Literature and History

With millions of downloads, hundreds of hours of soundtracked content, and an overall emphasis on the cultural history behind famous works of literature, Literature and History is one of the most popular independent podcasts on its subject. Starting with Sumerian cuneiform in 3,100 BCE, Literature and History moves forward in chronological order through Assyriology, Egyptology, the Old Testament, Ancient Greece and Rome, and the birth of Christianity. The show's current season is on Late Antiquity (or 200-700 CE) and the dawn of the Middle Ages. A typical episode (they average about two hours) features a general introduction to a work of literature, then a full summary of that work that expects no prior knowledge, and finally, an analysis of the cultural, biographical, and historical forces that gave rise to the work in question. Original symphonic and ambient background music is woven throughout each show, and all episodes offer free full, illustrated, footnoted transcriptions as well as quizzes for purposes of review. The show has no advertisements, and its host takes pride in a professional approach that avoids chitchat and ephemera and gets straight to the educational content. You can listen to the episodes in any order, although most listeners begin at the beginning and proceed from there, as the podcast itself is chronologically organized. Doug Metzger finished his Ph.D. in literature in 2011. His chief scholarly interest, following his dissertation work, continues to be 19th-century realism and postbellum American philosophy.
I’m at a loss for words
3d ago
This podcast is utterly fantastic. I love it, I savor it, I devour it, I cherish it. Thank you Doug Metzger! You blow me away…..
Fulfilling and insightful!
Mar 19
Have been listening to L&H for years and can’t recommend the show enough for anyone interested in works of classical literature and the cultural history in which they were created. Doug makes the content both fun and easy to digest in a way only great professors can accomplish - so grateful for the work he’s doing!
Amazing
Mar 16
Can’t get better than this. Extremely learned and great teacher/podcaster. Grateful for the existence of this podcaster and the devotion of Metzger to the project. He makes speaking sound like writing and writing like speaking, and so keeps us both engaged and, when he is done, a little more learned.
Excellent Podcast. 5 stars plus
Mar 16
What an awesome podcast. professional and informative. Entertaining The endings are a treat
About
Information
- CreatorDoug Metzger
- Years Active2016 - 2025
- Episodes110
- RatingExplicit
- Show Website