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The Modern Scholar: Tolkien and the West
- Recovering the Lost Tradition of Europe
- Narrated by: Michael Drout
- Length: 5 hrs and 15 mins
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Publisher's summary
The works of J.R.R. Tolkien are quite possibly the most widely read pieces of literature written in the 20th century. But as Professor Michael Drout illuminates in this engaging course of lectures, Tolkien's writings are built upon a centuries-old literary tradition that developed in Europe and is quite uniquely Western in its outlook and style. Drout explores how that tradition still resonates with us to this day, even if many Modernist critics would argue otherwise. He begins the course with the allegory of a tower - a device which Tolkien himself crafted in one of the most famous academic works of all time - as a way to illuminate how Tolkien's works continue and build upon a tradition that goes back as far as Beowulf itself.
Drout's lectures take us on a literary journey that explores Tolkien's most celebrated writings: The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion. As he brings these works life, he explains Tolkien's technique and themes, which he shows reverberate all the way back though the Western literary tradition. In the end, Drout shows us how J.R.R. Tolkien crafted literary worlds that the reader cares desperately about and wishes to save. Those worlds, in turn, are allegories for a Western literary tradition - a tower - that is worthy of preservation.
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Story
Through his writing, Chaucer's wit, charm, and eloquence give us a deeper understanding of not only the time in which he lived, but of how human emotion, frailty, and fortitude are the base elements of human existence. Despite social upheaval and the changing fortunes of his patrons and peers, Chaucer remained a favored subject during three distinct and contrasting reigns. His experiences provided Chaucer an appreciation for his good (and bad) fortune - and that of others - made evident in his writing.
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Good overview but a missed opportunity
- By Mountain K9iner on 06-16-15
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The Modern Scholar
- A History of the English Language
- By: Prof. Michael Drout
- Narrated by: Prof. Michael Drout
- Length: 8 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
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Professor Drout addresses the foundation of language and its connection to specific portions of the brain. The components of language are explained in easy-to-understand terms and the progression of the language from Germanic to Old, Middle, and Modern English is fully illustrated - including such revolutionary language upheavals as those brought about by the Norman Conquest and the Great Vowel Shift.
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Hits all the right marks
- By Maria on 11-02-10
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The Gospel According to Tolkien
- Visions of the Kingdom in Middle Earth
- By: Ralph Wood
- Narrated by: Nadia May
- Length: 6 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
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In this accessible and engaging book, Ralph Wood shows us that J.R.R. Tolkien's masterpiece is a deeply Christian work because it does not blink back the horrors of our terrible times but confronts them with startling honesty.
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Demystifying Tolkien
- By Troy on 08-27-15
By: Ralph Wood
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The Modern Scholar
- Way with Words: Writing Rhetoric and the Art of Persuasion
- By: Professor Michael D. C. Drout
- Narrated by: Professor Michael D. C. Drout
- Length: 7 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
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Esteemed professor Michael D. C. Drout brings his expertise in literary studies to the subject of rhetoric. From history-altering political speeches to friendly debates at cocktail parties, rhetoric holds the power to change opinions, spark new thoughts, and ultimately change the world.
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A Very Unique Read...(J/K)
- By Jade on 06-10-09
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J.R.R. Tolkien
- The Making of a Legend
- By: Colin Duriez
- Narrated by: Simon Vance
- Length: 6 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
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J.R.R. Tolkien's creations, imagination, and characters captured the attention of millions of readers. But who was the man who dreamt up the intricate languages and perfectly crafted world of Middle-earth? Tolkien had a difficult life, for many years: orphaned and poor, his guardian forbade him to communicate with the woman he had fallen in love with, and he went through the horrors of the First World War. An intensely private and brilliant scholar, he spent over 50 years working on the languages, history, peoples, and geography of Middle-earth,
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Very insightful
- By Luke B. on 10-27-20
By: Colin Duriez
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The Modern Scholar
- The Giants of Russian Literature: Turgenev, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy and Chekhov
- By: Prof. Liza Knapp
- Narrated by: Liza Knapp
- Length: 7 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
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Russian literature of the 19th century is among the richest, most profound, and most human traditions in the world. This course explores this tradition by focusing on four giants: Ivan Turgenev, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Leo Tolstoy, and Anton Chekhov. Their works had an enormous impact on Russian understanding of the human condition.
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beautifully wrought
- By D.P. on 09-25-11
By: Prof. Liza Knapp
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The Modern Scholar
- Dante and His Divine Comedy: The Modern Scholar
- By: Professor Timothy B. Shutt
- Narrated by: Professor Timothy B. Shutt
- Length: 8 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
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Kenyon College professor Dr. Timothy B. Shutt examines Dante's greatest work, The Divine Comedy, both in terms of its autobiographical elements and its allegorical meaning for the human race.
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A Tour de Force on a Tour de Force
- By John on 05-19-14
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The Fellowship of the Ring (Dramatized)
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: An Ensemble Cast
- Length: 3 hrs and 24 mins
- Original Recording
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In the ancient lands of Middle-earth, a place of elves and dwarves, Orcs and wizards, the darkest evil and the brightest good, a hobbit named Frodo Baggins embarks on a perilous quest: to carry the One Ring, ruler of all the Rings of Power, into the shadowy land of Mordor and destroy it in the fires where it was forged.
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The worst dramatization ever
- By Jo on 06-11-07
By: J. R. R. Tolkien
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The Story of Human Language
- By: John McWhorter, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: John McWhorter
- Length: 18 hrs and 15 mins
- Original Recording
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Language defines us as a species, placing humans head and shoulders above even the most proficient animal communicators. But it also beguiles us with its endless mysteries, allowing us to ponder why different languages emerged, why there isn't simply a single language, how languages change over time and whether that's good or bad, and how languages die out and become extinct.
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You'll Never Look at Languages the Same Way Again
- By SAMA on 03-11-14
By: John McWhorter, and others
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The Hobbit (Dramatized)
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: An Ensemble Cast
- Length: 4 hrs and 13 mins
- Original Recording
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Bilbo Baggins, a gentle hobbit who loves the comforts of home, reluctantly joins a company of dwarves on a journey to recover plundered gold from a fierce dragon. It's a tale of high adventure and astonishing courage, and a magical prelude to the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
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Many years of enjoyment
- By Zreea on 01-12-08
By: J. R. R. Tolkien
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The Fall of Númenor
- And Other Tales from the Second Age of Middle-Earth
- By: J.R.R. Tolkien, Brian Sibley - editor
- Narrated by: Samuel West, Brian Sibley
- Length: 10 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
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J.R.R. Tolkien famously described the Second Age of Middle-earth as a ‘dark age, and not very much of its history is (or need be) told’. And for many years readers would need to be content with the tantalizing glimpses of it found within the pages of The Lord of the Rings and its appendices, including the forging of the Rings of Power, the building of the Barad-dûr and the rise of Sauron.
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A dry compilation of old material, minus images
- By SC on 11-12-22
By: J.R.R. Tolkien, and others
What listeners say about The Modern Scholar: Tolkien and the West
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- J Smith San Francisco
- 07-28-17
Something Different and a Lot of Fun
I love courses on literature, but have never taken one on Tolkien, despite reading and re-reading LOTR over the last 50 years.
I really enjoyed the instructor, his presentation, and most of all the content. I learned a lot and had fun doing it
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- Charlotte Araki
- 09-25-22
Fascinating
This is something I will listen to again and again because there is so much gold in it. The author's style is informative without being superior and makes the reader want to delve deeper and think more.
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- Steve and/or Jodene
- 09-28-13
Recommended for Tolkien fans
Professor Drout already had an earlier lecture series ("Rings, Swords, and Monsters") that focused largely on Tolkien; do we really need another one? In my opinion, after listening to both of them, the answer is a definite yes. Drout has enough to say about Tolkien that he isn't just repeating himself here (plus, this newer series gives him a chance to comment on the Peter Jackson movies). And, as in all his lectures, Professor Drout is a joy to listen to, lecturing with plenty of enthusiasm, expertise, insight, and humor.
This "class" is a bit more advanced, so start with the earlier series if you haven't already listened to that one, especially if you're not a die-hard Tolkien enthusiast. But if you're the kind of person who can't get enough discussion of Tolkien, don't hesitate to get this lecture series.
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14 people found this helpful
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- Robin
- 08-14-12
Excllent Discussion
Professor Drout brings a world of knowledge and his personal passion to this discussion of Tolkien. He informs and entertains, but never condescends to the listener. The only flaw is the lack of a PDF of the text, which is usually incuded in the Modern Scholar Courses. It woould have been useful for keeping track of the names, and making notes. This course is recommended for Tolkien fans who have some reading knowledge of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, and would like to learn more about Tolkien's scholarly background.
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7 people found this helpful
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- Billie
- 03-14-15
Just wish it were longer
This course is great! I just wish there were more of it and that it could have explored a little more
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1 person found this helpful
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- Thomas L. Packer
- 01-23-22
Eloquent defense of Tolkien from monster critics
Not enough people appreciate Tolkien. Very few who do appreciate Tolkien can explain why one should as well as Michael Drout in this lecture series.
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- Joe
- 05-26-19
Anything by Michael Drout!
Deep. Energetic. Passionate. If you love LOTL you’ll enjoy this... Dr Drout is always a great listen!
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- Angela
- 02-08-19
Highly recommended!
Having read The Hobbit and the trilogy many times over many years, I found this to be a fascinating look at Tolkien himself and what is going on "behind the scenes" of his books. This book increased my appreciation of his skill and the depth of Tolkien's knowledge of older story-telling traditions and how he incorporated subtle little details into LOTR. As Prof. Drout points out these techniques and details, they become apparent to the listener and help to explain why the story resonates as it does.
The next time I read LOTR, I'll remember and notice what Prof. Drout was talking about and appreciate the story even more.
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- nerdness
- 11-02-20
A solid educational experience
The Prof doing this course is a serious scholar and a passionate Tolkien fan. These both shine through in his course. It was engaging and fun. I learned and enjoyed learning.
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- Fossilized Tree Sap
- 09-08-19
Extraordinary. Beautiful. True.
Extraordinary. Beautiful. True. The West is worth saving. This is the whole sum of Tolkien's spirit.
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