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.

#231: Marlow Takes Charge of Jim’s Story, Part 1

Aired Monday, April 26, 2021   ·   08:00 AM CDT   ·   31 minutes

Host Dennis Leap and guest Deborah Leap continue discussing Chapter 4 of Joseph Conrad’s complex novel Lord Jim. The two discuss Jim’s awareness of Marlow’s attendance at his inquiry and reveal Jim's first impressions of Marlow. Moving into Chapter 5, the literature team shows how Marlow assumes control of Jim’s story.

#230: Jim’s First Encounter With Marlow, Part 2

Aired Monday, April 19, 2021   ·   08:00 AM CDT   ·   31 minutes

Host Dennis Leap and guest Deborah Leap continue discussing the first four chapters of Joseph Conrad’s complex novel Lord Jim. In Chapter 3, Conrad gives us deeper insights into Jim’s romantic and adventurous imagination and his self-assured security of living a successful life. In Chapter 4 we suddenly find ourselves in a courtroom where Jim is on the witness stand answering questions about the wrecking of the Patna.

#229: Jim’s First Encounter With Marlow, Part 1

Aired Monday, April 12, 2021   ·   08:30 AM CDT   ·   31 minutes

Host Dennis Leap begins discussing the first four chapters of Joseph Conrad’s complex novel Lord Jim. The key to understanding these chapters is that they cover three different points in time leading us to Marlow.

#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.