9 Best Literature History Podcasts

1. Literature and History

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With millions of downloads, hundreds of hours of soundtracked content, and an overall emphasis on the cultural history behind famous works of literature, Literature and History is one of the most popular independent podcasts on its subject. Starting with Sumerian cuneiform in 3,100 BCE, Literature and History moves forward in chronological order through Assyriology, Egyptology, the Old Testament, Ancient Greece and Rome, the birth of Christianity, and the early Middle Ages. The show's current season is on early Islamic history...MORE Host Doug Metzger
Email ****@gmail.com
Estimated Monthly Listeners 10k-50k
Apple Rating 4.9/5Apple Reviews 2.7KFacebook 3.7KTwitter 2.6K Avg Length 134 min Format Extended Since Feb 2016 Get Email Contact Get access to full database of 2.7M podcastsCreate podcast lists, export in spreadsheet or CSV file with email contacts and start your podcast outreach in minutes.Sign Up for Free with Email Continue with Google

2. The History of Literature

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Amateur enthusiast Jacke Wilson journeys through the history of literature, from ancient epics to contemporary classics. Episodes are not in chronological order and you don't need to start at the beginning - feel free to jump in wherever you like! Find out more at historyofliterature.com and facebook.com/historyofliterature. Support the show by visiting patreon.com/literature or historyofliterature.com/donate. Contact the show at ****@gmail.com.MORE Host Jacke Wilson
Producer/Network Podglomerate
Email ****@gmail.com
Estimated Monthly Listeners 10k-50k
Recent Guests Matt Abrahams, Fiona Sampson +5 more
Apple Rating 4.6/5Apple Reviews 2.1KFacebook 4.5KTwitter 2.7K Avg Length 70 min Format Long form Since Oct 2015 Get Email Contact

3. Folger Shakespeare Library: Shakespeare Unlimited

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Home to the world's largest collection of Shakespeare materials. Advancing knowledge and the arts. Discover it all at www.folger.edu. Shakespeare turns up in the most interesting places—not just literature and the stage, but science and social history as well. Our 'Shakespeare Unlimited' podcast explores the fascinating and varied connections between Shakespeare, his works, and the world around us.MORE Host Barbara Bogaev
Producer/Network Folger Shakespeare Library
Email ****@folger.edu
Estimated Monthly Listeners 10k-50k
Recent Guest Lauren Gunderson
Apple Rating 4.8/5Apple Reviews 1.1KFacebook 129.5KTwitter 29.2KInstagram 58.8K Avg Length 36 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

4. Saga Thing

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Saga Thing is a podcast for people who love history, literature, Vikings and all things medieval. In each episode, the hosts review a saga from medieval Iceland and then dig in to categories for discussion, including: Best Bloodshed, Body Count, Notable Witticisms, Nicknames, Outlawry, Thingmen, and Ratings.MORE Hosts John Sexton, Andrew Pfrenger
Producer/Network Saga Thing
Email ****@bridgew.edu
Estimated Monthly Listeners 10k-50k
Apple Rating 4.9/5Apple Reviews 639Facebook 2.6KTwitter 2.7KInstagram 1.2K Avg Length 87 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

5. Great American Novel

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Few literary terms are more hotly debated, discounted, or derided than the 'Great American Novel.' But while critics routinely dismiss the phrase as at best hype and as at worst exclusionary, the belief that a national literature commensurate with both the scope and the contradictions of being American persists. In this podcast Scott Yarbrough and Kirk Curnutt examine totemic works such as Herman Melville's Moby-Dick and Toni Morrison's Beloved that have been labeled GANs, exploring their themes, forms, and reception histories, asking why, when, and how they entered the literary canon...MORE Hosts Scott Yarbrough, Kirk Curnutt
Producer/Network Scott Yarbrough and Kirk Curnutt
Email ****@gmail.com
Estimated Monthly Listeners 1k-10k
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 122 Avg Length 82 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

6. The Classic English Literature Podcast

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Where rhyme gets its reason! In a historical survey of English literature, I take a personal and philosophical approach to the major texts of the tradition in order to not only situate the poems, prose, and plays in their own contexts, but also to show their relevance to our own. This show is for the general listener: as a teacher of high school literature and philosophy, I am less than a scholar but more than a buff. I hope to edify and entertain!MORE Host Matthew.G.Mcdonough
Producer/Network M. G. McDonough
Email ****@gmail.com
Estimated Monthly Listeners 1k-10k
Apple Rating 4.8/5Apple Reviews 86Instagram 157 Avg Length 31 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

7. Chrononauts

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A science fiction literature history podcast, covering popular and obscure works. Contains spoilers for all works discussed.Texts and translations: https://chrononautspodcast.blogspot.com/Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/1093395-chrononautsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/chrononautspodcastTwitter: @ChrononautsSFemail: ****@gmail.comMusic and readings: https://chrononautspodcast.bandcamp.comOpening theme music by Ionas von ZezswitzSounds and effects by NateAI thumbnail art by DALL-E-2 and Stable DiffusionMORE Hosts JM, Gretchen, Nate
Producer/Network JM, Gretchen and Nate
Email ****@gmail.com
Estimated Monthly Listeners 100-1k
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 9Facebook 89Twitter 47 Avg Length 80 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

8. The Global Novel: a literature podcast

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The Global Novel is a podcast that surveys the narratology of world literature and history of translation from antiquity to modernity with a critical lens and aims to make academic education in literature accessible to the world.MORE Host Claire L.Hennessy
Producer/Network Claire L. Hennessy
Email ****@theglobalnovel.org
Estimated Monthly Listeners 100-1k
Apple Rating 5/5Apple Reviews 3Facebook 60Twitter 7Instagram 42 Avg Length 22 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

9. English Literature: The Deep Talks with Dr Alok Mishra

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Welcome to the Spotify show: English Literature: The Deep Talks with Dr Alok Mishra!This podcast is for English literature students, teachers, professors, and enthusiasts who want to delve deeper into the concepts, ideas, isms, beliefs, and popular thoughts related to English literature from England and literature in English around the world. Dr Alok intends to discuss ages in the history of English literature, including prominent figures such as poets, novelists, dramatists, prose writers, literary critics, landmark publications, and the teaching of the subject in colleges and universities.MORE Email ****@gmail.com
Avg Length 11 min Format Short form Get Email Contact