The social order deteriorates rapidly in King’s Landing. Jan Wilson helps us think through the chaos of violence, dismemberment, and hatred.

Dr. Valerie Garver (NIU) answers a listener question about children, lordlings, and toys.

This is a reissue of the final podcast related to the first book: A Game of Thrones (previously published in a different feed). Joining me to cover this chapter are Lisa Woolfork, Jan Wilson, and Danielle Alesi.

In the middle of A Clash of Kings we learn for the first time that dragon magic impacts humans and human life. Anthony goes further to suggest that Dany’s dragons have even impacted her primary motives.

Historian Andrew Howe discusses world-building in Essos and Xaro’s proposal of marriage to Dany.

Dr. Haberkern does his best to win Anthony for the Machiavelli appreciation society. And succeeds! This is a break from our regular chapter-by-chapter coverage to review one of the most important pieces of political literature ever written: “The Prince.”

Jana Matthew’s covers Brienne’s vow to Catelyn and Joan of Arc parallels. In his conversation with Elysia, Anthony introduces his new theory about Lady Stoneheart.

Dr. Phll Haberkern explains the anxiety people felt at the turn of the first millennium about the impending end of the world.

Dr. Pádraig MacCarron joins to talk about Arya’s death genie. Then Elysia joins to discuss Edgar Allan Poe’s influence on GRRM.

What is a squisher? And does Arya encounter a squisher in the fellow called Biter?