717 Einstein and Kafka (with Ken Krimstein) | Dr Johnson Helps a Friend (and Changes the Course of Literary History) | My Last Book with Fernando Pessoa Expert Bartholomew Ryan

The History of Literature

Jacke Wilson

History, Books, Arts

4.6 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 17 July 2025

⏱️ 58 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

It's an action-packed day at the History of Literature! First, Jacke recounts the story of Dr. Johnson racing to the aid of his friend, the playwright Oliver Goldsmith, whose landlady was threatening him with debtor's prison. Naturally, the great critic and dictionary author Johnson found a very literary way to help. Then Jacke is joined by author Ken Krimstein, whose graphic novel Einstein in Kafkaland: How Albert Fell Down the Rabbit Hole and Came Up with the Universe looks at the critical year that Albert Einstein spent in Kafka's Prague. How did these men - one a scientist, the other an artist - approach the world's biggest questions? And finally, Bartholomew Ryan, a scholar who's devoted his life to Fernando Pessoa, stops by to discuss his choice for the last book he will ever read. Will he choose something by Pessoa? Special Announcement: The History of Literature Podcast Tour is happening in May 2026! Act now to join Jacke and fellow literature fans on an eight-day journey through literary England in partnership with ⁠John Shors Travel⁠. Find out more by emailing [email protected] or [email protected], or by contacting us through our website ⁠historyofliterature.com⁠. Or visit the ⁠History of Literature Podcast Tour itinerary⁠ at ⁠John Shors Travel⁠. The music in this episode is by Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal. Learn more at ⁠gabrielruizbernal.com. Help support the show at ⁠patreon.com/literature ⁠or ⁠historyofliterature.com/donate ⁠. The History of Literature Podcast is a member of Lit Hub Radio and the Podglomerate Network. Learn more at ⁠thepodglomerate.com/historyofliterature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	The History of Literature Podcast is a member of the Podglomerate Network and Lit Hub Radio.
0:09.0	Hey folks, it's Jack here to promote something that's a little special, not a thing and not a service,
0:15.1	an opportunity for you to have an experience. The History of Literature podcast is going on the road,
0:24.1	and you can join us. Our first stop is Literary England, the land of Dr. Johnson and Jane
0:30.0	Austin and Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. Oh, and Dickens. Oh, and Shakespeare. Perhaps you've
0:36.7	heard of him. This isn't a trip where you
0:39.2	march from site to site, checking off boxes. Seen it, seen it, seen it, seen it. This is a week,
0:44.9	plus a little more traveling with me and Emma in a group of other fans of literature. All of us
0:51.1	enjoying our conversations, our chance to learn and grow and be inspired by
0:56.5	these writers and their works that we love so much.
1:00.1	With special visits along the way from past guests of the show, your favorites, who will
1:04.3	deepen our appreciation for what we're seeing.
1:07.4	So please consider it.
1:08.9	We would love to have you.
1:12.3	You can learn more by going to John Shores Travel, that's S-H-O-R-S, and look for the upcoming trip to England with Jack Wilson,
1:19.1	or reach out to us at history of literature.com, and we will tell you all the details. It's going to be
1:25.4	in May of 2026, but act now to secure your spot.
1:29.8	Space is limited. And let's all spend some quality time together, enjoying literature and enjoying life.
1:37.5	Oh, that's my prime delivery. Oh, already? Only one thing can match the buzz of Primes fast delivery.
1:43.7	And that's the buzz of Prime's entertainment.
1:46.4	What are we watching?
1:47.2	Heads of state that new action comedy with Idris Elber as the Prime Minister,
	...

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