American Writers (One Hundred Pages at a Time)
Episodes
The Philip K. Dick Boook Club: Episode 64: The Father-Thing
29 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Philip K. Dick Book Club, we look at the short story "The Father-Thing". It is a story about who children see the emotional ins...
Episode 85: James Fenimore Cooper: The Deerslayer (1)
29 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Time to insanely charge into the Leatherstocking Tales. We will begin with the first in the series (although the last one published), "The Deerslayer....
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 63: The Turning Wheel
24 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In "The Turning Wheel", Philip K. Dick explores Eastern religions and the broader realtionship between the technocratic life and the religious life. I...
Episode 84: Louisa May Alcott: Jo's Boys (2)
24 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Our final episode in this series on Louisa May Alcott. In the second half of "Jo's Boys" our major heroes face adult challanges and even life and deat...
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 62: Progeny
21 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I look at Philip K. Dick's story "Progeny." How much power should we give to those we raise and educate our children? Can the posthum...
Episode 83: Louisa May Alcott: Jo's Boys (1)
21 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
It is ten years after the events of "Little Men" and we check in on the adulthood of the graduates of Plumfield. In this episode, we look at Alcott's ...
Episode 82: Louisa May Alcott: Little Men (3)
17 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The finale of my series on Louisa May Alcott's "Little Men."
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 61: The Last of the Masters
17 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we look at Dick's sole tale looking specifically at anarchism. While anarchist themes run throughout his works, he only examined the c...
Episode 81: Louisa May Alcott. Little Men (2)
14 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Part 2 of my thoughts on Louisa May Alcott's "Little Men," which includes my ideas on the central chapter of the novel "Damon and Pythias".
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 60: Upon the Dull Earth
14 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
"You! You're not Silvia. You are one of the Kung Fu Creatures on the Ramage 2" "Upon the Dull Earth" is a story by Philip K. Dick. A little help? ...
Episode 80: Louisa May Alcott, Little Men (1)
13 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
We continue our look into the "Little Women" trilogy with "Little Men". How are Jo's students and family doing at her school in Plumfield? What does A...
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 59: Shell Game
13 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In "Shell Game", a preview of his great novel "Clans of the Alphane Moon", Dick explores the military, paranoia, and mental illness. Are our delusions...
Episode 79: Louis May Alcott: Little Women-Conclusion
11 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we come to the end of Alcott's novel "Little Women," but we have a lot more Alcott to discuss as we explore the sequals.
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 58: Souvenir
11 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Once again Philip K. Dick takes us to the frontier and evaluates empire, cultural homogenity, technology, and work in his brilliant story "Souvenir". ...
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 56: Prize Ship
08 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Opps. I guess I messed up the order of episodes. "Prize Ship" by Philip K. Dick is a story that exploress the consequences of time travel and an e...
Episode 78: Louisa May Alcott, Little Women (4)
08 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
We are reaching the climax of Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women." In the second half of the novel the story moves to focus on Amy and Jo and their fut...
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 57: World of Talent
08 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
One of Philip K. Dick's masterpieces, "A World of Talent" explores posthumanism, the frontier, war, and governmental conspiracies. This story brings...
Episode 77: Louisa May Alcott, Little Women (3)
04 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Part 3 of my review of "Little Women" covers Beth's recovery, the return of Mr. March, and the journies of the women as they enter into adult careers....
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 55: Meddler
04 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In "Meddler", Philip K. Dick gives us a time travel loop story. We have seen these plenty of times. What do you think of Philip K. Dick's take on this...
Episode 76: Louisa May Alcott, Little Women (2)
29 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Second part of my series on Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women." How do the girls get along without their mother and when facing disease and death?
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 54: Adjustment Team
29 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Why do we give such power to urban planners and developers? What are their goals? Should we allow those in power to manipulate our reality for a great...
Episode 75: Louisa May Alcott, Little Women (1)
27 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we begin a new series looking at the "Little Women" triology. We will begin with "Little Women." So let's all be reintroduced to Jo, ...
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 53: Exhibit Piece
27 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In "Exhibit Piece", Philip K Dick explores time travel and history and gives an ironic look at 1950s conformity. Was the 1950s the peak of American co...
Episode 74: Jack London: Assorted Stories-2
24 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Our final episode on Jack London looks at some of his later stories. J-Lo has been fun, but it is time to move onto different things (bigger and bette...
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 52: Crawlers
24 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Philip K. Dick explores posthumanism and the relationship between the abnormal and the state in "Crawlers." Are posthumans a threat? Whare is our mora...
Episode 73: Jack London: Assorted Stories (1)
20 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
A handful of stories by Jack London are looked at in this episode, including some of his best stories of the Pacific and urban America. "All Gold Ca...
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 51: Of Withered Apples
20 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The next in a series of short stories by Philip K. Dick that explored marriage, but unlike the others ("Human Is," "Beyond the Door," :Our in the Gard...
Episode 72: Jack London: Klondike Tales, Part 2
17 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I look at six more of J-Lo's short stories set in the Klondike gold rush. "God of his Fathers" "Batard" "The League of Old Men" ...
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 50: Breakfast at Twilight
17 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
What would you risk for another couple years of peace? Is war worse than death? Dick explores these questions in "Breakfast at Twilight."
Episode 71: Jack London, Klondike Tales
13 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In thsi episode, I look at six of Jack London's Klondike tales, the stories produced from his experiences in the Yukon gold rush. "To the Man on the ...
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 49 Sales Pitch
13 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In "Sales Pitch", Philip K. Dick considers consumer society, the commute, and the frontier, but fails once again to see the value of automation.
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 48: Prominent Author
10 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In "Prominent Author," Philip K Dick goes back to an old interesst of his: explaiing the origin of the world religions using the devices of science fi...
Episode 70: Jack London, The Sea-Wolf (3)
10 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The final part of my examination of Jack London's "The Sea-Wolf." In this episode I suggest that Maud Brewster may be the real hero of the story. Th...
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 47: Survey Team
06 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
"Survey Team" by Philip K. Dick explores the question of over-conumption and war and the morality of abusers getting another chance (they don't get on...
Episode 69: Jack London: The Sea-Wolf (2)
06 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Part 2 of my review of Jack London's "The Sea-Wolf." In this part, I take on the question of resistance and take a closer look at the character of Hum...
Episode 68: Jack London: The Sea-Wolf (1)
03 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we look at the first chapters of Jack London's "The Sea-Wolf" and take a close look at the villain of the tale, the sealing schooner ...
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 46.2: The World Jones Made (2)
03 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Part 2 of my comments on Philip K. Dick's novel "The World Jones Made".
Philp K. Dick Book Club: Episode 46.1, The World Jones Made (1)
30 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we look at a novel (slightly out of chronological order), "The World Jones Made." This novel takes on three interelated themes: precog...
Episode 67: Jack London, White Fang (2)
30 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Part two of my look at "White Fang" and we get to see the relationship between modern civilization, law, and violence. Where does kindness and love co...
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 45: Small Town
30 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Philip K. Dick Book Club, we look at "Small Town". What does this story say about family, urban planning, and suburbia?
Episode 66: Jack London: White Fang (1)
28 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
On the surface, White Fang is the opposite of The Call of the Wild, but in many ways J-Lo is dealing with many of the same issues. Join me, the she-wo...
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 45: James P. Crow
28 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Once again Philip K. DIck takes on segregation and race relations. But is the answer he provides in "James P. Crow" right? I worry that this is a stor...
Episode 65: Jack London, The Call of the Wild
25 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
My comments on Jack London's signature text, The Call of the Wild. Was the original J-Lo talking about dogs, wolves, or us?
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 44: Beyond the Door
25 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Part of a series of 1953-1955 short stories exploring marriage by Philip K. Dick. "Beyond the Door" combines a critique of clock time with a critique ...
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 43: The Golden Man
22 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Dick's first great story of posthumanism and mutants is "The Golden Man." Can humans coexist with Humanity+?
Episode 64: Jack London: John Barleycorn, Second Part
22 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Part two of my overview of Jack London's John Barleycorn. The focus of this episode is the "White Logic" and London's depression. Four essays by Jac...
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 42: Jon's World
20 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In "Jon's World," Philip K. Dick wrote a followup to "Second Variety." While the humans one the war, the survivors are put in a position of prefering ...
Episode 63: Jack London: John Barleycorn, First Half
20 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Jack London's brilliant autobiography on alcohol, John Barleycorn, Or Alcoholic Memoirs, is a book about many things, including male socialibility and...
Philip K Dick Book Club: Episode 41: The Builder
18 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Philip K. Dick explores the Biblical story of Noah, the suburban family, and post-traumatic stress in his short story "The Builder."
Episode 62: Jack London; Martin Eden (4)
18 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The final episode on Jack London's Martin Eden. What happens when our lonely writer finds success?
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 40: The Short Happy Life of the Brown Oxford
13 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we examine the Philip K. Dick story "The Short Happy Life of the Brown Oxford." What does this story tell us abour family? Consumerism...
Episode 61: Jack London, Martin Eden (3)
13 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Part three of a series on Jack London's Martin Eden. In this part, we explore Eden's frustrations, his new friendships, and the decline of his romanti...
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 39: The Crystal Crypt
09 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In "The Crystal Crypt", Philip K. Dick explores the arms race and the "spy v. spy" dynamic of the Cold War. But does Dick have more to say about the c...
Episode 60: Jack London; Martin Eden (2)
09 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I look at the second hundred pages of Jack London's masterpiece Martin Eden. What are the challenges of becoming a writer in the face ...
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 38: A Present for Pat
05 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Philip K. Dick Club we look at "A Present for Pat", cargo cults, and alien gods.
Episode 59: Jack London, Martin Eden (1)
05 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we meet Martin Eden and the struggles of a working class man to become a published writer.
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 37: The Hanging Stranger
01 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
We look at "The Hanging Stranger," Philip K. Dick's story of lynching and state power. And it has Lovecraftian creatures in it. What happens when we s...
Episode 58: Jack London: The Iron Heel (2)
01 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In the second part of The Iron Heel, Jack London takes us to the events surrounding the first uprising, or the Chicago Commune. How does the Oligarchy...
Philip K Dick Book Club: Episode 36: Project: Earth
27 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Is creation just a failed experiment? Do children hold the key to preserving individualism in an increasingly conformist world? These are some of the ...
Episode 57: Jack London: The Iron Heel (1)
27 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The first episode of two on Jack London's dystopian novel, The Iron Heel. In this work, London takes on the role of prophet as he predicts what the fu...
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 35: Some Kinds of Life
25 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Philip K. Dick takes on endless war and consumerism in his allegorical tale "Some Kinds of Life". Are wars for resources ever justifiable? What happen...
Episode 56: Jack London: The Road
24 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I explore Jack London's memoirs on his year as a hobo, The Road. This short book is a great introduction into hobo life and the econo...
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 34: Planet for Transients
22 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Does Earth belong to humans, or to the life that comes after us? Philip K. Dick asks this question in his short story "Planet for Transients."
Episode 55: Jack London, The People of the Abyss (2)
22 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Part two of my comments on Jack London's People of the Abyss, with more on his socialism and what it means for his social Darwinism.
Episode 54: Jack London, The People of the Abyss
18 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Once again, a new series. Join me as I explore the worst in human nature with Jack London in London's East End, in The People of the Abyss.
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 33: The Impossible Planet
18 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Philip K. Dick introduces us to some humans who remember Earth only as a myth. In The Impossible Planet, they try to find Earth to ma...
Philip K Dick Book Club: Episode 32: The Trouble with Bubbles
17 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Before Minecraft, before World of Warcarft, Philip K. Dick imagined Worldcraft bubbles. But is it right to destroy these worlds when we build them? Ar...
Episode 53: John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men
17 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
I finish up this phase of John Steinbeck's career with one of his most famous works, Of Mice and Men.
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 31: Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams Preview
15 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
My opening thoughts on the episodes we can expect to see on Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams. Spoilers for all the stories these episodes have been ad...
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 30: King of the Elves
12 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Another of Dick's early fantasy stories, "The King of the Elves", might just be his first great work on mental illness.
Episode 52: John Steinbeck, In Dubious Battle (2)
12 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Part two of my review of In Dubious Battle by John Steinbeck.
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 29: The Great C
08 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In "The Great C", Philip K. Dick explores a post-war world where humans sacrifice their young to a super computer. But other than that, it seems like ...
Episode 51: John Steinbeck, In Dubious Battle (1)
08 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
John Steinbeck takes on class war in his wonderful novel In Dubious Battle.
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 28: Dick's Philosophy of History
06 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Something a little bit different. How did Philip K. Dick see history? Is history eternal return or are we destined for a final frontier?
Episode 50: John Steinbeck, Tortilla Flat (2)
06 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Part two of my survey and review of Tortilla Flat. Back in Taiwan!
Episode 49: John Steinbeck, Tortilla Flat (1)
03 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we meet the paisanos of Montery as we look at Steinbeck's Tortilla Flat.
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 27: The Commuter
03 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Philip K. Dick Book Club we look at urban planning and suburbia in "The Commuter". (This story will be adapted in Philip K. ...
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 26: Out in the Garden
29 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
My thoughts on "Out in the Garden," one of Dick's earliest essays on the broken American family. It will not be his last. A fun fantasy story.
Episode 48: John Steinbeck, To a God Unknown (2)
29 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Part two of my reading of "To a God Unknown," an underappreciated novel by John Steinbeck. Let me know what you thought of this novel, if any of you h...
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 25: The Cosmic Poachers
25 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
And we are back to looking at Dick's early short stories. In this episode on "The Cosmic Poachers", we get an alien tale with the most banal invasion ...
Episode 47: John Steinbeck, To a God Unknown (1)
25 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we take a look at the quitessential American rural mystic in John Steinbeck's underappreciated To a God Unknown.
Philip K. Dick Book club: Episode 24.6: Solar Lottery, Part 6
20 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this final episode on Philip K. Dick's Solar Lottery, I take a closer look at some of the themes of the novel and give my final thoughts. Thanks fo...
Philip K. Dick Book club: Episode 24.5: Solar Lottery, Part 5
20 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we finish up with the chapter summaries for Solar Lottery. What will happen to this world when the crisis passes? Dick does not give ...
Philip K. Dick Book club: Episode 24.4: Solar Lottery, Part 4
20 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
I am back from the USA! Thanks for waiting. Here is the next part on Solar Lottery. It is a very action and plot-heavy section, but still has some gre...
Episode 46: John Steinbeck, Pastures of Heaven (2)
08 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I look at the second half of John Steinbeck's Pastures of Heaven. Sorry for the delays in publishing these episodes. I am enjoying my...
Philip K. Dick Book club: Episode 24.3: Solar Lottery, Part 3
08 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Part three of Philip K. Dick's Solar Lottery.
Philip K. Dick Book club: Episode 24.2: Solar Lottery, Part 2
08 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Part two (Chapter 4-6) of Philp K. Dick's Solar Lottery. In a world based on randomness, anything can happen.
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 24.1: Solar Lottery, Part 1
31 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
And we come to Dick's first novel, Solar Lottery. In this episode we will look at the first three chapters of the book, which does a lot to set up the...
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 23: The Indefatigable Frog
28 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Philip K. Dick takes on Zeno's paradox in "The Indegatigable Frog".
Episode 45: John Steinbeck, Pastures of Heaven (1)`
27 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we start a new series on John Steinbeck, beginning with his novel of short stories The Pastures of Heaven.
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 22: The Variable Man
22 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Philip K. Dick Book Club we take on one of my favorite early Dick stories (novella to be honest), "The Variable Man". (I ment...
Episode 44: Thomas Paine: Age of Reason (2)
22 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we say goodbye to my favorite founder, Thomas Paine, as we look at the second part of Age of Reason. Next up....John Steinbeck.
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 21: Expendable
16 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when the bugs decide to do us in? What if the real ancient old ones are insects? Find out in episode of the Philip K. Dick Book as we loo...
Episode 43: Thomas Paine, The Age of Reason (1)
16 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we begin to close the book on Thomas Paine with the work that may be his most infamous or his most enduring, The Age of Reason.
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 20: Tony and the Beetles
13 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In "Tony and the Beetles", Philip K. Dick provides an allegory of postcolonialism and the impact of white privledge on people as they grow up.
Episode 42: Thomas Paine, The Rights of Man (2)
13 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we examine part 2 of The Rights of Man, where Paine gives some deatils on the functions of democratic societies and governments.
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 19: Impostor
10 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
"Impostor" is Dick's first published robot story that explored the idea of the machine programmed to think its human.
Episode 41: Thomas Paine: The Rights of Man (1)
10 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episide we begin a two-episode series on The Rights of Man, Thomas Paine's defense of the French Revolution. In the first part of this importa...
Philip K. Dick Book Club: Episode 18: The Cookie Lady
04 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Philip K. Dick Book Club we examine "The Cookie Lady," Dicks retelling of the Hansel and Gretel story. But what does a story ab...
Episode 40: Thomas Paine: The Crisis and Other Pamphlets
04 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we look at the remainder of Paine's pamphlets, including the final Crisis articles and "Agrarian Justice."