Just the Best Literature

Nov 04 2024 100 ep. 30 mins 1.5k

Just the Best Literature Podcast artwork

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.

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#342: Winston Mourns the Death of Aylmer Haldan

Nov 04 2024 28 mins

Host Dennis Leap continues discussing Part Two: “Into Africa” of Candice Millard’s bestselling book, Hero of the Empire. Winston Churchill argues with Redvers Buller, British commander in chief in South Africa, to get the number and names of the British soldiers who died during the first weeks of the Boer War. Winston discovered that a close friend of his, Aylmer Haldane, was

#341: The Reason Penn Symons Died

Sep 30 2024 28 mins

Host Dennis Leap discusses Chapter 7, “The Blackest of All Days” in Part II, “Into Africa.” This chapter reveals that the famous British commanders over India, such as Penn Symons, believed the fight with the Boers would be easy. The journalist crew, which included Winston Churchill, was stunned when they arrived in South Africa to a sign that read “Boers Defeated, Three

#340: General White Made a Huge Mistake

Sep 09 2024 28 mins

Host Dennis Leap finishes discussing Chapter 6, “We Have Gone Far Enough,” from Part II: “Into Africa.” Candice Millard gives the incredible history of the Boers who proved themselves to be superior warriors from the time they inhabited the Transvaal and the first Boer War with the British. The British received a humiliating loss at the battle of Majuba Hill. George White h

#339: Boers Are Ready to War With the British

Sep 02 2024 26 mins

Host Dennis Leap finishes the discussion for Chapter 5 of Part 2, “Send Her Victorious” and begins Chapter 6, “We Have Gone Far Enough.” Chapter 5 revealed the blasé attitude of the British to the coming war with the Boers, who weren’t considered warriors. Chapter 6, however, shows that the Boers were well prepared for the coming fight.

#338: Winston Travels to South Africa in Style and Discusses Politics

Aug 12 2024 27 mins

Host Dennis Leap continues discussing Part 2: Into Africa, Chapter 5: “Send Her Victorious.” Winston was not overly worried that he was traveling to a war in South Africa. He saw himself as a confident, well-to-do journalist being paid well to report on the early phase of the Boer War. Winston traveled in the lavish style of a British aristocrat, taking a valet with him. Even t

#337: Journalist Winston Goes to Boer War

Jul 22 2024 28 mins

Host Dennis Leap discusses the significance of Chapter 5, “Send Her Victorious,” in Candice Millard’s book Hero of the Empire. Winston Churchill does not go to the Boer War in South Africa as a solider but as a well-paid journalist to keep Britons informed of events in the Transvaal. He shared this experience with other famous authors such as Daily Mail writer Edgar Wallace,

#336: The Scion Finds a New War

Jul 15 2024 58 mins

In this special hourlong episode, Dennis Leap discusses the significance of Chapter 4 in Candice Millard’s Hero of the Empire. After licking his wounds from losing the election in Oldham, Winston Churchill renews his desire to become a great politician by finding a new war to build his reputation. This chapter is a great introduction to the Boer War.

#335: The Scion Is Defeated

Jun 24 2024 28 mins

Host Dennis Leap discusses Winston’s election day in Oldham. The candidates campaigning to win the election brought their wives with them. Winston was not yet married, so he begged his mother, Jennie Jerome, to come support him on election day. Jennie showed up dressed as a star-studded actress. Her sparkling beauty drew attention, but Winston fell 1,300 votes short of victory.

#334: The Scion Speaks

Jun 10 2024 28 mins

Host Dennis Leap continues discussing Candice Millard’s book Hero of the Empire, Chapter 3 “The Scion.” This chapter gives great insight into Winston Churchill’s mighty push to get into politics at a young age.

#333: The Graven Palm, Part 2

May 06 2024 28 mins

Host Dennis Leap continues discussing Candice Millard’s book Hero of the Empire. In this podcast, Dennis focuses on Winston Churchill’s unbearable uncertainty waiting to see if he would be chosen for a place on the Conservative ticket for a by-election in Oldham, England. Winston had no doubt in his star, yet he didn’t feel it wasteful to have his palm read to see into his fu