Best Norton Library Podcasts (2025)

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The Stealth Classic (The Decameron, Part 1) 28:26

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3d ago28:26

28:26

In Part 1 of our discussion on Giovanni Boccaccio's The Decameron, we welcome editor Wayne A. Rebhorn to discuss the author's life and historical times, similarities among Boccaccio, Petrarch, and Dante, and the use of storytelling to both distract and make meaning during catastrophic times. Wayne A. Rebhorn is the Celanese Centennial Professor of …

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I Write Only That Whereof I Know (Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, Part 2) 31:54

17d ago31:54

31:54

In Part 2 of our discussion on Harriet Jacobs's Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl: Written by Herself, editor Evie Shockley returns to discuss her first encounter with this text in graduate school, the book's place in the literary canon and the classroom, and her favorite passage. Evie Shockley is the Zora Neale Hurston Distinguished Professor …

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Less Like You're Reading Her, More Like You're Listening to Her (Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, Part 1) 33:04

1M ago33:04

33:04

In Part 1 of our discussion on Harriet Jacobs's Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl: Written by Herself, we welcome editor Evie Shockley to discuss the author's family background, lively language as a storyteller, and influence on Shockley's own creative process as a poet. Evie Shockley is the Zora Neale Hurston Distinguished Professor of English…

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It's Never Too Late to Discover Hemingway (A Farewell to Arms, Part 2) 33:45

3M ago33:45

33:45

In Part 2 of our discussion on Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms, Norton Library podcast host Mark Cirino returns to the guest seat (with producer Michael von Cannon stepping behind the microphone as host). The two discuss the cover design of the Norton Library edition, essential historical context for understanding the novel, and the ever-increasing …

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A Tale of Love and a Tale of War (A Farewell to Arms, Part 1) 33:52

3M ago33:52

33:52

In Part 1 of our discussion on Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms, we welcome Norton Library podcast host Mark Cirino to the guest seat for the first time (with producer Michael von Cannon stepping behind the microphone as host). The two discuss the balance of autobiography and fiction in the text, situate A Farewell to Arms in the establishment of Hem…

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Hector and Achilles are More Alike Than You Think (The Iliad, Part 2) 35:33

4M ago35:33

35:33

In Part 2 of our discussion on Homer's Iliad, translator Emily Wilson returns to discuss the red and gold cover design of the Norton Library edition, recount her decision to recreate a new translation of the epic, and give a performance in the original ancient Greek. Emily Wilson is a professor of classical studies at the University of Pennsylvania…

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Achilles's Job is Beach (The Iliad, Part 1) 37:19

4M ago37:19

37:19

In Part 1 of our discussion on Homer's Iliad, we welcome translator Emily Wilson to discuss Homer's life as an "author," the meaning of free will in the context of intervention from gods, and how the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus shapes the climax of the epic. Emily Wilson is a professor of classical studies at the University of Penns…

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Jo's Elastic Heart (Little Women, Part 2) 30:57

5M ago30:57

30:57

In Part 2 of our discussion on Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, editor Sarah Blackwood returns to discuss the inspiration behind the cover of the Norton Library edition, the book's intended audience, and key elements of gender theory—as well as personal feelings—that Alcott incorporates into the characters and story. Sarah Blackwood is Professor o…

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Life Planning 101 with Louisa May Alcott (Little Women, Part 1) 32:06

5M ago32:06

32:06

In Part 1 of our discussion on Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, we welcome editor Sarah Blackwood to discuss the importance of Alcott's family background; her distinct authorial voice in books, journals, and letters; and how her time as a Civil War nurse led to her emergence into the publishing world. Sarah Blackwood is Professor of English at Pac…

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Tell Your Students about Edith Wharton! (The Age of Innocence, Part 2) 32:39

6M ago32:39

32:39

In Part 2 of our discussion on Edith Wharton's The Age of Innocence, editor Sheila Liming returns to discuss challenges for first-time readers, the correlation between fluctuations in Wharton's reputation and historical literary (and political) trends, and whether or not The Age of Innocence is truly a love story. Sheila Liming is Associate Profess…

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A Hieroglyphic World: Social Rules in Wharton's Novel of Manners (The Age of Innocence, Part 1) 32:32

7M ago32:32

32:32

In Part 1 of our discussion on Edith Wharton's The Age of Innocence, we welcome editor Sheila Liming to discuss the author's friendship with Henry James, a culture of elitism in New York, and the ironic meaning of "innocence" in the novel. Sheila Liming is Associate Professor at Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont. She is the author of What a …

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Taylor Swift's "Anti-Hero" and Hemingway's Flawed Characters (The Sun Also Rises, Part 2) 27:55

7M ago27:55

27:55

In Part 2 of our discussion on Ernest Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises, editor Verna Kale returns to discuss the vintage bullfighting posters that inspired the cover of the Norton Library edition, a "hot take" on the traditional hero of the book, and the loss of sentence-level writing in adaptations of the story. Verna Kale is an Associate Research P…

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Don't Try This At Home: Hemingway's First Major Novel (The Sun Also Rises, Part 1) 30:51

8M ago30:51

30:51

In Part 1 of our discussion on Ernest Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises, we welcome editor Verna Kale to discuss a young Hemingway's life experience leading up to writing the novel, his captivation with bullfighting and insider knowledge, the distinction between fairytale and reality, and the lack of a moral of the story. Verna Kale is an Associate Re…

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The World Was All Before Them (Paradise Lost, Part 2) 33:01

8M ago33:01

33:01

In Part 2 of our discussion on John Milton's Paradise Lost, editor Stephen B. Dobranski returns to discuss his own first encounter with Milton in a high school classroom, the experience of editing the Norton Library edition from historical source texts, and how students should build up their Milton muscles by reading other poetry before turning to …

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Milton Retweets His Way to Revolution (Well, He Tries) (Paradise Lost, Part 1) 34:29

9M ago34:29

34:29

In Part 1 of our discussion on John Milton's Paradise Lost, we welcome editor Stephen B. Dobranski to discuss Milton's life in the midst of religious and political controversy, pamphlet wars and the representation of failed revolution through writing, and Milton's characterization of Eve. Stephen B. Dobranski is Distinguished University Professor o…

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A Man Half Bull and a Bull Half Man (Metamorphoses, Part 2) 26:12

9M ago26:12

26:12

In Part 2 of our discussion on Ovid's Metamorphoses, translator Charles Martin returns to discuss his first encounter with Ovid, the potential to learn Greek and Roman mythology through reading Metamorphoses, and other scholars' work with the text in the twenty-first century. Charles Martin was born in New York City in 1942. He earned a Ph.D. in En…

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The Secret Poet (Metamorphoses, Part 1) 29:09

9M ago29:09

29:09

In Part 1 of our discussion on Ovid's Metamorphoses, we welcome translator Charles Martin to discuss Ovid's well-documented life and his exile, the popularity and subversiveness of Ovid's writings, and the creation of a new epic form through the lack of one epic hero. Charles Martin was born in New York City in 1942. He earned a Ph.D. in English fr…

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The Hog-Squeal of the Universe (The Jungle, Part 2) 35:13

10M ago35:13

35:13

In Part 2 of our discussion on Sinclair's The Jungle, editor Kenneth W. Warren returns to talk about how the novel stopped him in his tracks while reading it for school, the compelling question of the relationship between literature and propaganda, and the continued relevance of The Jungle today. Kenneth W. Warren is Fairfax M. Cone Distinguished S…

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Meatpacking and Muckraking (The Jungle, Part 1) 30:49

11M ago30:49

30:49

In Part 1 of our discussion on Upton Sinclair's The Jungle, we welcome editor Kenneth W. Warren to discuss Sinclair's background, how his political commitments informed his literary endeavors, The Jungle's effect on regulatory efforts in the United States, and the techniques the novel uses to achieve its engrossing effect. Kenneth W. Warren is Fair…

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Nasty, Brutish, and Short (Leviathan, Part 2) 29:41

11M ago29:41

29:41

In Part 2 of our discussion on Hobbes's Leviathan, editor David Johnston discusses his personal history with Hobbes and the Leviathan, common challenges first-time readers face, his favorite line from the book, his approach to teaching the work, the details of the book's famous engraved title page, and more. David Johnston teaches political philoso…

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Artificial Kings (Leviathan, Part 1) 29:22

12M ago29:22

29:22

In Part 1 of our discussion on Thomas Hobbes's Leviathan, we welcome editor David Johnston to discuss Hobbes's life and the historical context of Leviathan, the book's central thesis and argument, and its controversial reception through time. David Johnston teaches political philosophy at Columbia University, where he has served as Nell and Herbert…

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Ep. 16: Reformation History & Our Canadian Heritage 18:34

12M ago18:34

18:34

October 31 is not only Halloween, but Reformation Day. Today we'll be looking at Reformist John Calvin and the French Huguenots' ties to Canada. Join the community! Sign up for our newsletter: christianrootscanada.org/newsletter/ Submit your questions to t.ly/a4pcU or [email protected] and they could be answered on the show! Music by be…

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Imps and Snatchers and Spirits, Oh My! (The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Part 2) 32:05

1y ago32:05

32:05

In Part 2 of our discussion on Robert Louis Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, editor Caroline Levine discusses the lasting cultural impact of the novella, common challenges to teaching it, some of additional short stories by Stevenson which she included in the Norton Library edition, and more. Caroline Levine is David and Kat…

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Ep. 15: Giving Thanks - A Canadian Tradition 18:33

1y ago18:33

18:33

For the Thanksgiving write-up: When people think of Thanksgiving, pilgrims, and turkey often come to mind. It turns out that Canada's Thanksgiving story is quite different than America's. But more importantly, you will learn that giving thanks to God is a Canadian tradition older than our country. Join the community! Sign up for our newsletter: chr…

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Who's the Real You? (The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Part 1) 32:59

1y ago32:59

32:59

In Part 1 of our discussion on Robert Louis Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, we welcome editor Caroline Levine to discuss Stevenson's biography; some of the novella's philosophical, scientific, and psychological themes; and how it fits in with other trends in late-nineteenth-century British literature. Caroline Levine is Dav…

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Ep. 14: John Norton, Mohawk Chief and Bible Translator 29:18

1y ago29:18

29:18

September 30 is National Day for Truth & Reconciliation. This episode we're looking at John Norton, a Mohawk chief born in Scotland, mentee of Joseph Brant, veteran and hero of the War of 1812, and Bible translator. Join the community! Sign up for our newsletter: christianrootscanada.org/newsletter Submit your questions to t.ly/a4pcU or info@christ…

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A Passion for Dead Leaves (Sense and Sensibility, Part 2) 34:19

1y ago34:19

34:19

In Part 2 of our discussion on Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, editor Stephanie Insley Hershinow discusses her own history with Austen, common misconceptions about the novel, her favorite line in the novel, a Sense and Sensibility-inspired playlist, and more. Stephanie Insley Hershinow is an associate professor of English at Baruch College, CU…

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Ep. 13: Christian Legacies in Ontario - Alexander Mackenzie, Pt. 2 22:39

1y ago22:39

22:39

Part 2 of our exploration into the life & legacy of Alexander Mackenzie, Canada's second prime minister and 'stainless statesman'. Join the community! Sign up for our newsletter: christianrootscanada.org/newsletter/ Submit your questions to t.ly/a4pcU or [email protected] and they could be answered on the show!…

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Ep. 12: Jacques Le Fevre d'Etaples & the Greatest Library Ever 33:23

1y ago33:23

33:23

Jacques Le Fevre d'Etaples was a French scholar who wanted to reform the church from within. Purchase the recordings for God's Providence in the Birth of Canada: t.ly/E3uc4 Purchase The French Connection: https://christianrootscanada.org/product/the-french-connection-full-course/ Submit your questions to t.ly/a4pcU or [email protected] …

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The Last Eighteenth-Century Novel (Sense and Sensibility, Part 1) 33:10

1y ago33:10

33:10

In Part 1 of our discussion on Austen's Sense and Sensibility, we welcome editor Stephanie Insley Hershinow to discuss Austen's biography, including some misconceptions about her; the place of Sense and Sensibility in Austen's bibliography; the meaning of the novel's title in its context; and some of the work's major characters. Stephanie Insley He…

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Ep. 11: Samuel de Champlain, Disappointed Visionary 37:12

1y ago37:12

37:12

Samuel de Champlain was a French Huguenot who explored Canada in the early days of exploration. A discouraged visionary, he is now remembered as the father of New France.Submit your questions to [email protected] and they could be answered on the show!By christianrootscanada

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Ep. 10: Christian Legacies in Ontario - Alexander Mackenzie, Pt. 1 23:09

1y ago23:09

23:09

Alexander Mackenzie, "Canada's stainless statesman", was our second prime minister. A strong Christian, stonemason, and politician, he left an amazing legacy and example of when Liberals were Christians. Submit your questions to t.ly/a4pcU and they could be answered on the show!By christianrootscanada

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Ep. 9: Christian Legacies in Ontario - Col. John By 35:29

1y ago35:29

35:29

Col. John By was a British-Canadian engineer. The Rideau Canal, the result of his brilliant mind, is considered to be ‘one of North America’s best navigable waterways’. Despite dying in disgrace, his legacy lives on. We will explore his impact in Episode 9 of Ask the History Buff. Submit your questions to t.ly/a4pcU or [email protected]…

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They All Cried Out, "He Made Us" (Confessions, Part 2) 30:09

1y ago30:09

30:09

In Part 2 of our discussion on Augustine's Confessions, translator Peter Constantine discusses his own history with the text and how he came to translate it, the stylistic accomplishment of the Confessions, his translation process, and more. Peter Constantine is the director of the Program in Literary Translation at the University of Connecticut, t…

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Ep. 8: Christian Legacies in Ontario - Joseph Brant 29:25

1y ago29:25

29:25

Thayendanegea (Joseph Brant) was a Native Canadian celebrated in Burlington on the first Monday in August. He was a Mohawk warrior, Bible translator and negotiator with Britain for his people. We will dive into his amazing story on Episode 8 of Ask the History Buff. Use code HISTORYBUFF at checkout to get 10% off The French Connection: Full Course!…

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Ep. 7: Christian Legacies in Ontario - John Graves Simcoe, Pt 2 22:32

1y ago22:32

22:32

Part 2 of our investigation into the life of John Graves Simcoe. We explore the compassion behind his actions towards slaves, natives, and settlers alike. He was also a creative figure who possessed the foresight Ontario needed to become what it is today. Submit your questions to [email protected] and they could be answered on the show!…

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Augustine Gives in to Pear Pressure (Confessions, Part 1) 32:37

1y ago32:37

32:37

In Part 1 of our discussion on Augustine's Confessions, we welcome translator Peter Constantine to discuss the historical context in which Augustine of Hippo wrote the Confessions, the genre of the text, the lasting effect it has had on religious and secular intellectual traditions, and some of the touchstone episodes found in the work. Peter Const…

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Ep. 6: Christian Legacies in Ontario - John Graves Simcoe, Pt 1 28:28

1y ago28:28

28:28

Recently John Graves Simcoe has become a controversial figure. But why? An abolitionist, he accomplished much for Upper Canada (Ontario) in terms of infrastructure and laid the foundations of Canada today. Submit your questions here or to [email protected], and they could be answered on the show!…

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Ep. 5: The History Buff on the Road - Lake Talon 30:33

1y ago30:33

30:33

On July 7, 2024, the Curious Canadian History Buff was invited to share her testimony with a church in Lake Talon, Ontario. Tune in to hear what inspired her and the discovery that led to ChristianRoots Canada! Submit your questions to [email protected] and they could be answered on the show!…

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Funny as Hell (Inferno, Part 2) 35:39

1+ y ago35:39

35:39

In Part 2 of our discussion on Dante's Inferno, translator Michael Palma discusses his own history with the poem and how he came to translate it, the terza rima rhyme scheme Dante employs, and in what ways the Divine Comedy is really a comedy. Michael Palma is the award-winning translator of Diego Valeri and Guido Gozzano, among others. He has publ…

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Ep. 4: Identity Politics Erased St. Jean Baptiste Day. 22:14

1+ y ago22:14

22:14

After the British Conquest, St. Jean-Baptiste Day was not celebrated until the 1830s. It soon became a part of French Canadian identity. It was politicized during the Quiet Revolution and all religious aspects were consequently stripped from it. Submit your questions to [email protected] and they could be answered on the show!…

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Ep. 3: Reclaiming Dominion Day 31:33

1+ y ago31:33

31:33

You may have noticed that last episode we wished you a Happy Dominion Day instead of Canada Day. Believe it or not, “Canada Day” was the result of an attempt to ERASE our Christian Roots. Read the full story here. Get answers to questions hereBy christianrootscanada

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Ep. 2: St. Jean Baptiste Day Gave Us Our National Anthem 19:19

1+ y ago19:19

19:19

From sporting events to Remembrance Day celebrations, Canada’s National Anthem is an iconic tune recognized around the world. It actually originated in Quebec! Read the full story on our website. Submit your questions here. They could be answered on the show!By christianrootscanada

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Ep. 1: Should St. Jean Baptiste Day be a National Holiday? 19:07

1+ y ago19:07

19:07

St. Jean-Baptiste Day is observed only in Quebec. The Curious Canadian History Buff thinks it should be a national celebration! Find out why on the very first episode of ChristianRoots Canada’s podcast, Ask the History Buff! Read the full story here.By christianrootscanada

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Dante's Inferno: A 13th-Century Scared Straight! (Inferno, Part 1) 35:12

1+ y ago35:12

35:12

In Part 1 of our discussion on Dante's Inferno, we welcome translator Michael Palma to discuss Dante's life and the context in which he wrote the Inferno, the narrative structure of The Divine Comedy, and what makes the Inferno so durably compelling. Michael Palma is the award-winning translator of Diego Valeri and Guido Gozzano, among others, and …

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How to Read, How to Feel (Narrative of Frederick Douglass, Part 2) 34:43

1+ y ago34:43

34:43

In Part 2 of our discussion on Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, editor Joshua Bennett discusses the cover of the Norton Library edition, approaching the text as history and as literature, how Douglass teaches us to read, the musicality of the book, a Narrative-inspired playlist, and more! Joshua Bennett is a professor of literature at M…

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The Hero's Journey (Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Part 1) 30:23

1+ y ago30:23

30:23

In Part 1 of our discussion on the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, we welcome editor Joshua Bennett to discuss Douglass's Narrative as a type of hero's journey, Douglass's political project in writing the book, and how Douglass closes the Narrative with a statement on true Christianity. Joshua Bennett is a professor of literature at MI…

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But I Wouldn't Give Myself (The Awakening, Part 2) 30:35

1+ y ago30:35

30:35

In Part 2 of our discussion on The Awakening, editor Laura Fisher tells us about her first encounter with the novel, discusses her approach to teaching it, explores her favorite line of the text, provides a killer Awakening playlist, and more! Laura R. Fisher is an associate professor of English at Toronto Metropolitan University. She is the author…

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Don't Nap for Self-Care. Wake up! (The Awakening, Part 1) 32:36

1+ y ago32:36

32:36

In Part 1 of our discussion on The Awakening, we welcome editor Laura Fisher to discuss Kate Chopin's writing career, the novel's reception and themes, as well as some of its major characters. Laura R. Fisher is an associate professor of English at Toronto Metropolitan University. She is the author of Reading for Reform: The Social Work of Literatu…

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It's Okay to be Frustrated with Joyce (Dubliners, Part 2) 34:31

1+ y ago34:31

34:31

In Part 2 of our discussion on Dubliners, editor Ian Whittington discusses the inspiration for the cover of his Norton Library edition, his favorite lines in the collection, his Dubliners hot take, and some suggestions for a Dubliners playlist. Ian Whittington is an independent scholar whose research and teaching focus on twentieth-century anglopho…