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.

#228: Introduction to Joseph Conrad’s Lord Jim

Aired Monday, April 5, 2021   ·   08:00 AM CDT   ·   30 minutes

Host Dennis Leap provides an overview look at Joseph Conrad’s uniquely structured novel Lord Jim, including historical background, themes and cast of characters.

#227: Final Thoughts on Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, Part 2

Aired Monday, March 29, 2021   ·   08:00 AM CDT   ·   32 minutes

Host Dennis Leap uses Marlow’s discussion with Kurtz’s intended to conclude his summary comments on how to understand this classic novella.

#226: Final Thoughts on Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, Part 1

Aired Monday, March 22, 2021   ·   08:00 AM CDT   ·   31 minutes

Host Dennis Leap uses Marlow’s thoughts on Kurtz after his burial to begin summary comments on how to understand this classic novella.

#225: Marlow’s Full Testimony to the Life and Death of Kurtz, Part 2

Aired Monday, March 15, 2021   ·   08:00 AM CDT   ·   31 minutes

Host Dennis Leap discusses Marlow’s fascination with Kurtz’s desire to reenter the darkness of his own human nature as he crawls back to the native Africans who desire to worship him. Marlow also recounts Kurtz’s struggle to reconcile his life as he lays dying.

#224: Marlow’s Testimony on the Life and Death of Kurtz, Part 1

Aired Monday, March 8, 2021   ·   08:00 AM CST   ·   31 minutes

Host Dennis Leap discusses the overlooked conflict Marlow holds for his hero Kurtz. Marlow insists that Kurtz is not his idol, but he also states that Kurtz is a remarkable man. In this matter, Joseph Conrad reveals his own conflict with human nature.

#223: Marlow Meets His Hero Kurtz, Part 2

Aired Monday, March 1, 2021   ·   08:00 AM CST   ·   31 minutes

Host Dennis Leap and guests Deborah Leap and Gabe Greaser discuss Marlow’s first meeting with Kurtz.

#222: Marlow Meets His Hero Kurtz, Part 1

Aired Monday, February 22, 2021   ·   10:16 AM CST   ·   30 minutes

Host Dennis Leap and guests Deborah Leap and Gabe Greaser discuss Marlow’s surprising defense of Kurtz to his companions on the Nellie and Marlow’s story about meeting Kurtz.

#221: The Women in Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, Part 2

Aired Monday, February 15, 2021   ·   09:00 AM CST   ·   33 minutes

Host Dennis Leap and special guests Deborah Leap and Hannah Worrell continue their discussion of Joseph Conrad’s use of women in his classic novella Heart of Darkness. In this episode, the panel focuses on the woman in Kurtz’s painting, the Mistress and the Intended.

#220: The Women in Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, Part 1

Aired Monday, February 8, 2021   ·   10:00 AM CST   ·   31 minutes

Host Dennis Leap and special guests Deborah Leap and Hannah Worrell discuss Joseph Conrad's use of women in his classic novella Heart of Darkness.

#219: Marlow Learns About His Hero Kurtz, Part 2

Aired Monday, February 1, 2021   ·   09:00 AM CST   ·   30 minutes

Host Dennis Leap, along with special guests Parker Campbell and Gabe Greaser, discusses Marlow’s education about Kurtz as he travels from station to station, entering the heart of darkness.