Books of All Time

Episode 20 expands the map of our show to eastern Asia, as we begin a two-part exploration of The Analects (Lunyu), collected sayings of the philosopher Confucius (551 - 479 BCE). He may just be the most influential educator and philosopher who ever lived. His ideas about virtue in rulers impacting the virtue of the people . . . are honestly kind of adorable in this day and age. In this first episode, Rose takes you through some of the major themes of the Analects, with lots of passages from the Master.Want a transcript instead? Click here to read it. You can also check out the references Rose used to write the episode, and leave comments about the episode at the bottom of the transcript page. Don't forget to subscribe and rate us on your podcast app, and share us on social media. It helps!

Episode 19 is here (after Rose finally busted through her writer's block about it). This special one-off episode covers the life and remaining poetry of Sappho (c. 630-570 BCE). Known widely as a lyric poet who wrote (mostly) about same-sex love between women, Sappho, in her social context, is even more interesting. Rose walks through what's known about the woman herself, some of the most famous fragments of her poetry, and a recent controversy surrounding the discovery of "new" Sappho poetry. Scholars (allegedly) behaving badly: a favorite theme here at Books of All Time!Need a transcript? We've got you covered. Click this link to read Rose's script for the episode or visit the references section to do some research of your own.Thanks for listening! Don't forget to share this show with friends or leave us a five-star rating or review on your podcast app.

Our second episode on the Upanishads (c. 800-300 BCE), we look at some of the striking similarities between Greek mythology and philosophy and Indian mythology and philosophy, and walk through some of the evidence that shows how societies may have been far more interconnected than we thought in ancient times.Also, Alexander the Great asks a bunch of nude yogis to dinner. Want a transcript? Read it here. Don't forget to rate and review us! It helps others find this show (and so does sharing us on your socials).

The Upanishads - commentary on commentary on the Vedas - emerged out of India sometime beginning around 500 BCE. The esoteric spiritual ideas they describe, including the oneness of all creation, the idea of karma, and the cycle of reincarnation, impacted religious thinkers from Buddha to the Beatles. This week's episode gives some of the background for this branch of Hindu scripture and summarizes four of the principal Upanishads. Plus, it's true: pundits do not achieve enlightenment. Says so right there in the book. Next time you feel tempted to drop a hot take, try chanting OM instead. Want a transcript? It's here at our website, booksofalltime.co.uk.P.S.: Are you a fellow American living abroad? Rose wants you to know that only 8% of us actually bother to send in ballots during election years. You may still be able to request yours! Go to Vote from Abroad to get started.

Ready for some comparative mythology? Of course you are. This episode follows up on Hesiod's Theogony and Works and Days with what is probably our most meta meta-episode yet. Host Rose Judson looks back at the five cultures we've encountered on Books of All Time to date and compares their creation myths, pantheons, and concepts about the afterlife. She also reveals the song that would be playing on an eternal loop if she were ever sent to Hell.Want to read a transcript or see our source list? Click here to visit booksofalltime.co.uk.Love our show? Leave a rating or review and share us on your socials!

Our latest episode introduces you to the first personality in European literature: a cranky shepherd-turned-poet who wants you to know that women are a calamitous trap and that you should wear a proper hat in winter. Yes, it's Hesiod, the Ancient Greek forbear of today's op-ed columnists and reply guys. Walk with Rose through Theogony, our earliest-known source for many key Greek myths, and Works and Days, a self-help poem that's also partly a burn letter. Or maybe it's the other way around.Need a transcript? We've got you covered. Click here to read the episode script now.Hey, are you following us? You should! We're @booksofalltime on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram and (ugh) X, formerly known as Twitter. Say hi!