Person
Every book Alex Petkas recommended on podcasts
Alex Petkas’s most recommended books
- The Iliad by Homer
- The Odyssey by Homer
- On the Advantage and Disadvantage of History for Life by Friedrich Nietzsche
- Cyropaedia by Xenophon
- Metropolis by Thea von Harbou
- Nosferatu by Bram Stoker
- The Mahabharata by Unknown
Alex Petkas appears on Modern Wisdom to explore deep historical themes, classical texts, and the enduring legacy of ancient literature. As the host of his own historical podcast, Petkas discusses foundational works that shaped Western civilization, often reflecting on the recommendations that influenced his own intellectual journey. Early in his podcasting endeavors, a friend recommended Friedrich Nietzsche's early philosophical text 'On the Advantage and Disadvantage of History for Life', a book Petkas frequently recalls. In conversation with Chris Williamson, Petkas delves into the epic poetry of Homer, analyzing the historical authorship, narrative structure, and thematic connections between 'The Iliad' and 'The Odyssey'. He further contextualizes these ancient epics by comparing their narrative evolution to other major poetic and cultural traditions, such as the Vadic epic tradition found in 'The Mahabharata'. Additionally, Petkas draws parallels to early cinematic masterpieces like Thea von Harbou's 'Metropolis' and Bram Stoker-associated cinematic works like 'Nosferatu' to illustrate how early artistic milestones are perceived. Through his podcast appearances, Petkas demonstrates a deep passion for connecting ancient classical literature with broader human history and storytelling traditions.
Books recommended by Alex Petkas
-
The Iliad
Homer's ancient epic poem The Iliad chronicles the final weeks of the Trojan War and the devastating wrath of the Greek warrior Achilles.
Discussed“Homer is the author according to the Greeks of the Iliad and the Odyssey. These two poems that um you know”
Where to get it
-
The Odyssey
The Odyssey by Homer is an epic ancient Greek poem that follows the arduous ten-year journey of Odysseus as he attempts to return home to Ithaca after the Trojan War, encountering mythical creatures, divine wrath, and numerous trials along the way.
Discussed“Homer is the author according to the Greeks of the Iliad and the Odyssey. These two poems that um you know”
Where to get it
-
On the Advantage and Disadvantage of History for Life
On the Advantage and Disadvantage of History for Life by Friedrich Nietzsche is a philosophical essay exploring how the study of history can either nourish human vitality or paralyze action through excessive academic overload.
Recommended“But it a friend of mine a few months in recommended that I read this book by Nietzsche. One of his early books that and I'd read some Nietzsche before. It's called On the Advantage and Disadvantage of History for Life.”
Where to get it
-
Cyropaedia
Discussed“Somebody brings up the example of Cyrus the Great, the great king of Persia who founded the Persian Empire. Um Xenophon says, doesn't he that Cyrus made all these arrangements before his death that he wanted to be buried in this way and this should happen and so forth after he was um after he was gone. And of course”
Where to get it
-
Metropolis
Discussed“Nobody's ever going to top, you know, Metropolis or uh No Ferratu or, you know, and there's probably still people today that think that”
Where to get it
-
Nosferatu
Discussed“Nobody's ever going to top, you know, Metropolis or uh No Ferratu or, you know, and there's probably still people today that think that”
Where to get it
-
The Mahabharata
The Mahabharata is a monumental ancient Indian epic detailing legendary conflicts, spiritual philosophy, and vast cosmological wisdom across extensive poetic and narrative texts.
Discussed“recognizing patterns in the Vadic epic tradition of the Mahabar parata and there's there's a kind of common ancestor”
Where to get it
Appearances
| Episode | Podcast | Date | Books |
|---|---|---|---|
| The True Story Of The Odyssey (and why it matters) - Alex Petkas - #1125 | Modern Wisdom | 2026-07-18 | 9 |
| The Rise of History’s Greatest Emperor: An Untold Story - Alex Petkas - #1085 | Modern Wisdom | 2026-04-16 | 2 |