The Great Books
The Great Books
National Review
Reviews
via Podcasts
Insight on Great Works
Thank you for this service
Lady MAH
Love every episode
But Hunt’s voice was grating.
Rb 1111111111111111
David Hume
Thank you, John for all these excellent podcasts. They remind me of the great books I’ve read & inspire me to read those I haven’t.
Mark Wm L
lol. no.
so this is conservative intellectualism? perfect. all these morons whinging about liberal bubbles and safe spaces. honestly, if you do consider yourself a serious person, take a minute, and look at the selections. the "classic" "western" "canon" (by definition that's elitism, no??) is far more wide and more diverse than this. you are selecting works, and interpreting them to soothe and validate your preconceived worldview. honestly, ask yourself "serious person," why such safe choices? what is actually so sad is that you're all too ignorant to even know that there is so much more and better out there. and you're missing out.
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5onalee
Superb
I look forward to each new installment.
Lindyc5
George McDonald
Outstanding
SRH04
Great information!
Always helpful information with people who are in the know.
Vex Brute
Great source of reading material
John Miller does an exceptional job of asking the questions that allow his expert guests to share new insights about familiar texts. This podcast is also an excellent source of ideas for new reading material.
Hillsdale fan
Makes even steep hills disappear
For years I’ve savored Great Books during long bike rides, while Miller and his guests revisit old favorites and introduce me to new options. Thanks for making the miles fly by!
Book biker
Decent
Pretty basic interview podcast. I prefer interviews that feel more like a conversation, whereas John J. Miller seems to use the same broad playbook of questions for every episode, and doesn’t necessarily respond to what the guest says. Also, only the latest 10 episodes are available now? I’m guessing you have to subscribe or something. A show like this is only useful if the entire backlog is available, but it’s not good enough for me to even consider paying money for it.
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ZachMG
Turds fer terds
(Should I kee… nope.)
Gary Brothers
Thank you-new thoughts for me
The episode of the Grimms Fairy Tales contained so many new ideas for me. I didn’t know the background of the stories.
Klahn Girl
Well worth the time spent listening
Podcast produced by John Jay Miller, who also produces Bookmonger. I’ve been listening to Bookmonger for over three years and now discovered Great Books. This podcast provides in-depth analysis why the book is great and its value today to all earnest readers. Well Done!
majorspydr
Excellent help
When I’m looking to read a great work of fiction I look here not only to get an idea of something I might find interesting but also in search of a book that I ought to read. Never been disappointed. Great conversations.
efwHunter
Keep this podcast going!
I love refreshing podcasts like this. Please keep it going
Javi Rojo Jr
Excellent Podcast!
I highly recommend this podcast for anyone who loves the Great Books, enjoys different perspectives and who simply loves to learn. Truly a podcast that excites the mind and forces us to think critically.
Christopher De Francis
Short, Sweet, and Engaging
This is a great literature podcast. The host asks great questions and then listens to the guests response like a professional. There is so much packed into bit sized episodes, which are easily digestible. I’m glad my favorite authors, Tim Powers and Gene Wolfe, got some well deserved credit too.
Aaron Irber
100% AGREE with previous reviewer
Please make ALL the Great Books Episodes available through the podcast. Great Books is a main reason I joined NRPlus.
jmrwest
Good analysis
For the most part, the guests provide good analysis and insight into the literary works they discuss. I was introduced to Elizabeth Gaskell’s “North
Malkaruth
Thoroughly enjoy it
Excellent program! JJ Miller is a wonderful host, does his homework. Thank you! The only hitch is I haven’t been able to revisit many of the shows. Would love to be able to do it. Worth listening again.
Guate8
Love listening
I’m a regular listener. Would love to have access to all prior episodes but haven’t discovered the means to do so.
RedlandsHS
Broadens My Appreciation for Good Literature
This podcast has helped me find or rediscover so many good books. John J. Miller is a great interviewer, and unlike so many other book interviewers, he’s actually read and can provide insights on the books. And for those of you who don’t like the very short political ads, just hit your 15-second skip button. That’s what it’s for, and it will get you back to John’s superb show.
Michael D. McAuley
Subscribe!
Extremely worthwhile podcast.
why22x
EW! dreadful conservative ads
EWWW. It’s offensive to listen to an ad like the conservative republican narrative offering this podcast chose to have offend some of their potential followers from the get go - so gross. No thanks.
tgiw21
Best podcast for bookworms, too much poliics
I have been following this podcast for many years and I love it. This is the only place where people actually talk about books, the story, the writing, the author, all the guests are very knowledgeable. Sadly it is becoming increasingly political, with all this advertisement pro right wing. Please stop. This is about books. Leave politcs outside
Italianinny
Mr Miller is a great podcaster
His interviews are like great adventures. It is a whirlwind of delight created by his guidance and the knowledge of his guests .
Far removed
The Book
Much depends on the readers’ tastes in books. I’ve listened to many agreeable selections. Love to hear an episode on _Remains of the Day_ or _Sophie’s Choice_.
SadAttorney
garbage
conservative political attack ads mixed in with high school level literature analysis
ispy1337
Not so great.
Extremely conservative and not particularly challenging material. Eye rolling for every 'so sincere' bashing of liberal education. This weeks starry eyed endorsement of Ben Carson(!?!) I'm done.
OML
Informative, interesting, & thought-provoking
Great hosts with interesting takes on your favorite boooks and some you have yet to experience. Keep up the good work. (If your only listen was episode 232, don’t judge the podcast solely on that episode. It was an outlier.)
Dayton Family of Four
One of My Favorite Half Hours of Each Week
These short but informative explorations of important works of literature always teach me something new. Additionally, they have introduced me to several authors and works of which I had previously either never heard, or at least had never read. Kudos to John J Miller and NR for putting together such a wonderful podcast!
SeñorM
Great Beginning in the BCPZ
Please don’t stop here. That was a very informative interview regarding the first additions of the BCP. Please continue in a different episode. There’s so much that can be said about that 1928 book of common prayer and what theological movements informed that. It’s all fascinating.
laurenvger
Ironic advertisement makes Lincoln’s point
I really enjoyed the episode about Lincoln’s speeches, very relevant for today. In fact, during the discussion of how concerned Lincoln was about the divisions in our country & the destructive passions at work against is unity, the podcast ran an ad for a conservative youth educational platform that began (not direct quote, but very, very close): “We all know that leftist teachers and universities are indoctrinating our youth….” I had to laugh at the ironic placement of this ad, sowing divisions and rousing passions in the midst of a discussion about the dangers of these things to our self government. Just too perfect.
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Sazi
Exceptional
Exceptional episode on Animal Farm. Loved the Hobbit episode, too. Wide ranging podcast unafraid to be intellectually demanding and soberly intelligent.
Buhlteufelin
Wonderful Interview of The Hobbit
Love the Tolkien books and Holly Ordway provided a wonderful overview of The Hobbit. I have saved the episode along with the previous ones on the trilogy. The questions provided an enjoyable conversation that could easily have continued for some time. Nicely done!
WoodMorger
Tantalizing Interviews
So happy to have discovered this podcast. Miller lets his guest tell about such and such a book, and why it’s an important read for others.
estburke
Love this podcast but …
I love this podcast and and am a regular listener. But I was disappointed that the guest for the “Alice” episode failed to mention that the children who were the impetus for the book were none other than the children of the great Scottish author George MacDonald, who himself wrote many classic children’s books. A sad oversight. Otherwise, keep up the good work!
stegj
Finally!!
I am so thrilled to have finally found this podcast. The book talk is just wonderful, and it is great to not have the liberal agenda shoved down my throat while trying to hear about books. Please keep this podcast going!!!!
RPrice620
What a Gem!
This podcast was such a refreshing find for me. Intelligent and articulate - I hope you make many more episodes!
ZenAbba
Surprisingly good
The shows consistently have intelligent discussions of quality literature and, for the most part, you can’t tell that it’s sponsored by a right-wing magazine. Except for the ads. The ads are hilariously right-wing. Did you know conservative parents pay to train their college bound kids to resist “liberal indoctrination”? Apparently some are dumb enough to do so. And there’s a business ready to take their money! Long live capitalism!
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Ewayland
The Great Books: Brideshead Revisited
Enjoyed it. But, big error on Miller’s part. Anglo-Catholics are Anglicans with ‘high’ liturgical practices (and theology) that are similar to Roman practices. The Flytes are Roman Catholics and would only be referred to as such.
markrobcol
Good but they whitewash
I’m a great reader and a great lover of literature. I do enjoy this podcast on many levels. Wonderful insights into some books. But here is the GIANT Achilles heel:They avoid any mention of the homosexuality in the books or of the writers. For example, in Brideshead Revisited , they completely skirted around Sebastian’s homosexuality. They didn’t mention Daphne du Maurier’s bisexuality which shows up in the novel Rebecca. I know that it’s a right wing group that sponsors this podcast, but come on, let’s speak the truth.
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Hi-line
Finally a podcast actually about books
Great discussion and informative. Keep up the great book reviews!
rmb25000
Extremist Political Ads
I’ve heard, on multiple occasions, far right political ads on this podcast. I’m over it - regardless of whether it’s left or right, political extremism is destructive and for the simple minded. Come to the middle. This podcast is okay, but since they’re profiting from these types of commercials - I’m done.
Will Hutchins
Master and commander
Love the boo but that guest was awful. He was too old, he rambled and was at times not anywhere near the ballpark. There had to be someone better.
skwhic
Right-Wing Propaganda
Unlike some other reviewers, I believe that literature and politics often do go hand in hand. Some of the greatest literary works throughout history were greatly influenced by politics, and many books have political themes. But placing a paid right-wing ad at the beginning of a podcast, with no connection to literature at all? It's a no from me.
swankypop
A most valuable 33 minutes!
John J. Miller and his guests always deliver worthwhile insights into the Great Books. Highly recommended listening!
pnp600
Crime and Punishment
Excellent interview with Jessica Hooten Wilson, whose deep insight into and appreciation of Dostoevsky, his novels and characters(especially C.and P.)satisfied even a Dostoyevsky nut like myself!
Auntintheattic
Separation of literature and politics
As another reviewer said, a podcast about literature is no place for such blatant propaganda. I enjoyed the first few episodes but the latest one on Hemingway opened with such a biased ad that I immediately had to hit unsubscribe. What a shame!
rebekkah11
Just delightful!
This is such a great podcast for learning about great literature and how to approach it! The episodes aren’t very long and they all start with the same question, “Why is _______ a great book?” The host is always well prepared and leads the conversation with insightful questions and the guests are knowledgeable and passionate about their subjects. The podcast always ends with the question, “When did you first encounter _______ as a reader, and how did you end up loving it so much that you began to teach it?” I’ve have been introduced to so many great books through this podcasts, as well as come to appreciate some of my favorite books more deeply! Highly recommend!
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