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Bard of the Middle Ages - The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer
- The Modern Scholar
- By: Prof. Michael Drout
- Narrated by: Michael Drout
- Length: 8 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
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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
- Bard of the Middle Ages - The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer
- The Modern Scholar
- By: Prof. Michael Drout
- Narrated by: Michael Drout
Highly recommended
Reviewed: 01-10-15
I enjoyed this review of Chaucer's works. The series reviewed
The Book of the Duchess, the House of Fame, the Legend of Good Women and Troilus and Criseyde, and, of course, The Canterbury Tales. Dr. Drout also reviews Chaucer's translation of The Consolation of Philosophy and The Romance of the Rose. It's too bad The Book of the Lion didn't survive. This series enlightened me about how revolutionary the Canterbury Tales were. The use of a frame narrative allowed Chaucer to cloak his opinions and it allowed Chaucer the freedom to get inside the minds of the many different personalities of his time period in the 14th Century. The lecture sheds light on the historical events influencing Chaucer's writing, such as his involvement and survival of a lineage of royalty and the fact that his writings were read at court. Dr. Drout is also an expert in Middle English which further sheds light on understanding Chaucer. Dr. Drout's inclusion of the different literary theories including the feminist movement was informative. If you think literature starts with Shakespeare, this is a must listen.
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7 people found this helpful
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To Hell and Back
- By: Audie Murphy
- Narrated by: Tom Parker
- Length: 8 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
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Audie Murphy was a desperately poor eighteen-year-old orphan when he joined the Army, nineteen when he first saw a buddy die from an enemy bullet and an enemy die from one of his own. By VE day, he had killed at least 240 Germans, had single-handedly destroyed a German tank in one battle and held off six tanks in another, and had become the most decorated soldier in American history, winning every medal his country offered, including the Congressional Medal of Honor.
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Puts you in the place & time along with him
- By Patrick on 12-30-13
- To Hell and Back
- By: Audie Murphy
- Narrated by: Tom Parker
Hell and Back
Reviewed: 08-23-10
I was impressed with how Audie Murphy (and his ghostwriter) were able to focus on his consciousness, all the things he thinks about while in war. He deals with the same difficulties that continue to this day. For example, having to follow the rules of engagement. He had to take care of the Germans who they had wounds. He talks about why he fights: to stay alive and keep your buddies alive. He talks about how incredibly lucky he was. He talks about seeing a prostitute but leaving it unsure if they consummated the relationship. Audie and his brothers in arms used extensive humor to be able to tolerate the war. He does not mention any of the awards he was given. He describes the event that awarded him the Metal Of Honor. He does a very good job detailing how he had so may lucky incidents. Audie jumps on a tank and takes the 50 cal and begins shooting the Germans. THe Germans expected the burning tank was abandoned because it was about to blow up. Audie says he didn't know this and probably wouldn't have if he'd have known. different lucky incident. There was then a wind the blew the snow in such a way to allow him to remain unseen while he killed the Germans. My conclusion is that it is a great war memoir and is as pertinent to it today as it was in 1950's when it came out.
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