American Writers (One Hundred Pages at a Time) artwork

American Writers (One Hundred Pages at a Time)

1,053 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 days ago - ★★★★★ - 16 ratings

In each episode I discuss around 100 pages from the works of American writers. Contact me at [email protected]

Books Arts
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed

Episodes

Episode 608: Harriet Beecher Stowe: The Minister’s Wooing (Part 1)

November 15, 2023 12:02 - 24 minutes - 23.9 MB

In this episode I begin looking at Harriet Beecher Stowe's THE MINISTER'S WOOING, a novel about New England religion tied to a sentimental novel of love and loss.

Robert A. Heinlein Book Club: Episode 54: Red Planet (Part 1)

November 09, 2023 08:52 - 27 minutes - 27.9 MB

This episode is the first half of my review of RED PLANET by Robert A. Heinlein. While I loved the "Green Hills of Earth" cycle, I cannot help but feeling that this novel brings us back to the Heinlein I love to wrestle with.

Episode 607: Harriet Beecher Stowe: Uncle Tom’s Cabin (Finale)

November 09, 2023 08:50 - 35 minutes - 36.5 MB

The end of my five-part review of UNCLE TOM'S CABIN by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Overall, I am very glad I finally read this excellent book. There are great moments throughout the novel and it deserves its place as a classic, not just a historically important text.

Episode 606: Harriet Beecher Stowe: Uncle Tom’s Cabin (Part 4)

November 07, 2023 10:50 - 33 minutes - 35.1 MB

This section is the turning point in the story, where we see our hopes in the white characters end through their untimely deaths. It then take Tom (and the readers) to hell and the heart of the story, which will play out in the cotton fields of the deep South.

Robert A. Heinlein Book Club: Episode 53: Our Fair City

November 07, 2023 10:48 - 13 minutes - 13.9 MB

In this small fantasy story, "Our Fair City", Robert A. Heinlein explores city politics and corruption through the adventures of a sentient whirlwind. This story may be skippable, but has some nice moments. I like Heinlein reflecting on local politics more than I do the fantasy elements of this story.

Episode 605: Harriet Beecher Stowe: Uncle Tom’s Cabin (Part 3)

November 01, 2023 13:07 - 40 minutes - 42.4 MB

The middle sections of UNCLE TOM'S CABIN by Harriet Beecher Stowe are some of the most interesting in the novel. Stowe is more intriguing with the conflicted and complex characters. With the death of Eva (explored in the next episode) the characters become more clearly defined, and that is a bit of a pity.

Robert A. Heinlein Book Club: Episode 52: The Black Pits of Luna

November 01, 2023 13:04 - 17 minutes - 18.4 MB

Another Robert A. Heinlein Future History Story, "The Black Pits of Luna". The title and themes parallel "The Green Hills of Earth" quite well. With this story along with the others we look at, I think all we need for tackling THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS is here, but that will be a while yet.

Episode 604: Harriet Beecher Stowe: Uncle Tom’s Cabin (Part 2)

October 30, 2023 11:55 - 38 minutes - 40.9 MB

Part two of my review of UNCLE TOM'S CABIN by Harriet Beecher Stowe. This section begins a deeper look at the religious and moral values Stowe was working out in this famous book about American slavery.

Robert A. Heinlein Book Club: Episode 51: Gentlemen, Be Seated

October 30, 2023 11:53 - 14 minutes - 14.8 MB

Another Future History story by Robert A. Heinlein, "Gentlemen, Be Seated" explores the character of the humans who should venture into space. While it is built on a humorous set piece, there are some interesting ideas about the gap that will grow between humans on Earth and those in space.

Episode 603: Harriet Beecher Stowe: Uncle Tom’s Cabin (Part 1)

October 24, 2023 11:00 - 34 minutes - 36.5 MB

Part 1 of 5. This review will explore the themes and ideas of UNCLE TOM'S CABIN by Harriet Beecher Stowe. While I have never read this book before, I am familiar with its big ideas. I am pleasantly surprised by how good it is.

Robert A. Heinlein Book Club: Episode 50: The Long Watch

October 24, 2023 10:59 - 20 minutes - 22.3 MB

A thematic sequel to SPACE CADET and "Ordeal in Space", this story explores the values of the Patrol and seems to be a testament to all the uncelebrated heroes of war.

Episode 602: Narrative of the Life of J. D. Green a Runaway Slave (1864)

October 19, 2023 13:13 - 21 minutes - 19.7 MB

The final slave narrative of this series in the mostly unknown story of the trickster slave J. D. Green. It is fun, brutal, and fascinating and maybe deserves a greater place in our literary history.

Robert A.Heinlein Book Club: Episode 49: Ordeal in Space

October 19, 2023 13:10 - 22 minutes - 19.5 MB

So TOWN AND COUNTRY published a very interesting Heinlein story called "Ordeal in Space" in 1948, which explores how we face and overcome trauma. A powerful reflection on the experiences of returning soldiers from World War II.

Robert A. Heinlein Book Club: Episode 48: Space Cadet (Part 2)

October 17, 2023 10:58 - 22 minutes - 17.8 MB

Part two of my review of SPACE CADET by Robert A. Heinlein. Let's meet some Venerians and test the values of the Space Patrol when faced with the desires of unrestrained capitalism, or something.

Episode 601: Harriet Jacobs: Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl (Part 2)

October 17, 2023 10:56 - 34 minutes - 25.4 MB

The conclusion of my look at INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF A SLAVE GIRL by Harriet Jacob. This remains my favorite slave narrative and is in my view the most powerful.

Robert A. Heinlein Book Club: Episode 47: Space Cadet (Part 1)

October 11, 2023 14:03 - 19 minutes - 21.3 MB

Part one of my review of SPACE CADET. This should be a favorite of Next Generation fans and has some of the best work building in the Heinlein juveniles.

Episode 600: Harriet Jacobs: Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl (Part 1)

October 11, 2023 14:02 - 26 minutes - 24.7 MB

Perhaps the best slave narrative, and certainly my favorite, INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF A SLAVE GIRL by Harriet Jacobs hits to the heart of the experience of slavery for women and has some of the most intense moments in the genre.

Episode 599: A Thousand Miles to Freedom (William and Ellen Craft’s Narrative)

October 03, 2023 13:24 - 23 minutes - 25.2 MB

This episode contains my thoughts on the excellent slave narrative by William and Ellen Craft, detailing their escape from slavery and Georgia and how they hacked the color line and the unwritten rules of slavery. A brilliant work of resistance.

Robert A. Heinlein Book Club: Episode 47: Water is For Washing

October 03, 2023 13:23 - 10 minutes - 11.1 MB

No Robert A. Heinlein book club would be complete without the 1947 story "Water is for Washing". I almost forgot about it and probably will again soon.

Robert A. Heinlein Book Club: Episode 45: They Do It With Mirrors

September 26, 2023 11:54 - 16 minutes - 17.4 MB

This episode includes my review of Robert A. Heinlein's short mystery story "They Do It With Mirrors." While it is not exceptional as a locked room mystery, it does reflect on Heinlein's sexual politics.

Episode 598: The Narrative of Sojourner Truth

September 26, 2023 11:52 - 26 minutes - 29 MB

My review of the narrative of the life of Sojourner Truth, one of the more unique slave narratives of this era. A little less about slavery itself and more about the development of a religious revival, a new name, and a mission.

Episode 597: Narrative of the Life of Henry Bibb (1849)

September 22, 2023 12:39 - 28 minutes - 31.2 MB

We explore another excellent slave narrative with the work of Henry Bibb, whose narrative explores the trauma of being married in slavery and the difficult choices people need to make while being married in a system rooted in sexual violence.

Robert A. Heinlein Book Club: Episode 44: No Band Playing, No Flags Flying

September 18, 2023 15:05 - 14 minutes - 15.7 MB

As we come close to wrapping up our look at Heinlein's 1947 works, we look at a short and not so significant story showing Heinlein trying to define courage. It is called "No Band Playing, No Flags Flying" and its a bit odd.

Episode 596: The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

September 18, 2023 15:03 - 40 minutes - 43.1 MB

Frederick Douglass' amazing slave narrative probably does not need much of an introduction. Few works deconstruct all the myths of the Old South so efficiently.

Episode 595: The Confessions of Nat Turner

September 06, 2023 13:42 - 22 minutes - 23.9 MB

While this is not quite a slave narrative, "The Confessions of Nat Turner" is testimony of one of the most famous American slaves (although the case can be made that he had already freed himself). While most slave narratives were weaponized in the anti-slavery struggle, this document was weaponized to justify strengthening the institution of slavery in the Antebellum South.

Robert A. Heinlein Book Club: Episode 43: Space Jockey

September 06, 2023 13:39 - 18 minutes - 19.7 MB

"Space Jockey" is another great science fiction story by Heinlein from 1947 published in the Saturday Evening Post. At the same time it is horribly quaint and seems a bit more like fantasy than science fiction. Someone moving from the gig economy to full time family-supporting employment? Not in this universe.

Episode 594: The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano (Part 2)

August 31, 2023 10:00 - 20 minutes - 22.4 MB

The conclusion of my thoughts on the slave narrative by Olaudah Equiano. In my view, in this narrative he parallels the struggle against slavery with his Christian journey for salvation, coming together into a call for action. Next we will jump to the antebellum slave narratives with the Confessions of Nat Turner.

Robert A. Heinlein Book Club: Episode 42: It’s Great to be Back

August 31, 2023 09:58 - 14 minutes - 15.5 MB

"It's Great to be Back" is another 1947 Saturday Evening Post story by Robert A. Heinlein dealing with nostalgia for Earth and the human presence in space. A great story to pair with "The Green Hills of Earth".

Robert A. Heinlein Book Club: Episode 41: The Green Hills of Earth

August 23, 2023 10:44 - 17 minutes - 18.9 MB

In this wonderful short story, Heinlein tells us the history of a blind working class space poet, who also caught the essence of Earth's identity in space. One of his best.

Episode 593: Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano (1)

August 21, 2023 11:39 - 37 minutes - 40.3 MB

The first of two episodes covering Olaudah Equiano's amazing slave narrative. It is a thematic. structural, and moral foundation of all other slave narratives. It is also an amazing story that everyone should read.

Robert A. Heinlein Book Club: Episode 41: Columbus was a Dope

August 17, 2023 12:25 - 13 minutes - 14.6 MB

In this tiny story published in 1947 in STARTLING STORIES, Robert A. Heinlein explores the struggle for progress and how every generation builds off the courage of those that came before, and how we forget.

Episode 592: Narrative of the Most Remarkable Particulars in the Life of James Albert Ukawsaw Gronniosaw

August 17, 2023 12:24 - 30 minutes - 32.5 MB

I am back from my summer break and start with a look at slave narratives. First up is the strange but significant account by James Albert Ukawsaw Gronniosaw. It works as a narrative of the Atlantic working class and the benefits of Christianity, but never directly attacks slavery itself, making it one of the strangest slave narratives. However it was the first published in English.

Robert A. Heinlein Book Club: Episode 39: Jerry Is a Man

July 13, 2023 11:56 - 27 minutes - 29.8 MB

A great story by Robert A. Heinlein, "Jerry Is a Man" (1947) explores the nature of humanity, animal rights, and genetic engineering. It is hard not to think of this story in terms of Star Trek's great episode "The Measure of a Man"

Episode 591: Mark Twain: No 44: Mysterious Stranger

July 13, 2023 11:54 - 28 minutes - 30.1 MB

I complete my look at Mark Twain with one version of "Mysterious Stranger" known as "No. 44: The Mysterious Stranger". The other versions have interesting things to say as well, but this one focuses on work, automation, and technology.

Episode 590: Mark Twain: Tom Sawyer, Detective

June 27, 2023 12:04 - 20 minutes - 23.1 MB

A better novel than TOM SAWYER ABROAD, TOM SAWYER, DETECTIVE by Mark Twain picks up as a sequel to THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN. It also is a window into Tom Sawyer's potential adult life.

Robert A. Heinlein Book Club: Episode 38: Rocket Ship Galileo (Part 2)

June 27, 2023 12:03 - 25 minutes - 26.7 MB

It's Nazis on the moon in part two of ROCKET SHIP GALILEO by Robert A. Heinlein. While it does not compare to some of the short stories and later juvenile we will look at soon, there is some staying power with in this novel.

Robert A. Heinlein Book Club: Episode 37: Rocket Ship Galileo (Part 1)

June 20, 2023 14:05 - 25 minutes - 27.2 MB

The review of the first half of Robert A. Heinlein's ROCKET SHIP GALILEO, the first of his famous young adult novels. A rocket club gets a chance to go to the moon.

Episode 589: Mark Twain: Tom Sawyer, Abroad

June 20, 2023 14:03 - 20 minutes - 22.2 MB

In the short novel TOM SAWYER, ABROAD (1892), Mark Twain takes Tom, Huck Finn and Jim on a balloon voyage to Africa. In this episode are my thoughts on this book.

Episode 588: Mark Twain: The American Claimant

June 18, 2023 12:59 - 26 minutes - 27.4 MB

In 1892, Mark Twain published a sequel of sorts to THE GILDED AGE called THE AMERICAN CLAIMANT. It goes back to an old theme Twain was fascinated by: the mutual misunderstandings of Europeans and Americans. Throughout this story, Colonel Sellers is up to his old schemes.

Robert A. Heinlein Book Club: Episode 36: Free Men

June 18, 2023 12:56 - 21 minutes - 23.7 MB

In this episode of the Robert A. Heinlein Book Club, I look at "Free Men", an interesting and moralistic look at the duty of free men to resist authoritarian state power. More of a political tract than a story.

Episode 587: Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner: The Gilded Age (Part 4)

June 12, 2023 10:15 - 23 minutes - 25.5 MB

Finale of my review of THE GILDED AGE by Mark Twain. While not one his most popular novels, I think this one deserves a read for its important themes and reflections on American capitalism and politics.

Robert A. Heinlein Book Club: Episode 35: A Bathroom of Her Own

June 12, 2023 10:13 - 19 minutes - 21.3 MB

In this episode of the Robert A. Heinlein book club, I look at this odd little story "A Bathroom of Her Own," a non-science fiction tale of housing and politics.

Episode 587:Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner: The Gilded Age (Part 3)

June 04, 2023 22:52 - 29 minutes - 30.7 MB

Now we need to deal with two sussy colonels in this novel? Colonel Sellers and Colonel Selby team-up to extract love and money from post-Civil War Washington. THE GILDED AGE by Mark Twain is actually a pretty underrated novel.

Robert A. Heinlein Book Club: Episode 34: Waldo

June 04, 2023 22:49 - 24 minutes - 25.4 MB

We wrap up our pre-war coverage of Heinlein's works with WALDO, a fitting story to complete the Anson MacDonald ASTOUNDING period of Heinlein's career. It hits so many of the themes Heinlein had been playing with since he started writing.

Robert A. Heinlein Book Club: Episode 33: My Object All Sublime and Pied Piper (1942)

May 30, 2023 13:59 - 13 minutes - 14.4 MB

In this episode I mostly look at Heinlein's short story "My Object All Sublime" but also mention "Pied Piper". These forgettable tales may have some thematic interest regarding vigilantes and total war.

Episode 585: Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner: The Gilded Age (Part 2)

May 30, 2023 13:57 - 28 minutes - 29.8 MB

Part two of my review of THE GILDED AGE by Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner. This part of the novel moves our focus to the national level and exposes how deep the corruption in the nation ran.

Robert A. Heinlein Book Club: Episode 32: The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag

May 23, 2023 12:36 - 19 minutes - 21.4 MB

"... Jonathan Hoag" is a great Robert A. Heinlein story that keeps getting me to think about and talk about Philip K. Dick. I loved it.

Episode 584: Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner: The Gilded Age (Part 1)

May 23, 2023 12:34 - 34 minutes - 36.2 MB

Part one of my review of the underrated novel THE GILDED AGE, by Mark Twain and another guy. It is one of the most sturdy investigations into America's political and economic culture. Sellers and Hawkins got something for you to buy.

Robert A. Heinlein Book Club: Episode 31: Goldish Bowl

May 17, 2023 15:16 - 18 minutes - 19.1 MB

"Goldfish Bowl" by Robert A. Heinlein is almost a H. P. Lovecraft story. One of his best pieces of short fiction that I read from him.

Episode 583: Mark Twain: Following the Equator

May 17, 2023 15:14 - 20 minutes - 21.8 MB

With this final episode on FOLLOWING THE EQUATOR, I finish up with Mark Twain's travel literature. Coming up is THE GILDED AGE and his later novels.