Poetry
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The History of Literature #46: The Poetry of the T’ang Dynasty
China’s T’ang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.) valued poets and poetry like no other culture before or since. In this episode, Jacke Wilson takes a look at what may have been the greatest flourishing of poetry in the history of the world. Poets discussed include Ezra Pound (1885-1972), T’ao Ch’ien (365-427), Wang Wei (ca. 699-761), Li Bai (Li Po) (701-762), and Tu… Continue reading
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History of Literature Episode 42 – Was Prince a Poet?
He was a supremely talented musician and composer – but was he the voice of his generation? Jacke and Mike take a look at the life and lyrics of Prince. Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:07 — 31.3MB) Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS | More Subscribe Options Show Notes: You can… Continue reading
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The History of Literature Podcast Episode 36 – Poetry and Empire (Virgil, Ovid, Horace, Petronius, Catullus)
What happens when a republic morphs into empire? What did it mean for the writers of Ancient Rome – and what would it mean for us today? Jacke Wilson takes a look at the current state of affairs in America and the Roman examples of Virgil, Ovid, Horace, Petronius, and Catullus. Podcast: Play in new window |… Continue reading
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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
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Episode 8 – The Shi Jing (Chinese Classical Poetry)
Our history of literature journey continues by traveling to the other side of the globe, where Chinese poets are busy recording ancient folk songs and verse that together convey a picture of life in ancient China, from peasants and farmers to soldiers and diplomats. Eventually a selection of these poems will be gathered into a single collection edited… 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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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
Jacke Wilson 