The Modern Scholar: The Anglo-Saxon World

By: Prof. Michael D. C. Drout

Narrated by: Michael D. C. Drout

Length: 7 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Had the Angles and Saxons not purposefully migrated to the isles of the Britons and brought with them their already-well-developed use of language, Angelina Jolie may never have appeared in the movie Beowulf.

Professor Michael D.C. Drout is at his best when lecturing on the fascinating history, language, and societal adaptations of the Anglo-Saxons. He not only presents their storytelling abilities using their own words; he does so in their own voice - the incredibly melodious Old English.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2009 Michael D.C. Drout (P)2009 Recorded Books, LLC

Fantastic introduction to the Anglo-Saxon era

This lecture series is engaging and provides a great overview of Anglo-Saxon history, culture and literature.

Drout is Great Teacher

This is a lecture series worthy of investment. Drout lays it bare for easy understanding. I hope to collect all of his recorded lectures.

LOVE Drout!

Fabulous as always. Drout is my favorite Modern Scholar lecturer. He is deeply knowledgeable and deeply passionate about his subjects. His lectures are conversational, insightful, and laced with humor. Highly recommend this and all his lectures.

Great!

Loved it. Professor Drout makes the information simultaneously accessible and entertaining. This is the best those interested in Anglo-Saxon history could ever want in a Great Course. I will listen again and again to these wonderful lectures. I will get more courses by Drout!

Middle Ages Alive

Prof Drout really helped me understand the era I have long ignored in my study of history. He is an outstanding teacher and well worth the listen. I want to learn Anglo-Saxon now!

Enjoyed every bit of the lecture

Prof. Drout livelily explains Anglo-Saxon history, culture, literature, and its people in his work "The Modern Scholar: The Anglo-Saxon World". I felt as if I was learning about someone so close to me, instead of some distant culture happened a long time ago in the history. Despite of the length (7+ hours), I truly enjoyed every bit of the lesson. Now I am listening for the second time!

Loved it

Very interesting, well-organized, and well-presented. Not just Beowulf, although it does make regular appearances. The lectures cover highlights of history, along with religious and not-so-religious literature.

Excellent

Very well done. In-depth history of a fascinating era that still influences our culture today. Also offers plenty of "color" in the original Old English so one really gets a feel for the language. Time well spent!

Really good, and enthusiastically presented

Surprisingly good, not at all a dry academic effort. The author is clearly passionate about the subject and that emotion is infectious. I really want to learn more, and perhaps even give Beowulf another go!

In addition to the linguistic heritage, he also presents considerable sociological information. Of particular significance is the abuse of the Anglo-Saxon name throughout history to promote less than honorable aims, and the backlash that has been unfairly felt.

All in all, a credit well-spent.

Well worth it

Would you listen to The Modern Scholar: The Anglo-Saxon World again? Why?

Yes -- I will be teaching Anglo-Saxon lit to high schoolers in the fall, and purchased this as a way to fill in the history behind the texts. Dr. Drout makes the complex as simple as possible and is well organized. The PDF download is excellent -- much better than the textual supplements for the Great Courses series. Dr. Drout's website is also a fantastic resource that I will make significant use of for my course. Thanks Dr. Drout!

What about Michael D. C. Drout’s performance did you like?

I enjoyed the readings from the Anglo-Saxon lit (though they may have been a bit long at times), and I appreciated his clear and well-organized presentations.