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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
Reading
Propaganda
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 weeklyEpisodes746Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsHistoryBooks

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Artwork for The History of Literature

Latest Episodes

"And one man in his time plays many parts," wrote Shakespeare in As You Like It, "[h]is acts being seven ages." We all know the feeling of passing from one phase to the next. But what happens when something dramatic mashes these acts together? In thi... more

In an 1886 letter to his brother, Anton Chekhov delivered some advice about truthfulness in writing. "Don't invent sufferings you have not experienced," he wrote, "and don't paint pictures you have not seen--for a lie in a story is much more boring t... more

Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961) was one of the most famous American writers of the twentieth century. His plain, economical prose style--inspired by journalism and the King James Bible, with an assist from the Cezannes he viewed in Gertrude Stein’s apar... more

For thousands of years, writers from ancient China to contemporary meme-makers have demonstrated the power of the short, witty, philosophical phrases known as aphorisms. In this episode, Jacke talks to James Geary (The World in a Phrase: A Brief Hist... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Rhodri Lewis
Shakespearean scholar, author of Shakespeare's Tragic Art
Episode: 781 Laurie Frankel's Enormous Wings | My Last Book with Rhodri Lewis
Paul Chrystal
An author of more than 180 books and has been featured in previous episodes.
Episode: 778 A History of Aphorisms (with James Geary) | My Last Book with Paul Chrystal
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)
Fiona Sampson
Senior Research Fellow at Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford, and a biographer of Mary Shelley.
University of Oxford
Episode: 776 Mary Shelley in Bath (with Fiona Sampson) | My Last Book with D.G. Hampton
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
Leo Damrosch
Professor of Literature Emeritus at Harvard University and acclaimed biographer.
Harvard University
Episode: 774 Robert Louis Stevenson (with Leo Damrosch)
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

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
  • 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 States2 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
    Canada2 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 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
    4 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
#52
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#148
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#61
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#68
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#155
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#176
Canada/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
780 Chekhov on Writing (with Bob Blaisdell)
Q: Right. And how difficult was it to find the source material for this? What were you looking for? And what sources did you have to find it?
Blaisdell describes locating Chekhov's letters, noting that translations from strong collections (especially UC Press editions) were essential, and emphasizes that many letters are in the public domain while translations may still be under copyright; he discusses the process of gathering letters, translations, and notes to build a cohesive book.
779 Ernest Hemingway and The Sun Also Rises (with Mike Palindrome) RECLAIMED
Q: Where would you start a reader new to Hemingway?
A recommended approach is to begin with a handful of strong stories, then read Sun Also Rises or A Farewell to Arms, followed by Movable Feast to connect fiction with Hemingway's life; later explore more stories and works like For Whom the Bell Tolls before branching into his longer novels.
777 T.S. Eliot's "Preludes" | "The Story of the Marquis de Cressy" by Marie-Jeanne Riccoboni (with Kate Deimling)
Q: What was the critical response to Riccoboni's works during her time?
The response was generally positive, with recognition of her elegant style and compelling narratives, although novels at the time were not always viewed as high literature.
777 T.S. Eliot's "Preludes" | "The Story of the Marquis de Cressy" by Marie-Jeanne Riccoboni (with Kate Deimling)
Q: What themes are recurring in Riccoboni's novels?
Kate explains that Riccoboni often addresses themes of emotion, betrayal, and critiques of men's status in society, suggesting that they are often undeserved. She highlights the dangerous potential of sentiment for women in her characters' lives.

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?

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 10 years ago and published 746 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. Rhodri Lewis
2. Paul Chrystal
3. James Geary
4. Kate Deimling
5. Fiona Sampson
6. Sarah Allison
7. Leo Damrosch
8. Polly Low

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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