Books of Titans Podcast

“In fact, free speech may well be the most powerful engine of equality ever devised by human kind.”Free Speech by Jacob Mchangama presents a thorough and fascinating look at the history of free speech through the ages. What’s amazing is that free speech is a rather recent phenomenon, is quite fragile, and most of the people I consider to be the bulwarks of free speech were not as principled as I thought.I got to meet Jacob last week and hear more about this book at an event at Landmark Booksellers. I talk a bit about that and the question I asked him as well as cover some key themes from his book.If you’d like to watch the event at Landmark, you can do so here: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.booksoftitans.com/subscribe

A few years ago, I read a book about a coffee entrepreneur. It was really good. I immediately thought about a new friend of mine who worked at a coffee shop. I bought the book for him and met up a few weeks later to hear what he thought. His comments shocked me.He thanked me for the book and said it was the first full book he had read since college. This was a man in his early 30s, which means he hadn’t read a book in nearly 10 years.I think that’s where a lot of adults find themselves. Life gets busy. Work becomes the focus. Family, kids, activities, yard work. And now, all of those minutes in the margins are consumed with scrolling. It’s an addiction few of us can break.So how can we get into reading and then become better at it as adults?That’s the focus of this podcast episode. I hope you enjoy. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.booksoftitans.com/subscribe

Euripides’ Phoenician Women mimics the Aeschylus tragedy Seven Against Thebes with some key differences. One of those is the composition of the members of the chorus. Aeschylus chose Theban women as the members of his chorus but Euripides selected foreign slave women from Tyre en route to Delphi. They don’t have skin in the game like the Theban women do as they watch their royal line destroy themselves before their eyes.I think Euripides’ choice is so interesting. Not only did he select the Phoenician Women as the members of the chorus but they also occupy the title of the play as well. The play could just have easily been named Jocasta, a character who ties all the others together and who starts the entire play recalling the recent family history.I love reading these retellings of the myths. I love seeing these slight changes and trying to figure out the reason by behind the choices. I love the themes that keep popping up and the ways these ideas are discussed amongst characters in the worst of circumstances.These and other topics encompass episode 244 of the podcast. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.booksoftitans.com/subscribe

Explore the surprising world of Confucius as a philosopher rather than a religious figure. Delve into his historical context, revealing how political situations influenced his teachings. Discover the depth of The Analects and how they reflect personal connections and wisdom. Learn engaging tips for diving into Confucian thought and the importance of community in reading and understanding these timeless lessons.

Dive into the wisdom of Confucius as the podcast explores his life and significant teachings. Discover how he viewed himself as a transmitter of ancient wisdom rather than an originator. The conversation highlights the virtues of the gentleman and the importance of moral conduct over lineage. A thorough examination of key themes, including the silver rule and leadership, reveals timeless principles for ethical living. Uncover the nuances in translations and learn the art of binding knowledge from diverse sources, reflecting on your own reading journey.

I started off 2025 reading straight through the King James Version of the Bible. As I was doing so, I kept wondering how that translation came about. It’s now over 400 years old. What English translation will people be reading 400 years from now? And I had other questions. Did people really speak like this? Is this the first English translation? Why is it called the King James Bible? Who translated this Bible? Have we learned things since then that give us better translations now? Why is it still read 400 years later?A friend of mine, Larry Carson, suggested I read God’s Secretaries by Adam Nicolson to get answers to these questions. I share them in this podcast episode.Here’s my episode about reading the King James Bible: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.booksoftitans.com/subscribe

Dive into the fascinating world of the King James Version of the Bible, enriched by stunning illustrations from Barry Moser. Discover memorable themes, impactful verses, and the beauty of its archaic language. The speaker shares personal reflections and a systematic reading approach while highlighting the emotional connection to the text. Additionally, explore the differences between portable and larger editions, and consider joining a lively reading group to delve into classic literature together!

The podcast dives into the contrasting lives of Lyndon B. Johnson and Robert Moses. It explores their relentless work ethics and how their childhoods influenced their leadership styles. Listeners learn about Moses’ mobile office and LBJ’s strategic communication with constituents. The discussion unfolds around their ethical dilemmas and motivations in wielding power. Additionally, it touches on the role of cultural figures in shaping society, prompting reflections on history and leadership.

Dive into the haunting world of 'The Gulag Archipelago' as the host examines Solzhenitsyn's life and the harsh realities of the Soviet Gulag. Discover the significance of its abridged edition, praised by political figures and educators. The resilience of the human spirit shines through as literature reveals profound insights about suffering. Explore the duality of good and evil, where moral choices define character amidst brutal conditions. Plus, get involved in a new literary reading group to explore timeless classics!

Dive into the wisdom of the Book of Proverbs as the host unpacks the intriguing concept of 'the fear of the Lord.' What does this really mean—trembling fear or sacred awe? Personal insights from 2024 shed light on this transformative idea. The discussion also explores King Solomon's complex relationships and how they influenced his reign and legacy. Finally, timeless lessons from Proverbs are highlighted, emphasizing their relevance in today's world and shedding light on honesty, justice, and the pursuit of wisdom.