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!
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CraftLit is—Annotated Audiobooks for Busy People Love the classics (or wish you did) *** No time to pick up a book? Not any more! *** This weekly annotated audiobook podcast presents curated classic literature in a serialized format. The host—Heather Ordover—"teaches to the joke" by filling in any relevant tidbits before listening to the next chapter of the book. *** Callers regularly send in voicemail comments for play on the air to keep the "book club" vibe going. *** The podcast has been ...
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This podcast gives you a daily reading of classic literature, to ease your commute or help you through your English course
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Podcast taking a look at working class and radical literature, fiction and culture. Sister pod to Working Class History. Become a Paid Subscriber here to access exclusive bonus episodes: https://anchor.fm/workingclassliterature/subscribe Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/working-class-literature--5711491/support.
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Podcast by Classic Literature and Philosophy
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Discuss femininity and classic literature’s affect on contemporary literature in film.
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Literary Leviathans: Hunting the Great White Whales of Classic Literature
T. S. Russell and Elizabeth Bernadette
Join brother and sister T. S. Russell and Elizabeth Bernadette as we embark on a quest after the great works of literature! Like the mythic leviathan, these are stories so monstrous in scope and depth that to merely touch them is to be changed forever. Our topics range from short stories by Flannery O’Connor to plays by Shakespeare to romance novels by Jane Austen. Cover Art: Moby Dick by Culpeo-Fox. Used with permission. Theme Music: "Job Suite" by Michael Card. Used with permission.
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Love the idea of reading the classics but never seem to have the time? This podcast makes it easy. In about 30 minutes, each episode gives you a clear and engaging summary of a major work of Western or world literature—along with the background and historical significance that make it timeless. From Homer to Shakespeare to global masterpieces, you’ll hear not just great fiction but also influential works of non-fiction, religion, philosophy, politics, and more. You’ll get the stories, the bi ...
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What does it mean to search for love in the middle of chaos? In A Farewell to Arms, Ernest Hemingway tells the story of an American ambulance driver in World War I who falls in love with a British nurse against the backdrop of mud, blood, and uncertainty. Their romance burns brightly even as the war grinds on, reminding us how fragile joy can be wh…
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The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper (1826)
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32:37What happens when love, loyalty, and survival collide on the American frontier? The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper takes us deep into the wilderness during the French and Indian War, where cultures clash, alliances are tested, and danger lurks behind every tree. At its heart is the bond between Hawkeye, the rugged frontiersman, and h…
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What holds society together—fear, faith, or brute force? In Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes paints a bold picture of human nature: left to ourselves, life would be “nasty, brutish, and short.” His solution? A powerful, almost godlike sovereign—the Leviathan—to impose order and keep chaos at bay. But Hobbes wasn’t just laying out political theory; he was g…
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00:00 Intro 00:36 Start of book talk 29:51 Chapter audio 51:44 Post-chapter booktalk CHAPTER 36: The Quarter-Deck Link to the shownotes: Happy listening! Intro music: Upon a Nameless Tide by Aaron Ordover Outro: Adrift in Blue Hours by Aldrin Adolfo저자 Heather Ordover
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Modish Men and the Way of the World: The Great Restoration Comedies of Manners
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31:59Send us a text Well, I probably should have done this episode earlier, since it might have been good for it to precede our other discussions of Resto comedy. But I made a last minute decision and included a second play, which kind of threw off the old chronology. But it's good all the same! The Man of Mode by George Etherege: https://coldreads.word…
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Ep. 699: Mr. Harrison's Confessions | Chapters 9-13 Book talk begins at 12:56 Between Christmas dinners gone wrong, mixed signals with Sophy, and a stethoscope scandal that sets tongues wagging, life in Duncombe just keeps getting messier (and funnier). --------------------------------------------------------------- I have tomatoes Miscellaneous BO…
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What does it mean to grow up, to dream big, and to find your own voice in a world that doesn’t always listen? Little Women by Louisa May Alcott takes us inside the lives of the March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—as they face love, loss, ambition, and the everyday struggles of family life. It’s a story that feels both timeless and personal, whethe…
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What if the world you thought you knew could suddenly shrink to six inches tall—or expand into lands of giants, floating islands, and talking horses? Gulliver’s Travels isn’t just a whimsical adventure story—it’s Jonathan Swift’s razor-sharp satire that pokes fun at politics, pride, and the absurdities of human nature. From the tiny people of Lilli…
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저자 Adam Diament
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00:00 Intro 00:32 Start of book talk 36:26 Chapter audio 53:46 Post-chapter booktalk CHAPTER 35: The Mast-Head Link to the shownotes: Happy listening! Intro music: Upon a Nameless Tide by Aaron Ordover Outro: Adrift in Blue Hours by Aldrin Adolfo저자 Heather Ordover
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Ep. 698: Mr. Harrison's Confessions | Chapters 7-8 Book talk begins at 16:51 Want to hear how Gaskell balances grief, comedy, and social satire all in one breath? Tune in and let the story carry you away. --------------------------------------------------------------- Gaskell knew from dying children, shame we don’t read more of these old books b/c…
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Step into the dazzling world of Cyrano de Bergerac, Edmond Rostand’s timeless play about love, wit, and unshakable honor. Cyrano is a soldier-poet with a sword as sharp as his tongue and a nose as grand as his heart. He’s brilliant, brave, and hopelessly in love with the beautiful Roxane—but convinced his appearance makes him unworthy. So when the …
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Step into the stormy world of The Brothers Karamazov, Dostoevsky’s final and most profound masterpiece. It’s not just a family drama—it’s a collision of faith, doubt, passion, and philosophy, all wrapped in a murder mystery. The fiery Dmitri, the intellectual Ivan, and the spiritual Alyosha each represent a different path of the human soul, while t…
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00:00 Intro 00:33 Start of book talk 21:56 Chapter audio 36:36 Post-chapter booktalk CHAPTER 34: The Cabin-Table Link to the shownotes: Happy listening! Intro music: Upon a Nameless Tide by Aaron Ordover Outro: Adrift in Blue Hours by Aldrin Adolfo저자 Heather Ordover
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Ep. 697: Mr. Harrison's Confessions | Chapters 5-6 Book talk begins at 23:29 It’s picnic time in Duncombe! But our poor Mr. Harrison is wondering if this “pleasure outing” was anything but pleasant. --------------------------------------------------------------- SEPTEMBER Raffle - THIS WEEK’S TEA: BE THE ALGORITHM YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD Strut…
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"A Foolish Marriage Vow": John Dryden's Marriage a la Mode and Amphitryon
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30:49Send us a text For our second episode on John Dryden, we'll talk about two of his plays which marked an innovation in the tragi-comic romance: Marriage a la Mode and Amphitryon. We'll discuss the "split-plot" play, the exorcising of Restoration political anxieties, and why we sometimes mock that which we cherish. Additional sound clip from Monty Py…
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00:00 Intro 00:35 Start of book talk 20:06 Chapter audio 27"02 Post-chapter booktalk CHAPTER 33: The Specksnyder Link to the shownotes: Happy listening! Intro music: Upon a Nameless Tide by Aaron Ordover Outro: Adrift in Blue Hours by Aldrin Adolfo저자 Heather Ordover
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Ep. 696: Mr. Harrison's Confessions | Chapters 3-4 Book talk begins at 25:15 Pears, parties, and peculiar housemates—Mr. Harrison’s adventures just keep getting more awkward (and more entertaining). --------------------------------------------------------------- SEPTEMBER Raffle - THIS WEEK’S TEA: and (thank you LilyM) We caught Hank The Ultimate v…
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00:00 Intro 00:35 Start of book talk 30:17 Chapter audio 54:28 Post-chapter booktalk CHAPTER 32: Cetology Link to the shownotes: Happy listening! Intro music: Upon a Nameless Tide by Aaron Ordover Outro: Adrift in Blue Hours by Aldrin Adolfo저자 Heather Ordover
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Ep. 695: Mr. Harrison's Confessions | Chapters 1-2 Book talk begins at 14:46 You'll want to tune in to our latest story—because in Duncombe, even saying you feel “pretty well” can cause a stir. --------------------------------------------------------------- SEPTEMBER Raffle - THIS WEEK’S TEA: The Dress (in process and another of the dress on me) Mi…
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Send us a text Once hailed as the towering literary figure of the Restoration age, John Dryden is little known now by the general reader. Let's take care of that with a close look at his most enduring works, the poetical satires Mac Flecknoe and Absalom and Achitophel. Mac Flecknoe text: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44181/mac-flecknoe Abs…
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In ancient China, the sage Confucius wanders a fractured land, sharing timeless wisdom on virtue, duty, and harmony. Through dialogues with disciples, his teachings in The Analects shape the heart of a just society: respect for tradition, self-cultivation, and compassion. Will his words guide rulers and commoners alike to balance, or will chaos pre…
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In the misty shadows of Victorian England, a sinister force stirs. Count Dracula, an ancient vampire, emerges from his Transylvanian castle, weaving a web of seduction and terror. As Jonathan Harker, Mina, and Van Helsing confront his chilling power, they battle not just for their lives but their very souls. Will courage and faith overcome the unde…
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In the deserts of 7th-century Arabia, the Prophet Muhammad receives divine revelations, weaving a timeless guide for humanity. The Quran sings of mercy, justice, and devotion, calling believers to a path of righteousness. From tales of ancient prophets to visions of paradise and warnings of reckoning, its verses challenge hearts and minds. Will its…
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In the dawn of creation, from Eden’s garden to Babylon’s towers, the Old Testament (the Tanakh in Hebrew) unfolds a sweeping saga of humanity’s covenant with the divine. Patriarchs like Abraham, prophets like Moses, and kings like David navigate trials, triumphs, and divine wrath. Through floods, exiles, and promised lands, will faith endure the te…
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In a world under Roman rule, a humble carpenter from Nazareth, Jesus Christ, ignites a movement with teachings of love, forgiveness, and divine promise. From miraculous healings to searing parables, his journey inspires disciples, challenges empires, and defies death itself. As apostles spread his word through trials and triumphs, will faith conque…
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In merry old England, a motley band of pilgrims—knights, nuns, millers, and rogues—sets off for Canterbury, each spinning tales to pass the dusty miles. From bawdy jests to noble quests, their stories weave a vibrant tapestry of love, greed, faith, and betrayal. Who will win the storytelling crown, and what secrets will their words reveal? Saddle u…
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In the icy shadows of ambition, young Victor Frankenstein defies nature, stitching life from death to create a monstrous being. But when his creation awakens—tormented, abandoned, and yearning for purpose—Victor’s triumph becomes a nightmare. Hounded by guilt and vengeance across desolate landscapes, can creator or creature find redemption, or will…
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On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Prince Arjuna falters, torn by doubt and moral anguish. Enter Krishna, his divine charioteer, unveiling timeless wisdom: duty, detachment, and the eternal soul. As arrows fly and destinies clash, will Arjuna find the courage to act, or succumb to despair? Dive into the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred dialogue of action, d…
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In a restless scholar’s study, Heinrich Faust, yearning for life’s deepest truths, strikes a perilous bargain with the cunning Mephistopheles: infinite knowledge and worldly pleasures for the price of his soul. From celestial visions to tragic romance, his quest for transcendence weaves through love, power, and betrayal. Can Faust outsmart the devi…
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In a restless scholar’s study, Heinrich Faust, yearning for life’s deepest truths, strikes a perilous bargain with the cunning Mephistopheles: infinite knowledge and worldly pleasures for the price of his soul. From celestial visions to tragic romance, his quest for transcendence weaves through love, power, and betrayal. Can Faust outsmart the devi…
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In the stifling slums of St. Petersburg, Rodion Raskolnikov, a tormented ex-student, wrestles with his own radical ideas. Driven by desperation and a twisted sense of superiority, he commits a brutal act, believing himself above morality. But as guilt festers and paranoia consumes him, a cunning detective closes in, and a saintly outcast offers red…
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In a sun-scorched land of dreams and dust, an aging dreamer dons rusty armor, dubs himself Don Quixote, and sets off on a quest to revive chivalry. With his loyal squire Sancho Panza by his side, he battles windmills he mistakes for giants, woos a peasant girl he envisions as a princess, and chases glory through a world that laughs at his madness. …
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Dive into the epic adventure of Homer's The Odyssey in our latest podcast episode! Follow Odysseus’s thrilling journey through treacherous seas, cunning monsters, and divine challenges as he strives to return home. Packed with timeless themes of courage, loyalty, and destiny, this classic tale comes alive—tune in to explore why it still captivates …
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The Epic of Gilgamesh is the world’s oldest surviving epic, a tale that blends myth, history, and timeless human questions. It follows Gilgamesh, a powerful king of ancient Mesopotamia, whose friendship with the wild man Enkidu changes him forever. Together they battle monsters and defy the gods, but when tragedy strikes, Gilgamesh is forced to con…
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Great Expectations is Charles Dickens’s sweeping story of ambition, identity, and transformation. It follows Pip, a poor orphan whose life is changed when he suddenly comes into wealth from a mysterious benefactor. As he moves from the marshes of his childhood to the glittering but hollow world of London society, Pip learns hard lessons about love,…
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The Great Gatsby is F. Scott Fitzgerald’s dazzling portrait of the Roaring Twenties—a world of glittering parties, easy money, and elusive dreams. At the center is Jay Gatsby, a mysterious millionaire whose obsession with the past drives both his rise and his downfall. More than a love story, it’s a sharp look at ambition, illusion, and the hollown…
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Moby-Dick is Herman Melville’s epic tale of obsession, adventure, and the sea. It follows Captain Ahab, who drives his crew across the oceans in pursuit of the great white whale that once maimed him. Part thrilling chase, part meditation on fate and madness, it blends vivid storytelling with deep questions about humanity’s place in the universe. So…
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The Prince is Machiavelli’s bold and often controversial guide to power—written in Renaissance Italy but still strikingly relevant today. Instead of dreaming about how rulers should behave, Machiavelli lays out how they actually do—arguing that sometimes it’s better to be feared than loved, and that appearances can matter more than reality. It’s sh…
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The Tao Te Ching is a short, poetic guide to living in harmony with the world, written over two thousand years ago by the sage Laozi. It speaks in simple yet mysterious verses about balance, humility, and the power of going with the flow instead of fighting against it. Though it’s one of the most translated works in history, its wisdom still feels …
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The Scarlet Letter is a haunting story of sin, shame, and resilience set in the strict world of Puritan New England. At its center is Hester Prynne, forced to wear a scarlet “A” on her chest after bearing a child out of wedlock. While the community judges and ostracizes her, Hester shows strength, dignity, and quiet defiance in the face of cruelty.…
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Wuthering Heights is a stormy, unforgettable tale of love, revenge, and obsession set against the wild Yorkshire moors. At its center is the fierce bond between Heathcliff and Catherine—a passion so intense it defies convention, yet so destructive it haunts generations. More than just a gothic romance, it’s a story about pride, cruelty, and the way…
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The Iliad isn’t just a war story—it’s one of the world’s oldest epics, filled with gods, heroes, and the raw emotions that drive them. At its heart is Achilles, the greatest warrior of the Greeks, whose anger changes the course of the Trojan War. It’s a tale of pride, love, loss, and the search for lasting glory, told with a power that still resona…
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Love the idea of reading the classics but never seem to have the time? In this introductory episode, Adam Diament explains what Classic Books in 30 Minutes is all about—why it was created, how it works, and what you can expect from each episode. You’ll hear the story of how the project began as a personal way to learn literature on the go, how it g…
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00:00 Intro 00:34 Start of book talk 27:36 Chapter audio 38:45 Post-chapter booktalk CHAPTER 32: Cetology Link to the shownotes: Happy listening! Intro music: Upon a Nameless Tide by Aaron Ordover Outro: Adrift in Blue Hours by Aldrin Adolfo저자 Heather Ordover
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Puritans in Arcadia: Anne Bradstreet, Edward Taylor, and Pastoralism
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42:29Send us a text Since they wrote in 17th century Massachusetts, poets Anne Bradstreet and Edward Taylor are often overlooked in surveys of English literature. Today, though, we'll bring them back into the fold as we look at how their puritanical religious beliefs engaged with the pastoral and metaphysical poetic traditions that celebrated "Arcadia,"…
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00:00 Intro 00:31 Start of book talk 19:40 Chapter audio 25:27 Post-chapter booktalk 40:33 Interview with Ehren Ziegler CHAPTER 31: Queen Mab Link to the shownotes: Happy listening! Intro music: Upon a Nameless Tide by Aaron Ordover Outro: Adrift in Blue Hours by Aldrin Adolfo저자 Heather Ordover
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Following our double-episode on the Florence Working-Class Literature Festival back in February, our co-host Matt was invited to this year’s festival, recording this episode on-site at the ex-GKN factory in Florence. Featuring the various writers, researchers, organisers, and activists in attendance, this episode captures the atmosphere of the fest…
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00:00 Intro 00:43 Start of book talk 22:12 Chapter audio 33:14 Post-chapter booktalk CHAPTER 29: Enter Ahab; to Him, Stubb CHAPTER 30: The Pipe Link to the shownotes: Happy listening! Intro music: Upon a Nameless Tide by Aaron Ordover Outro: Adrift in Blue Hours by Aldrin Adolfo저자 Heather Ordover
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