The Modern Scholar
Rings, Swords, and Monsters: Exploring Fantasy Literature
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Narrated by:
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Professor Michael D.C. Drout
About this listen
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.
Download the accompanying reference guide.©2006 Michael D.C. Drout (P)2006 Recorded BooksListeners also enjoyed...
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Story
In A Way with Words II: Approaches to Literature, Michael D.C. Drout leads a series of lectures that focus on the big questions of literature. Throughout, he introduces the major schools of literary and critical thought and employs illuminating examples from the world's most important literary works. This course proves a wonderful exploration of one of humankind's most cherished pursuits.
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That Bad
- By Alyssa B. Goss on 02-28-11
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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
- 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: 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
- 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 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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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
- A Way With Words, Part II: Approaches to Literature
- By: Professor Michael D.C. Drout
- Narrated by: Professor Michael D.C. Drout
- Length: 8 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
In A Way with Words II: Approaches to Literature, Michael D.C. Drout leads a series of lectures that focus on the big questions of literature. Throughout, he introduces the major schools of literary and critical thought and employs illuminating examples from the world's most important literary works. This course proves a wonderful exploration of one of humankind's most cherished pursuits.
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That Bad
- By Alyssa B. Goss on 02-28-11
-
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.
-
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The Kind of Professor I Want My Kids to Have
- By John on 12-07-12
-
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
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
-
A Very Unique Read...(J/K)
- By Jade on 06-10-09
-
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
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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
- 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
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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 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: The Grandeur That Was Rome
- Roman Art and Archaeology
- By: Professor Jennifer Tobin
- Narrated by: Professor Jennifer Tobin
- Length: 7 hrs and 48 mins
- Original Recording
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Common perceptions of Ancient Rome are plentiful, whether they take the form of crazy emperors hosting lavish feasts, scenes of chariot races and gladiatorial combat, or processions of conquering armies. But that is only half the story.
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An excellent blend of history and art
- By Paul on 11-14-12
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The Modern Scholar: Citadels of Power
- Castles in History and Archaeology
- By: Professor Thomas J. Finan
- Narrated by: Professor Thomas J. Finan
- Length: 7 hrs and 53 mins
- Original Recording
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Professor Thomas J. Finan conducts an enthralling series of lectures on a subject that is an enduring part of the popular imagination: the castle. Professor Finan examines the castle from a variety of contemporary perspectives, including those of history, archaeology, geography, and landscape studies. The course also covers the morphology of medieval fortifications and castles and considers the social and landscape natures of castles, as well as the role of the castle in Europe.
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The Modern Scholar: The Norsemen - Understanding Vikings and Their Culture
- By: Professor Professor Michael D.C. Drout
- Narrated by: Professor Michael D.C. Drout
- Length: 5 hrs and 2 mins
- Original Recording
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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!
- By Margaret on 12-23-12
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Modern Scholar: How to Think
- The Liberal Arts and Their Enduring Value
- By: Professor Professor Michael D. C. Drout
- Narrated by: Professor Professor Michael D. C. Drout
- Length: 5 hrs and 14 mins
- Original Recording
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In How to Think: The Liberal Arts and Their Enduring Value, Professor Michael D. C. Drout gives an impassioned defense and celebration of the value of the liberal arts. Charting the evolution of the liberal arts from their roots in the educational system of Ancient Rome through the Middle Ages and to the present day, Drout shows how the liberal arts have consistently been "the tools to rule", essential to the education of the leaders of society. Offering a reasoned defense of their continuing value, Drout also provides suggestions for improving the state of the liberal arts in contemporary society.
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A defense of the Liberal Arts
- By Steve and/or Jodene on 10-19-13
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The Modern Scholar
- A Way With Words Part III: Grammar for Adults
- By: Professor Michael D.C. Drout
- Narrated by: Professor Michael D.C. Drout
- Length: 7 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
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Since others judge you by the way you speak, the intricacies of grammar, in fact, should not be relegated to the realm of fussy "guardians of the language," but are rather essential clues all can employ to communicate more exactly. In such a light, this course forms an invaluable guide for everyone from all fields of interest.
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I have always given Drout high marks.
- By Robert on 10-03-12
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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- Chad
- 12-28-20
Just ok
The author means to discuss fantasy literature as a genre, from medieval stories up to the modern era. Much of it is a summary of the plot of The Lord of the Rings. There is an interesting (possibly or possibly not justified) analysis of The Hobbit, suggesting strong classist tons in Tolkien's writings.
Still, overall this comes off as a bit haphazard, bouncing around from King Arthur to Harry Potter and more, mentioning bits and pieces of a variety of fantasy works across the ages.
For a fantasy buff, it's mildly interestnig, but not as much as actually reading a fantasy novel.
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- Mike
- 03-31-14
Great overview of Tolkien
What made the experience of listening to The Modern Scholar the most enjoyable?
Professor Drout is very knowledgeable, and is able to convey this knowledge and his theories in a very clear way.
Any additional comments?
One thing I would have liked to see (hear?) is more discussion of other authors besides J.R.R. Tolkien. There are a couple sections where other authors are mentioned, but even then it's really only 8 or so compared to 7 lectures on Tolkien.
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- Julia
- 07-26-12
Sometimes the Obvious isn't Apparent
Where does The Modern Scholar rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
This is among my top ten, surprising in its observations.
What other book might you compare The Modern Scholar to and why?
Why take the time to have someone point out what is all around you, always? It's that kind of book, an "actually that makes sense" experience. Power of a Positive No is the nearest equivilant.
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- Jefferson
- 09-27-11
An Informative, Stimulating, and Enjoyable Class
I enjoyed Professor Michael D. C. Drout's 14-lecture class on modern fantasy, which mainly focus on J. R. R. Tolkien, which is fine, because Tolkien is a major figure in modern fantasy. Professor Drout has a pleasing enthusiasm and a comprehensible clarity as he lectures.
After discussing the fantasy genre (a hybridization combining oral epics with novelistic techniques and concerns), Drout limns the origins of modern fantasy (Victorian works like the Alice books, The Waterbabies, and The Princess and the Goblin), and then dives into Tolkien, depicting relevant facts about his life and philological study before assessing The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, as well as difficult work like The Silmarillion and important scholarly essays on Beowulf and fantasy. Drout next covers two followers of Tolkien, Brooks the imitator and Donaldson the reactor, as well as two "worthy inheritors" who create fantasy as aesthetically and thematically consistent and compelling as that of Tolkien: Ursula K. Le Guin and Robert Holdstock. He then discusses children's fantasy (Narnia, The Dark is Rising, Prydain, and a bit of Rowling and Pullman) and then the Arthurian genre (T. H. White, Mary Stewart, and Marion Zimmer Bradley). He concludes with a chapter on magical realism (Borges and Garcia-Marquez), arguing that, unlike most modern fantasy, it denies rather than provides healthy escape and is oriented around tragedy rather than Tolkieniean eucatastrophe.
I like the many insights that Drout provides as he lectures, like about Le Guin's solution to death in The Other Wind or about class in The Hobbit or about the way in which Peter Jackson's movies make Tolkien's world smaller. Sure, I wish he'd have covered more authors (like L. Frank Baum, Lord Dunsany, E. R. Eddison, Robert E. Howard, Mervyn Peake, or Michael Swanwick) and to have gone into more detail in non-Tolkien chapters, but that only shows how much I enjoyed his "class" and wished it could have been twice as long.
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28 people found this helpful
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- Aaron G. White
- 05-06-13
A partial look at the fantasy genre.
What did you love best about The Modern Scholar?
On his preferred subjects, Professor Drout had a lot of insight and knowledge to offer.
What does the narrator bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
His enthusiasm spills over in his speaking. His occasional readings from the texts were a bit hammy for my tastes, but that's just me.
Any additional comments?
No mention of Mervyn Peake? And Robert Howard dismissed with a snide remark?
It's like a critical history of Rock music that goes on and on and on about Elvis and the Beatles, but never mentions the Velvet Underground or the Sex Pistols, and dismisses the Rolling Stones with a contemptuous wave of the hand. C'mon.
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1 person found this helpful
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- John
- 09-09-19
Good for Fantasy Enthusiast
Really interesting for anyone interested in fantasy literature. The material gave context to the arch of fantasy literature.
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- Ralph
- 08-22-10
I love all of Drout's audiobooks
I have listen to almost all of the Drout Modern Scholar lectures. They are all very informative and I have learned much from them. This book talked about several fantasy books and give lots of analysis of the books. There is a big focus on Tolkien, but it is a merited one. I was very happy with the book.
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2 people found this helpful
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- G
- 05-08-17
Great Audio Book!
Would you listen to The Modern Scholar again? Why?
This is the third or fourth book that I've purchase from Michael Drout. He's a fascinating guy with a great perspective. This book is excellent. I wish he would update it with a few things...
First, the Harry Potter series wasn't done when the book came out, and he said he was withholding judgement on it until book seven came out. Now it's out, so I'd love to hear what he has to say.
Second, I would love it if Professor Drout would read Raymond Fiest's books, Magician Apprentice, Magician Master, Silverthorn and Darkness at Sethanon, which is by far my favorite series and comment on them. Then, even better are the Daughter of the Empire, Servant of the Empire and Mistress of the Empire.
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1 person found this helpful
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- E. Chadwick
- 12-12-17
Good
Overall I enjoyed the course. Am interested in the genre and learned a great deal, which is the main objective. Good overview of the fantasy genre and how it's themes have changed and influenced the culture. There was a tendency for the author to be defensively critical of works he considered to be an affront to the Christian story as had been woven into much fantasy literature (specifically the "his dark materials" books, which convinced me that I need to read them). Similarly, the question of whether the classic fantasy literature of Tolkien was sexist and racist (not overtly so, in the "birth of a nation" propaganda manner) was addressed but glossed over a bit too quickly. "Yes there are no major characters that are women, but there is this one character that was a woman and she had some interesting aspects", and "all the villains are dark, but they aren't human so they aren't reflecting of dark people" smacks of apologetics more than deeply honest evaluation. A great defense of fantasy literature is made here, overall, and I learned quite a few things, and that's they goal, so overall this was a good listen.
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- Ben Pearson
- 10-23-22
For all the bibliophiles out there.
This is just some nerd talking for hours about his collection of Fantasy novels!
Highly recommend.
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