Books of All Time

Rose Judson
  • 4.7 (13)
  • History
  • Updated Semimonthly

Books of All Time tackles classic literature in chronological order. Each month, host Rose Judson summarizes a classic work of literature in one episode and then dives into the story behind it in the second episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Episode 49 – Lao-Tzu, The Tao Te Ching, Part 2 – As Fluid as Melting Ice

    Jun 21

    Episode 49 – Lao-Tzu, The Tao Te Ching, Part 2 – As Fluid as Melting Ice

    In this second part of our investigation into the Tao Te Ching, we cover some of the many, many, many shapes its teachings have been bent into over the last 2,500 years—from the inspiration for an alchemy-and-sex cult that accidentally invented gunpowder to the basis for the most popular science fiction film franchise in history. Join us as we discuss Chinese demon hunters, bad management advice, and—yes—Star Wars. Need a transcript of this episode, or want to see the reading list? Click here. Thanks for listening! Don't forget to share us with friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    54 min
  2. Episode 48 – Lao-Tzu, The Tao Te Ching, Part 1 – Darkness Within Darkness

    May 6

    Episode 48 – Lao-Tzu, The Tao Te Ching, Part 1 – Darkness Within Darkness

    Ever seen or doodled a yin-yang symbol? Does the proverb "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" ring a bell? You've brushed up against the Tao Te Ching, one of the most influential works of Ancient Chinese literature that's also the foundational text of Taoism (pronounced "daoism"), China's major native religion. Traditionally ascribed to a scholar called Lao-Tzu, the Tao Te Ching was likely a collection of related poems and proverbs by many authors, collected into an anthology around 350 BCE. In this episode, we walk through some of the main concepts, including the Tao as a cosmic force, the principle of wu wei, or non-action, and how you can see the tensions of China's Warring States Period (c. 475–221 BCE) shining through in the text. Want a transcript or access to the list of references we used for this episode? Click here. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review us! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    34 min
  3. Episode 47 - The Book of Job, Part 2 – I Come Out as Gold

    Apr 19

    Episode 47 - The Book of Job, Part 2 – I Come Out as Gold

    Our second episode on The Book of Job looks at three reactions to the work. William Blake's illustrations for The Book of Job (1780—1823), which were produced in several media for various patronsFranz Kafka's The Trial (1925), which has a similar air of oppression and unattainable justiceCarl Jung's Answer to Job (1952), in which the famed psychologist puts God on the couch If you want to see Blake's illustrations for Job, they're available (along with lots of other wonderful things) at the William Blake Archive. Click here to visit. Want to read a transcript of this episode? Click here. Don't forget to share us on your socials or leave a rating or review. Thanks for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    48 min
  4. Episode 46 - The Book of Job, Part 1 - That Man Was Upright and Perfect

    Mar 23

    Episode 46 - The Book of Job, Part 1 - That Man Was Upright and Perfect

    Why do good people suffer? That's one of the key questions animating The Book of Job, one of the Hebrew Bible's three books of wisdom literature. In this episode, we walk through the story of a man who is plunged into despair and loss thanks to a bet between God and ("the") Satan. Journey through the story and some of the interpretations of the work—including one by Benjamin Franklin—and hear which phrases from Job would make good genre fiction titles. Content Note: This episode makes one reference to male body parts while quoting scripture. Also note: there were some sound quality issues on our end this week. Apologies for that! If you'd like to read the transcript for this episode, click here. Don't forget to subscribe, share, rate, and review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    42 min
  5. Episode 45: The Mahabharata, Part 2 – The Bhagavad Gita

    Mar 3

    Episode 45: The Mahabharata, Part 2 – The Bhagavad Gita

    In our second episode on the Mahabharata, the great Indian epic from c. 300 BCE, we dive into what is perhaps the most famous section of it: the 700 verses that make up the Bhagavad Gita. We discuss the main points of this foundational Hindu scripture, which recounts a discussion between the warrior Arjuna and his charioteer, Krishna on the eve of an apocalyptic battle. We also discuss debates around its authorship and explore the profound influence it had on Mahatma Gandhi, who didn't read it until he was a young law student in London, when some friends he made at a vegetarian restaurant recommended it to him. Want to read the transcript? Click here. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a rating or review about our show! It helps other listeners find us. Thanks for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    44 min
  6. Episode 44: The Mahabharata, Part 1 - Sacred and Marvelous Tales

    Feb 4

    Episode 44: The Mahabharata, Part 1 - Sacred and Marvelous Tales

    Eight times longer than the Iliad and the Odyssey combined, the Mahabharata has a little of everything: philosophy, spirituality, myths, romances, geography, a heroic polycule, and one transgender warrior who knows how to follow up on a grudge. First written down around 300 BCE (but, like its brother epic, the Ramayana, much older than that), the Mahabharata is at its core a story about two sets of warring cousins. Hitch up your chariot and gallop with us through this summary of the main action. Want to read the transcript? Click here. Don't forget to share, rate, and review us! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 3m
  7. Episode 43: Valmiki, The Ramayana, Part 2 - By Means of Every Sacred Rite

    12/31/2025

    Episode 43: Valmiki, The Ramayana, Part 2 - By Means of Every Sacred Rite

    In our second episode on the Ramayana, which began to be written down in Sanskrit c. 350 BCE, we dive deeper into the theme of dharma. We explore some of the many different meanings of this term and trace the development of the three oldest dharmic faiths: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. We also compare how Buddhist and Jain retellings of the Ramayana differ from the one revered by today's Hindus. Finally, we fangirl out over Hanuman a little more. Want to read the transcript? Click here. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review us—and share with your friends! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    43 min
  8. Episode 42: Valmiki, The Ramayana, Part 1 - Tiger Among Men

    12/07/2025

    Episode 42: Valmiki, The Ramayana, Part 1 - Tiger Among Men

    It's time for some good old-fashioned epic action with our first episode on the Ramayana, one of the great Sanskrit-language epics from India. Composed as a written work from about 350 BCE onward (but probably much earlier as an oral poem), the Ramayana tells of the trials and tribulations of Rama, Prince of Kosala and avatar of the god Vishnu. It has everything from romance and battle to deep spiritual wisdom and a divine monkey hero who overthinks a lot. Want to read a transcript or see our references? Click here. Don't forget to subscribe, leave a rating or review, and share us with others! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    58 min
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About

Books of All Time tackles classic literature in chronological order. Each month, host Rose Judson summarizes a classic work of literature in one episode and then dives into the story behind it in the second episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Rose Judson
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Rose Judson
  • Show Website
    Books of All Time

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