The History of Literature Podcast

Amateur enthusiast Jacke Wilson journeys through the history of literature, from ancient epics to contemporary classics. (Episodes are not in chronological order - feel free to jump in wherever you'd like!)

The History of Literature Podcast goes to England! Join host Jacke Wilson for an unforgettable, all-inclusive tour of London, Oxford, and Bath. Tour dates: May 6-14, 2026. Sign up by September 30, 2025.

For the full itinerary and to make a reservation, check out the John Shors website.

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Oct. 1, 2025

737 "The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs

It's October! Jacke kicks off his favorite month with a classic tale of horror, "The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs. Perhaps you know the general contours of the paradigmatic "be careful what you wish for" story from the Simpso...

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Sept. 28, 2025

736 Jane Austen's Favorite Brother, Henry (with Christopher Herbert) | A Letter from the South of France | My Last Book with Nicholas Jenkins

Jane Austen had six brothers, but her older brother Henry was her favorite. Kind and witty, Henry has long been appreciated by Austen fans for his devotion to Jane and his championing of her novels. But Henry was a fascinatin...

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Sept. 21, 2025

735 Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf (with Mark Hussey) | My Last Book with Graham Watson

Jacke talks to author Mark Hussey ( Mrs Dalloway: Biography of a Novel ) about Virginia Woolf's beloved novel Mrs Dalloway , which turned 100 earlier this year. PLUS author Graham Watson ( The Invention of Charlotte Bronte ) ...

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Sept. 17, 2025

734 The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien (#16 GBOAT) | 1925 - A Literary Encyclopedia (with Tom Lutz)

Jacke talks to author Tom Lutz about 1925: A Literary Encyclopedia , which provides a fascinating window into a year when literature was arguably at its peak centrality. PLUS a look at J.R.R. Tolkien and his influential Lord ...

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Sept. 14, 2025

733 Haruki Murakami (with Mike Palindrome | To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (#17 GBOAT) | A Letter from Tehran

Haruki Murakami (b. 1949) is one of the rare writers who combines literary admiration with widespread appeal. Host Jacke Wilson is joined by lifelong Murakami fan Mike Palindrome to discuss what makes his novels so compelling...

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Sept. 10, 2025

732 The Bible (#18 GBOAT) | The Diaries of Samuel Pepys (with Kate Loveman) | Health Advice

Jacke starts the episode by looking at the different ways that ten writers have viewed the Bible, #18 on the list of the Greatest Books of All Time. Then he's joined by scholar Kate Loveman, one of the few people in the world...

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The History of Literature Podcast

Recent Episodes

737 "The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs

736 Jane Austen's Favorite Brother, Henry (with Christopher Herbert) | A Letter from the South of France | My Last Book with Nicholas Jenkins

735 Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf (with Mark Hussey) | My Last Book with Graham Watson

734 The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien (#16 GBOAT) | 1925 - A Literary Encyclopedia (with Tom Lutz)

733 Haruki Murakami (with Mike Palindrome | To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (#17 GBOAT) | A Letter from Tehran

732 The Bible (#18 GBOAT) | The Diaries of Samuel Pepys (with Kate Loveman) | Health Advice

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