Rephonic
Artwork for The History of Literature

The History of Literature

Jacke Wilson / The Podglomerate
Literature
Margaret Cavendish
Chapters
The Blazing World
Shakespeare
Warfare
Science Fiction
17th Century Literature
Feminism
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 weeklyEpisodes758Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryArtsBooks

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The History of Literature

Latest Episodes

The 1920s were a tumultuous time for Russia, as the nation careened from the aftermath of revolution to the death of Lenin, the establishment of the Soviet Union, and the slide toward Stalinist totalitarianism. Given all of that serious upheaval, wha... more

In this episode, Jacke talks to author Eileen Sperry about her book This Body of Death: Form and Decay in Early Modern Lyric, which examines how the lyric poetry of Shakespeare and his contemporaries shaped our understanding of what it means to be mo... more

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

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Backlisted
BacklistedBacklisted
Hardcore Literature
Hardcore LiteratureBenjamin McEvoy
In Our Time
In Our TimeBBC Radio 4
Close Readings
Close ReadingsLondon Review of Books

Recent Guests

Peter Budrin
Author of Laurence Sterne and His Readers in Early Soviet Russia, The Secret Order of Shandeans
Queen Mary University of London
Episode: 793 The Secret Order of Shandeans: Laurence Sterne in Early Soviet Russia (with Peter Budrin) | My Last Book with Edward Watts
Edward Watts
Historian of ancient Rome
Episode: 793 The Secret Order of Shandeans: Laurence Sterne in Early Soviet Russia (with Peter Budrin) | My Last Book with Edward Watts
Eileen Sperry
Assistant Teaching Professor of English at Skidmore College; author of This Body of Death, Form and Decay in Early Modern Lyric
Skidmore College
Episode: 792 Death and Decay in Early Modern Lyric Poetry (with Eileen Sperry) | My Last Book with Bruce Gordon
Natasha Joukovsky
Author of Medium Rare; writer published in Literary Hub, Electric Lit, The Common, Still Alive
Author, Medium Rare
Episode: 790 Madness and Myth (with Natasha Joukovsky) | My Last Book with Kimberly Lau
Kimberly Lau
Fairy tales expert and author of Specters of the Marvelous, Race and the Development of the European Fairy Tale
Author, Fairy Tales scholar
Episode: 790 Madness and Myth (with Natasha Joukovsky) | My Last Book with Kimberly Lau
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
Janet Todd
Jane Austen biographer and literary scholar
Episode: 785 Literature in an Age of Anti-Immigration Sentiment (with Daniel Olivas) | My Last Book with Janet Todd

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 States2 months 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 States4 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
#84
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#233
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#30
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#37
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#86
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#118
Canada/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

790 Madness and Myth (with Natasha Joukovsky) | My Last Book with Kimberly Lau
Q: What should a reader approach Medium Rare with in mind—is it for entertainment, for a deep dive into myth, or something else?
She describes Medium Rare as a recursive Trojan horse that operates on three levels—appealing to basketball fans, lovers of intimate character drama, and readers drawn to myth's staying power—so that it rewards readers who engage with any one layer.
792 Death and Decay in Early Modern Lyric Poetry (with Eileen Sperry) | My Last Book with Bruce Gordon
Q: What role does Donne play in your argument about mortality and intimacy?
Donne exemplifies how decay and bodily imagery become instruments of intimate discourse with the beloved and, later, with the divine, blending erotic and spiritual dimensions.
792 Death and Decay in Early Modern Lyric Poetry (with Eileen Sperry) | My Last Book with Bruce Gordon
Q: How does the Carpe Diem tradition relate to mortality in the lyric forms you discuss?
The Carpe Diem poets promise youth and beauty but acknowledge time's flux; the tension lies in balancing this immediacy with an awareness of mortality, often resolved through a prosthetic reading where poetry sustains memory without fully conquering death.
792 Death and Decay in Early Modern Lyric Poetry (with Eileen Sperry) | My Last Book with Bruce Gordon
Q: When did you become interested in the literature of Early Modern England?
Sperry shares formative experiences in high school and a Milton seminar that sparked a lasting engagement with the period, especially in terms of how language and cultural shifts opened up possibilities in poetry.
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.

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 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.

Where can I find podcast stats for The History of Literature?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The History of Literature. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The History of Literature and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The History of Literature get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The History of Literature, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for The History of Literature?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for The History of Literature, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does The History of Literature have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The History of Literature has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The History of Literature?

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

1. Backlisted
2. Hardcore Literature
3. In Our Time
4. Close Readings
5. In Our Time: Culture

How many episodes of The History of Literature are there?

The History of Literature launched 11 years ago and published 758 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The History of Literature?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The History of Literature?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The History of Literature from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The History of Literature?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The History of Literature. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on The History of Literature?

Recent guests on The History of Literature include:

1. Peter Budrin
2. Edward Watts
3. Eileen Sperry
4. Natasha Joukovsky
5. Kimberly Lau
6. Matthew Zapruder
7. Travis Franks
8. Daniel A. Olivas

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days