Great Authors of the Western Literary Tradition, 2nd Edition

By: The Great Courses, Elizabeth Vandiver, James A. W. Heffernan

Narrated by: Elizabeth Vandiver, James A. W. Heffernan

Length: 42 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

From the anonymous author of the Epic of Gilgamesh in ancient Mesopotamia to William Faulkner writing about Mississippi 3,600 years later, many of Western culture's greatest figures have been writers. Their landmark themes, unique insights into human nature, dynamic characters, experimental storytelling techniques, and rich philosophical ideas helped create the vibrant storytelling methods we find reflected in today's authors.

These 84 brilliant lectures survey more than 70 literary geniuses and masterpieces of Western literature, offering you the chance to experience a veritable encyclopedia of great writers who have played critical roles in Western history, influencing everything from religion to politics - to say nothing of the myriad literary genres and movements, which illustrate how writers reacted to their cultural environments and demonstrate the crucial relationship between a writer and his or her time.

From Homer and Virgil to Cervantes and Milton to Dickens and Joyce, the featured texts and authors are so richly varied and cover so many different centuries, societies, literary movements, and genres, yet you'll discover a panorama of literary relationships between periods, authors, and the paths that brought us to where we are in literature today.

Amid all the discussions from five highly esteemed professors, you'll return again and again to the idea of literature as a powerful force in our lives. You'll come away with a well-rounded and well-informed understanding of both these literary icons and the larger role that literature has played in our cultural history.

The complete list of lecturers includes professors Elizabeth Vandiver, James A.W. Heffernan, Ronald B. Herzman, Susan Sage Heinzelman, and Thomas F.X. Noble.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2004 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2004 The Great Courses

Outstanding content.

A worthwhile overview of the western canon especially for those new to the space. The profs certainly know their stuff, however, I could do without the persistent gulping between sentences (1) and screeching voice (2).

Excellent!!

Great overview of thousands of years of the best literature of each age. Interesting. Funny. Thought provoking.

Stars crossed authors, works and professors

Literature is organic and living and growing. Prof vandiver, Heffernan threaded the literature needle effortlessly and passionately. The result is a breathtaking journey of human civilization in the prism of literature.

Thanks. Wish you are the next one to enjoy this great course!

History and Literature work together

History of literature gives one a deeper perspective of society, history and the philosophy of the society the writers lived in. Literature changes minds and history.The professors were great enjoyed their perspectives, this study has been enlightening.

Great Course on the Go- all the places you can go and grow!

I loved this course

Narrator's name - do not know
Login to Audible was: Easy
Please let me know these performance aspects: Great
• Vocal characterizations Great
• Timing & pace Great
• Accents & pronunciations Great
• Content - Great
• Usefulness – must be known Great
• Other comments – I love these topics and a peaceful manner
Suitability for audiobook format - - - Perfect

Thank you,
Mak

Unbelievable! Superior course by stellar profs!!

There is so much amazing content here. Moreover, these professors have all worked on the course together to lay out a really well-rounded overview that is just stunning.

One of the best learning experiences. Brings together my own humanities studies from college and allows me to better understand the significance of the works throughout history. For anyone with a basic knowledge of classics and western literature, this is an exceptional resource!

The professors are astonishingly good. Just beyond any description I can write. The course is simply a gift for anyone interested in culture, history or literature.

Great Authors Without the Term Papers

This really is like sitting in on great professors' lectures, but without having all the term papers and finals that go with the classes. I was skeptical, at first, but these really do come across as well thought out lectures by knowledgeable professors. They also bring their unique methods and personalities to each part. I have sat in on enough lectures to be impressed by these. They do require your attention to get the most out of them. One side benefit is the introduction of authors that you may have heard of, but had never gotten around to. These have also encouraged me to look many of these authors' works up and at least skim them.

Very uneven

Would you consider the audio edition of Great Authors of the Western Literary Tradition, 2nd Edition to be better than the print version?

I never read the print version

Who was your favorite character and why?

The person I came away with the most changed impression of was Milton

Did Professor Elizabeth Vandiver and Professor James A. W. Heffernan do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

The weak link here was Susan Sage Heinzelman, it was like she was just reading her notes. Lectures have the capacity to impart emotion, something you would never know from her delivery.

Very good, but in need of better coordination

Where does Great Authors of the Western Literary Tradition, 2nd Edition rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

In the top 15.

Any additional comments?

A lot of effort went into this production. A couple of constructive criticisms... The omission of Cicero is unacceptable, especially when room was made for some authors of lesser overall importance. In addition, the professors approach the topics in different ways making the audiobook seem disjointed at times.

Overview is a good starting point for more

Summaries make a good starting point for more - perhaps one should stop after each section and actually read/listen to an author. I did feel that the series began a little weakly. The first lecturer on the Hebrew bible admitted to not being able to read Hebrew, and gave a strong impression that those who don't accept the presented documentary theory are probably not to be called "scholars". Once the topic moved on to the many Greek writers, the content got much more interesting. One thing I would have wished for is examples of how the various early authors showed up in works since the Renaissance.