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The History of Literature

The History of Literature

By: Jacke Wilson / The Podglomerate
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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.Jacke Wilson, all rights reserved Art Literary History & Criticism World
Episodes
  • 713 The Odyssey (with Daniel Mendelsohn) | The History of Literature Podcast Tour!
    Jul 3 2025
    Homer's Odyssey is one of the oldest surviving works of literature - and yet, somehow, it can also feel like one of the newest. The inventive narrative structure, complex hero, and surprisingly modern themes still feel fresh, thousands of years after the poem's genesis. In this episode, Jacke talks to author and translator Daniel Mendelsohn about his passion for the Odyssey and his efforts to breathe new poetic life into the ancient epic through a vivid new translation. PLUS Jacke announces the official launch of the History of Literature Podcast Tour! Join Jacke and a limited group of travelers as they go on their own epic journey, visiting literary locations in England in partnership with John Shors Travel. Links: Visit the History of Literature Podcast Tour itinerary at John Shors Travel. The Odyssey by Homer, translated with an introduction and notes, by Daniel Mendelsohn An Odyssey: A Father, a Son, and an Epic by Daniel Mendelsohn The music in this episode is by Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal. Learn more at gabrielruizbernal.com . Help support the show at patreon.com/literature or historyofliterature.com/donate . The History of Literature Podcast is a member of Lit Hub Radio and the Podglomerate Network. Learn more at thepodglomerate.com/historyofliterature . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 35 mins
  • 712 Shakespeare's Greatest Love (with David Medina) | New Play About Shakespeare's Collaboration with Marlowe
    Jun 30 2025
    He might be the greatest writer about love that the world has ever known. But as is so often the case with Shakespeare, the biographical record raises as many questions as it answers. How often did Shakespeare fall in love, and with whom, and what happened? Who was Shakespeare's greatest love? In this episode, Jacke talks to David Medina about his book Shakespeare's Greatest Love, which argues that the answer has long been hiding in plain sight. Check out David's book tour and other events at https://greatestloves.com/events Interested in the History of Literature Podcast Tour of Literary England? Send us an email at jackewilsonauthor@gmail.com or leave a message via the Contact page of historyofliterature.com. (More information to follow soon!) The music in this episode is by Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal. Learn more at gabrielruizbernal.com . Help support the show at patreon.com/literature or historyofliterature.com/donate . The History of Literature Podcast is a member of Lit Hub Radio and the Podglomerate Network. Learn more at thepodglomerate.com/historyofliterature . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr
  • 711 How Does Literature Handle Atrocities? (with Bruce Robbins) | My Last Book with Hemingway Expert Alex Vernon | Who Will Come to Jacke and Emma's Party?
    Jun 26 2025
    For millennia, literature has represented humanity at its finest. Over the same period of time, human beings have been committing the worst acts of mass violence imaginable. How have authors addressed these atrocities? Have they shown an ability to look at their own nation with the critical eyes of a stranger? And if so, have works of imagination proven themselves to be the right means of doing so? In this episode, Jacke talks to Bruce Robbins about his book Atrocity: A Literary History, which explores literary representations of mass violence to trace the emergence of a cosmopolitan recognition of atrocity. PLUS Hemingway expert Alex Vernon stops by to discuss his choice for the last book he will ever read. (Will Hemingway make his list?) AND Jacke reflects on marriage, catch phrases, and the sincere hope that someone will come to his party. Interested in the History of Literature Podcast Tour? Send us an email at jackewilsonauthor@gmail.com or a message via the Contact page of historyofliterature.com. The music in this episode is by Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal. Learn more at gabrielruizbernal.com . Help support the show at patreon.com/literature or historyofliterature.com/donate . The History of Literature Podcast is a member of Lit Hub Radio and the Podglomerate Network. Learn more at thepodglomerate.com/historyofliterature . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 13 mins

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