A Whiff of Wilde, a Pinch of Poe, and a Frisson of Frost

A Dab of Dickens, Vol. 3; Selections from A Dab of Dickens & a Touch of Twain, Literary Lives from Shakespeare's Old England to Frost's New England

By: Elliot Engel PhD, Oscar Wilde, Robert Frost, Stefan Rudnicki - producer, Gabrielle de Cuir - director, Edgar Allan Poe

Narrated by: Roscoe Lee Browne, Cassandra Campbell, Christopher Cazenove, Stephen Fry, full cast

They are icons of the literary world whose soaring works have been discussed and analyzed in countless classrooms, homes, and pubs. Yet for most listeners, the living, breathing human beings behind the classics have remained unknown - until now. In this utterly captivating audiobook, Dr. Elliot Engel, a leading authority on the lives of great authors, illuminates the fascinating and flawed members of literature's elite. In lieu of stuffy biographical sketches, Engel provides fascinating anecdotes.

You'll never look at these literary giants the same way again.

©2002 Elliot Engel (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc., and Skyboat Media, Inc.

Fascinating look into these poets

I am absolutely fascinated by the history behind these poets - this book allowed me a level of understanding that I have not received from any other source. Well done. Lengthy at times but well worth it.

Very entertaining

I really liked the narrative style of the biographies, it was light, entertaining and with a touch of humor. I learned a lot of details I didn’t know of.

Not quite what I expected

Did not realize this would be more biographies than writings. Well done on all counts

Stimulating...

A stimulating presentation of curious info about authors I love. I learned a lot of interesting stuff that I had not heard before, even though I am an English teacher with 30 years experience. Engel talks quickly but clearly and with enthusiasm and love for his topics. I have heard him in person five times, and this audio presentation equals his live performances.

delightful if biased mini-biographies

The short, 30-minute biographies are a fun, informative listen, but probably not complete or balanced. The entry on Frost, whom I know best, is obviously taken only from Frost's authorized biography by Thompson, which paints him as an ogre because the biographer famously came to loathe Frost as they competed for the same woman's affection, and disgust is reflected in Engel's take, which isn't informed by later, more balanced treatments.. So Engel, despite his boasted Ph.D., is not the most thorough scholar. Still, they are educational and entertaining and get you thinking.