The Book Club

by PragerU
800

Michael Knowles and special guests discuss great literature that has shaped Western Civilization.

Recent Episodes
  • Neil Shenvi: The Abolition of Man by C. S. Lewis
    Mar 18, 2025 – 33:23
  • Michael Malice: The Call of the Wild by Jack London
    Jan 21, 2025 – 28:08
  • Joseph Fornieri: On Liberty by John Stuart Mill
    Nov 19, 2024 – 32:28
  • Will Witt: The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
    Aug 20, 2024 – 30:34
  • Libby Emmons: A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen
    Jun 18, 2024 – 32:03
  • Derryck Green: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
    Apr 16, 2024 – 28:59
  • Pastor Rob McCoy: Sermon on the Mount
    Jan 17, 2024 – 40:54
  • Charles Kesler: Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics
    Nov 21, 2023 – 31:51
  • Julie Hartman: The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
    Sep 19, 2023 – 37:51
  • Andy Puzder: The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
    Aug 16, 2023 – 37:21
  • Owen Anderson: The Book of Job
    Jul 18, 2023 – 35:43
  • Solveig Gold: The Cave by Plato
    May 16, 2023 – 27:33
  • The Book Club: The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer with Catherine Illingworth
    Apr 19, 2023 – 40:42
  • John Yoo: Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes
    Mar 21, 2023 – 30:41
  • The Book Club: The Iliad by Homer with Joshua Katz
    Feb 22, 2023 – 35:36
  • The Book Club: The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan with Allie Stuckey
    Jan 19, 2023 – 33:29
  • The Book Club: Civilization and Its Discontents by Sigmund Freud with Stephen Marmer
    Jan 3, 2023 – 27:37
  • The Book Club: Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville with Pete Peterson
    Dec 16, 2022 – 34:58
  • The Book Club: Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy with Inez Stepman
    Dec 16, 2022 – 35:24
  • The Book Club: Reflections on the Revolution in France by Edmund Burke with Yoram Hazony
    Sep 30, 2022 – 35:56
  • The Book Club: The Closing of the American Mind by Allan Bloom with Max Eden
    Jul 22, 2022 – 22:54
  • The Book Club: Lord of the Flies by William Golding with Lauren Chen
    Jun 21, 2022 – 30:41
  • The Book Club: The Book of Exodus with Dennis Prager
    May 24, 2022 – 30:38
  • The Book Club: A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens with Allen Estrin
    May 24, 2022 – 23:36
  • The Book Club: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë with Madeleine Kearns
    Dec 22, 2021 – 33:25
  • The Book Club: Darkness at Noon by Arthur Koestler with Brad Thompson
    Sep 23, 2021 – 39:01
  • The Book Club: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand With Eric Daniels
    Sep 1, 2021 – 37:36
  • The Book Club: Race and Culture by Thomas Sowell With Farah Jimenez
    Sep 1, 2021 – 34:36
  • The Book Club: The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis with Seth Dillon
    Jun 29, 2021 – 34:13
  • The Book Club: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley with Gina Bontempo
    Jun 29, 2021 – 30:41
  • The Book Club: The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Tolstoy with Matt Walsh
    Apr 20, 2021 – 33:58
  • The Book Club: King Lear by Shakespeare with Douglas Murray
    Mar 23, 2021 – 30:23
  • The Book Club: Middlemarch by George Eliot with Heather Mac Donald
    Feb 16, 2021 – 35:11
  • The Book Club: Galileo with Brian Keating
    Jan 19, 2021 – 29:50
  • The Book Club: Genesis with Bishop Robert Barron
    Dec 15, 2020 – 30:32
  • The Book Club: Symposium by Plato with Spencer Klavan
    Nov 17, 2020 – 31:53
  • The Book Club: Divine Comedy by Dante with Catherine Illingworth
    Oct 20, 2020 – 40:51
  • The Book Club: Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington with Carol Swain
    Sep 15, 2020 – 35:10
  • The Book Club: 1984 by George Orwell with Dave Rubin
    Aug 20, 2020 – 32:51
  • The Book Club: Brave New World by Aldous Huxley with Sen. Ted Cruz
    Aug 18, 2020 – 33:40
  • The Book Club: Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham with Larry Elder
    Jun 16, 2020 – 26:44
  • The Book Club: The Federalist Papers by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison with Ben Shapiro
    May 19, 2020 – 29:22
  • The Book Club: Intellectuals by Paul Johnson with Allen Estrin
    Apr 21, 2020 – 24:10
  • The Book Club: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen with Abigail Shrier
    Mar 18, 2020 – 22:30
  • The Book Club: Hamlet by William Shakespeare with Andrew Klavan
    Feb 19, 2020 – 23:58
  • The Book Club: Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl with Dennis Prager
    Jan 20, 2020 – 22:57
Recent Reviews
  • The Lodge on Twinkle Lane
    Helpful with my teens
    I just discovered this podcast after reading The Scarlet Letter alongside my teens who are reading it at school (so I could converse with them about it). That episode was SO helpful in helping me process my thoughts on the books as well as the big themes. I plan to make my boys listen to it also & am curious to see if they talk about those ideas during seminar discussion at school 😉 I love that it’s from a conservative, biblical worldview. Thank you for this bookclub!
  • Nelsontina
    Can’t get enough book club!!
    I get to join book club while commuting to work. I have learned so much. Anxiously awaiting new episodes. Thank you!
  • frenchathart
    Very Strange Politics
    The host brings his weird, extreme politics into it constantly.
  • BotharMe
    Anti-intellectual
    It’s not an intellectual standpoint to critique a feminist interpretation of “A Doll House” as being political, while then using your own patriarchal and institutional-upholding interpretation of the play as… not political. As though the idea that “a father leaving his family is bad enough” but a mother leaving is completely inexcusable… is not a political stance. Of course it is. Interpret and argue over the literature as you wish, but at least do it with intellectual integrity.
  • @_rruubbyyy
    Such great books!
    Always loved Michael Knowles content! His commentary on these books made me want to read them! Keep going!!
  • TheWeendawg
    Love Michael Knowles!
    Michael is so smart and articulate! His book breakdowns are so entertaining and captivating! Highly recommend!
  • Man Mm
    What is this?
    I thought this was going to be a podcasts about book reviews not shallow political propaganda. Skip it if you actually want to learn something or use your brain
  • TeejusHere
    So many books...
    Thank you for this captivating podcast. I’m binge listening.
  • valeriahax
    Michael is AWESOME!!!’
    Love this podcast; I’m learning much more than I ever did in school!!!
  • Maire 2003
    Interesting guests
    I look forward to new episodes and wish they appeared more frequently. Great guests and interesting books!
  • Most Giant Vanilla Bear
    Thought it was a real university
    Not a YouTube channel huh
  • saperlo
    Outstanding
    I just discovered this podcast and it has proved to be the single best thing I listen to each week. It has sent me back to discover and rediscover literature and I am learning so much. Profoundly grateful for this resource. Thank you
  • Jonathan Kutz
    Fantastic
    Love the show, great information, phenomenal books. Can’t wait for more to come out
  • GiveMeRealNewz
    Awful Host
    Host does not realize that he needs to ask questions & let the guests respond. I had the misfortune of listening to the Frankenstein by Mary Shelly podcast. Host could not stop talking & interrupting the guest. She was the expert NOT him. Dude, shut up !!
  • smokiwik
    Terrific!
    This is my favorite podcast. It’s really well balanced, in that the discussions are substantive but the attitude is fun and light. Love it that there is a different guest each time, and the guests choose the book to be discussed, so there is a sympathy and enthusiasm that makes it a pleasure to listen.
  • merdy96
    Ugh Jane Eyre!!! One of my favorite books, this podcast makes me so happy ❤️
    I was a literature major at Berkeley and I absolutely love to be able to hear discussions of my favorite books without the destructive post-modern materialist lens. Thank you ❤️
  • Melissafent
    Reviewing with an Agenda
    I thought I was going in for a book analysis. Instead I was fed a political agenda that borderlines delusional. Not a fan.
  • MGThill
    Atlas Shrugged
    Great summary! Love the book club!
  • The usa lover
    Info.
    In my bucket list , I like to have a cigar one day with Michael Knowles and Dennis Prager. I loooooove these two. Thank you Lord .
  • a fellow juicer
    political
    extremely political (right). doesn’t explain reasoning for arguments either
  • Alanna K.
    Middlemarch Episode
    I absolutely loved the Middlemarch episode with Heather MacDonald. I happened to read the novel this fall and listening to this discussion was a delight! I will definitely listen to more episodes, especially if Heather makes another appearance!
  • Hammer1time
    Worthwhile
    It’s like a quickie PhD!
  • History Lover 26!
    Brilliant Podcast!
    Thank you! Brilliant podcast! I’m learning so much!
  • Nate.Nate
    A middle schoolers rushed book report
    This is what happens when you grow up hearing people tell you you’re smart, and then you actually start talking and that Illusion quickly disappears.
  • thisishowlibertydies
    Knowles knows
    He’s the debonair, educated conservative you wish you were. Learn about the great works of western civilization and you too can become debonair and educated.
  • Aristotle Justice
    1984
    Love 1984
  • Chaim K.
    Fascinating!
    Love the episode on Galileo Galilei!
  • #JesusSaves!!
    Once a month just isn’t enough!
    Love, love, love! Intelligent, insightful and fun! Thank you for helping us rediscover the joy and deep need for classic literature!
  • Brittany R. Brewer
    Awesome!
    I have always wanted to join a book club. I finally found this and I could not be happier. They are very insightful and fun!
  • acrow1392
    So good, yet so short!
    The books and guests are wonderful, but these segments are painfully short. These books deserve more time. Please Michael, we want long-form podcasts, especially for subject matter like this!
  • Pondering barred owl
    Great show
    Like the book selection and guests
  • Nellaagape
    Prime
    If you are seeking a respite from pathetic attempts to properly review literature, you have found it in the Book Club. The book selections are diverse and the reviews bring a depth that may be overlooked. This scholarship is interwoven with pleasant humor and a sense of mutual respect between Michael Knowles and his guests.
  • MACD05
    Very informative and entertaining
    This Book Club is a joy to listen to. I was never much of a reader but this club has sparked an interest I never knew I had. Thanks to Prager U, Mr. Knowls and his wonderful guests!
  • Ct86
    The joys of reading
    I love to read. As of November 2020 I have completed 230 books this year. Book clubs have always held some interest for me but I never really found one that fit well. I think this book club will do nicely!!! Some of the books I have read and some have been on my tbr list for awhile. Thank you so much!
  • Beegee ell
    Reading list
    I keep buying and reading the books discussed by this podcast. My eyes have been opened. Thank you.
  • J_Everett
    Good books in a 1/2 hr
    I’ve liked the episodes I had watched, but don’t have time to watch. I wish they had plugged this podcast a bit harder. If you want to update your audible reading list, this is the place to go for suggestions.
  • Big_Lumpy
    So excited for the book club
    I actually watch all of the PragerU, Book Club episodes on YouTube. Thanks for being honest American Patriots. 🇺🇸
  • alayna017
    📚❤️📖
    I love books, and I love Michael Knowles talking about them! I’ve already added all these titles to my TBR list. Can’t wait for the next show!
  • Annie J
    Love this show!
    This is always a good listen, but especially the one on 1984. Worth a listen.
  • Stufamily
    Great, but no updates
    I love this show and particularly enjoy listening to the podcast version, so I can download it and hear it anytime. However, the newest talk never uploaded. I’ve been waiting almost a month!
  • keit91
    Great Show
    It’s nice to hear an intellectual discussion and tease my appetite for something highbrow
  • Conner L B
    Great show
    This show is full of great insight into the literary world. You can’t go wrong with any book discussed here. Great work Michael Knowles!
  • TR3 90
    Knowles Strike Gold Again
    Once again Michael Knowles shows himself to be king of the podcast airwaves. Now as the host of three separate and varied podcasts, he is likely the most prolific broadcaster as well as the most successful author. This podcast, as well as his others are impossible to over recommend.
  • CheckpointC
    You can learn here.
    The level and tone here is good for listening. There is enough information for you to understand if yo want to study the topic more. Thank you.
  • Rach-ella
    I love this.
    I love books and smart people to discuss them with. I feel like I am in on this discussion. Thanks guys. I read Pride and Prejudice right before this came out. It was perfect.
  • samibonita
    Yay for Austen!
    Fantastic topic for the latest installment of The Book Club! I didn’t think it was possible to love Michael Knowles more...then I heard him praise Jane Austen! 🥰
  • Dloog
    Thank you!
    More please.
  • CMarie2013
    Great way to establish a solid reading list
    I love the way this podcast can 1)give great recommendations for good reads and 2)give engaging discussion. Highly recommended for avid or beginner readers.
  • Chocolateotto
    You might not find these books in your public library so....listen up!
    I visiting my public library yesterday and could not find a copy of the Federalist Papers or a single copy of Histories by Herodotus, but plenty of books prominently on display about how deranged and “dangerous” our current President is. I was gratified to find a single copy of a book which discussed and analyzed our Constitution. This podcast will hopefully fill the sad gap in liberal or other so called education in our post modernist era. I look forward to listening. Victor Frankl is an excellent starting point.
  • MissBlister
    Much Needed
    Even though I’d like to read, I just never find the time or the privacy to do so, which makes me really happy to have a show like this to hear great minds discuss important pieces of literature
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