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The Book Club

The Book Club

By: The Spectator
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Literary interviews and discussions on the latest releases in the world of publishing, from poetry through to physics. Presented weekly by Sam Leith.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Spectator
Art Literary History & Criticism Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Andrea Wulf: George Forster and the Search for Humanity
    Jun 10 2026

    My guest in this week’s Book Club podcast is Andrea Wulf, talking about her fascinating new book, The Traveller: George Forster and the Search for Humanity. Andrea tells me about the now-forgotten adventurer who sailed with Captain Cook, toured Europe as an intellectual celebrity and sparred with Kant and Rousseau over race and human civilisation – before throwing his lot in with the French Revolution.

    Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.


    For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts


    Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    39 mins
  • Emily Wilson: Journeys Through Ancient Literature
    Jun 2 2026

    My guest on this week’s Book Club podcast is Emily Wilson, the scholar and translator of Homer and Seneca, among many others. She tells me what tech bros get wrong about the classical world and what Cardi B can teach us about Aristophanes, as we discuss her new book, Crossing the Wine-Dark Sea: Journeys Through Ancient Literature.

    Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.


    For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts


    Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    41 mins
  • Siri Hustvedt: Ghost Stories
    May 26 2026

    My guest on this week’s Book Club podcast is Siri Hustvedt, talking about her new book, Ghost Stories, a memoir of her long and loving marriage to the novelist Paul Auster, and of his death from cancer. Siri tells me why this book ‘needed’ to be written, what their relationship was like, how ‘horrible things’ came to this literary golden couple, and how she explains the experience of being visited, three days after his death, by her husband’s ghost.

    Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.


    For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts


    Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
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