In this bonus episode of the IPA's Great Books of Literature Podcast, John Roskam and Andrew Bolt talk about which book was their favourite, which characters stuck out for them, which author's life was most interesting to learn about and what they learned from reading 10 of the great books of Western Civilisation

In this bonus episode of the IPA's Great Books of Literature Podcast, John Roskam and Andrew Bolt talk about which book was their favourite, which characters stuck out for them, which author's life was most interesting to learn about and what they learned from reading 10 of the great books of Western Civilisation

Bonus Episode: On Reading 10 Great Books

Fyodor Dostoevsky

The Brothers Karamazov is one of the most influential books ever written. Dostoevsky uses the book to explore morality, religion and the concept of free will. In this episode, John Roskam and Andrew Bolt discuss the book, its themes and the life of Dostoevsky 

The Brothers Karamazov is one of the most influential books ever written. Dostoevsky uses the book to explore morality, religion and the concept of free will. In this episode, John Roskam and Andrew Bolt discuss the book, its themes and the life of Dostoevsky

Episode 10: The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Pride and Prejudice is the most popular romantic comedy of all time. This comedic look at marriage and relationships has sold over 20 million copies since being published in 1813. John Roskam and Andrew Bolt discuss the book, its themes and the life of Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice is the most popular romantic comedy of all time. This comedic look at marriage and relationships has sold over 20 million copies since being published in 1813. John Roskam and Andrew Bolt discuss the book, its themes and the life of Jane Austen

Episode 9: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Radetzky March

The Radetzky March is one of the most important novels of the 20th Century. Spanning three generations of the Trotta family, The Radetzky March explores culture and patriotism amidst a dying empire in the lead up to the First World War. John Roskam and Andrew Bolt discuss these themes, the book and the life of Joseph Roth

The Radetzky March is one of the most important novels of the 20th Century. Spanning three generations of the Trotta family, The Radetzky March explores culture and patriotism amidst a dying empire in the lead up to the First World War. John Roskam and Andrew Bolt discuss these themes, the book and the life of Joseph Roth

Episode 8: The Radetzky March by Joseph Roth

Anthony Trollope

The Way We Live Now is Anthony Trollope’s searing criticism of the corruption at the top of British society. It was listed at number 22 in The Guardian’s top 100 books of all time. In this episode, John Roskam and Andrew Bolt discuss Trollope's life, the book and its themes.

The Way We Live Now is Anthony Trollope’s searing criticism of the corruption at the top of British society. It was listed at number 22 in The Guardian’s top 100 books of all time. In this episode, John Roskam and Andrew Bolt discuss Trollope's life, the book and its themes.

Episode 7: The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope

Joseph Conrad

Heart of Darkness is one of the most famous and most important works to come out of the colonialist era. Marlow’s venture into the Congo to find Kurtz is gripping and dark, and raises many questions about civility and the savagery that lies in every person. Andrew and John discuss whether, after reading the book, one can view Western Civilisation and its history in the same way as they had before. John Roskam and Andrew Bolt discuss the book, its themes and the life of Joseph Conrad

Heart of Darkness is one of the most famous and most important works to come out of the colonialist era. Marlow’s venture into the Congo to find Kurtz is gripping and dark, and raises many questions about civility and the savagery that lies in every person. Andrew and John discuss whether, after reading the book, one can view Western Civilisation and its history in the same way as they had before. John Roskam and Andrew Bolt discuss the book, its themes and the life of Joseph Conrad

Episode 6: Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

Don Quixote

In Don Quixote, Cervantes does more than simply tell funny, engaging and warm stories about a knight and his faithful squire. Below the surface of the funny stories is a deep psychological analysis of what it means to pursue our life's goals. John Roskam and Andrew Bolt discuss the book, its themes and style and the life and impact of Cervantes.

In Don Quixote, Cervantes does more than simply tell funny, engaging and warm stories about a knight and his faithful squire. Below the surface of the funny stories is a deep psychological analysis of what it means to pursue our life's goals. John Roskam and Andrew Bolt discuss the book, its themes and style and the life and impact of Cervantes.

Episode 5: Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes

Nikos Kazantzakis

Zorba The Greek is a life-changing work, which follows an unnamed narrator and his Cypriot companion Zorba as they discuss life, love, religion and everything else while working on a coal mine in Crete. In this episode, John and Andrew discuss the book, the life of Nikos Kazantzakis and the themes that emerge from the novel

Zorba The Greek is a life-changing work, which follows an unnamed narrator and his Cypriot companion Zorba as they discuss life, love, religion and everything else while working on a coal mine in Crete. In this episode, John and Andrew discuss the book, the life of Nikos Kazantzakis and the themes that emerge from the novel

Episode 4: Zorba The Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis

Emily Bronte

Wuthering Heights centres around the doomed relationship of its two main characters - Heathcliff, the adopted son of wealthy landowner Mr Earnshaw, and Earnshaw's daughter Catherine. It is a tale of love and obsession - and it is often violent. Emily Bronte presents a picture of a series of relationships all destined to end in destruction. In this episode, John and Andrew discuss the book, its themes and the life of Emily Bronte.

Wuthering Heights centres around the doomed relationship of its two main characters - Heathcliff, the adopted son of wealthy landowner Mr Earnshaw, and Earnshaw's daughter Catherine. It is a tale of love and obsession - and it is often violent. Emily Bronte presents a picture of a series of relationships all destined to end in destruction. In this episode, John and Andrew discuss the book, its themes and the life of Emily Bronte.

Episode 3: Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

The Leopard is set in Sicily in the 1860s at the time of the unification of the Italian states and in the midst of sweeping political and social upheaval. The book centres on a Sicilian nobleman, Don Fabrizio, Prince of Salina, and his family.  A central theme of the novel is how individuals and societies respond to change and it contains the famous words of the Prince - "If we want things to stay as they are, things will have to change." John Roskam and Andrew Bolt discuss the book, the life of Giuseppe Tomasi Di Lampedusa and what the message of change means to the world today. 

The Leopard is set in Sicily in the 1860s at the time of the unification of the Italian states and in the midst of sweeping political and social upheaval. The book centres on a Sicilian nobleman, Don Fabrizio, Prince of Salina, and his family.  A central theme of the novel is how individuals and societies respond to change and it contains the famous words of the Prince - "If we want things to stay as they are, things will have to change." John Roskam and Andrew Bolt discuss the book, the life of Giuseppe Tomasi Di Lampedusa and what the message of change means to the world today.

Episode 2: The Leopard by Giuseppe Tomasi Di Lampedusa

Listen to two men talk over one another for an hour without, seemingly, a set structure to the discussion.

Karamazov episode poorly executed

I found you by accident and was thrilled to see two of my favorite novels on your list—The Leopard and The Radetsky March. Those are two brilliant novels that should be more widely read. Your conversations about them were most insightful and reminded me of details I had long forgotten. I also rediscovered the interesting similarities between the two novels, both dealing with the end of an era and the effect on a particular family. I wonder how listeners who have not read the novels have reacted; do you think you should include “spoiler alerts”? I realize that might be quite difficult because you’re not doing quickie reviews but more in-depth analyses which necessitate giving away elements of the plot. In any event, thank you for this great series. I’m on to the next eight episodes.

Great conversations!

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