literary discussions, suggesting a desire for more focus.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#53
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#155
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#19
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#51
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#124
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#33
Australia/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

774 Robert Louis Stevenson (with Leo Damrosch)
Q: Did you get started with Robert Louis Stevenson as a boy, or did you discover him later in life?
Both. I think many of us probably read Treasure Island when we were young.
775 Celebrity Authorship in the Nineteenth Century (with Sarah Allison) | My Last Book with Emily Van Duyne
Q: How effective was print culture in advancing the goals of the anti-slavery movement?
The line between where consciousness raising, public discourse, public feeling, and political work connects with literature is complex but significant.
775 Celebrity Authorship in the Nineteenth Century (with Sarah Allison) | My Last Book with Emily Van Duyne
Q: What exactly was your project? What question did you set out to answer? And how did taking a quantitative approach help you answer it?
I was interested in the figure of the author and the way that our understandings of authors emerge both through fiction and through non-fictional texts.
769 The European Byron (with Jonathan Gross) | The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald (#3 GBOAT)
Q: So when did you first encounter Byron or and or his poetry?
Jonathan Gross first encountered Byron in college, finding it engaging due to its cynicism and irony, particularly in "Don Juan."
770 Shakespeare and Civility (with Indira Ghose) | Robert W. Service and "The Cremation of Sam McGee"
Q: What kinds of conflicts were being worked out on the stage during the early modern period?
The theater acted as a laboratory to explore conflicts while facing censorship, often commenting on societal issues in coded ways.

Audience Metrics

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

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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?

An exploration of literary history, focusing on both classic and contemporary works, with episodes featuring engaging discussions on the lives and legacies of numerous authors. With a casual and accessible approach, it encourages listeners to jump in at any point, reflecting a belief that literature's rich tapestry should be accessible to all. Topics range from iconic writers like Shakespeare and the Brontës to cultural movements and the evolution of literary forms, often framed by historical context and personal anecdotes from the host.

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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. Close Readings
3. In Our Time
4. Arts & Ideas
5. London Review Bookshop Podcast

How many episodes of The History of Literature are there?

The History of Literature launched 10 years ago and published 741 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. Sarah Allison
2. Emily Van Duyne
3. Leo Damrosch
4. Mike Palindrome
5. Matt Abrahams
6. Polly Low
7. Robin Lithgow
8. Indira Ghose

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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