Jacke Wilson

January 15, 2016

Two Genre Titans: When James Bond Met Philip Marlowe

So many great literary meetings have been lost to time. Here’s a fascinating one that wasn’t: Ian Fleming (master of the spy novel) discussing craft with Raymond Chandler (master of the hardboiled detective novel). This is believed to be the only recording of Raymond Chandler’s voice. Sit back, pour yourself something shaken not stirred, and enjoy! Continue reading

Arts, Authors, books, Fiction, Writing

bbc, craft, detective, genre, ian fleming, Interview, james bond, philip marlowe, raymond chandler, spy

January 14, 2016

One More for Ziggy Stardust

For those of you who haven’t seen this…or even if you have… Rest in peace, Mr. Jones. We will miss you. Continue reading

Arts

chubby little loser, David Bowie, ricky gervais

January 13, 2016

Farewell, Sweet Spaceman

Gutted. What a life, though. He will be missed. There are a million clips to look at, but here’s one of my favorites: Continue reading

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David Bowie

January 11, 2016

Episode 11 – The Upanishads (Part One)

Thousands of years ago, using techniques of deep meditation, Indian mystics conducted investigations into the powers of the universe and the nature of human consciousness, developing ideas about a single supreme god, the eternal soul, and the relationship of individuals to the spiritual cosmos. Their flashes of insight were passed along orally for hundreds of years before being recorded in written form sometime around 900 B.C. The best Continue reading

Arts, books, history of literature, Podcast, Writing

ancient literature, Descartes, gandhi, hinduism, india, ishapanishad, religious seekers, sacred texts, upanishads, vedas, wisdom

January 7, 2016

Indian Literature – A Cosmic Feast (History of Literature Episode 10)

Recalling his own long-ago transition from China to India, our host previews our journey’s next stop, where we will immerse ourselves in the literature of a spectacular culture. Marked by classics like the Rig Veda (1500 – 1200 B.C.) and the Upanishads (ca. 900 B.C.), the Ramayana (ca. 550 B.C.), and the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita Continue reading

Arts, Authors, books, history of literature, Podcast, Writing

bhagavad gita, india, julie sahni, mahabharata, nepal, ramayana, rig veda, sanskrit, tibet, vedas

January 4, 2016

Confucius (HoL Episode 9)

Perhaps the most influential teacher in the history of the world, Confucius (551-479 B.C.) left a literary legacy that continues to inspire and provoke. Jacke Wilson takes a look at the historical Confucius, the impact that the five works known as the “Confucian canon” has had on China, and the collection of sayings and anecdotes known as the Analects. You can Continue reading

Arts, Authors, books, history of literature, Podcast

analects, China, confucius, Poetry

January 2, 2016

Here We Go! Top Podcast Episodes of 2015!

Happy New Year! On New Year’s Eve I expressed some gratitude and kicked off our countdown of 2015’s top podcast episodes. Today, I can reveal the Top History of Literature Episodes of 2015 as selected by you, the listeners. For those of you new to the History of Literature, this might be the best place Continue reading

Arts, Authors, books, history of literature, Podcast, restless mind show, Uncategorized

history of literature, Homer, Jacke Wilson

December 31, 2015

New Year’s Thank You: The Top Podcast Episodes of the Year

Dear Readers and Listeners: It’s time for another humble thank you from your old friend Jacke. This year was another good one in Jackeland. No new books (alas), but a newly launched podcast, plenty of blogging inspiration – and most importantly, the community of readers and listeners who make everything worthwhile. I owe you more Continue reading

Arts, Authors, history of literature, Podcast, Writing

Arts, History, Literature, new year, top episodes of 2015

December 24, 2015

A Jacke Wilson Holiday (Restless Mind Episode 10)

Jacke offers some holiday thoughts on loneliness, his failures with women and the theater, and a teary trip to the Nutcracker. Happy Holidays! Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:35 — 28.5MB) Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS | More Subscribe Options Continue reading

Arts, history of literature, Podcast, restless mind show

ballet, ballet dad, Christmas, fiddler on the roof, Holidays, jacke wilson fails with women, nutcracker

December 23, 2015

“Mao Doesn’t Sell” – The Chinese Government’s Return to Confucianism

Fascinating article in the WSJ about the Chinese government’s attempt to return to Confucianism. “Mao doesn’t sell,” says one official. But what’s left? In the last year, the party has publicly ordered its officials nationwide to attend lectures on Confucius and other classical Chinese thinkers, while tightening restrictions on Western influence in art, academia and Continue reading

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