11 episodes
The Great Books of Literature Podcast The IPA
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- Arts
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4.3 • 85 Ratings
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IPA Executive Director John Roskam and News Ltd Journalist and host of The Bolt Report Andrew Bolt discuss the great books of literature. Each episode covers a new book as the pair discuss the themes, the lives of the authors and the impact each book has had on civilisation
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Bonus Episode: On Reading 10 Great Books
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
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Episode 10: The Brothers Karamazov by 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 -
Episode 9: Pride and Prejudice by 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 8: The Radetzky March by 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 7: The Way We Live Now by 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.
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Episode 6: Heart of Darkness by 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
Customer Reviews
Excellent, but
I simply love the review of great literature. These guys are excellent and the chosen books are indeed great works. I only wish they would not be talking over each other so much, many times screaming, other talking so softly, it is annoying to have to constantly change the volume. With a little bit of discipline things can improve dramatically. Get a potato and make sure that only the person with the potato gets to speak, and be gentlemen and do not hoard the potato. Thanks for the good work, you certainly know your stuff and prepare very well. The delivery needs some work.
Average analysis but poor chemistry
They just interrupt each other, and even when they don’t interrupt each other, you can hear one of them trying to to interject.
So good - especially how they finish each other’s sentences
I never write reviews but I couldn’t help but write one for this podcast. I started with Karamazov and haven’t been able to stop listening since. I think I’ve finally found two people who share my enthusiasm for literature! Their genuine love for the authors and their ideas is such a breath of fresh air, and they are super insightful too. The best part is the way they interact - like brothers from another mother! They are so authentic and honest with each other! I can only imagine that Dostoyevsky, Dickens, Conrad, Brontë, Austen, etc. wrote their novels just dreaming that someone in the world would read them with the kind of passion these two men share for good books.