<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:podcast="https://podcastindex.org/namespace/1.0" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" version="2.0"><channel><title>Magic Mountain (Volume Two)</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/magic-mountain-volume-two--7088639</link><description><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></description><atom:link href="https://www.spreaker.com/show/7088639/episodes/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><language>en</language><category>Books</category><copyright>Copyright Literary Fiction Genre</copyright><image><url>https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9b2edc78e5e04830e63028fe4ce233ec.jpg</url><title>Magic Mountain (Volume Two)</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/magic-mountain-volume-two--7088639</link></image><lastBuildDate>Mon, 07 Sep 2026 09:13:56 +0000</lastBuildDate><itunes:author>Thomas Mann</itunes:author><itunes:owner><itunes:name>Literary Fiction Genre</itunes:name><itunes:email>spreaker64@podcastlibrary.org</itunes:email></itunes:owner><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9b2edc78e5e04830e63028fe4ce233ec.jpg"/><itunes:subtitle>Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></itunes:summary><itunes:category text="Arts"><itunes:category text="Books"/></itunes:category><itunes:category text="Science"/><itunes:category text="Science"><itunes:category text="Nature"/></itunes:category><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><podcast:guid>c9ed39cf-71e1-5bab-a73b-4eb55276f6b6</podcast:guid><itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type><item><title>Life and Death of Mr. Badman-John Bunyan</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/life-and-death-of-mr-badman-john-bunyan--74394544</link><description><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74394544</guid><pubDate>Mon, 07 Sep 2026 09:01:18 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74394544/life_and_death_of_mr_badman_john_bunyan.mp3" length="207768299" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Thomas Mann</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>25945</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9b2edc78e5e04830e63028fe4ce233ec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>World's Best Poetry, Volume 4 The Higher Life (Part 2)-Various</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/world-s-best-poetry-volume-4-the-higher-life-part-2-various--74365387</link><description><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74365387</guid><pubDate>Sun, 06 Sep 2026 09:00:56 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74365387/world_s_best_poetry_volume_4_the_higher_life_part_2_various.mp3" length="154251381" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Thomas Mann</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>19262</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9b2edc78e5e04830e63028fe4ce233ec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>My First Book-Various</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/my-first-book-various--74344052</link><description><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74344052</guid><pubDate>Sat, 05 Sep 2026 09:00:44 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74344052/my_first_book_various.mp3" length="263836395" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Thomas Mann</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>32947</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9b2edc78e5e04830e63028fe4ce233ec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>War and Peace, Book 14 1812-Leo Tolstoy</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/war-and-peace-book-14-1812-leo-tolstoy--74316259</link><description><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74316259</guid><pubDate>Fri, 04 Sep 2026 09:00:47 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74316259/war_and_peace_book_14_1812_leo_tolstoy.mp3" length="61820626" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Thomas Mann</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>7720</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9b2edc78e5e04830e63028fe4ce233ec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Life is a Dream (MacCarthy Translation)-Pedro Calderón de la Barca</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/life-is-a-dream-maccarthy-translation-pedro-calderon-de-la-barca--74296437</link><description><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74296437</guid><pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2026 09:00:50 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74296437/life_is_a_dream_maccarthy_translation_pedro_caldero_n_de_la_barca.mp3" length="85697271" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Thomas Mann</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>10701</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9b2edc78e5e04830e63028fe4ce233ec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Master of Ballantrae-Robert Louis Stevenson</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/master-of-ballantrae-robert-louis-stevenson--74275373</link><description><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74275373</guid><pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 09:00:56 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74275373/9965_master_of_ballantrae_robert_louis_stevenson.mp3" length="252945086" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Thomas Mann</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>31587</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9b2edc78e5e04830e63028fe4ce233ec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Story of a Modern Woman (Version 2)-Ella Hepworth Dixon</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/story-of-a-modern-woman-version-2-ella-hepworth-dixon--74256768</link><description><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74256768</guid><pubDate>Tue, 01 Sep 2026 09:00:51 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74256768/16390_story_of_a_modern_woman_version_2_ella_hepworth_dixon.mp3" length="209616613" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Thomas Mann</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>26176</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9b2edc78e5e04830e63028fe4ce233ec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Ball at Sceaux-Honoré de Balzac</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/ball-at-sceaux-honore-de-balzac--74239442</link><description><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74239442</guid><pubDate>Mon, 31 Aug 2026 09:00:54 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74239442/ball_at_sceaux_honore_de_balzac.mp3" length="78637454" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Thomas Mann</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>9820</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9b2edc78e5e04830e63028fe4ce233ec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Talks by Abdul Baha Given in Paris-Abdu’l-Bahá ‘Abbás</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/talks-by-abdul-baha-given-in-paris-abdu-l-baha-abbas--74223586</link><description><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74223586</guid><pubDate>Sun, 30 Aug 2026 09:00:43 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74223586/talks_by_abdul_baha_given_in_paris_abdu_l_baha_abba_s.mp3" length="185885112" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Thomas Mann</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>23212</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9b2edc78e5e04830e63028fe4ce233ec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Imperialism and World Politics, Part 3 of 4-Parker Thomas Moon</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/imperialism-and-world-politics-part-3-of-4-parker-thomas-moon--74198927</link><description><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74198927</guid><pubDate>Sat, 29 Aug 2026 09:00:59 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74198927/20957_imperialism_and_world_politics_part_3_of_4_parker_thomas_moon.mp3" length="191104690" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Thomas Mann</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>23862</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9b2edc78e5e04830e63028fe4ce233ec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Skin Game-John Galsworthy</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/skin-game-john-galsworthy--74169722</link><description><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74169722</guid><pubDate>Fri, 28 Aug 2026 09:00:54 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74169722/skin_game_john_galsworthy.mp3" length="70818467" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Thomas Mann</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>8843</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9b2edc78e5e04830e63028fe4ce233ec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Path to Prosperity (version 3)-James Allen</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/path-to-prosperity-version-3-james-allen--74141157</link><description><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74141157</guid><pubDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2026 09:00:50 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74141157/path_to_prosperity_version_3_james_allen.mp3" length="55681452" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Thomas Mann</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>6953</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9b2edc78e5e04830e63028fe4ce233ec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Portent-George MacDonald</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/portent-george-macdonald--74087833</link><description><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74087833</guid><pubDate>Wed, 26 Aug 2026 09:01:03 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74087833/portent_george_macdonald.mp3" length="126804937" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Thomas Mann</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>15835</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9b2edc78e5e04830e63028fe4ce233ec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Trojan Women (Murray Translation)-Euripides</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/trojan-women-murray-translation-euripides--74063901</link><description><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74063901</guid><pubDate>Tue, 25 Aug 2026 09:00:44 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74063901/4391_trojan_women_murray_translation_euripides.mp3" length="49492475" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Thomas Mann</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>6180</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9b2edc78e5e04830e63028fe4ce233ec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Wild and Romantic: Early Guides to the English Lake District-Brown, Cumberland, Dalton, Gray, Pennant, Walker, Young</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/wild-and-romantic-early-guides-to-the-english-lake-district-brown-cumberland-dalton-gray-pennant-walker-young--74039252</link><description><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74039252</guid><pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2026 09:02:06 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74039252/wild_and_romantic_early_guides_to_the_english_lake_district_brown_cumberland_dalton_gray_pennant_walker_young.mp3" length="64324160" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Thomas Mann</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>8032</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9b2edc78e5e04830e63028fe4ce233ec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Princess Zoubaroff-Ronald Firbank</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/princess-zoubaroff-ronald-firbank--74017050</link><description><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74017050</guid><pubDate>Sun, 23 Aug 2026 09:01:55 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74017050/princess_zoubaroff_ronald_firbank.mp3" length="65430011" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Thomas Mann</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>8171</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9b2edc78e5e04830e63028fe4ce233ec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>War and Peace, Book 16 First Epilogue 1813-1820-Leo Tolstoy</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/war-and-peace-book-16-first-epilogue-1813-1820-leo-tolstoy--73992771</link><description><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73992771</guid><pubDate>Sat, 22 Aug 2026 09:01:33 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73992771/war_and_peace_book_16_first_epilogue_1813_1820_leo_tolstoy.mp3" length="72735995" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Thomas Mann</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>9083</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9b2edc78e5e04830e63028fe4ce233ec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Comical History of Don Quixote, Part 2-Thomas D'Urfey</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/comical-history-of-don-quixote-part-2-thomas-d-urfey--73969459</link><description><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73969459</guid><pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 09:01:39 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73969459/comical_history_of_don_quixote_part_2_thomas_d_urfey.mp3" length="105539114" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Thomas Mann</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>13179</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9b2edc78e5e04830e63028fe4ce233ec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Oroonoko-Thomas Southerne</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/oroonoko-thomas-southerne--73946850</link><description><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73946850</guid><pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 09:01:43 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73946850/oroonoko_thomas_southerne.mp3" length="80313968" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Thomas Mann</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>10029</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9b2edc78e5e04830e63028fe4ce233ec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Sonnets-Edna St. Vincent Millay</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/sonnets-edna-st-vincent-millay--73922007</link><description><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73922007</guid><pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:01:24 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73922007/sonnets_edna_st_vincent_millay.mp3" length="26619271" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Thomas Mann</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>3324</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9b2edc78e5e04830e63028fe4ce233ec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Iphigenia in Aulis (Way translation)-Euripides</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/iphigenia-in-aulis-way-translation-euripides--73897162</link><description><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73897162</guid><pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 09:01:49 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73897162/10019_iphigenia_in_aulis_way_translation_euripides.mp3" length="50152892" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Thomas Mann</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>6263</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9b2edc78e5e04830e63028fe4ce233ec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Heptameron of the Tales of Margaret, Queen of Navarre, Volume 1-Marguerite of Navarre</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/heptameron-of-the-tales-of-margaret-queen-of-navarre-volume-1-marguerite-of-navarre--73872822</link><description><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73872822</guid><pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 09:01:45 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73872822/heptameron_of_the_tales_of_margaret_queen_of_navarre_volume_1_marguerite_of_navarre.mp3" length="153406651" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Thomas Mann</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>19156</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9b2edc78e5e04830e63028fe4ce233ec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Diatessaron A Harmony of the Four Gospels-Tatian</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/diatessaron-a-harmony-of-the-four-gospels-tatian--73852203</link><description><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73852203</guid><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 09:01:29 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73852203/diatessaron_a_harmony_of_the_four_gospels_tatian.mp3" length="187974101" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Thomas Mann</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>23473</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9b2edc78e5e04830e63028fe4ce233ec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Finland and the Tsars, 1809-1899-Joseph R. Fisher</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/finland-and-the-tsars-1809-1899-joseph-r-fisher--73835602</link><description><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73835602</guid><pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2026 09:02:23 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73835602/finland_and_the_tsars_1809_1899_joseph_r_fisher.mp3" length="243906414" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Thomas Mann</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>30457</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9b2edc78e5e04830e63028fe4ce233ec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Sea Voyage-John Fletcher, Philip Massinger</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/sea-voyage-john-fletcher-philip-massinger--73799381</link><description><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73799381</guid><pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 05:09:16 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73799381/sea_voyage_john_fletcher_philip_massinger.mp3" length="54732195" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Thomas Mann</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>6835</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9b2edc78e5e04830e63028fe4ce233ec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Running Water-A. E. W. Mason</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/running-water-a-e-w-mason--73343540</link><description><![CDATA["Running Water" by A. E. W. Mason invites listeners into a captivating narrative that explores the depths of human experience and the complexities of life. This timeless story delves into themes of love, sacrifice, and the pursuit of truth, resonating with audiences today as they navigate their own challenges and aspirations. Mason's lyrical prose and intricate character development create a rich tapestry that reflects the struggles and triumphs of the human spirit. The enduring nature of these themes ensures that "Running Water" remains relevant, offering insights that continue to inspire and provoke thought in a modern context. Immerse yourself in this classic tale and discover the profound connections that bind us all.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73343540</guid><pubDate>Sun, 02 Aug 2026 17:25:39 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73343540/5569_running_water_a_e_w_mason.mp3" length="248837065" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Thomas Mann</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>"Running Water" by A. E. W. Mason invites listeners into a captivating narrative that explores the depths of human experience and the complexities of life. This timeless story delves into themes of love, sacrifice, and the pursuit of truth, resonating...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA["Running Water" by A. E. W. Mason invites listeners into a captivating narrative that explores the depths of human experience and the complexities of life. This timeless story delves into themes of love, sacrifice, and the pursuit of truth, resonating with audiences today as they navigate their own challenges and aspirations. Mason's lyrical prose and intricate character development create a rich tapestry that reflects the struggles and triumphs of the human spirit. The enduring nature of these themes ensures that "Running Water" remains relevant, offering insights that continue to inspire and provoke thought in a modern context. Immerse yourself in this classic tale and discover the profound connections that bind us all.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>31073</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9b2edc78e5e04830e63028fe4ce233ec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Magic Mountain Volume Two - Thomas Mann - Part 2</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/magic-mountain-volume-two-thomas-mann-part-2--72390104</link><description><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72390104</guid><pubDate>Sun, 07 Jun 2026 09:00:21 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/72390104/magic_mountain_volume_two_thomas_mann_part_2.mp3" length="255085118" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Thomas Mann</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>31886</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>corrupted,literary,magic,mann,mountain,part,sanatorium,shadowed,squeezing,two</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9b2edc78e5e04830e63028fe4ce233ec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Magic Mountain Volume Two - Thomas Mann - Part 1</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/magic-mountain-volume-two-thomas-mann-part-1--72390103</link><description><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72390103</guid><pubDate>Sat, 06 Jun 2026 16:40:32 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/72390103/magic_mountain_volume_two_thomas_mann_part_1.mp3" length="280948852" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Thomas Mann</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Thomas Mann’s epic novel depicts a decaying, corrupted European society on the eve of the First World War. Set in a luxurious sanatorium high up in the Swiss mountains, we follow the destinies of a variety of exotic characters – members of a bourgeois elite drawn from all parts of Europe. Most suffer from consumption, dream of a cure - yet are at the same time squeezing as much pleasure and distraction as they can out of a situation ever-shadowed by sickness, pain, and death. Part surreal comedy, part grim tragedy, part allegory, and part novel of ideas, Mann’s novel is regarded by many as one of the key literary texts of the twentieth century. - Summary by Steve Gough]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>35119</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>corrupted,literary,magic,mann,mountain,part,sanatorium,shadowed,squeezing,two</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/9b2edc78e5e04830e63028fe4ce233ec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item></channel></rss>
