Required Reading
Dr. Nic Hoffmann, Mike Burns, and Mike Carroll are teachers at the Marist School teaching the American Experiment Class. In an attempt to update our curriculum, we have been reassessing the books we assign, we were assigned in high school and college, and the books we wish we assigned. Do people even read anymore? I mean, we do, but how do we keep the student engaged with the Required Reading.
Dr. Nic Hoffmann, Mike Burns, and Mike Carroll are teachers at the Marist School teaching the American Experiment Class. In an attempt to update our curriculum, we have been reassessing the books we assign, we were assigned in high school and college, and the books we wish we assigned. Do people even read anymore? I mean, we do, but how do we keep the student engaged with the Required Reading.
Episodes

May 16, 2022
May 16, 2022
54 min
After promising months ago, issues with hackers, and AP Exams, I have returned, battered, but not beaten with The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring: Book 2. Mike, Mike, and Robert are back with me as Gandalf and Boromir die and a Hobbit shows incredible bravery.
I read a selection from the chapter "the Bridge of Khazad Dum." If you are not interested, skip about 8.5 minutes after the intro.
Thanks!
Panel: Nic Hoffmann, Mike Burns, Mike Carroll, and Robert Von Hagen.

Apr 21, 2022
The Things They Carried
Apr 21, 2022
Apr 21, 2022
1hr 26 min
This week, we follow Tim O'Brien into the dark of Vietnam. I have included a reading from the chapter "How to Tell a War Story," and hope you appreciate the first guest spot filled by David Negus, the person who taught me parts of the book as a student. Enjoy.
Also, I apologize for the lateness of the release. Our previous hosting was hacked and we have now joined the Podbean family.
- Nic
Panel: Dr. Nic Hoffmann, Mike Burns, and David Negus

Mar 31, 2022
The Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller
Mar 31, 2022
Mar 31, 2022
1hr 6 min
This week we get mildly depressed talking about The Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. A book about having all the wrong dreams, insurance, and how to handle produce. Panel: Dr. Nic Hoffmann, Mike Burns, and Principal Kevin Mullaly. If you want to hear Nic talk about this on another excellent podcast, listen hereRead More

Mar 15, 2022
No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy
Mar 15, 2022
Mar 15, 2022
49 min
This week on Required Reading, we encounter pure evil and fix-to-make a stupid decision. We talk No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy with Matt Romano. Since it is Academy Awards Month, we beg the question, is there a hero here and is this one of the best book adaptation ever?

Mar 11, 2022
Mar 11, 2022
4 min
This week on Required Reading, in honor of the upcoming Academy Awards, we are covering another book! Well, this one was adapted into a movie that won Best Picture and was a fairly accurate version of the text, so there! The full episode will drop on the 15th, but to get you in the mood,Read More

Mar 1, 2022
Mar 1, 2022
56 min
This week, we attempt to grasp The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien, but spend so much time with book 1, we decide to come back next week for book 2! So, come with us as we extol the virtues of scaring your relatives, going to taverns, andRead More

Feb 23, 2022
Feb 23, 2022
9 min
k, in order to prepare for the The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring, Lucas Farach will read a section of Book 1, Chapter 2, for you. Please enjoy and join us next week for The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring.

Feb 14, 2022
Feb 14, 2022
48 min
This month we complete the book exchange with my selection for Mike Burns, the classic of Gonzo journalism Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and we learn seven things: “1) Never trust a cop in a raincoat.2) Beware of enthusiasm and of love, both are temporary and quick to sway.3) If asked if you careRead More

Required Reading
Dr. Nic Hoffmann and Mike Burns are teachers at the Marist School teaching the American Experiment Class. In an attempt to update our curriculum, we have been reassessing the books we assign, we were assigned in high school and college, and the books we wish we assigned. Do people even read anymore? I mean, we do, but how do we keep the student engaged with the Required Reading.





