Authors
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The History of Literature Episode 5 – Greek Tragedy (Part One)
How was tragedy invented? Why was it so popular in Ancient Greece, and what power does it have for us today? Using the discussion of tragedy in Aristotle’s Poetics, author Jacke Wilson takes a look at tragedies from ancient times to Shakespeare and Breaking Bad. Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 48:53 —… Continue reading
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Restless Mind Show #7 – Literature and Loneliness
On the eve of a holiday, author and host of the History of Literature podcast Jacke Wilson considers the consolations that total immersion in literature can provide. Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:29 — 19.9MB) Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS | More Subscribe Options Continue reading
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Sensual Sappho
Wow, what a great response to the Sappho episode of the History of Literature podcast. An all-time record for downloads in a day! You can catch up on the Sappho episode (or any other episode) by subscribing on iTunes or Android or Stitcher, or just typing “History of Literature” into whatever podcast app you use.… Continue reading
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Sappho’s Ghost in Western Washington
Hello! We’re hard at work getting ready for the Sappho episode of the History of Literature podcast, which we’ll release on Monday. Brilliant reader MAM posted this comment: Did you know that Sappho influenced the name of what is now a ghost town in Western Washington in the late 1800’s? Whaaaaaat!? There was a community… Continue reading
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Is This What Sappho Sounded Like?
Next Monday on the History of Literature podcast, we’ll be taking a look at Sappho. (It’s very interesting to contrast her with her near contemporary Homer, whom we looked at last time.) One of the great tragedies of literature is how much of Sappho we’ve lost: not just the poetry but ALL of the accompanying music. What… Continue reading
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On Protecting the Creative Process
Brilliant Reader (and hard-at-work novelist) CH considers our offer to share her first line and responds: Although I’ve decided not to share my opening sentence here, I’m grateful for your post, Jacke. 18 K-plus words later, I honestly couldn’t remember what my first sentence was. Today was one of those days when I wondered if… Continue reading
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History of Literature Episode 3A: Odysseus Leaves Calypso
Responding to a listener email, author Jacke Wilson takes a deeper look at one of the Odyssey’s most famous passages. Why does Odysseus leave Calypso, and what does it tell us about Homer and his genius? And is it fair to compare Achilles and Odysseus with Yosemite Sam and Bugs Bunny? Podcast: Play in new… Continue reading
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The Restless Mind Show 5 – Gar Discovers a Lost Recording of Walt Whitman!
Gar finds a lost recording of Walt Whitman reading his own poetry! Plus: Author Jacke Wilson gives an update on the Greatest First Lines contest. Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:27 — 20.5MB) Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS | More Subscribe Options Continue reading
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Well Now, This Changes Everything…
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man of Good Fortune must be in want to go. –Google Voice, attempting to transcribe the first line of what it believes to be “Pride and Prejudice: Fight in Action” [known to human beings as “Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen”] (And yes, this means I’m enjoying listening… Continue reading
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The Restless Mind Show 4 – Signs and Symbols
Jacke and Gar take a break from the history of literature to look at the meaning of signs and symbols. Can we forgive the swastika? Should we? Plus: Gar reveals his three ideal dinner guests. Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:39 — 23.4MB) Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS | More Subscribe Options Continue reading
Jacke Wilson 