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  • The Modern Scholar: Tolkien and the West

  • Recovering the Lost Tradition of Europe
  • By: Professor Michael Drout
  • Narrated by: Michael Drout
  • Length: 5 hrs and 15 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (5 ratings)

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The Modern Scholar: Tolkien and the West

By: Professor Michael Drout
Narrated by: Michael Drout
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Publisher's Summary

The works of J.R.R. Tolkien are quite possibly the most widely read pieces of literature written in the 20th century. But as Professor Michael Drout illuminates in this engaging course of lectures, Tolkien's writings are built upon a centuries-old literary tradition that developed in Europe and is quite uniquely Western in its outlook and style. Drout explores how that tradition still resonates with us to this day, even if many Modernist critics would argue otherwise. He begins the course with the allegory of a tower - a device which Tolkien himself crafted in one of the most famous academic works of all time - as a way to illuminate how Tolkien's works continue and build upon a tradition that goes back as far as Beowulf itself.

Drout's lectures take us on a literary journey that explores Tolkien's most celebrated writings: The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion. As he brings these works life, he explains Tolkien's technique and themes, which he shows reverberate all the way back though the Western literary tradition. In the end, Drout shows us how J.R.R. Tolkien crafted literary worlds that the reader cares desperately about and wishes to save. Those worlds, in turn, are allegories for a Western literary tradition - a tower - that is worthy of preservation.

©2012 Crescite Group (P)2012 Recorded Books

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A great review of Tolkien’s life work.

This is an undergraduate level introductory course to the collected work of Tolkien. It is structured in a very logical sequence. It is clear that Drout is a fan of Tolkien and he deliberately steers away from any very controversial topics. Nonetheless the passion for the topic is evident from the start and this makes it very interesting to listen to. I found the reviews of Tolkien’s work to be insightful and carefully thought out. I really enjoyed the series and have only one criticism: there needs to be more!!!

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Some interesting insights

Too self indulgent at times. Some details shared about the literary works that Tolkien built from (eg. Beowulf) was very interesting but there wasn't nearly as much of this as I expected. More of a fan-boy commentary on why Tolkien's works are great.

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