The Modern Scholar

A Way With Words Part III: Grammar for Adults

By: Professor Michael D.C. Drout

Narrated by: Professor Michael D.C. Drout

Length: 7 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

Who eats shoots and leaves? A panda? Or a gunman at a restaurant? The answer to this all depends on - you guessed it - grammar. In the third part of his extraordinary Way with Words series, Professor Drout continues to explore humanity's intimate association with language, here delving into the finer points of English grammar. Since others judge you by the way you speak, the intricacies of grammar, in fact, should not be relegated to the realm of fussy "guardians of the language," but are rather essential clues all can employ to communicate more exactly. In such a light, this course forms an invaluable guide for everyone from all fields of interest.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2008 Michael D.C. Drout (P)2008 Recorded Books

Drout is always a pleasure

I've had several audio books from Drout, I always enjoy his humour. He takes a light touch to the material whilst still being informative and helpful. Will download the other books from him for this series! I have always had a struggle understanding grammar but I did find his way of looking at things helpful. He made it more like a story than a formula, which works for me. I recommend it!

Useful and entertaining

Any additional comments?

Drout describes in a very interesting way the elements of the speech and most (if not all) the rules you need to get a good handle on the english language. His narrative is so engaging that I dare to say it is almost hypnotic. Among the things he talks about are the elements of speech, language history, transformational grammar and more, everything seasoned with his delightful humor and geeky bits of medieval history. His reading of Bewolf is amazing.

I highly recommend this book.

Entertaining book for learning grammar

Would you consider the audio edition of The Modern Scholar to be better than the print version?

I was looking for a book to brush up my grammar and came across this one. I have found most of the grammar books to be boring. But based upon the reviews, I thought I will give this book a chance. I finished this book on my drives to work in about 3 weeks and really enjoyed listening.

What did you like best about this story?

I like the way Professor Drout has made Grammar really interesting to listen to. Chapters 5 to 13 are just fabulous!

What does the narrator bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The fact that the lectures are narrated by Professor Drout made me feel that I was actually attending his lectures in school.

Well worth the listen. Not tedious.

Great insights as to why, and how English evolved and continues to evolve into the way it is. Author has passion for this subject and that propels the reader/listener forward.

Professor Drout explains it all for you

What made the experience of listening to The Modern Scholar the most enjoyable?

Prof. Drout has a very engaging style and makes any subject he talks about easy to understand and enjoyable.

Any additional comments?

Wonderful supplementary material for English students or anyone who wants to understand language.

Cure for Grammar Anxiety

This audio course is for anyone who has ever suffered from grammar anxiety. Prof. Drout gives special dispensation to place prepositions at the end of sentences, to use split infinitives, and conjunctions at the beginning of sentences. He also gives you a solid defense against those grammar sticklers that make others fret over syntax: keep your imported Latin grammar rules to yourself!

Thanks to Prof. Drout I now understand how to correctly use "I" and "me," "that" and "which," "who" and "whom." With generous references to the history of our exquisite language and a delightful sense of humor, Prof. Drout makes all the grammar worries go away. You'll understand why parts of our language are strange and confusing, and gain a new appreciation for those trying to learn English as a second language.

Prof. Drout reads excerpts from Beowulf and Chaucer, so you'll hear the musical roots of our wonderful language. He explains that the evolution of English is more about conquerors, and less about scholarly progression. He discusses past scholars who have declared Latin the perfect language and, therefore, tried to force English to conform to Latin grammar. This has resulted is some of the most frustrating aspects of English.

He explains that English grammar is an art, not a science. For this reason, he rails against grammar checkers, "let those Seattle trolls keep their green squiggly lines to themselves."

I highly recommend this course. You'll actually understand what a participle is and why it shouldn't dangle. You'll comprehend gerunds, infinitives, and modals. Not only will you gain a solid command of English, but it happens in just 7 hours; that's amazing!

I know love grammar!

If you could sum up The Modern Scholar in three words, what would they be?

S ; S

What other book might you compare The Modern Scholar to and why?

I really don't think I can compare it to any other book, other than Professor Drout's "Writing Rhetoric and the Art of Persuasion." It is like attending a very enjoyable class, where you like the professor; therefore you pay attention more.

Which scene was your favorite?

n/a

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, well I did smile in places, but I think if I cried I would be worried about myself.

Any additional comments?

The book brings the dreaded grammar into a logical light. Rather than blinding memorizing a series of rules, you are able to understand why you are memorizing a series of rules :-)
It is overall fun, and I've listened to it twice, and plan to listen to it again.

INFORMATIVE

Any additional comments?

the content was terrific - when you actually got to the content. There were a few too many tangents and asides, especially in the opening lectures. Also, a lot of repetition, not of the course material, of the tangents.
Overall the lectures did teach me quite a bit about English grammar and how it has been built up from previous languages. I could have used a second lecture on punctuation and less on politics (and the inter-departmental squabbles re: grammar and linguistics). But, in the end, I came away knowing more than when I started.

I used to hate grammar, but I love it now!

I found this book at audible main page and the image of the red panda and Grammar together made me curious... I checked just by curiosity because I never found grammar interesting... in fact I used to hate grammar. But it enjoyed so much the preview that I bought and guess what? I enjoyed so much that I can say I love grammar now! This book is a lot of fun to learn... You will learn as much as you laugh! But this is not only about fun! Michael D. C. Drout (1968- ) is the Prentice Associate Professor of English at Wheaton College and an author and editor specializing in Anglo-Saxon and medieval literature, science fiction and fantasy, especially the works of J. R. R. Tolkien and Ursula K. LeGuin. Drout holds a Ph.D. in English from Loyola University Chicago (May 1997), an M.A. in English from the University of Missouri (May 1993), and an M.A. in Communication from Stanford University (May 1991). Want to know more? Please buy this book and you will never regret. I'm listening for the 4th time !

Too self-indulgent

Would you listen to The Modern Scholar again? Why?

I love Modern Scholar

Has The Modern Scholar turned you off from other books in this genre?

No

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

Any additional comments?

I wish he would talk less about himself and stop trying to be funny.