This podcast originated from my desire to share my admiration of books and writing with my friends. Its goal is to encourage them and you, the listener, to pick up a book that you and I never would have before and to begin writing as a way of self-expression. Simply, this podcast is about books and authors. But it delves into more profound topics than chatting about a book I am reading. My friends and I discuss authors' lives by celebrating and/or denouncing the actions and views that brought them to publication and their works' impacts on the world. It's a podcast that delves into the historical context that shaped the literature that would influence generations. It's a podcast that tells the story of literary adjacent figures who inspired our favorite books. We discuss literary movements, celebrate specific books that are often overlooked, underappreciated, or lost to history, and share our interpretations of superb literary works. Well, here goes nothing. I hope you enjoy it. more

The Play's the Thing is the ultimate podcast resource for lovers of Shakespeare. Dedicating six episodes to each play (one per act, plus a Q&A episode), this podcast explores the themes, scenes, characters, and lines that make Shakespeare so memorable. In the end, we will cover every play The Bard wrote, thus permitting an ongoing contemplation and celebration of the most important writer of all time. Join us.The Play's the Thing is presented by The CiRCE Podcast Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. more

Interviews with Scholars of Literature about their New BooksSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literary-studies more

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 historyofliterature.com/donate. Contact the show at historyofliteraturepodcast@gmail.com. more

Home to the world's largest collection of Shakespeare materials. Advancing knowledge and the arts. Discover it all at www.folger.edu. Shakespeare turns up in the most interesting places—not just literature and the stage, but science and social history as well. Our 'Shakespeare Unlimited' podcast explores the fascinating and varied connections between Shakespeare, his works, and the world around us. more

Hosted by Cassidy Cash, That Shakespeare Life takes you behind the curtain and into the real life of William Shakespeare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. more

Few literary terms are more hotly debated, discounted, or derided than the 'Great American Novel.' But while critics routinely dismiss the phrase as at best hype and as at worst exclusionary, the belief that a national literature commensurate with both the scope and the contradictions of being American persists. In this podcast Scott Yarbrough and Kirk Curnutt examine totemic works such as Herman Melville's Moby-Dick and Toni Morrison's Beloved that have been labeled GANs, exploring their themes, forms, and reception histories, asking why, when, and how they entered the literary canon. Readers beware: there be spoilers here, and other hijinks ensue... more

A science fiction literature history podcast, covering popular and obscure works. Contains spoilers for all works discussed.Texts and translations: https://chrononautspodcast.blogspot.com/Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/1093395-chrononautsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/chrononautspodcastTwitter: @ChrononautsSFemail: chrononautspodcast@gmail.comMusic and readings: https://chrononautspodcast.bandcamp.comOpening theme music by Ionas von ZezswitzSounds and effects by NateAI thumbnail art by DALL-E-2 and Stable Diffusion more

Saga Thing is a podcast for people who love history, literature, Vikings and all things medieval. In each episode, the hosts review a saga from medieval Iceland and then dig in to categories for discussion, including: Best Bloodshed, Body Count, Notable Witticisms, Nicknames, Outlawry, Thingmen, and Ratings. more

The C19 Podcast is a production by scholars from across the world exploring the past, present, and future through an examination of the United States in the long nineteenth century.The official podcast of C19: The Society of Nineteenth-Century Americanists. more

Where rhyme gets its reason! In a historical survey of English literature, I take a personal and philosophical approach to the major texts of the tradition in order to not only situate the poems, prose, and plays in their own contexts, but also to show their relevance to our own. This show is for the general listener: as a teacher of high school literature and philosophy, I am less than a scholar but more than a buff. I hope to edify and entertain! more

On the Reading with Rachelle podcast, Rachelle Chase (author of Creating the Black Utopia of Buxton, Iowa and Lost Buxton, along with six fiction books and novellas) brings history to life through conversations with authors, experts, and everyday people impacted by the week's book selection. Through storytelling, we connect with the history we were never taught in school. At a time when history is being used to divide us, let's learn how it unites us, and how Black history is not apart from American history, but how it's a part of American history. rachellechase.substack.com more

'The Pendant Shakespeare aka The Wild Bill Variety Show' is an ongoing presentation of the works of William Shakespeare. more

Welcome to Literary Lane, the  Podcast that takes you on a journey through the world of English literature History , from its earliest beginnings to the modern day. We explore the fascinating realm of books, poetry & literary terms & delve into the profound impact they have had on our society & culture.I provide in-depth analyses of some of the most significant works in English literature, examining their themes, characters, and historical context. Whether you're a literature lover, a history buff, or a English literature student , my channel is the perfect choice to immerse yourself in the world of literature & its history.•I hope you like my channel! Please let me know by subscribing:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPOq0gDjwH36w3rjKhK8b5Q?sub_confirmation=1-English language and literatureEnglish literature HistoryEnglish HistoryEnglish literature students Literature enthusiasts ReadingLiterary lane Literature Literary analysis Literary books ~#Englishliterature#literature#readingbooks#literaryanalysis#englishhistory#literarycriticism more

Nearly 160 years after it was first published, Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass continues to inspire, enthrall and educate generations of readers. This collection of poems serves as a vehicle for Whitman's philosophy, ideals, love of nature and mystical musings and it subsequently became one of the corner stones of American literature.Whitman was inspired to write Leaves of Grass based on Ralph Waldo Emerson's clarion call for a truly American poet who would tell of its glories, virtues and vices. In 1855, Whitman self published a small, slim volume containing twelve poems, which included 'Song of Myself' 'I Sing the Body Electric' and others which went on to gain immortality. Whitman himself wanted the book to be small enough to be carried in a pocket and though some 800 copies were initially printed, this edition did not even contain the author's name.Ralph Waldo Emerson who received a copy went on to lavishly praise the work and wrote to Whitman saying, 'I greet you at the beginning of a great career.' The rest, as they say, made publication history. Many subsequent editions were published and Whitman continuously added more and more poems to the collection. Today, Leaves of Grass contains nearly 400 poems all of which celebrate America and the American way of life. His subjects and concerns include slavery, nature, the Civil War, death, love, romance, spirituality, freedom and dignity of labor. One of his most famous poems, 'O Captain, My Captain' in memory of Abraham Lincoln is contained in the last edition, printed in 1892. Called the 'deathbed edition' it was published a few months before Whitman's death. His style includes sweeping lines of free verse, iambic forms and other interesting rhyming and non-rhyming forms of verse.Strangely enough, the book was received by some upholders of public morality to be extremely indecent and obscene. Walt Whitman was dismissed from his government job after his superior read and found the book highly offensive. Literary critics severely castigated the book, while poems like 'A Woman Waits for Me' and 'To A Common Prostitute' were dubbed profane. However, Whitman kept on writing according to his personal dictates and today, Leaves of Grass is seen as echoing the voice and the sentiments of the common man who loves freedom and beauty.It has been celebrated in media as diverse as television, rap music and modern novels and will surely appeal to readers who enjoy poetry and are interested in the literary history of America. more

Extraterrestrial invasion, the earth taken over by omniscient intelligences from Mars, the whole of humanity under siege and a nameless narrator who seems to be the lone survivor of the complete devastation of human civilization scenes from a Hollywood sci-fi blockbuster? Far from it! The War of the Worlds by HG Wells was written more than a century ago and went on to become an iconic work in the science fiction genre, spawning a whole new genre of literature featuring alien invaders. It was in fact the first book to present the idea of conflict between inhabitants of different planets. The story begins in an observatory in Ottershaw, when scientists note a series of mysterious explosions taking place on Mars. Some days later, the narrator who is on a walk on the Surrey Downs notices a weird cylindrical vehicle that suddenly opens to release a horde of hideous creatures who are later discovered to be Martians. The creatures are unable to breathe Earth's air and swiftly return to their vehicle. A peace delegation of humans tries to make contact but they're ruthlessly scorched to death by Martian heat-ray weapons. Thus begins the War of the Worlds. The British military swings into action, but their arms and ammunition are defenseless against sophisticated chemical weapons and heat-rays. Events race towards calamity as the nations of the earth unite to combat these fearful invaders to no avail. Survivors are reduced to scavenging for food with the cities of the world reduced to mere rubble. Can the human race survive? Will the narrator and his family escape destruction? The author, HG Wells was a science teacher in a small village in Somerset, England. However, he was also a gifted writer who wrote in several genres science fiction, literary novels, short stories, history, politics and social sciences. A keen student of war and combat, he created a set of rules for playing war games with toy soldiers, which provides an interesting glimpse of logistics, strategy and close combat techniques. Wells' contribution to our ideas of science fiction remains unparalleled and the book has been widely filmed, staged and televised. The War of the Worlds was immortalized as a Halloween prank in a radio show that aired on CBS on October 30, 1938, causing widespread panic and chaos as listeners across the United States tuned in and began fleeing from their homes! The enduring appeal of this book makes it a must read classic for readers of all ages. more

Beowulf is a long narrative poem composed in Old English some time in between the 8th and 11th century AD. The only surviving manuscript that contains the poem is preserved in the British Library and it too was badly damaged by fire in 1731. It is considered to be the oldest surviving work of poetry in English and one of the rare pieces of vernacular European literature that has survived since Medieval times. A prince arrives to rid a neighboring country of a terrible monster. He mortally wounds the horrendous creature and it retreats to die in its lair in the remote mountains. The monster's even more terrifying mother swoops down on the kingdom, prepared to destroy everything in a vengeful frenzy. The valiant prince slays her too and becomes a celebrated hero. Laden with gifts, he returns home to rule his kingdom wisely and well, till suddenly one day, he receives news of a dreadful and powerful dragon attacking the borders of his prosperous kingdom...There is no evidence to show the authorship of the poem and the manuscript reveals that it was hand-written by two different scribes. The poem originally had no title and it began to be called after its hero Beowulf the Prince of Geats in southern Sweden, only in the 19th century. The manuscript was in the possession of a scholar Lawrence Nowell and survives in a very delicate condition after so many centuries of neglect and mishaps. Beowulf recounts the story of the valiant warrior of Geats who comes to the aid of his neighbor, King Hrothgar whose mead hall is being attacked by a dreadful creature called Grendel. The mead hall was the big feasting hall of the king and sometimes even served as a living quarter for the king and his noblemen in medieval times in Scandinavia and the German parts of Europe. The monster is vanquished, but the next night, the warriors are stunned by the arrival of Grendel's even more loathsome mother, who wreaks havoc on the sleeping victors. Beowulf uses a magical sword to destroy her and returns to his kingdom where he achieves great success and renown as a just and brave ruler. Half a century later, another supernatural creature descends on the peaceful kingdom and Beowulf again takes up arms to ride in to battle.The poem can be seen as actual history, or as a lyrical ode to a brave king. It has had enormous impact on modern-day fantasy writers and continues to be a seminal work of early English literature. more

Anyone who has ever been on a package tour with a group of strangers who soon become friends, and passed time swapping stories with them, would instantly identify with this timeless classic of English literature. The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer recounts twenty different stories recounted by a diverse group of pilgrims who gather at The Tabard Inn in Southwark, near London, before setting out for the shrine of Thomas Becket in Canterbury. The Host of the inn proposes that they entertain themselves by telling stories along the route and the one who tells the best tale would win a prize a meal at Bailey's tavern, sponsored by the losers. Lots are drawn and the stories and the journey begin...Chaucer, who lived in medieval England during an eventful period in English history, is known as the Father of English Literature. As the first acknowledged poet in English, Chaucer was a polymath who had wide ranging interests in astronomy, alchemy, philosophy and literature. He was a courtier and civil servant in the 14th century, whose life is surprisingly well-documented for those times. A confidante and mentor to many royal children, Chaucer wrote the Canterbury Tales after his retirement, somewhere between 1380-90. It was written in verse form and in Middle English in the original, which would be difficult for modern readers to decipher easily. However, excellent translations have now made the text accessible to us. What sets The Canterbury Tales apart from other works during the period is that Chaucer preferred to use English rather than Latin which was considered to be the language of sophistication. This one decision made all the difference as people all over England soon began to use their native tongue to express themselves in prose and poetry. This is perhaps the first 'road trip' genre of writing in English and is replete with wonderful, ironic, sharp and witty descriptions of the characters and Chaucer's unerring eye for details allows the reader to instantly visualize the people he's describing. The Knight, The Wife of Bath, The Prioress and The Miller are some of the colorful travelers. The book is an interesting document regarding history, social customs, the medieval concept of 'courtly love,' the emphasis on companionship and cooperation while traveling, the role of the church and the prevailing corruption and romantic ideals of the time. For both casual readers and those interested in the history of English literature, The Canterbury Tales is an invaluable mine of information. more

'The First Book of the Faerie Queene Contayning The Legende of the Knight of Red Crosse or Holinesse'. The Faerie Queene was never completed, but it continues to be one of the most beautiful and important works of literature ever written. Spenser wrote it as a paean to the Virgin Queen Elizabeth, and to the golden age which she had brought to England. Sponsored by Sir Walter Raleigh and commended by the foremost literary minds of his day, Spenser's book remains one of the crowning poetic achievements of the Elizabethan period. more

Thomas Bulfinch (July 15, 1796 May 27, 1867) explains the his work is 'an attempt tell the stories of mythology in such a manner as to make them a source of amusement. We have endeavored to tell them correctly, according to the ancient authorities, so that when the reader finds them referred to he may not be at a loss to recognize the reference. Thus we hope to teach mythology not as a study, but as a relaxation from study; to give our work the charm of a story-book, yet by means of it to impart a knowledge of an important branch of education.' The Bulfinch version of myth, presents the myths in their literary versions, without unnecessary violence, sex, psychology or ethnographic information. The Bulfinch myths are an indispensable guide to the cultural values of the American 19th century. more

Magnificent in its scale and scope, this monumental poem by the blind poet John Milton was the first epic conceived in the English language. It describes an omniscient, all powerful God, the Fall of Man, the Temptation in the Garden of Eden, the disgraced angel who later becomes known as Satan, the Angelic Wars fought by Archangels Michael and Raphael and the Son of God who is the real hero of this saga. The poet John Milton was more than sixty years old when he embarked on this immense work of literary creation. His father was a wealthy merchant who had embraced Protestantism despite opposition from his Catholic family. Milton grew up in a privileged environment, having been schooled at home by private tutors and traveling extensively throughout Italy. It was here that he first read Virgil and Homer and decided to create his own epic in English. Tumultuous historical events intervened, like the English Civil War and the establishment of Puritan Rule. Milton was deeply embroiled in politics and the new parliament. When the monarchy was restored, Milton found himself on the wrong side and he retreated into hiding where he began working on his dream of creating an epic to match the best in Latin and Greek. He completed it after five years of tremendous effort, since he was already totally blind when he began working. The entire work, consisting of nearly ten thousand individual lines of blank verse was dictated by Milton from memory, to a series of scribes. Paradise Lost consists of twelve smaller volumes divided into Books. Each one is devoted to a particular Biblical episode. It begins with a prologue that describes the subject of the epic, much like an introduction. The action shifts to the rebellion of Lucifer and from then on, to familiar episodes like the temptation of Adam and Eve and their disobedience to God's laws. Satan and his unholy legions are described in great detail as are their rebellion and malevolence. Adam and Eve, God and the Son of God are portrayed in brilliant, unforgettable lines and the conflict between the forces of good and evil is represented on a cosmic scale. For lovers of poetry and literature, Paradise Lost represents a seminal work of supreme importance in English literature. Present-day readers will certainly find it fascinating to decode the multitude of classical references, Biblical lore, social and cultural themes that adorn this great work. more

Seamus Perry and Mark Ford consider poems that have been understood, admired and perhaps criticised for their politics, ranging across several hundred years of literary history.Mark Ford is Professor of English at University College, London, and Seamus Perry is Professor of English Literature at Balliol College, Oxford.Political Poems is part of the Close Readings podcast collection from the London Review of Books. Listen to this episode ad free, and get full access to all our Close Readings series, including more from Mark and Seamus:Sign up to the Close Readings subscription to listen ad free and to all our series in full:Directly in Apple Podcasts: https://lrb.me/ppapplesignupIn other podcast apps: https://lrb.me/ppsignup Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. more