Just the Best Literature

Hosted by Dennis Leap

Just the Best Literature inspires you to not only read printed books, but to read only the best books. Besides books, host Dennis Leap will lead discussions on other current literature such as essays and important articles.

#211: Background to Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, Part 1

Aired Monday, December 7, 2020   ·   08:00 AM CST   ·   31 minutes

Host Dennis Leap provides critical background facts to facilitate readers’ understanding of Conrad’s gripping novella Heart of Darkness. Dennis explains Marlow’s change in temperament from Youth to Heart of Darkness.

#210: Final Thoughts on Joseph Conrad’s Short Story Youth

Aired Monday, November 30, 2020   ·   08:00 AM CST   ·   30 minutes

Host Dennis Leap, with special guests Deborah Leap and Gabe Greaser, discusses key points expressed in Conrad’s short story Youth.

#209: Marlow Laments an Absurd Delusion From His Youth

Aired Monday, November 23, 2020   ·   08:00 AM CST   ·   31 minutes

Host Dennis Leap, with special guests Deborah Leap and Gabe Greaser, discusses Marlow’s revelation of an absurd delusion in his youth as second mate on the Judea.

#208: The Overlooked Character in Conrad’s Youth, Part 2

Aired Monday, November 16, 2020   ·   08:00 AM CST   ·   30 minutes

Host Dennis Leap continues discussing the overlooked character in Joseph Conrad’s short story Youth—the Judea. Dennis mentions the rat prophecy and shows how Marlow praises the Judea for living up to her motto “Judea, London. Do or Die."

#207: The Overlooked Character in Conrad’s Youth, Part 1

Aired Monday, November 9, 2020   ·   08:00 AM CST   ·   31 minutes

Host Dennis Leap and special guest Gabe Greaser discuss the overlooked character in Joseph Conrad’s short story Youth—the Judea. Marlow provides loving descriptions of her sterling character.

#206: Marlow—The Storyteller, Part 2

Aired Monday, November 2, 2020   ·   08:00 AM CST   ·   32 minutes

Host Dennis Leap continues discussing the narrator and main character, Marlow, in Joseph Conrad’s short story Youth. Dennis puts an emphasis on Marlow’s ability to observe and make criticisms of others.

#205: Marlow—The Storyteller

Aired Monday, October 26, 2020   ·   08:00 AM CDT   ·   31 minutes

Host Dennis Leap begins discussing the narrator and main character, Marlow, in Joseph Conrad’s short story Youth. Dennis puts an emphasis on Conrad’s written statements about Marlow.

#204: Introduction to Joseph Conrad’s Novella Youth

Aired Monday, October 12, 2020   ·   07:00 AM CDT   ·   31 minutes

Host Dennis Leap begins the discussion of Joseph Conrad’s novella Youth by talking about the story’s structure and characters and a suggestion about why Conrad chose to write the story.

#203: A Snapshot of Joseph Conrad’s Early Childhood

Aired Monday, October 5, 2020   ·   07:00 AM CDT   ·   31 minutes

Host Dennis Leap begins the promised series on Joseph Conrad’s Youth, Heart of Darkness and Lord Jim with a short introduction to Conrad’s difficult childhood under Russia’s domination of the Poles.

#202: An Overview of 1984’s Appendix 1

Aired Monday, September 21, 2020   ·   08:00 AM CDT   ·   32 minutes

Host Dennis Leap, along with special guest Deborah Leap, discusses “The Principle of Newspeak” found in Orwell’s classic 1984. George Orwell believed that totalitarian governments strive to control human thought through the destruction of language.