The Modern Scholar: World of George Orwell
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The Modern Scholar: World of George Orwell
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Narrated by:
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Michael Shelden
About this listen
Big Brother Is Watching You: The words are inextricably associated with the classic dystopian novel 1984 and with its revered author, George Orwell. The Modern Scholar series continues its exploration of great authors with this course from esteemed professor Michael Shelden. In these lectures, Orwell, who also penned the epitome of the political satire, Animal Farm, is discussed in full, from his childhood in Henley-on-Thames to his final days.
Download the accompanying reference guide.©2010 Michael Shelden (P)2010 Recorded Books, LLCRelated to this topic
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 42,030
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 34,835
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By: Sun Tzu
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- By: Fredrik Backman, Elizabeth DeNoma - translator
- Narrated by: Stacy Gonzalez
- Length: 1 hr and 49 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 1,136
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Performance4 out of 5 stars 1,070
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Story4 out of 5 stars 1,070
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Narrator doesn’t get Backman’s satire or rhythm
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By: Fredrik Backman, and others
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Say No More
- By: Caroline Overington
- Narrated by: Anna Skellern
- Length: 5 hrs and 47 mins
- Original Recording
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,672
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,637
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,637
Who is Audrey Hoedemaker? It's a question her sister Maureen has heard more times than she can count, and she doesn't know what the short answer would be. Little sister, troubled teen, backpacker, musical theatre coach, con artist, childcare worker. Murderer. A tragic, traumatic childhood casts a long shadow on the Hoedemaker sisters. Maureen has worked hard to move beyond the violence of the past and build a good, honest life for herself. Audrey, however, just can't seem to do the same, careening from one state of chaos to another.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Seriously, that was the ending?
- By alicia in athens on 02-13-25
What listeners say about The Modern Scholar: World of George Orwell
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Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- James
- 09-26-14
Excellent George Orwell biography
If you could sum up The Modern Scholar: World of George Orwell in three words, what would they be?
Unputdownable intelligent accessible
Who was your favorite character and why?
It's a George Orwell biography
Which character – as performed by the narrator – was your favorite?
See above
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
Yes I absolutely loved it, what a lovingly crafted biography. Definitely brought a tear to my eye, mostly tears of admiration, for both Orwell and this biographer. Shelden cares passionately about his subject matter and it shines through in his crystal clear approach and narration. Thank you Mr.Shelden for creating such a rich and emphatic portrait.
Any additional comments?
The man and his work, more relevant than ever today and carefully observed and discussed in The Modern Scholar: World of George Orwell. An excellent and worthwhile listen whether you are new to Orwell or not. What a man, he packed a lot in to his too short life and left the world with two classics of anti-totalitarian literature Animal Farm and 1984. Anyone interested in ideas of humanity, society, freedom and power should listen/read Orwell's work and this biography.You will not regret downloading this warm and enlightening audiobook. Highly HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Eroica D Boone
- 07-24-23
Inspired me
Read more orwell due to understanding him more and found jewels. Ended up purchasing hardbacks.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- CINDY MENKER
- 05-31-22
Well written but halting narration
Learned much about Eric Blair's life that I did not know. I found the frequent pauses in the narration annoying, but got around this problem by listening at 1.25x.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jennifer Beadle
- 12-01-13
The Real Orwell
This was an excellent listen. If you like Orwell or you don't, this is an amazing lecture. I have found The Modern Scholar series to be not only educational but thoroughly enjoyable. As my pocketbook allows I will be looking for more in the series and certainly would be interested in anything Michael Sheldon does.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- wayne
- 08-12-12
Great story, Great Lecturer, can overook delivery
I found these lectures among the best of the six modern scholar lectures I have listened to. I find Orwells writing outstanding and captivating. I found myself downloading all of Orwell's books and essay's on audible because of these lectures. The lecturer has a genuine deep interest in the subject matter which makes the lectures all the more engaging.
My only small complaint, although I eventually got used to it, was Michael Scehldon's delivery. At times I thought. I was. Listening. To. William Shatner. Delivering his lines. In Star Trek.
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11 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- SallyB
- 09-21-11
A life of perseverance and courage
To know the man behind the words and to know the influences that make the backdrop of any literature that much more rich - that is the case with this audiobook. Michael Shelden does wonderful justice to the life and writings of George Orwell. A life that spans many geopolitical shifts in our history is given breadth and depth in this audiobook. I will listen to it again ..... and again ....
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7 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Marilyn Worth
- 01-18-17
Orwell is even more timely today.
I liked the slower cadence of the professor's speech. You don't have to work so hard to keep up. Orwell is unfortunately even more timely today, and is worth getting to know.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- ESK
- 08-05-12
Story of an intellectual contrarian
When people mention Orwell, they usually refer to either 1984 or Animal Farm. But these lectures offer a more profound understanding of Orwell's literary career than an analysis of the message and prototypes behind two of his most famous works.
Michael Shelden is the authorized biographer of George Orwell, and he manages to carry the reader away. The lectures inspired me to read Orwell's books and essays and get to know his ideas better. Learning those facts about Orwell made me fall in love with his genius. Thank you, Mr. Shelden!
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6 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 02-04-23
The fascinating life of George Orwell
It was great hearing the life behind the greatest, most influential novels. It is an informative and easy listen.
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 11-07-23
Very little about 1984
If you are having a 8 hour lecture on Orwell and don’t go into 1984 until the last 1/2 hour you are not making a lecture for the average reader
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