Life Lessons from the Great Books

By: J. Rufus Fears, The Great Courses

Narrated by: J. Rufus Fears

Length: 18 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

Study more than three dozen works that span the timelines of Western history, from ancient Greece and Rome to the modern age. Whether written 2,000, 200, or 20 years ago, the enduring works of literature still speak to us and place our unique experiences into a larger perspective, offering invaluable lessons for every important moment in life.

Every Great Book you explore over these 36 insightful lectures - from the Odyssey and the Gospel of John to Hamlet and Animal Farm - is a unique expression of the human spirit and a fountain of advice, from how to conduct yourself in times of trouble to how to better appreciate the simple moments in your life.

You'll discover six broad themes that run through history's most compelling stories: the unconquerable human spirit, youth and old age, romance and love, adventure and courage, laughter and irony, and patriotism. In exploring these themes within the context of these Great Books, you learn new ideas about both the works themselves and the broad scope of the human condition.

If you haven't read these Great Books before, the warmth of Professor Fears's storytelling and his insightful approach to literature will have you heading to the library to learn more. And if you've already read these works, you'll discover new themes and ideas that will help you get more out of them.

Regardless of your previous familiarity with these works, you'll come to understand why these masterpieces remain eternal testaments to the variety of human experience and the powerful ways in which literature can guide and inspire us.

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

©2009 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2009 The Great Courses

Exceptional Teacher

Professor Fears is an exceptional teacher, his message is captivating and memorable. The best part of the book is his definition of a great book. "A great book possesses four qualities: 1) It deals with a great theme. 2) It is written in noble language. 3) It speaks across the ages. 4) It speaks to us as individuals." He uses this as a rubric for each book discussed. Audible 20 Review Sweepstakes Entry

Love Rufus j Fears! This was not my favorite of his

Love Rufus j Fears! This was not my favorite of his. He has such excellent courses out there but this is my 4th I’ve listen to and definitely my least favorite so for.

Subjective, biased view of history from old Prof.

sketchy andcdotes skillfully employed by the venerable lecturer to support his own unique life philosophies

Excellent narration and lecture

The narrator provides spirited readings from classic texts accompanied by thought-provoking lectures. Each lecture is about a classic writing that has endured the ages.

one of the wisest lecturers I have ever heard

I love this professor. all of his courses are well worth the money. he is extremely thoughtful and insightful into the past and how it effects is today.
the most memorable thing he teaches is how to live your life

Great course!

I really appreciate Rufus Fears classical perspective of focusing on the lessons/wisdom to be gained from the history and the classics as opposed to the composition of the stories. His knowledge of history and classical approach provides context to the classics and does more than just provides a "cliff's notes" version of the stories. After this course I was genuinely interested in reading or re-reading several of these classics.

I love this professor!

professor Rufus j fears brings stories to life! if only I had had teachers as good as him in high school!

Excellent series on lessons from the great books

This was a very well performed series of lectures on the great books. The professor would summarize a book in each lecture and then draw some generalities that we can apply to our own lives. Sometimes these lessons seemed a little too general or strained, but overall it was a good exposure to a number of books I wasn't familiar with, and a good refresher on other books I haven't read in years.

The best thing I can say is that it has inspired me to want to read several of the books covered in the series.

A selection for Americans interested in America

It is a great course and posess a wide selection of books from all eras of *European and American* litterature. Nowhere are the great stories of other continents, no Shahnemah, no Epic of Gilgamesh, no Water Margin etc. If this course was interested in the topics of Love, Adventure, Patriotism it is truly sad how limited the module is in geographical scope.

It is also sad how the lessons to be learned are tailored for the Americans to learn. The section of Adventure feature many stories of war and courage, but we're implied to understand these in the context of American engagements in the Middle East.

I am disappointed how the great works of litterature are not approached from a universal perspective, what they can tell us of the human condition, but what they can tell of today.

That's a mistake.

Another great lecture from Professor Rufus

I have listened to multiple lectures from Professor Rufus, and in this one, like the others, he brings his passion and knowledge to present us with the wisdom of the great works of classic and modern literature. You will certainly enjoy it, you will laugh, you will cry, you will cheer, and above all you will become a better person.