The History of Literature Podcast: Episode 717 – "Einstein and Kafka (with Ken Krimstein) | Dr. Johnson Helps a Friend | My Last Book with Fernando Pessoa Expert Bartholomew Ryan"
Release Date: July 17, 2025
Introduction & Special Announcement (00:01 – 02:07)
Host: Jack Wilson
Jack Wilson kicks off the episode by promoting a special literary trip to England scheduled for May 2026. This immersive experience will take participants to significant literary sites such as Dr. Johnson's house and Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese pub, frequented by literary giants like Dr. Johnson, Jane Austen, Dickens, and Shakespeare. Jack encourages listeners to join the journey by visiting John Shores Travel or contacting the show via email.
Main Segment 1: Dr. Johnson and Oliver Goldsmith – A Friendship that Shaped Literary History (02:07 – 16:24)
Host: Jack Wilson
Jack delves into the remarkable friendship between Dr. Samuel Johnson and Oliver Goldsmith, exploring how their bond significantly impacted literary history. Recounting a story from Boswell's "Life of Johnson", Jack narrates how Dr. Johnson assisted Goldsmith when he faced financial distress:
[08:15] Jack Wilson: "I received one morning a message from poor Goldsmith that he was in great distress... I sent him a guinea and promised to come to him directly."
Goldsmith, unable to repay the loan, spent it on a bottle of Madeira. Dr. Johnson’s intervention wasn't just a gesture of friendship; it directly led to the publication of Goldsmith's "The Vicar of Wakefield", a novel that became an English classic and influenced authors like Jane Austen.
[15:30] Jack Wilson: "This is why I love... the man just lived a kind of life I can admire even if I don't share all of his opinions or predilections."
Jack emphasizes the significance of Johnson's actions, portraying him as a compassionate and pragmatic individual whose support not only saved a friend but also enriched the literary canon.
Main Segment 2: Ken Krimstein on Einstein and Kafka’s Intertwined Lives (17:37 – 45:20)
Guest: Ken Krimstein
Author of: "Einstein: How Albert Fell down the Rabbit Hole and Came up with the Universe"
Jackson introduces Ken Krimstein, whose expertise sheds light on the fascinating encounter between Albert Einstein and Franz Kafka in Prague during the early 20th century.
Einstein’s Time in Prague (18:05 – 25:14)
Ken Krimstein:
Ken explains Einstein’s move to Prague in 1911, accepting a position as the head of the Physics Department at the German University. This period was pivotal for Einstein as he developed groundbreaking theories that would revolutionize modern physics.
[23:10] Ken Krimstein: "It was a fortuitous time... it gave him some distance to experiment and do things."
Kafka’s Life in Prague (25:30 – 31:27)
Ken paints a vivid picture of Franz Kafka's life in Prague during the same period. Contrary to his often misunderstood persona, Kafka was a well-adjusted individual who enjoyed his job at the insurance company, engaged in daily swimming, and maintained a vibrant social circle.
[28:17] Ken Krimstein: "He was doing some really, really good things. He was 6 foot 2. He was a chronic lap swimmer every morning."
The Intersection of Einstein and Kafka (31:51 – 43:21)
Ken explores the intellectual and social milieu that brought Einstein and Kafka together. He discusses their shared engagement with contemporary philosophical ideas, particularly the influence of phenomenology and materialism.
[35:13] Ken Krimstein: "The two of them believe that there's a there there. We're just fated not to ever be able to understand it fully."
Ken posits that both Einstein and Kafka were navigating a world where traditional structures and understandings were being dismantled, pushing them to seek deeper truths in their respective fields.
Theoretical and Literary Synergy (43:07 – 45:20)
Ken contemplates the broader implications of Einstein and Kafka’s interactions, suggesting that their collaboration symbolized a union of scientific and literary exploration.
[43:21] Ken Krimstein: "I think the search for the law... Kafka was very into Brentano."
Ken emphasizes the enduring legacy of their work, noting how their innovative approaches continue to inspire contemporary thought and creativity.
Brief Interlude: Listener Engagement & Ads (45:20 – 55:59)
The episode features brief advertisements for 1-800 Contacts and Venmo, interspersed with promotional content for other podcasts such as Totally Booked with Zibby and R and R with Courtney Act. These segments are succinct and unrelated to the main content.
Main Segment 3: Bartholomew Ryan on Choosing "Finnegans Wake" as His Last Book (55:38 – 53:31)
Guest: Bartholomew Ryan
Expertise: Fernando Pessoa
Jack Wilson:
After a brief ad break, Jack welcomes Bartholomew Ryan to discuss his choice for his final book.
Bartholomew Ryan:
Bartholomew selects James Joyce's "Finnegans Wake" as his last book, citing its complexity, musicality, and personal significance rooted in his Irish heritage. He describes the book as a "dreamscape" that embodies the collapse, fall, and resurrection themes central to human existence.
[47:09] Bartholomew Ryan: "It's full of different languages. It's totally affirmative to the madness of existence."
Bartholomew elaborates on the multifaceted nature of the book, highlighting its experimental structure and the way it celebrates the human imagination.
[52:31] Bartholomew Ryan: "They're celebrating the capacity of the human imagination... Opening up an extraordinary landscape for us."
His insights underscore the enduring influence of complex literary works and the importance of embracing their challenges to fully appreciate their artistic value.
Conclusion & Final Remarks (53:31 – 56:11)
Host: Jack Wilson
Jack wraps up the episode by reiterating the upcoming literary trip to England, inviting listeners to join and engage with fellow literature enthusiasts. He teases future episodes covering diverse literary figures such as Mark Twain, Virginia Woolf, and Arthur Conan Doyle.
[54:12] Jack Wilson: "We're gonna make up for it all in one week in May of 2026... We're going to have more literary podcasting goodness."
The episode concludes with final promotional advertisements, seamlessly transitioning out of the main content.
Notable Quotes
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Jack Wilson on Dr. Johnson's Influence:
"Grace under pressure that rescued a friend and changed the course of literary history."
[15:00] -
Ken Krimstein on Einstein and Kafka's Beliefs:
"Both of them believe that there's a there there. We're just fated not to ever be able to understand it fully."
[38:23] -
Bartholomew Ryan on "Finnegans Wake":
"If you don't understand me, read me aloud. There's a total musicality to it."
[50:39]
Key Takeaways
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Dr. Johnson and Oliver Goldsmith:
- The story of Dr. Johnson’s timely assistance to Goldsmith not only preserved their friendship but also had a lasting impact on English literature through the publication of "The Vicar of Wakefield".
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Einstein and Kafka’s Intersection:
- Ken Krimstein highlights the serendipitous meeting of Einstein and Kafka in Prague, exploring how their interactions may have influenced their groundbreaking work in science and literature.
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Embracing Literary Complexity:
- Bartholomew Ryan advocates for engaging with challenging literary works like "Finnegans Wake", emphasizing their role in expanding the boundaries of human imagination and artistic expression.
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Upcoming Literary Engagements:
- The promotion of an interactive literary trip underscores the podcast’s commitment to fostering a community of literature enthusiasts eager to explore literary history firsthand.
Further Engagement
Listeners interested in joining the literary trip or learning more about the topics discussed can visit historyofliterature.com or reach out via email at historyofliteraturepodcast@gmail.com. Support for the show is available through Patreon or direct donations at historyofliterature.com/donate.
Thank you for tuning into Episode 717 of The History of Literature. Stay inspired and keep exploring the rich tapestry of literary history with us!