
The Modern Scholar
A Way With Words Part III: Grammar for Adults
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Narrated by:
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Professor Michael D.C. Drout
About this listen
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- 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.
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- Oral Tradition and the Roots of Literature
- By: Professor Michael D. C. Drout
- Narrated by: Professor Michael D. C. Drout
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Overall
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Performance
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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.
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Overall
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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
- World War l: The Great War and the World It Made
- By: Professor John Ramsden
- Narrated by: John Ramsden
- Length: 8 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
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"The Great War", as it was known at the time, was also said to be the "war to end all wars." It seized all of Europe and much of the rest of the world in its grip of death and destruction. The first truly modern war, it changed how war and peace would be conducted throughout the remainder of the 20th century and even to the present.
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Excellent & Interesting Course
- By Nostromo on 10-29-08
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The Modern Scholar: Giants of the British Novel, Part I
- By: Professor Timothy Baker Shutt
- Narrated by: Professor Timothy Baker Shutt
- Length: 4 hrs and 4 mins
- Original Recording
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Professor Shutt begins by exploring exactly what a novel is - and what it isn't - and what defines this unique literary expression. He explores both its antecedents and precursors and where exactly its place in the literary landscape can be found. He then moves on to Defoe's great work Robinson Crusoe which arguably marks the birth of the novel. Subsequent lectures explore works by powerful literary forces such as Samuel Richardson, Henry Fielding, Laurence Sterne, and Sir Walter Scott.
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As good as I'd hoped it would be
- By Steve and/or Jodene on 11-13-15
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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 Modern Scholar: Odyssey of the West I: A Classic Education through the Great Books: Hebrews and Greeks
- By: Prof. Timothy Shutt, Prof. Eric H. Cline, Prof. Kim J. Hartswick, and others
- Narrated by: Professor Timothy B. Shutt, Professor Eric H. Cline, Professor Kim J. Hartswick, and others
- Length: 8 hrs and 32 mins
- Original Recording
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The lectures address-in chronological sequence-a series of major works that have shaped the ongoing development of Western thought both in their own right and in cultural dialogue with other traditions. In the process, the course engages many of the most perennial and far-reaching questions that we face in our daily lives.
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Chapter Divisions ARE Present
- By Rand on 09-01-10
By: Prof. Timothy Shutt, and others
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The Modern Scholar: Politics and Performance
- Theater in the 20th Century
- By: Professor Megan Lewis
- Narrated by: Megan Lewis
- Length: 4 hrs and 16 mins
- Original Recording
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Professor Megan Lewis of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst takes us on an engaging journey through the history of theater in the 20th century. She explores some of the century's early movements such as Symbolism, Expressionism, and Dada, which arose amid political turmoil and quickly began to fuel rapid change in the way playwrights, directors, and actors where approaching theater.
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Covers 19th to 21st C theater, briefly,
- By booklover on 03-10-24
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The Modern Scholar: The Philosophy of Thomas Aquinas
- By: Prof. Peter Kreeft
- Narrated by: Peter Kreeft
- Length: 7 hrs and 34 mins
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An enthusiastic admirer of the philosophy of Thomas Aquinas, professor and philosopher Peter Kreeft details the rational thought and precise literary talent that established Aquinas as the foremost thinker of his time - and as the most important philosopher for the almost 200 years between Aristotle and Descartes.
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Just what an introduction to Aquinas should be.
- By criticaltom on 04-04-10

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The Modern Scholar: First Principles & Natural Law: The Foundations of Political Philosophy, Part II
- By: Professor Hadley Arkes
- Narrated by: Professor Hadley Arkes
- Length: 4 hrs and 30 mins
- Original Recording
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In Part II of First Principles and Natural Law, Professor Hadley Arkes delves further into the classic connection between morality and law. Indeed, this link between the basis of law and the principles that form the groundwork of moral judgment is very much at play in today’s world, as evidenced in everything from Supreme Court decisions to national policy. Drawing upon the works of such influential philosophers as Immanuel Kant, David Hume, and Thomas Reid, Professor Arkes examines such relevant topics as conscientious objection, the justifications for war and interventions abroad, privacy claims, and abortion.
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"Morals" from an extreme reactionary
- By Alex on 10-20-12
Drout is always a pleasure
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Any additional comments?
Drout describes in a very interesting way the elements of the speech and most (if not all) the rules you need to get a good handle on the english language. His narrative is so engaging that I dare to say it is almost hypnotic. Among the things he talks about are the elements of speech, language history, transformational grammar and more, everything seasoned with his delightful humor and geeky bits of medieval history. His reading of Bewolf is amazing.I highly recommend this book.
Useful and entertaining
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Would you consider the audio edition of The Modern Scholar to be better than the print version?
I was looking for a book to brush up my grammar and came across this one. I have found most of the grammar books to be boring. But based upon the reviews, I thought I will give this book a chance. I finished this book on my drives to work in about 3 weeks and really enjoyed listening.What did you like best about this story?
I like the way Professor Drout has made Grammar really interesting to listen to. Chapters 5 to 13 are just fabulous!What does the narrator bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
The fact that the lectures are narrated by Professor Drout made me feel that I was actually attending his lectures in school.Entertaining book for learning grammar
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Well worth the listen. Not tedious.
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What made the experience of listening to The Modern Scholar the most enjoyable?
Prof. Drout has a very engaging style and makes any subject he talks about easy to understand and enjoyable.Any additional comments?
Wonderful supplementary material for English students or anyone who wants to understand language.Professor Drout explains it all for you
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Thanks to Prof. Drout I now understand how to correctly use "I" and "me," "that" and "which," "who" and "whom." With generous references to the history of our exquisite language and a delightful sense of humor, Prof. Drout makes all the grammar worries go away. You'll understand why parts of our language are strange and confusing, and gain a new appreciation for those trying to learn English as a second language.
Prof. Drout reads excerpts from Beowulf and Chaucer, so you'll hear the musical roots of our wonderful language. He explains that the evolution of English is more about conquerors, and less about scholarly progression. He discusses past scholars who have declared Latin the perfect language and, therefore, tried to force English to conform to Latin grammar. This has resulted is some of the most frustrating aspects of English.
He explains that English grammar is an art, not a science. For this reason, he rails against grammar checkers, "let those Seattle trolls keep their green squiggly lines to themselves."
I highly recommend this course. You'll actually understand what a participle is and why it shouldn't dangle. You'll comprehend gerunds, infinitives, and modals. Not only will you gain a solid command of English, but it happens in just 7 hours; that's amazing!
Cure for Grammar Anxiety
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If you could sum up The Modern Scholar in three words, what would they be?
S ; SWhat other book might you compare The Modern Scholar to and why?
I really don't think I can compare it to any other book, other than Professor Drout's "Writing Rhetoric and the Art of Persuasion." It is like attending a very enjoyable class, where you like the professor; therefore you pay attention more.Which scene was your favorite?
n/aDid you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
No, well I did smile in places, but I think if I cried I would be worried about myself.Any additional comments?
The book brings the dreaded grammar into a logical light. Rather than blinding memorizing a series of rules, you are able to understand why you are memorizing a series of rules :-)It is overall fun, and I've listened to it twice, and plan to listen to it again.
I know love grammar!
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Any additional comments?
the content was terrific - when you actually got to the content. There were a few too many tangents and asides, especially in the opening lectures. Also, a lot of repetition, not of the course material, of the tangents.Overall the lectures did teach me quite a bit about English grammar and how it has been built up from previous languages. I could have used a second lecture on punctuation and less on politics (and the inter-departmental squabbles re: grammar and linguistics). But, in the end, I came away knowing more than when I started.
INFORMATIVE
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I used to hate grammar, but I love it now!
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Would you listen to The Modern Scholar again? Why?
I love Modern ScholarHas The Modern Scholar turned you off from other books in this genre?
NoWas this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
NoAny additional comments?
I wish he would talk less about himself and stop trying to be funny.Too self-indulgent
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