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The Modern Scholar
- Rings, Swords, and Monsters: Exploring Fantasy Literature
- Narrated by: Professor Michael D.C. Drout
- Length: 7 hrs and 50 mins
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Publisher's summary
Should fantasy be considered serious literature, or is it merely escapism? In this course, the roots of fantasy and the works that have defined the genre are examined. Incisive analysis and a deft assessment of what makes these works so very special provides a deeper insight into beloved works and a better understanding of why fantasy is such a pervasive force in modern culture.
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The best science fiction asks essential questions: What does it mean to be human? Are we alone in the universe, and what does it mean if we're not? Esteemed professor Michael D. C. Drout traces the history of science fiction in this series of stimulating lectures. From Mary Shelley's Frankenstein to today's cutting- edge authors, Drout offers a compelling analysis of the genre, including a look at the golden age of science fiction, New Wave writers, and contemporary trends in the field.
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Professor Michael D.C. Drout of Wheaton College immerses listeners in the extraordinary legacy of Viking civilization, which developed in what is now Scandinavia during the early Middle Ages. During the course of these lectures, Professor Drout explores how these peoples conquered all of Northern Europe, traveled as far as Byzantium in the East and North America in the West, and left a literary legacy that includes numerous works studied and enjoyed to this day.
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Best download in months!
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- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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-
Overall
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The best science fiction asks essential questions: What does it mean to be human? Are we alone in the universe, and what does it mean if we're not? Esteemed professor Michael D. C. Drout traces the history of science fiction in this series of stimulating lectures. From Mary Shelley's Frankenstein to today's cutting- edge authors, Drout offers a compelling analysis of the genre, including a look at the golden age of science fiction, New Wave writers, and contemporary trends in the field.
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Nerdy? Probably... Enjoyable? Yes
- By Timothy on 08-27-09
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The Modern Scholar: Singers and Tales
- Oral Tradition and the Roots of Literature
- By: Professor Michael D. C. Drout
- Narrated by: Professor Michael D. C. Drout
- Length: 4 hrs and 38 mins
- Original Recording
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In this course, Professor Michael D. C. Drout traces literature back to its ultimate sources in oral tradition. Drout shows us how works as varied as the Odyssey, Beowulf, the Finnish Kalevala, and epic songs from the former Yugoslavia were shaped by their origins as songs sung - and composed - before a live audience. Understanding the oral roots of these great works lets us see them in a whole new light.
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Interesting and insightful
- By Bee on 01-13-16
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The Modern Scholar
- Masterpieces of Medieval Literature
- By: Prof. Timothy Shutt
- Narrated by: Prof. Timothy Shutt
- Length: 8 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
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It is during the Middle Ages that modern Europe, indeed, modern Western culture as we know it, comes to be. Classical Mediterranean culture drew from the ancient Middle East, and more directly, from the Hebrews, Greeks, and Romans. The Middle Ages add the Northlands, Celts, and Germans, and ultimately, Slavs as well, to the mix.
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The Kind of Professor I Want My Kids to Have
- By John on 12-07-12
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The Modern Scholar
- One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic: A History of the Church in the Middle Ages
- By: Thomas Madden
- Narrated by: Thomas Madden
- Length: 8 hrs and 13 mins
- Original Recording
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Renowned professor Thomas F. Madden turns his scholarly eye on the intrigue and politics swirling about the Medieval Church. Professor Madden explores the compelling events that shaped the culture and forever altered history, from the Monophysite Controversy to reform movements to the Inquisition, Black Death, and Great Schism.
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Modern Scholar Wins!
- By Steven on 12-13-13
By: Thomas Madden
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The Modern Scholar: Tolkien and the West
- Recovering the Lost Tradition of Europe
- By: Professor Michael Drout
- Narrated by: Michael Drout
- Length: 5 hrs and 15 mins
- Original Recording
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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....
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Not Drout's or Modern Scholar's Best
- By Amy on 01-28-13
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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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The Modern Scholar
- From Here to Infinity: An Exploration of Science Fiction Literature
- By: Professor Michael D. C. Drout
- Narrated by: Professor Michael D. C. Drout
- Length: 7 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
The best science fiction asks essential questions: What does it mean to be human? Are we alone in the universe, and what does it mean if we're not? Esteemed professor Michael D. C. Drout traces the history of science fiction in this series of stimulating lectures. From Mary Shelley's Frankenstein to today's cutting- edge authors, Drout offers a compelling analysis of the genre, including a look at the golden age of science fiction, New Wave writers, and contemporary trends in the field.
-
-
Nerdy? Probably... Enjoyable? Yes
- By Timothy on 08-27-09
-
The Modern Scholar: Singers and Tales
- Oral Tradition and the Roots of Literature
- By: Professor Michael D. C. Drout
- Narrated by: Professor Michael D. C. Drout
- Length: 4 hrs and 38 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this course, Professor Michael D. C. Drout traces literature back to its ultimate sources in oral tradition. Drout shows us how works as varied as the Odyssey, Beowulf, the Finnish Kalevala, and epic songs from the former Yugoslavia were shaped by their origins as songs sung - and composed - before a live audience. Understanding the oral roots of these great works lets us see them in a whole new light.
-
-
Interesting and insightful
- By Bee on 01-13-16
-
The Modern Scholar
- Masterpieces of Medieval Literature
- By: Prof. Timothy Shutt
- Narrated by: Prof. Timothy Shutt
- Length: 8 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It is during the Middle Ages that modern Europe, indeed, modern Western culture as we know it, comes to be. Classical Mediterranean culture drew from the ancient Middle East, and more directly, from the Hebrews, Greeks, and Romans. The Middle Ages add the Northlands, Celts, and Germans, and ultimately, Slavs as well, to the mix.
-
-
The Kind of Professor I Want My Kids to Have
- By John on 12-07-12
-
The Modern Scholar
- One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic: A History of the Church in the Middle Ages
- By: Thomas Madden
- Narrated by: Thomas Madden
- Length: 8 hrs and 13 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Renowned professor Thomas F. Madden turns his scholarly eye on the intrigue and politics swirling about the Medieval Church. Professor Madden explores the compelling events that shaped the culture and forever altered history, from the Monophysite Controversy to reform movements to the Inquisition, Black Death, and Great Schism.
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Modern Scholar Wins!
- By Steven on 12-13-13
By: Thomas Madden
What listeners say about The Modern Scholar
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall
- Amy Zaret
- 04-21-09
Wonderfully Informative and Entertaining
This is the first of Prof. Drout's exquistite series that I listened to, and I became hooked. I teach high school English, and I have been able to use many of his suggestions in my classes.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Marisa
- 02-26-13
Enjoyable Lecture, Highly Recommended
When I pick up a book, it is not to dissect, but rather to enjoy the story - so I come to this lecture not as a scholar of literature, just an avid reader of Fantasy. I ask that you please view my comments as such.
This audiobook is my second of Michael Drout's Modern Scholar lectures. Audible's description is spot on. Michael Drout does a great job delving into the foundation of Fantasy literature, which is heavy on Tolkien's contributions, as is quite understandable. Professor Drout offered me, the listener, quite a bit of insight into what defines the genre. He introduces the themes that permeate Fantasy literature, discusses how Fantasy grew into its own, and by critiquing the critics, argues that Fantasy should be taken as seriously as other types of literature. This argument was very well made. I tend to agree with him.
The only fault I could find is not a fault on the professor's part. I docked one star from the "story" due to personal expectation. I had hoped for a more in-depth analysis of specific books he talked about, not just the skimming over of plots. As I stated above, he really got into the Tolkien's contribution, spending several lectures on it - but the authors being obscured by "Tolkien's Long Shadow" were not touched on as much as I had wanted. Again, my expectations of the lecture are to blame.
As important as the content is the performance. The professor's enthusiasm for the work he covers is immense and contagious. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to his characterful rendition of excerpts from the books and poems he discussed. If only we could all speak Old English and Elvish as he does. I found it hard to stop listening once I started. Quite an enjoyable lecture, especially for a lover of Fantasy. I highly recommend it.
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Overall
- Joseph Furlan
- 05-07-10
One of my very favorite Audibles ever!
I've been going through some family health crisis stuff lately and I find that's Drout's lectures are so fascinating they are the one thing that can completely take my mind off my problems. I started with his lecture on Anglo Saxon stuff and was delighted to find this one when I finished. I downloaded and saved it for a day I expected to get some bad news. Sure enough... it was bad but like magic this lecture kept my mind occupied for hours on end and left me in a good mood. I didn't realize there would be so much on The Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings my two favorite books of all time. I've no interest whatever in poetry and writing but I'm thinking about getting those lectures too. The guy is just so enthusiastic about the material. What a treasure!
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14 people found this helpful
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- Michael
- 07-06-13
Tolkien Tunnel Vision
Is there anything you would change about this book?
Professor Drout's breadth of knowledge for medieval literature is both obvious and rather impressive too. But whether that holds true for fantasy too is somewhat less certain here. His exhaustive focus on Tolkien monopolizes nearly all of this lecture series, and while Brooks, Le Guin and Donaldson are discussed, others are conspicuous by their nagging absence. Neither Michael Moorcock nor George Martin are mentioned at all, leaving the listener to wonder if they've been deliberately excluded, despite their enormous contributions, for defying the themes of epic fantasy that Tolkien himself found so endearing. This excessive concentration on Tolkien, and the gross omission of two giants, is a bit of a slap, given their influence.
A comparative look at the genre's evolution would have been something to truly enjoy here. He engages in this with the writers included, but with the exception of Donaldson, the rest never pushed the envelope into corners as yet unvisited. Relating to Moorcock and Martin's work would have accomplished this more effectively. How the Ring of Power, whose implications he addresses so well, relates to a weapon like Stormbringer, Elric's treacherous magic sword. How each affected the fates of characters, as well as their authors' respective worlds. How Aragorn compares perhaps, with a character such as Daenerys Targaryen, who like him, is an uncertain yet worthy heir to a dynasty in forced exile. These were the sorts of things I was hoping for. These were the things I really missed.
The portion on magical realism is nothing short of excellent, though why he feels the need to draw sharp distinctions - between it and fantasy in this day and age - is really somewhat puzzling. It speaks to a need to simply reject "dark fantasy" of the epic variety, which comes off very nearly as the kind of literary discrimination he criticizes, in realists like Henry James.
So these lectures are well thought out and presented. If you're mainly into J.R.R. Tolkien.
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Chi-Hung
- 01-05-09
A very insightful set of lecture
I love this set of lectures, it's a very insightful survey of the Fantasy genre past and present, but it does not go deep enough into the history and epics before Tolkein. It get tedious after lecture 12 in my opinion, still a must for people interested in the subject.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Nathan
- 07-11-19
I learned a lot
his works are always informative and enjoyable. This one is not different. It is well worth a credit!
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- Uncle Mikey
- 01-15-18
In Depth
I love how this series of lectures and Michael D.C. Drout's other series about the history of SciFi do a great job of explaining it all for the layman. I never get tired of listening to them.
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- Michael Gelnaw
- 07-20-12
it was a collection of college lechers
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
this book has some interesting points. so yes I would recommend it.
If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
if you to lazy to teach a class on this subject have your students watch this move.
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- Flavius Krakdaddius
- 02-08-18
Fun and Thought-Provoking
I enjoyed this brief exploration of the fantasy genre. Michael DC Drout is knowledgeable, and just as important, enthusiastic about his subject material.Before listening, I worried that the lectures would be too dry for my tastes, so I was gratified to discover that they did a good job of holding my interest.
This course is a great overview of fantasy and its 19th & 20th century "origins," but could have--and perhaps SHOULD have--been longer. Because of the course's brevity, the discussion is largely limited to a handful of authors, although those authors are discussed in some detail, particularly Tolkien.
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- Dirk
- 11-26-12
I loved this book
The contents were interesting and the passion of the lecturer for his material is infectious. I definitely want to listen to his other stuff. What's also great is that you can go and score yourself on the contents of the lecture on The Modern Scholar's website.
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