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In my top three
I just discovered The History of Literature podcast this year, and now I am trying to catch on all I missed. I never thought I would find a podcast/host I liked as much as This American Life and Ira Glass, but Jacke manages to put together a program that is as witty, entertaining, and intellectually stimulating without having the support of a public radio broadcast team. You have to try this podcast! You will be hooked!
Yes to literature, ugh emails
Interesting content on literature, but the emails from listeners is so annoying to me, just an exercise in narcissism on all sides.
The History of Literature is my favorite. The stories have sustained me during dificult times.
Jacke knows literature and presents in a much more warm and personal way, not the stuffy or condescending prof type! I have learned so much and it inspired me to read more broadly and with an open mind. I heard the show on Ovid before reading Bates book on Shakespeare and past mythology. Thanks Jacke!
Wonderful Podcast
Incredible podcast!
Wow!
Oh my.....I had no idea that I love literature. Jacke makes literature so accessible and relevant.
Superb literary analysis
Jacke Wilson is the English teacher you wish you had. He’s knowledgeable, funny, probably has an episode about your favorite author. What a great resource. Reading is so enjoyable with someone like Jacke to flesh out and analyze great literature with.
Delightful Discovery!
If you like books and history and interesting people’s thoughts, you can’t go wrong with the soothing voice of Jacke Wilson, sharing information and insights about literature from the Old Testament to Kazuo Ishiguro. This is one of my favorites.
Wonderful
I absolutely love this podcast. It’s a work of literary art in itself - the care that is put into each episode, the way the information is shared, the personal stories, the fact that the old literary giants seem to come alive - Jacke Wilson is a master storyteller and the podcast is a twice a week gift.
See Jacke Think
He offers his thoughts, not theories or close readings. I see him thinking and even laugh out loud at times Listening to this podcast is too share in a kind man’s readings of authors whose writing nurtures our humanity As my soul needs wisdom and my mind a good bedtime story to put it to rest, this podcast has become my go-to!
Excellent podcasts for readers
I genuinely find learning more about authors and their best works really interesting. I like listening to this during the day when I’m painting or something like that but I also really love falling asleep listening to someone talk about a novel <3 10/10
The History of Literature
Simply the best!
Great Show
Love Jack and this awesome show!
In-depth, entertaining, funny, warm
This is a wonderful podcast! Jacke’s intelligent, sensitive and humorous words crackle with energy and enthusiasm for a variety of topics. He is not only versed in literature from the past and present, but knowledgeable about to synthesize this information for us today. This podcast has given me new questions to ask about not only about my own life, but also about our current political struggles here in the US and elsewhere. Jacke provides us with a moral, albeit undogmatic and nuanced lense through which we might view our present condition. Jacke is above all a great reader and has a funny, soothing demeanor and voice. It’s just fun!
Enjoying This
I just discovered this podcast last week. I was looking for Rob Lowe’s Literally but when History of Literature popped up I had to check it out. Listened to the Ebenezer Scrooge episode and got hooked. Gotta say listening to Jacke’s take on books is far more edifying than an interview with sometimes gifted sometimes privileged actor.
Completely enraptured
Jacke has everything what’s right in podcast listening. It’s his rhythm, it’s his hyperlink think... then there’s the deep knowledge of the author, the book, and those characters! He’s a character himself. This is the penultimate bedtime story, morning coffee, and my errands in the time of COVID. Thanks Jacke.
Great, fun, nerdy podcast!
It’s like sitting by a warm fire talking to my nerdy lit friend about great literature, the authors who wrote it, the historical context, and its relativity to today. I love it! Like a book club of one as we ride out Covid. Thank you Jacke!
Fantastic!
This podcast has made teleworking so much more enjoyable...helps me not smash my computer on a daily basis.
Your New Favorite Podcast
I am a lover of history and have just started rereading the classics during the pandemic. Jacke does the most fabulous job describing the history of novels & life stories of the authors. Can’t recommend it enough! Also, Jacke has the best radio voice ever! Love hearing about his travels
A great listen
This is so nice to listen to-it's brought me back to my first love-books.
History of Literature Podcast
I listen to lots of podcasts and the History of Literature is my absolute favorite. I look forward to each new episode and Jack is an excellent friend to ride this pandemic out with.
The Best Classic Books Podcast
I’ve learned about so many new authors and books I’ve never heard of just from listening to Jacke and Mike talking. I tend to skip the email reading but the actual content is solid. Like everyone who reads books, they’re opinionated, so don’t be shocked if your favorite classic or author gets dismissed. My favorite episodes are the “list” ones. Most of the other book/lit podcasts I’ve tried were either too surfacy, too woke, or too focused on how the books applied to Christianity.
It was a wonderful discovery!
The History of Literature is a great podcast. I discovered it searching literature podcasts when the lockdown in my country started. It has a broad perspective and a variety of authors, traditions, and very concerned guests. Without doubt, listen one of the episodes. If you love reading, sure you will find something interesting.
What a treasure!
I highly recommend this podcast to all lovers of literature that want a little background on the books on our reading lists. Informative without being condescending. A soothing and relaxing voice but not boring.LOVE that he weaves music into his program. The first show I listened to flew by...So glad I found this!
Dive deep into favorite books and authors
Love how this podcast covers beloved books and authors. The opposite of brain-strain lecturing, the host shares what he loves about these books, puts them into context and dives deep into their magic. Wonderful!
Love this show! But...
I really do live this show, and look forward to the next. But, the reading of ‘thank you’ emails at the beginning of each show is way too much bragging.
Job done
Had not checked in for a couple months, so good to see the high output and title like Karamazov and Karanina. Thanks Jacke and Mike and friends!
Love it!
Great episode about Orwell, really enjoyed it and truly insightful. the Dumas episode was fun and interesting as well! Hope Saint-Exupery follows soon😊 Thank you for your effort, can’t get enough of your pod
England vs France
This cast is a lot of fun and very much worth your time. But there’s so much here ... it deeply cuts into my actual READING time! I’d resent that greatly were Mitch & Andy & Nikki not so surpassingly good! They’re SO good, in fact, I CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY to this cast, despite the fact that the nationwide radio news network that has employed me ... recently went out of business. But as Shakespeare or Jesus or Aristotle or one of those said, “Humankind does not live be bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth from the mouths of Miller and Mitchenson and Birch. Whichever holy man or sharp wag said it ... was exactly right. Evan Haning, DC region
Absolutely Marvelous
Like having a pub conversation with your most dramatic erudite and well read friend
Educational and therapeutic
A thoughtful, personal look at literature from a true afficianado. I listen to discover new authors and to learn more about old favorites. I've also listened to have something to think about when I needed some relief from a troubling situation. So it is, for me, both educational and therapeutic.