In this episode of The Athenaeum Book Club, host Jeremy Ryan Slate is joined by Dr. Joshua Phillips of Penn State University for a deep exploration of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace—one of the greatest novels ever written.

Together they unpack the sweeping story of Napoleon’s invasion of Russia, while examining Tolstoy’s deeper questions about history, fate, leadership, and the search for meaning.

Dr. Phillips brings clarity to the novel’s vast cast of characters and philosophical depth, revealing why War and Peace remains as relevant today as ever.

A rich conversation on power, human nature, and the forces that shape our lives.

In this episode of The Athenaeum Book Club, host Jeremy Ryan Slate sits down with scholar Andrew N. Snyder to explore J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings—one of the most beloved works of modern literature.

Together they discuss the world Tolkien built in Middle-earth, the themes of courage, friendship, sacrifice, and the corrupting nature of power that run through the story, and why the trilogy continues to resonate with readers across generations.

Snyder offers insight into Tolkien’s imagination, his intellectual influences, and the deeper meaning behind the epic journey of Frodo and the Fellowship.

A thoughtful conversation on myth, morality, and enduring storytelling.

In this episode of The Athenaeum Book Club, host Jeremy Ryan Slate is joined by historian and bestselling author Dan Jones to discuss his book The Wars of the Roses.

Together they explore the brutal dynastic conflict that tore England apart in the fifteenth century, examining the ambitions, betrayals, and shifting loyalties that defined the struggle between the houses of Lancaster and York.

Jones brings clarity to a chaotic period, revealing how personal rivalries, weak kingship, and political violence reshaped the English monarchy—and set the stage for the rise of the Tudors.

A gripping conversation on power, legitimacy, and civil war.