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A WORLD OF KNOWLEDGE AWAITS
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TAbLE OF cONTENTS
LATEST RELEASES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
THE ARTS
music & film . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
THE HUMANITIES
english & literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
literature & religion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
religion & philosophy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
THE MODERN SCHOLAR ON PLAYAWAY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
THE SOCIAL SCIENCES
american history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
ancient history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
biographies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
economics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
political science . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
religious history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
sociology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
world history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
THE NATURAL SCIENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
THE MODERN SCHOLAR: The Social Feed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
ORDERING INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
COMPLETE LISTING OF MODERN SCHOLAR COURSES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
“Wow, this course is awesome! Exactly what I was hoping for. This is
my first Modern Scholar course, but I will be listening to many
more. I was just telling a friend of mine that I am officially in love
with these courses, and she said she has one as well, and has more
in her wish list. Keep up the great work!”
~Larissa G.,
A library patron in Arizona
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3
LATEST RELEASES
COMMAND AND CONTROL:
Great Military Leaders from Washington to the Twenty-First Century
Professor Mark R. Polelle—University of Findlay
Professor Mark R. Polelle examines great military leaders in history,
beginning with George Washington and moving on to Napoleon, U.S.
Grant, Pershing, MacArthur, and Schwarzkopf, among others. The course
also addresses the politics of military history and leadership and illustrates
the circumstances that enable the rise of great leaders. Perhaps most
importantly, Professor Polelle raises and answers that essential question:
What is it that makes a good leader?
MARK R. POLELLE is a professor of history and chairman of the
Department of History, Law, and Political Science at the University of
Findlay in Findlay, Ohio. He specializes in teaching military history, law,
and world history. Professor Polelle served as Marion Johnson Fellow from
1986 to 1990 at Rutgers, worked in the publishing industry from 1993 to
1998, and attended the prestigious West Point Institute for Military History in 2005. He also served as a lieutenant in the Ohio Military Reserve.
Photo courtesy of Mark R. Polelle
Available on Playaway
His publications include Raising Cartographic Consciousness: Geopolitics and Foreign Policy
in the Twentieth Century and Lessons in Leadership: Fifty Great Leaders and the Worlds They
Made (the book on which this course is based).
A HISTORY OF NATIVE AMERICA
Professor Ned Blackhawk—Yale University
In these illuminating lectures from Professor Ned Blackhawk (Western
Shoshone), a history of Native America is provided from the time shortly
before the expeditions of Christopher Columbus to the present. Focusing
on the Columbian Exchange, Indians and the American Constitution,
American Indian Removal, the Civil War, and the modern age, Professor
Blackhawk concludes his revealing course by addressing the issues that
continue to affect Native Americans today.
NED BLACKHAWK is a professor of history and American studies
at Yale University, where he teaches American Indian Studies courses and
serves on the advisory board of Yale’s Native American Culture Center.
His first book, Violence over the Land: Indians and Empires in the Early
American West won multiple professional prizes, including the Frederick
Jackson Turner Prize from the Organization of American Historians
and the Erminie Wheeler-Voegelin Prize from the American Society
for Ethnohistory.
A member of the Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone Indians of Nevada, Professor
Blackhawk has published articles, book chapters, and review essays in such journals as
Ethnohistory, The American Indian Culture and Research Journal, and The Journal of
American History.
4
See page 41 for ordering information
Photo courtesy of Ned Blackhawk
Available on Playaway
LATEST RELEASES
THE WORLD OF GEORGE ORWELL
Professor Michael Shelden—Indiana State University
Big Brother Is Watching You: The words are inextricably associated
with the classic dystopian novel 1984 and with its revered author, George
Orwell. The Modern Scholar series continues its exploration of great
authors with this course from esteemed professor Michael Shelden. In
these lectures Orwell, who also penned the epitome of the political satire,
Animal Farm, is discussed in full, from his childhood in Henley-onThames to his final days.
MICHAEL SHELDEN is a professor of English at Indiana State
University. For ten years he was a fiction critic for the Baltimore Sun,
and from 1995 to 2007 he was a features writer for the Daily Telegraph of
London, where he contributed dozens of articles on notable figures in
film, literature, and music, including one of the last interviews with actor
Christopher Reeve.
Photo courtesy of Michael Shelden
Available on Playaway
Shelden’s first book, George Orwell: Ten Animal Farm Letters to His Agent, Leonard Moore
(1984), was an edited collection drawn from letters Shelden found at the Lilly Library (Indiana University, Bloomington). Professor Shelden went on to publish Friends of Promise: Cyril
Connolly and the World of Horizon (1989) and Orwell: The Authorized Biography (authorized
by the George Orwell estate and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Biography in 1991).
CONFLICTS THAT SHAPED PHARAONIC EGYPT
Professor John C. Darnell—Yale University
Professor of Egyptology and director of the Yale Egyptological Institute
John C. Darnell delves into the history of Ancient Egypt from the Predynastic Period through the end of the New Kingdom. In these lectures,
Professor Darnell shows that, despite common perceptions, Pharaonic
Egyptian civilization existed within a multicultural society subject to
disparate geological environments—and that its strength lay in the
balancing of contrasting groups and goals.
JOHN C. DARNELL is a professor of Egyptology in the Department
of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations at Yale University. His current
interests include Egyptian religion, cryptography, the scripts and texts of
Graeco-Roman Egypt, and the archaeological and epigraphic remains of
ancient activity in the Egyptian Western Desert. Darnell has considerable
field experience in Egypt—he is director of the Yale Egyptological Institute
in Egypt, and field director of both the Theban Desert Road Survey and
the Yale Toshka Desert Survey, ongoing expeditions in the Western Desert of Egypt.
Photo courtesy of John C. Darnell
Available on Playaway
Darnell is the author of a number of scholarly articles and monographs, dealing with
many aspects of pharaonic culture, history, and language, including a study of the cryptographic Netherworld Books of the New Kingdom. His most recent book (with Colleen
Manassa) is Tutankhamun’s Armies: Battle and Conquest in Ancient Egypt’s Late Eighteenth
Dynasty (2007).
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5
THE ARTS
music & film
UNDERSTANDING THE FUNDAMENTALS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC
Professor Richard Freedman—Haverford College
This course focuses on classical music and the development of listening
skills. Through it you will develop new levels of aural awareness that will allow
you to appreciate the richness, complexity and excitement at the heart of all
great concert music. This course is thematic and eclectic. It juxtaposes styles and
passages from different works designed to highlight a particular musical concept
or aural effect. Don’t worry about definitions, those are provided in the glossary
at the end of the course guide. Instead, concentrate on the musical examples
themselves and enjoy!
Available on Playaway
MASTERPIECES OF WESTERN MUSIC
Professor Jeffrey D. Lependorf—Columbia University
This lecture series focuses on the very best of Western music. As we progress
through these lectures, the following are two important questions that we will
seek to answer as we examine the various musical selections: What makes these
works masterpieces? Why highlight these works? In addition, the course
highlights relevant details of the lives of the great composers whose works
we examine. Ultimately, this course will help listeners develop a knowledge,
understanding, and appreciation of Western music.
Available on Playaway
HOW TO LISTEN TO AND APPRECIATE JAZZ*
Professor Ted Buehrer—Kenyon College
What is jazz? Louis Armstrong purportedly said: “If you have to ask, you’ll
never know.” Music scholar and distinguished professor Ted Buehrer conducts a
captivating series of lectures designed to help musical enthusiasts become more
astute, sophisticated jazz listeners. In these compelling lectures, Professor
Buehrer introduces concepts common to nearly all forms of music before
focusing on unique aspects of jazz appreciation from early jazz to Swing, Bebop,
Fusion, and the contemporary jazz scene.
*This course is specially priced and also includes two CDs with jazz selections.
UNDERSTANDING MOVIES:
The Art and History of Film
Professor Raphael Shargel—Providence College
Why does the cinema have the power to move the heart, stimulate the
mind, and dazzle the imagination? Understanding Movies covers the history and
aesthetics of motion pictures from the United States and from around the
world. Professor Raphael Shargel analyzes specific movies from each era in film
history, including the films’ importance, aspects of cinematic technique, and
why each film is worthy of study.
Available on Playaway
6
See page 41 for ordering information
THE HUMANITIES
english & literature
A WAY WITH WORDS I:
Writing, Rhetoric, and the Art of Persuasion
Professor Michael D.C. Drout—Wheaton College
In A Way with Words I: Writing, Rhetoric, and the Art of Persuasion, esteemed
professor Michael D.C. Drout brings his expertise in literary studies to the subject of rhetoric. From history-altering political speeches to friendly debates at
cocktail parties, rhetoric holds the power to change opinions, spark new
thoughts, and ultimately change the world. Professor Drout examines the
types of rhetoric and their effects, the structure of effective arguments, and how
subtleties of language can be employed to engage in more successful rhetoric.
A WAY WITH WORDS II:
Approaches to Literature
Professor Michael D.C. Drout—Wheaton College
In A Way with Words I, widely published professor Michael D.C. Drout
embarked on a thought-provoking investigation into the role of rhetoric in our
world. Now, in A Way with Words II, the renowned literary scholar leads a series
of lectures that focus on the big questions of literature. Is literature a kind of lie?
Can fiction ever be “realistic”? Why do we read? What should we read? In these
fascinating lectures, Professor Drout provides insight into these and other
provocative questions.
A WAY WITH WORDS III:
Understanding Grammar for Powerful Communication
Professor Michael D.C. Drout—Wheaton College
In the third part of his extraordinary series A Way with Words, Professor
Michael D.C. Drout of Wheaton College continues to explore humanity’s
intimate association with language, here delving into the finer points of
grammar. 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.
A WAY WITH WORDS IV:
Understanding Poetry
Professor Michael D.C. Drout—Wheaton College
Available on Playaway
In A Way with Words I, II, and III, Professor Michael D.C. Drout increased
listeners’ understanding of the way literature works, of the rhetoric that in
many ways defines people’s lives, and of the intricacies of grammar, all while
maintaining a lively tone that conveys the professor’s infectious enthusiasm for
the subject. In part IV of this fascinating series, Professor Drout submerses listeners in poetry’s past, present, and future. Addressing such poetic luminaries as
Milton, Wordsworth, Shelley, and Keats, these lectures explain in simple terms
what poetry is while following its development through the centuries.
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7
THE HUMANITIES
english & literature
A HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Professor Michael D.C. Drout—Wheaton College
Language defines people as human. In fact, all of humanity’s greatest cultural
accomplishments are either made out of language or rely on language for their
dissemination. In this course, Professor Michael D.C. Drout of Wheaton College
leads a fascinating discussion of the origin and development of the English language. Professor Drout addresses the foundation of language and its connection
to specific portions of the brain. One of the most interesting aspects of the
English language lies in its variants, such as the “soda” vs. “pop” debate and
the place of African-American English in modern culture.
WALT WHITMAN AND THE BIRTH OF
MODERN AMERICAN POETRY
Professor Karen Karbiener—Columbia University
Walt Whitman’s voice, like his poetry, lives on in the hearts of every American
poet and lover of poetry who came after him. For it was Whitman, according
to Karen Karbiener, who determined what the American poet and American
poetry would be. His vision of America informed his verse, exemplifying the best
virtues and highest ideals of the country whose birth predated his own by only
thirty years. This course explores how Walt Whitman broke with the tyranny of
European literary forms to establish a broad, new voice for American poetry.
SHAKESPEARE: The Seven Major Tragedies
Professor Harold Bloom—Yale University
Shakespeare invented characters in a new kind of way. He not only gave
them personality and depth, he gave them life. Not a life that went simply from
point to point, but one that developed rather than unfolded. In so doing, Shakespeare created characters with whom everyone can identify, whether the characters were kings and queens or fools and merchants. Renowned Shakespearean
scholar Professor Harold Bloom presents Shakespeare’s seven major tragedies
with a unique and exciting viewpoint.
Available on Playaway
SHAKESPEARE: Ten Great Comedies
Professor Raphael Shargel—Providence College
Available on Playaway
8
Professor Raphael Shargel channels his passion for teaching and expertise
as a Shakespearean scholar into this illuminative study of the Immortal Bard’s
ten great comedies. Shakespeare’s genius is as readily apparent in these
comedies as in his timeless tragedies. Often marked by internal and external
conflicts, young lovers struggling for union, mistaken identities, and intertwining plots, Shakespeare’s comedies to this day reveal the master’s unparalleled
insight into the human condition. With its fresh take on some of Shakespeare’s
most cherished and widely seen works, these exciting lectures provide invaluable
understanding of these exquisite comedies.
See page 41 for ordering information
THE HUMANITIES
english & literature
BARD OF THE MIDDLE AGES: The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer
Professor Michael D.C. Drout—Wheaton College
Had Geoffrey Chaucer not written, or not written so well, the last 600 years
of English literature would have been decidedly different. Professor Drout brings
us new perspectives and the most recent scholarly discourse on Chaucer’s mastery in storytelling as well as Chaucer’s eventful life. Early writings are examined
along with Chaucer’s literary background, the Middle English dialect in which
he wrote, and, of course, The Canterbury Tales. Professor Drout shows us why
Geoffrey Chaucer holds a place of esteem as one of the foremost writers in the
English language.
THE BIBLE AS THE ROOT OF WESTERN LITERATURE:
Stories, Poems, and Parables
Professor Adam Potkay with Professor Monica Brzezinski Potkay—
The College of William and Mary
This course provides listeners with a literary and historical overview of the
Bible, from Genesis to the Book of Revelation, and also with a sense of some
of the ways in which the Bible has influenced the literary traditions of the West.
Key scenes, stories, forms, and books of the Bible are explored through the
methods of literary and cultural analysis.
Available on Playaway
CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGY: The Greeks
Professor Peter Meineck—New York University
In Classical Mythology: The Greeks, Professor Peter Meineck examines in
thrilling detail the far-reaching influence of Greek myths on Western thought
and literature. The nature of myth and its importance to ancient Greece in
terms of storytelling, music, poetry, religion, cults, rituals, theatre, and
literature are viewed through works ranging from Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey
to the writings of Sophocles and Aeschylus. Through the study of these timehonored myths, the Greek heroes and gods leap from the page in all their
glorious splendor.
CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGY: The Romans
Professor Peter Meineck—New York University
Rome grew from a tiny community of small hill villages near the River
Tiber in central Italy to one of the most powerful empires the world has seen.
The renegade hamlets of Romulus and Remus became the imperial city of the
divine Augustus ruling over an empire of 60 million subjects. How was this
possible? Military power, colonial organization, superior technology, a wellorganized infrastructure, and a cohesive economic system. These elements of
Roman genius are well known, but it was the very idea of Rome that proved so
persuasive, and this Roman ideal was born from mythology.
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9
THE HUMANITIES
english & literature
DANTE AND HIS DIVINE COMEDY
Professor Timothy B. Shutt—Kenyon College
Dante’s Divine Comedy stands very high among the greatest literary works
ever written. The Commedia is about the afterlife, not just Hell, but Purgatory
and Heaven, too. Dante’s genius is the genius of the allegorical method. The
Commedia is, in the first instance, an account of Dante’s own salvation. In
chronicling his own recovery, indeed his salvation, Dante not only provides us
with an autobiography, he also suggests that not only the problems he confronts,
but the means by which he overcomes them, are in some sense universal. He is
talking not just about himself, but about the salvation of his readers as well.
ETERNAL CHALICE: The Grail in Literature and Legend
Professor Monica Brzezinski Potkay—The College of William and Mary
This course provides an overview of the different ways writers of fiction and
nonfiction have imagined, and reimagined, the object known as the Grail. The
Grail was invented as a powerful literary symbol by a group of medieval romancers
who celebrated it as a symbol of perfection. At times, this perfection was social, but
most often, the Grail’s perfection was unmistakably religious, so that it was indeed
the Holy Grail, a symbol of God’s perfect love, grace, wisdom, and joy. After being
ignored for centuries, the Grail was rediscovered in the nineteenth century by both
poets and scholars, who radically reinvented what the Grail stood for.
THE GIANTS OF FRENCH LITERATURE:
Balzac, Flaubert, Proust, and Camus
Professor Katherine L. Elkins—Kenyon College
In this series of lectures, Professor Katherine Elkins details the lives and
works of the premier French writers of the last two centuries. With keen insight
into her subject material, Professor Elkins discusses the attributes that made
classics of such works as Balzac’s Human Comedy, Flaubert’s Madame Bovary,
Proust’s In Search of Lost Time, and Camus’ The Stranger. Literary immortals all,
these four French authors produced works that reflected their times and exerted
a continuing and lasting influence on all the generations that followed.
Available on Playaway
THE GIANTS OF IRISH LITERATURE:
Wilde, Yeats, Joyce, and Beckett
Professor George O’Brien—Georgetown University
Oscar Wilde, W.B. Yeats, James Joyce, and Samuel Beckett: These four
masters of Irish literature created works of startling innovation and unparalleled
literary merit. Among them, they defied popular expectations and confounded
critics with unique masterpieces that lie at the heart of the modern age. Renowned
professor George O’Brien of Georgetown University provides the biographical
background of these authors and an in-depth analysis of their greatest works.
Available on Playaway
10
See page 41 for ordering information
THE HUMANITIES
english & literature
THE GIANTS OF RUSSIAN LITERATURE:
Turgenev, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, and Chekhov
Professor Liza Knapp—Columbia University
Russian literature of the nineteenth century is among the richest and most
human traditions in the world. This course explores this tradition by focusing
on four giants: Ivan Turgenev, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Leo Tolstoy, and Anton
Chekhov. Professor Knapp provides strategies for understanding and appreciating the works of these authors. She explains how they emerge from the Russian
context of their time and how these works wrestle with the universal questions
of the human condition, above all, love and death.
GREEK DRAMA: Tragedy and Comedy
Professor Peter Meineck—New York University
The plays of one ancient city 2,500 years ago by just four playwrights have
had a profound effect on the development of all subsequent Western drama,
not only on the theatrical stage, but on opera, film, television, stand-up comedy,
and dance—in fact, most, if not all, of the live arts owe a debt to the theatre of
ancient Greece and the city of Athens. This course focuses on the works of
Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes. Several of their plays are
closely examined, as is the social, historical, and political context in which they
were written and performed.
FROM HERE TO INFINITY:
An Exploration of Science Fiction Literature
Professor Michael D.C. Drout—Wheaton College
Science fiction literature has contributed indelible images to the popular
imagination, from H.G. Wells’s War of the Worlds to “cyberpunks” such as
William Gibson. With breathtaking narratives that dazzle the imagination, the
best science fiction asks essential questions: What does it mean to be human? Are
we alone in the universe, and what does it mean if we’re not? Professor Michael
D.C. Drout offers a compelling analysis of the genre’s most influential writers and
texts, including the golden age of science fiction, and modern trends in the field.
THE LITERATURE OF C.S. LEWIS
Professor Timothy B. Shutt—Kenyon College
C.S. Lewis produced a body of work as diverse as it is beloved. He is known
the world over for his cherished Chronicles of Narnia, but he is also the author of
novels for adults, scholarly work, and the writings that rival his Narnia series in
terms of continued popularity: his eloquent defenses of Christianity. Professor
Timothy B. Shutt delves into Lewis’ life and examines the influences that would
help to shape Lewis both as a man and as a writer. More importantly, perhaps,
we will come to a finer appreciation of a writer whose true testament may be
that which he strove for in all his major works—the evocation of “joy.”
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11
THE HUMANITIES
english & literature
MASTERPIECES OF MEDIEVAL LITERATURE
Professor Timothy B. Shutt—Kenyon College
Medieval literature can be a tough sell. And yet, its bad press is in overwhelming measure undeserved. Medieval literature is full of love and magic,
monsters and heroes, cosmic yearnings, and careful assessment of the whole
range of social, moral, and personal problems that we confront today. The
Middle Ages saw the composition of some of the greatest and most rewarding
literary works ever written. In this course, we will look at some of the less wellknown works—Beowulf, the utterly splendid Njal’s Saga, and Sir Gawain and
the Green Knight among them.
MONSTERS, GODS, AND HEROES:
Approaching the Epic in Literature
Professor Timothy B. Shutt—Kenyon College
From the very outset in the West—from the time of Homer in about 750
BCE—the epic has been the most highly regarded of literary genres. It is rivaled
only by tragedy as the most respected, the most influential, and the most prestigious mode of addressing the human condition in literary terms. The major epics
are the works that everyone had heard and knew, at least by reputation. They are
the works that had the most profound and most enduring cultural influence. And
they are very much with us still, firmly enshrined in cultural memory.
ODYSSEY OF THE WEST I:
A Classic Education through the Great Books
Hebrews and Greeks
Professor Timothy B. Shutt, Series Editor—Kenyon College
Available on Playaway
This course is an interdisciplinary series of connected lectures delivered by
eminent scholars from several colleges and universities. Each professor addresses
an area of personal expertise and focuses not only on the matter at hand, but on
the larger story—on the links between the works and the figures discussed. The
lectures address a series of major works that have shaped the ongoing development of Western thought both in their own right and in cultural dialogue with
other traditions.
ODYSSEY OF THE WEST II:
A Classic Education through the Great Books
From Athens to Rome and the Gospels
Professor Timothy B. Shutt, Series Editor—Kenyon College
This course is an interdisciplinary series of connected lectures delivered by
eminent scholars from several colleges and universities. Each professor addresses
an area of personal expertise and focuses not only on the matter at hand, but on
the larger story—on the links between the works and the figures discussed. The
lectures address a series of major works that have shaped the ongoing development of Western thought.
Available on Playaway
12
See page 41 for ordering information
THE HUMANITIES
english & literature
ODYSSEY OF THE WEST III:
A Classic Education through the Great Books
The Medieval World
Professor Timothy B. Shutt, Series Editor—Kenyon College
Available on Playaway
The Odyssey of the West series addresses in chronological sequence the
works that have shaped the ongoing development of Western thought both in
its own right and in cultural dialogue with other traditions. Part three is a richly
detailed look at St. Augustine, Beowulf, St. Thomas Aquinas, Arthurian legends,
Dante, Gothic art, and other highlights of the period. Through the course of
these lectures, it becomes apparent that the “dark” ages were in fact a time of
immense achievement.
ODYSSEY OF THE WEST IV:
A Classic Education through the Great Books
Toward Enlightenment
Professor Timothy B. Shutt, Series Editor—Kenyon College
The Odyssey of the West series addresses in chronological sequence the
works that have shaped the ongoing development of Western thought both in
its own right and in cultural dialogue with other traditions. Part four provides a
close look at the period from the Renaissance to the Scientific Revolution and
into the early Enlightenment. These lectures take in the immense variety and
singular achievements that have helped mold our present societies.
ODYSSEY OF THE WEST V:
A Classic Education through the Great Books
Enlightenment, Revolution, and Renewal
Professor Timothy B. Shutt, Series Editor—Kenyon College
The Odyssey of the West series addresses in chronological sequence the
works that have shaped the ongoing development of Western thought both in
its own right and in cultural dialogue with other traditions. Part five provides
a close look at the period from the early Enlightenment to the late-nineteenth
century. These lectures take in the immense variety and singular achievements
that have helped mold our present societies.
ODYSSEY OF THE WEST VI:
A Classic Education through the Great Books
The Twentieth Century
Professor Timothy B. Shutt, Series Editor—Kenyon College
Available on Playaway
The Odyssey of the West series, a grand exploration of art, literature, revolutionary theories, and intellectual progress through the ages, concludes with a
fascinating look at the twentieth century. Series editor and esteemed university
professor Timothy B. Shutt is joined by contributing lecturers for a lively discussion of the major works and strains of thought that ushered in the modern age.
A fitting capstone for this comprehensive series, this sixth and final installment
imparts a learned understanding of the forces that shaped—and continue to
shape—Western culture.
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13
THE HUMANITIES
english & literature
THE ANGLO-SAXON WORLD
Professor Michael D.C. Drout—Wheaton College
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. Drout’s scholarship and
recognized expertise on this subject is of the highest caliber.
Available on Playaway
DETECTIVE FICTION: From Victorian Sleuths to the Present
Professor M. Lee Alexander—The College of William and Mary
From mysterious origins, through the Victorian sleuths and the “Golden
Age” of the genre (the 1920s through the 1940s), and to the present day,
detective fiction, mysteries, and spy thrillers have consistently topped best-seller
lists around the world. Professor M. Lee Alexander provides listeners with a lively
discussion of groundbreaking authors from Edgar Allan Poe and Sir Arthur
Conan Doyle to Agatha Christie, Ian Fleming, and modern writers such as
Nevada Barr and Jonathan Kellerman.
Available on Playaway
RINGS, SWORDS, AND MONSTERS: Exploring Fantasy Literature
Professor Michael D.C. Drout—Wheaton College
The overwhelming success of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films and the
Harry Potter series aptly demonstrates that the fantasy genre is alive and well in
the new millennium. Should fantasy be considered serious literature, or is it
merely escapism? Through his incisive analysis and deft assessment of what
makes these and other works from authors such as J.R.R. Tolkien, Ursula K.
Le Guin, and Gabriel Garciá-Márquez so very special, renowned professor
Michael D.C. Drout examines the roots of fantasy and explores the works that
have defined the genre.
HEAVEN IN A WILD FLOWER: The British Romantic Poets
Professor Adam Potkay—The College of William and Mary
Professor Adam Potkay brings his renowned expertise on the Romantic era
to bear on the period’s principal poets. Providing detailed analysis of the lives
and works of literary luminaries such as Robert Burns, Samuel Taylor Coleridge,
William Wordsworth, and John Keats, Professor Potkay examines the nature of
Romantic poetry and provides insight on the stylistic flourishes and themes of
this remarkable period.
Available on Playaway
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THE HUMANITIES
literature & religion
STRANGER THAN FICTION: The Art of Literary Journalism
Professor William McKeen—The University of Florida
In this compelling series of lectures on literary journalism, Professor William
McKeen delves into the origins of storytelling, the nature of literary journalism,
and the ways in which literary journalism has affected culture and modes of expression. As Professor McKeen takes listeners back to the Second World War and
progresses through the history of literary journalism to the present, he introduces
such intriguing—and sometimes notorious—writers as John Hersey, Norman
Mailer, Gay Talese, Tom Wolfe, and Hunter S. Thompson.
Available on Playaway
THE HEBREW BIBLE
Professor Lawrence H. Schiffman—New York University
Eminent scholar Lawrence H. Schiffman leads a thorough and enlightening
discussion of the Hebrew Bible. With an extensive background in Talmudic literature and Jewish history, Professor Schiffman vividly describes the stories and
events of the “Old Testament” and expounds on the roots of the three major
monotheistic religions of the world. Professor Schiffman provides a greater
understanding of each religion and imparts a truer awareness of the Hebrew
Bible’s continuing relevance in the modern world.
ISLAM AND THE WEST
Professor Seyyed Hossein Nasr—The George Washington University
Islam and Christianity share both remarkable similarities and remarkable
differences. Both are relatively recent religions, with Christianity taking hold
in Northern Europe at about the same time that Islam took hold in the Persian
world. Through the years, Islam and Christianity have influenced each other in
terms of arts, sciences, culture, and medicine. This course is conceived to reveal
the interaction of these two religions and to show that Muslims and Christians
share much common ground, especially in terms of life issues and family.
Available on Playaway
JUDAISM, CHRISTIANITY, AND ISLAM: The Monotheists
Professor F.E. Peters—New York University
Although most people in the United States identify with either Judaism,
Christianity, or Islam, many know very little about the others. In this unique
series of lectures, listeners are presented with an accurate overview of the common bonds and historical differences among Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
This series explores the basic historical perspectives of these three monotheistic
religions and approaches each without prejudice.
Available on Playaway
Call 1-877-732-2898 or visit www.recordedbooks.com
15
THE HUMANITIES
religion & philosophy
RELIGIONS OF THE EAST: Paths to Enlightenment
Professor Stephen Prothero—Boston University
The main aim of this introductory course to the principal religions of Asia is
to cultivate a basic literacy in Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism.
Professor Stephen Prothero explores the origins of these religious traditions in
Asia, their impact on the societies of the region, and their transplantation to the
United States. He focuses on three related issues: why religion matters, what the
term “religion” means, and how Asian religions—especially Buddhism and
Confucianism—wonderfully complicate that term.
CREATING HUMANS:
Ethical Questions Where Reproduction and Science Collide
Professor Alexander McCall Smith—The University of Edinburgh
If there is anything that we have to take seriously from a moral point of view,
then surely it is human life. We value life because it is all that we have which is
our own. We construct elaborate systems of belief about it and we guard it
through rules we have devised for it. How we begin human life, how we bring it
into existence is a matter of the most profound importance. In this course, the
various aspects of human reproduction will be discussed, including the moral,
cultural, legal, scientific, and political influences.
Available on Playaway
DISCOVERING THE PHILOSOPHER IN YOU:
The Big Questions in Philosophy
Professor Colin McGinn—Rutgers University
Of all the branches of intellectual enquiry, many find philosophy to be the
most esoteric and difficult to grasp. Yet the basic questions of philosophy, from
logic to ethics, from the human mind to God, have been pondered by people
around the world for centuries. In this course, the main philosophical problems
are explored, with each lecture investigating different questions. In the end, the
goal is to uncover and exercise the philosopher that lies within each of us.
ETHICS: A History of Moral Thought
Professor Peter Kreeft—Boston College
What is good? What is bad? Most human beings have the faculty to discern
between right and wrong, good and bad behavior, and to make judgments over
what is just and what is unjust. But why are ethics important to us? This course
looks at our history as ethical beings. We’ll travel into the very heart of mankind’s
greatest philosophical dilemmas—to the origins of our moral values and the problem of ethics. Are ethics universal, absolute and unchanging—or are they culturally relative, changing, and man-made? Furthermore, we’ll delve into the creation
of ethical systems—not just for ourselves, but also for society at large.
Available on Playaway
16
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THE HUMANITIES
religion & philosophy
FAITH AND REASON: The Philosophy of Religion
Professor Peter Kreeft—Boston College
Through the ages, mankind has pursued questions of faith in something beyond the world of ordinary experience. Is there a God? How can we explain the
presence of evil? Do humans, or human souls, live on after death? Professor Peter
Kreeft leads a fascinating examination of the seeming conflicts between religion
and science and the different truth-claims of the world’s most popular religions.
This course lays the groundwork for the best approach to pursuing questions of
faith—and at the same time provides a better understanding of religion’s ongoing importance in the realm of human experience.
Available on Playaway
IDEAS THAT SHAPED MANKIND: A Concise History of Human Thought
Professor Felipe Fernández-Armesto—Queen Mary University of London
Ideas That Shaped Mankind, from internationally respected historian Felipe
Fernández-Armesto, explores the notion that man’s capacity to produce ideas
brings about sweeping changes in the world. This ability, seen most profoundly
in individual moments of genius—or equally startling moments of chance—is
what separates humans from the animals and allows humans to re-imagine the
world in ever more complex designs. From the earliest ideas, including
cannibalism and the idea of farming, to theories of relativity and chaos, ideas
reshape the world in surprising and unexpected ways.
Available on Playaway
PHILOSOPHY AND THE LAW: How Judges Reason
Professor Stephen Mathis—Wheaton College
Do judges deduce their decisions from legal rules and principles, or do they
decide cases based on what is fair given the facts at hand? The latter view, held by
Legal Realists, serves as the starting point for Professor Stephen Mathis’ eyeopening look at how judges reason. In this compelling lecture series, the esteemed professor addresses such issues as whether the law is distinct from
morality. Professor Mathis also attempts to identify a view that offers guidance to
judges in deciding cases, and one that will provide the tools people need to evaluate the interpretations and decisions judges make.
Available on Playaway
PHILOSOPHY OF MIND
Professor Andrew Pessin—Connecticut College
The nature of the mind lies at the heart of the eternal human quest for understanding. What does it mean to think? What is the relation between mind and
body, and where do we draw the line between “physical” and “mental”? With an
enthusiastic and scholarly approach, Professor Andrew Pessin of Connecticut College addresses these and other questions, including a studied look at beliefs, consciousness, groundbreaking thought experiments, and whether or not computers
can ever truly think.
Available on Playaway
Call 1-877-732-2898 or visit www.recordedbooks.com
17
THE HUMANITIES
religion & philosophy
THE PHILOSOPHY OF THOMAS AQUINAS
Professor Peter Kreeft—Boston College
An enthusiastic admirer of the philosophy of Thomas Aquinas, professor and
philosopher Peter Kreeft brings the full measure of his skill to these lectures. By
providing examples of present-day situations as well as historical references, Professor Kreeft details the rational thought and precise literary talent that established
Aquinas as the foremost thinker of his time. Aquinas’s Summa Theologica has
given theologians and philosophers much to discuss since the thirteenth century.
Peter Kreeft explains why.
Available on Playaway
PLATO AND ARISTOTLE: The Genesis of Western Thought
Professor Aryeh Kosman—Haverford College
If one is to truly understand the birth of Western thought, the works of Plato
and Aristotle must be the starting point. To understand who we are as human
beings, we must begin to understand the work and concepts articulated by these
two early thinkers. In their writings we begin to see the development of the Western cast of mind. This course investigates the essential texts of these two early
philosophers. Far from simply making a list of their ideas, we’ll focus on thinking
through the premises they put forth. Our goal will be to arrive at a solid understanding of the philosophy of these two men and their continuing influence.
Available on Playaway
THE MODERN ScHOLAR
ON
Your patrons can now enjoy listening to many
of our outstanding Modern Scholar courses on
PL AYAWAY, a self-contained digital audiobook.
An all-in-one product, PL AYAWAY is a lightweight, compact, easy-to-use player that provides automatic bookmarking and voice speed
options. It comes with a Modern Scholar course
already downloaded.
The Modern Scholar on PL AYAWAY
is available on a Continuous Order
Plan, with five titles released in
each quarter.
*See page 41 for ordering information. Look for the PLAYAWAY
18
icon for available titles.
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THE SOcIAL ScIENcES
american histor y
BROTHERHOOD OF THE REVOLUTION:
How America’s Founders Forged a New Nation
Professor Joseph J. Ellis—Mt. Holyoke College
This course is a chronological survey of the period from 1763 to 1800 and
discusses the single most consequential event of American history: the American
Revolution. The American colonists wanted independence from Great Britain,
while Great Britain wanted to hold onto America and use the colonies for its
own economic advantage. Besides this issue, internal disputes within the new
nation confronted the colonists, such as slavery, and how to accommodate a
growing population in a country already populated by Native Americans.
Available on Playaway
A HOUSE REUNITED: How America Survived the Civil War
Professor Jay Winik—University of Maryland
It was only through the resolve of strong individuals, the courage of great
leaders, and the fortunes of circumstance that the United States managed to survive the Civil War as one nation. This course presents an in-depth examination
of the waning days of the great struggle in the dramatic events leading up to
April 1865 and the unthinkable alternatives that, had they materialized, would
have surely prevented the formation of the country we know today.
Available on Playaway
MASTERS OF ENTERPRISE:
American Business History and the People Who Made It
Professor H.W. Brands—Texas A&M University
Since the formation of the American Republic, the principles of free enterprise and equal opportunity have been at the very core of economic philosophy.
America quickly became a society in which an individual’s success would be
measured not by birthright, but rather by determination. In this course, we’ll examine the lives and careers of successful men and women who seized the opportunities offered by the vibrant and open economy that has ensued.
RETHINKING OUR PAST:
Recognizing Facts, Fictions, and Lies in American History
Professor Emeritus James W. Loewen—University of Vermont
Available on Playaway
Evidence shows that much of the history Americans learn in schools is rife
with distortions of fact, and sometimes even tainted by outright lies. Best-selling
author of the 1996 American Book Award winner Lies My Teacher Told Me:
Everything Your America History Textbook Got Wrong, Professor James W. Loewen
presents this remarkable course that challenges the inaccurate accounts of American history propagated by many educators and educational institutions. In this
eye-opening series of lectures, Loewen encourages listeners to reevaluate everything they think they know about America’s past.
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19
THE SOcIAL ScIENcES
ancient histor y
COLD WAR: On the Brink of Apocalypse
Professor David S. Painter—Georgetown University
The devastating US atomic bombing of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima
and Nagasaki not only brought World War II to an end, but effectively gave
birth to the Cold War. For 45 years thereafter, the fragile relationship of the
United States and the Soviet Union held the potential for an apocalyptic confrontation that could have spelled doom for the human race. Understanding
the Cold War is absolutely essential to our understanding of the history of the
second half of the twentieth century and beyond.
AMERICAN INQUISITION: The Era of McCarthyism
Professor Ellen Schrecker—Yeshiva University
During the early years of the Cold War, the anticommunist witch hunt that
we now call McCarthyism swept through American society. McCarthyism was
much more than the career of the blustering senator from Wisconsin who gave it
a name. It was the most widespread and longest-lasting episode of political repression in American history. Dozens of men and women went to prison, thousands lost their jobs, and untold numbers of others saw what happened to those
people and refrained from expressing controversial or unpopular ideas.
Available on Playaway
TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME: A History of Baseball in America
Professor Timothy B. Shutt—Kenyon College
Baseball has been celebrated as “America’s National Pastime” for more than
one hundred and fifty years, and recalls long summer afternoons and sandlot or
street ballgames. In part, this is because most of those who love the game played
as children and followed their favorite big-league teams from that time.
Throughout its history, baseball has been a counterpart to daily life in America.
This course is a celebration of baseball’s rich past and its treasured heroes.
Available on Playaway
ancient histor y
A HISTORY OF ANCIENT GREECE
Professor Eric H. Cline—The George Washington University
In this intriguing series of lectures, prolific researcher, author, and professor
Eric H. Cline delves into the history of ancient Greece, frequently considered to
be the founding nation of democracy in Western civilization. The history of this
remarkable civilization abounds with momentous events and cultural landmarks
that resonate through the millennia. Professor Cline touches on the most compelling and informative aspects of Greek history and accomplishment, providing
revealing insights along the way and lending a fresh perspective throughout this
entertaining and evocative course.
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THE SOcIAL ScIENcES
ancient histor y
A HISTORY OF ANCIENT ROME
Professor Frances B. Titchener—Utah State University
Of all the civilizations that have ever been, none have inspired as much wonder and awe as Ancient Rome. No society since has replicated the achievements
nor enjoyed the longevity that the Roman Empire did. Indeed Ancient Rome is
among the greatest contributors to Western civilization and culture. This course
explores the world of Ancient Rome, investigating important events and key figures of the epoch. At the end of this course, students will possess a thorough understanding of Ancient Rome’s legacy, and will understand Virgil’s assertion that
the Romans’ talent was to “rule mankind and make the world obey.”
Available on Playaway
A HISTORY OF ANCIENT ISRAEL: From the Patriarchs Through the Romans
Professor Eric H. Cline—The George Washington University
Israel conjures up myriad associations for people of all cultures and religious
backgrounds. Inextricably associated with the world’s three most prominent
religions, Israel is steeped in history and conflict, much of which is known
through the tales of biblical figures such as Moses, David, Solomon, and
Jesus. But how much is history? And how much of the biblical record can be
verified through archaeology? Esteemed professor Eric H. Cline of the
George Washington University addresses these and other questions in this
fascinating series of lectures.
Available on Playaway
JERUSALEM: The Contested City
Professor F.E. Peters—New York University
Jerusalem is the center for the spiritual world’s three largest religions.
Throughout its history, Jerusalem has been known by many names: Salem, Zion,
Hierosolymae, Al-Quds and others, and no city has ever been in more dispute.
Twenty-six times a new group took over leadership of the city and thirty-five
times it was destroyed. In this course you’ll explore the fascinating history of this
great city. You’ll study a time when it was the center for Jewish religion. You’ll
see the contributions made to the city by the Jews, Christians and Muslims and
come to understand why each calls the city a holy place.
Available on Playaway
THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS: The Truth Behind the Mystique
Professor Lawrence H. Schiffman—New York University
The Dead Sea Scrolls are perhaps the most important archaeological
discovery of the twentieth century. These lectures set before the public the
real Dead Sea Scrolls, the most important collection of Jewish texts from the
centuries before the rise of Christianity. Only through efforts to understand what
the scrolls can teach us about the history of Judaism is it possible for us to learn
what they have to teach us about the history of Christianity, because Christianity
came into being only after these texts were composed and copied.
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21
THE SOcIAL ScIENcES
ancient histor y
ARCHAEOLOGY AND THE ILIAD:
The Trojan War in Homer and History
Professor Eric H. Cline—The George Washington University
The events of the Trojan War, captured forever in Homer’s epic poem the
Iliad, resonate to the present day in the popular imagination. But was the Trojan
War actually fought? Could Helen’s face alone really have launched a thousand
ships? This course examines the real history of Troy and delves into the archaeological discoveries (which continue to the present day) that help to answer the
questions above. Through an entertaining and incisive analysis of known data,
Professor Cline provides a fuller, richer understanding of this historic clash.
THE GLORY THAT WAS GREECE: Greek Art and Archaeology
Professor Jennifer Tobin—University of Illinois at Chicago
No ancient society has exerted greater influence on the development of
Western culture than the ancient Greeks. This illuminating course, conducted
by esteemed professor Jennifer Tobin, examines the development of Greek art
from the so-called Dark Age of the 11th century BC to 31 BC, the death of
Cleopatra of Egypt. While illustrating and celebrating the remarkable manner
in which Greek art and architecture advanced over roughly 1,000 years, each
lecture also shows how these achievements fit into Greek society itself.
Available on Playaway
THE GRANDEUR THAT WAS ROME: Roman Art and Archaeology
Professor Jennifer Tobin—University of Illinois at Chicago
Common perceptions of Ancient Rome are plentiful, whether they take the
form of crazy emperors hosting lavish feasts, scenes of chariot races and gladiatorial combat, or processions of conquering armies. But that is only half the story.
In this enlightening lecture series, Professor Jennifer Tobin presents a sweeping
portrait of Rome, including the lofty developments of senatorial government, historical writing, stunning art and architecture—and even the origins of long-lived
customs such as the Roman tradition of carrying a bride over the threshold.
Available on Playaway
ICONS OF THE IRON AGE: The Celts in History and Archaeology
Professor Susan A. Johnston—The George Washington University
A respected professor of anthropology and archaeology, Susan Johnston turns
her scholarly eye on one of history’s most fascinating peoples: the Celts. Based
on the writings of Greek and Roman historians, the archaeological record, and
Celtic lore that continues to this day, these lectures delve into Celtic history, art,
religion, and warfare. This exploration demonstrates who the Celts were and why
so many cultures claim Celtic ancestry. As entertaining as it is informative, Icons
of the Iron Age also addresses gender roles within the Celts and takes listeners
through the Roman invasion of the Celtic peoples.
Available on Playaway
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THE SOcIAL ScIENcES
ancient histor y
THE DECLINE AND FALL OF ROME
Professor Thomas F. Madden—Saint Louis University
Even millennia after its fall, the grand expanse of Roman achievement continues to affect the entire world. What caused a civilization of such accomplishments to disintegrate? In this informative and lively series of lectures, renowned
history professor Thomas F. Madden serves as the ultimate guide through the fall
of ancient Rome. Peopled with personages of great distinction and even greater
ambition, at once notable for humanity’s great promise and flawed nature, the
Roman Empire contributed many of history’s proudest advancements. Here
Professor Madden invites audiences to explore all the grandeur of this lost empire.
A HISTORY OF ANCIENT SPARTA:
Virtue, Valor, and Devotion in the Greek Golden Age
Professor Timothy B. Shutt—Kenyon College
Professor Timothy B. Shutt examines the history and culture of ancient Sparta,
a society renowned for military excellence and adherence to the values of courage,
discipline, and duty. Vastly outnumbered at the Battle of Thermopylae, the Spartan
“300” held off Persian forces before finally succumbing—but not without inflicting massive casualties and inspiring the rest of the Greeks. In this enlightening series of lectures, Professor Shutt delves into Spartan culture, examining its origins,
government, religion, and the major events that defined its history.
Available on Playaway
WARS THAT MADE THE WESTERN WORLD:
The Persian Wars, the Peloponnesian War, and the Punic Wars
Professor Timothy B. Shutt—Kenyon College
This course addresses three wars fought in antiquity, each of which had—
even two thousand years and more later—a decisive effect in shaping our
communal sense of who we are, not only in Europe, but throughout the
European cultural diaspora, in the Americas, in Oceania, and to some degree,
at least, in Asia and Africa as well—wherever, in short, Western values hold.
Each of these wars helped, in profound and perhaps surprising ways, to shape,
even still, our ideals, our identity, and our values.
HEBREWS, GREEKS, AND ROMANS:
The Foundations of Western Civilization
Professor Timothy B. Shutt—Kenyon College
In this course we will examine the culture of the ancient Hebrews, of the ancient Greeks, and of the Romans, and how these cultures interacted with each
other. In the process we will focus on how the questions they addressed and the
answers they found live among us and continue to shape our lives to this very
day. We will focus on events taking place in the Mediterranean basin, the fundamental homeland, or cultural hearth of Western Civilization from about 1200
BCE, before the Common Era, to about 600 CE.
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23
THE SOcIAL ScIENcES
biographies
ALEXANDER OF MACEDONIA: The World Conquered
Professor Robin Lane Fox—New College, Oxford
Alexander the Great is the most famous king and conqueror known in the
ancient world. In his lifetime, he was given honors equal to those of the gods.
After his death, he became a legend and the “Alexander Romance” became the
best-selling fiction of the medieval world. Esteemed Professor Robin Lane Fox
has made the study of Alexander of Macedon the focus of his brilliant career. In
these lectures, Professor Fox answers questions about Alexander that have percolated throughout history: Why did Alexander succeed? What was he like? How
did he change the world and its history?
Available on Playaway
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
Professor H.W. Brands—Texas A&M University
Chandler, balladeer, poet, printer, writer, humorist, satirist, swimmer, businessman, inventor, philosopher, soldier, administrator, scientist, politician, ladies’
man, musician, humanitarian, philanthropist—Benjamin Franklin was a man of
many interests. This course focuses on his life and his influence on history. His
contributions through inventions, scientific investigation, and political thought
still echo over two hundred years after his passing. A man of his time and of his
place, Franklin sought not only to enlighten himself, but also to help shed a new
light of reason and self-government to all who would pay heed.
Available on Playaway
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF MARK TWAIN
Professor Michael Shelden—Indiana State University
Professor of English at Indiana State University and the author of the
literary biography Mark Twain: Man in White, Michael Shelden is the
perfect candidate to lead this series of lectures on one of the most important—and most influential—of all American authors. From Twain’s early
history through his landmark achievements and the defining moments of his
extraordinary life, Shelden imparts a learned understanding of both the man
and his astounding body of work.
Available on Playaway
WINSTON CHURCHILL: Man of the Century
Professor John Ramsden—Queen Mary University of London
Winston Churchill was seen even in his own lifetime as a historic figure, one
of the great men of world history, commemorated all across the world in statues,
memorials, streets and schools named after him, and on memorabilia. By his own
effort and willpower, Churchill inspired the West in the fights against Fascism
and Communism in the 1940s, the consequences of which remain very much
with us today. This course of lectures explores Churchill’s extraordinary life and
his remarkable range of skills and achievements in a 60-year-long public life. It
seeks to answer the question, “What was it that was great in Winston Churchill?”
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THE SOcIAL ScIENcES
economics
BIG PICTURE INVESTING
Professor Peter Navarro—University of California-Irvine
In this course you’ll learn to understand how and why macroeconomic forces
move the stock market. Through careful illustration of modern techniques for
successful stock picking, Professor Peter Navarro will teach you how to manage
your money and risk to maximize gains and minimize losses. The three main lesson objectives of this course are to illustrate why a big picture view is essential to
profiting in the stock market, to examine some of the most common mistakes
investors make, and to be able to talk frankly about the commitment, resources
and temperament you will need to succeed.
Available on Playaway
THE BIG PICTURE MBA:
What Every Business School Graduate Knows
Professor Peter Navarro—University of California-Irvine
This course is designed to give listeners an overview of the MBA degree—
one of the most valuable graduate degrees available. The focus is on the major
courses taught in the core curriculum at any one of the top fifty business schools
in the United States. We begin with an overview of the MBA core curriculum
then proceed systematically through each of the major courses taught at America’s top business schools—from accounting, finance, and marketing to economics, organizational behavior, and strategy.
Available on Playaway
PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMICS:
Business, Banking, Finance, and Your Everyday Life
Professor Peter Navarro—University of California-Irvine
This course introduces macroeconomics and microeconomics. Macroeconomics focuses on the big economic picture—how national and global
economies perform. It helps us understand problems like unemployment,
inflation, and trade deficits. In contrast, microeconomics is the behavior of individual markets—businesses, consumers, investors, and workers. Microeconomics
focuses on issues such as how prices are set, how wages are determined, and why
the government sometimes regulates industries.
WAKING DRAGON:
The Emerging Chinese Economy and Its Impact on the World
Professor Peter Navarro—University of California-Irvine
China has emerged as the “factory floor” for global production, providing
the world with cheap goods at the astonishingly low “China Price.” But there is a
very steep price to pay for these low-budget consumables—a price that very well
may have dire consequences for the health and security of the planet. The stark
fact is that the current course of events foreshadows an extremely difficult future
for the United States and for the world as a whole.
Call 1-877-732-2898 or visit www.recordedbooks.com
25
THE SOcIAL ScIENcES
political science
THE AMERICAN LEGAL EXPERIENCE
Professor Lawrence Friedman—Stanford University
The legal system in America is the basis of freedom as we know it today.
The system is based, ultimately, on the common law of England, but it has
grown, developed, and changed over the years. American law has been a critical
factor in American life since colonial times. It has played a role in shaping society, but society—the structure, culture, economy, and politics of the country—
has decisively shaped the law. Through history, the legal system has been
intimately involved with every major issue in American life: race relations,
the economy, the family, crime, and issues of equality and justice.
THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY:
From Theodore Roosevelt to Ronald Reagan
Professor Robert Dallek—Boston University
The twentieth-century American presidency is something of a mystery. Some
presidents performed exceptionally well in office, displaying strong leadership
and winning the respect of the American people as well as the rest of the world.
Others fell short of expectations and are remembered at best as marginal chief
executives. What was it that allowed some to rise to greatness while others failed?
These lectures examine the strengths and weaknesses of the presidents as well as
the times in which they served.
Available on Playaway
FUNDAMENTAL CASES: The Twentieth-Century Courtroom Battles
That Changed Our Nation
Professor Alan M. Dershowitz
The courtroom trial has fascinated human beings from the beginning of
recorded history. Trials provide a unique window into American history and
the sense of America’s enduring commitment to law. What’s a great trial? People
will often say the trial of the moment. But those trials are often not enduring.
Esteemed professor and civil liberties lawyer Alan M. Dershowitz looks at
history through the prism of several important trials. Each of these trials
presents a dramatic snapshot of the nation at the time in which it occurred.
Available on Playaway
THE LAW OF THE LAND: A History of the Supreme Court
Professor Kermit L. Hall—Utah State University
Available on Playaway
26
The Supreme Court of the United States represents our most unusual and
least understood branch of government. The high court marches to an overtly
legal drummer, one that demands there be cases and controversies, there be
lawyers who function as adversaries, and that all arguments be made in open
court. On the other hand, its justices are appointed. They enjoy independence
from the direct winds of politics, yet no one would dispute that the justices also
shape and are shaped by politics. In the end, the Court is a living, breathing institution whose members have as often as not either been vilified or praised for both
the quality of their legal reasoning and the political impact of their decisions.
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THE SOcIAL ScIENcES
political
sociolog
sciencey
THE PEOPLE AND THE BALLOT:
A History of American Party Politics
Professor Joshua Kaplan—University of Notre Dame
The study of political parties gets straight to the heart of American politics.
The story of political parties is about how we get along with one another. This
course provides an understanding of how American politics works and can help
make sense of election results and political trends. By understanding political
parties, we can better understand what is going on in American politics today
and in which direction American politics may be going.
POLITICAL THEORY:
The Classic Texts and Their Continuing Relevance
Professor Joshua Kaplan—University of Notre Dame
Political theory is like slow food in a fast-food world. We often crave simple
answers when we feel overwhelmed by events we cannot understand and cannot
control, but in the end, the answers do not satisfy or nourish us. The classic
texts, as presented by Professor Kaplan, can speak to us today, wherever we are.
Political theory does this better than many other subjects, because the theorist
wants us to look around and think about the specifics of the world around us,
and to lift our heads to see farther than we normally do.
THE TIBER AND THE POTOMAC:
Rome, America, and Empires of Trust
Professor Thomas F. Madden—Saint Louis University
Available on Playaway
These intriguing lectures are based on a fascinating premise: that the
United States has more in common with the rising Roman Republic than
with the declining Roman Empire. The Tiber and the Potomac explores the
amazing parallels between history’s two most unusual superpowers. Both
nations built empires based on trust, skillfully making friends of enemies.
Madden not only reveals these often surprising similarities, but he also extracts
useful principles from history, including vital lessons from Rome’s 100-year
struggle with terrorism.
VISIONS OF UTOPIA: Philosophy and the Perfect Society
Professor Fred E. Baumann—Kenyon College
Since ancient times, philosophers have struggled with the concept of the
ideal society, or utopia. Many have contributed to the widely varying possibilities
for just what such a system might entail. Religious, economic, and political
structures all help to shape the composition of these utopias, and as these visions
are shared, they impact the way subsequent utopias are envisioned. In this fascinating series of lectures, Professor Fred E. Baumann explores the “perfect” societies that have been described by great thinkers throughout history. His analysis
provides insight on the nature of utopias and their place in society.
Call 1-877-732-2898 or visit www.recordedbooks.com
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THE SOcIAL ScIENcES
religious histor y
FROM JESUS TO CHRISTIANITY: A History of the Early Church
Professor Thomas F. Madden—Saint Louis University
Entrusting the apostles to continue the work he had started by instructing
them to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit . . .,” Jesus kindled the fires of a
new religion in a world largely dominated by polytheism, cult-leader worship,
and mysticism. Christianity was both welcomed and villified throughout the
Roman Empire. Martyrdom, political intrigue, theological beliefs, and finally,
adoption as the official faith of the Roman state all contributed to the growth of
Christianity into one of the world’s dominant religions.
Available on Playaway
THE QUEST: The Historians’ Search for Jesus and Muhammad
Professor F.E. Peters—New York University
Esteemed professor emeritus F.E. Peters compares the similarities and differences in the dual searches for the historical Jesus and the historical Muhammad.
These quests have been the focus of considerable effort since the lifetime of each
of these venerated figures. Using the primary tools of historical inquiry and the
evidence discovered by both believers and unbelievers in the faiths established by
Jesus and Muhammad, Professor Peters provides an insightful look into the results thus far found and the surprising truths uncovered.
Available on Playaway
UPON THIS ROCK: A History of the Papacy from Peter to John Paul II
Professor Thomas F. Madden—Saint Louis University
In this compelling series of lectures, widely esteemed author and professor
Thomas F. Madden illustrates how the papacy, the world’s oldest institution,
gave birth to the West. With a learned approach and incisive analysis, Professor
Madden not only provides a history of the papacy, but sheds light on the personalities of the popes and the flavor of their pontificates. Madden demonstrates
how the papacy has survived the tumultuous cauldron of history and offers a
studied commentary on the future of this resilient institution.
“GOD WILLS IT!”: Understanding the Crusades
Professor Thomas F. Madden—Saint Louis University
For over 400 years, crusaders (“those signed by the cross”), out of Christian
zeal, a declared love for their fellow man, and, in many cases, a simple desire for
fortune, glory, and heavenly reward, marched to the Holy Land to battle both a
real and perceived threat to their way of life and their religious beliefs. Renowned
scholar Professor Thomas F. Madden gives the listener not just another historical
rendering of the Crusades, but a detailed understanding of the numerous reasons—religious, political, personal, and more—for why and how the Crusades
were undertaken and their continuing effects on the modern world.
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SOcIAL ScIENcES
religious histor y
ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC, AND APOSTOLIC:
A History of the Church in the Middle Ages
Professor Thomas F. Madden—Saint Louis University
Professor Thomas F. Madden turns his scholarly eye on the intrigue and politics swirling about the Medieval Church. The compelling events that shaped the
culture and altered history from the Monophysite Controversy to the Inquisition,
Black Death, and Great Schism are explored. This is a history populated with
larger-than-life characters such as Charlemagne, Pope Innocent III, and the
Knights Templar. Professor Madden’s captivating lectures provide a better understanding not only of the Medieval Church, but of the modern world that followed.
HEAVEN OR HERESY: A History of the Inquisition
Professor Thomas F. Madden—Saint Louis University
For many, the Inquisition conjures Gothic images of cloaked figures and
barbarous torture chambers. So enmeshed is this view of the Inquisition in
popular culture that such scenes play out even in comedies such as Mel Brooks’
History of the World and Monty Python’s Flying Circus. But is this a fair portrayal?
And how was the Inquisition perceived in its own time? Professor Thomas F.
Madden of Saint Louis University delivers a stimulating series of lectures exploring
all facets of the Inquisition, including the religious and political climate of its time
and the Inquisition’s relationship to heresy and reformation.
CHRISTIANITY AT THE CROSSROADS:
The Reformations of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries
Professor Thomas F. Madden—Saint Louis University
Esteemed history professor and widely published author Thomas F. Madden
explores the reformations that swept across Christendom in the 16th and 17th
centuries. The impact of these reforms affected government, popes, and kings as
well as commoners, for at this time the Church was an omnipresent part of European identity. With the panache of a skilled storyteller and the learned insight
of a dedicated historian, Professor Madden explores the tempestuous, high-stakes
intrigue of religion and politics being shaped at the highest level.
Available on Playaway
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE MODERN AGE
Professor Thomas F. Madden—Saint Louis University
As the world entered the modern age, the Catholic Church faced new
challenges to its authority, both from without and within. As one of the planet’s
oldest institutions, the Church had already survived sixteen centuries, but as
winds of change altered the global landscape, the Church’s very existence would
be called into question. Professor Thomas F. Madden leads these compelling
lectures, focusing on a Church both adapting to a world in flux and striving to
exert its influence and power.
Call 1-877-732-2898 or visit www.recordedbooks.com
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sociolog y
COMMUNICATION MATTERS I:
He Said/She Said: Men, Women, and Language
Professor Deborah Tannen—Georgetown University
Available on Playaway
This course focuses on the patterns that distinguish how men and women
use language in their everyday lives and on the differences and the similarities in
conversations and relationships between women and men. Every aspect of our
lives involves talking to people of the other sex—in our personal relationships,
our families, and at work. In these lectures, Professor Deborah Tannen reveals
why cross-gender communication is also cross-cultural, drawing on her own research and that of other experts in the fields of linguistics, anthropology, sociology, education, and psychology.
COMMUNICATION MATTERS II: “That’s Not What I Meant!”:
The Sociolinguistics of Everyday Conversation
Professor Deborah Tannen—Georgetown University
This lecture series draws on linguistics, or the scientific study of language,
to show the many ways in which language affects human relationships. The
lectures address the various aspects and implications of “conversational style”
and the dynamics of specific situations, such as the workplace and classroom.
These lectures help to make sense of language and thereby improve
communication with friends, spouses, and coworkers.
FEMINISM AND THE FUTURE OF WOMEN
Professor Estelle B. Freedman—Stanford University
Since the time of the abolitionists, no movement has so politicized social life
in the United States as feminism. Responsible for wide-ranging legislation, feminists have fought their way to the center of the country’s political dialogue and
made themselves a major presence there. Yet even under the most intense political pressure, feminism has continued to grow. It has evolved from a women’s
movement concerned with the rights of mostly white, middle- and upper-class
women to an ideology that embraces women from communities of color to a
movement of international solidarity that pleads the cause of oppressed women
around the world.
IN MICHELANGELO’S SHADOW: The Mystery of Modern Italy
Professor Joseph Luzzi—Bard College
The director of Italian studies at Bard College, Professor Joseph Luzzi leads a
comprehensive overview of Italian culture. Beginning in the fabled realm of Renaissance art and concluding with the sweeping transformations of present-day
Italy, Professor Luzzi examines the Italian mystique and answers a number of intriguing questions: Is there a distinctly “Italian” way of looking at the world? To
whom do Italian Renaissance treasures truly belong? Could the United States as
known today exist without the contributions of Italian culture?
Available on Playaway
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THE SOcIAL ScIENcES
world histor y
THE PEOPLE’S DYNASTY: Culture and Society in Modern China
Professor Robert J. Shepherd—The George Washington University
The state-directed opening of the Chinese economy in 1979 led to a number
of radical transformations within Chinese society, but Western understanding of
these changes is often limited by erroneous assumptions. Offering a clear picture
of the vast economic and social forces of modern-day China, Professor Robert J.
Shepherd addresses U.S. investment in China, China’s startling economic
growth, state vs. society issues in the vast republic, and the effect of social and
cultural change on the Chinese people.
Available on Playaway
RELIGION, MYTH, AND MAGIC: The Anthropology of Religion
Professor Susan A. Johnston—The George Washington University
Anthropologist Susan Johnston turns a scholarly eye on one of humankind’s
primary interests throughout history: the spiritual belief system. Beginning her
lectures with an attempt to define religion, Professor Johnston continues this
intriguing study with an examination of mythology and symbols, rituals and
witchcraft, gender, politics, and religion’s place in the many customs surrounding death. A continuing and often contentious presence in the world today, religion, from its origins to the present, is a key component for understanding
communities and cultures all over the globe.
Available on Playaway
world histor y
EMPIRE OF GOLD: A History of the Byzantine Empire
Professor Thomas F. Madden—Saint Louis University
In Empire of Gold: A History of the Byzantine Empire, esteemed university
professor Thomas F. Madden offers a fascinating history of the remarkable culture and state that developed out of the ancient Roman Empire, particularly its
eastern portion, throughout the Middle Ages. The story begins at an ending, that
of the Roman Empire, in the third century AD, and continues over the next one
thousand years. With incisive commentary, Professor Madden leads a discussion
covering Justinian’s reconquest of the West, the great city of Constantinople, and
the aftermath and influence of this extraordinary empire.
Available on Playaway
A HISTORY OF VENICE: Queen of the Seas
Professor Thomas F. Madden—Saint Louis University
Professor Thomas F. Madden focuses his expertise on what has been called
the most beautiful city in the world—Venice. In these lectures, Professor Madden
explains how the city on the lagoon was established by refugees escaping the
onslaught of northern “barbarians” invading the crumbling Roman Empire.
Through its history, Venice housed the world’s leading merchants, thrived as a
maritime powerhouse, and developed into an independent republic not unlike
the present United States. Venice draws millions of visitors each year, and these
lectures shed light on why the city is such a continual source of fascination.
Available on Playaway
Call 1-800-636-3399 to order
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THE SOcIAL ScIENcES
world histor y
THE MEDIEVAL WORLD I: Kingdoms, Empires, and War
Professor Thomas F. Madden—Saint Louis University
A widely recognized expert on pre-modern history, Professor Thomas F.
Madden launches the first of a two-part series on the medieval world. This allencompassing investigation of a highly influential time period includes the
major events of the era and informative discussion of empire, the papacy, the
Crusades, and the fall of Constantinople. During the course of these lectures,
Professor Madden also addresses the rise of Islam, reform movements, and
schisms in the church. In so doing, he underscores the significance and grand
scale of an age that continues to hold an undeniable fascination today.
Available on Playaway
THE MEDIEVAL WORLD II: Society, Economy, and Culture
Professor Thomas F. Madden—Saint Louis University
Historian Thomas F. Madden concludes his two-part series on the
medieval world in this study of day-to-day life during this time period and
the momentous events that occurred during the last centuries of the Medieval
Era. With scholarly aplomb, Professor Madden discusses such intriguing topics
as the legacy of Rome, Christianity, Gothic architecture, and courtly literature.
The course also provides listeners with fresh new insight into two subjects that
helped to define the era: the Inquisition and the Black Death.
Available on Playaway
JOURNEYS OF THE GREAT EXPLORERS: Columbus to Cook
Professor Glyndwr Williams—Queen Mary, University of London
One of the most dramatic periods in world history is the age of Europe’s discovery of the world from Columbus and da Gama in the late fifteenth century to
the voyages of James Cook in the eighteenth century. Interspersed with accounts
of individual voyages will be lectures that explain the more general and technical
aspects of the voyages: improvements in ship design and navigation, constraints
of wind and current, living conditions on board ship, and problems of health
and discipline.
THE INCAS: Inside an American Empire
Professor Terence N. D’Altroy—Columbia University
The Incas were a small ethnic group from the southern Peruvian highlands
who created the greatest empire ever seen in the independent Americas. The
course begins with the encounter between the Spaniards and the Incas in 1532
that led to the downfall of Tawantinsuyu (The Four Parts Together), as the Incas
called their vast domain in the South American Andes. The course then explains
what kinds of information are available to understand Incas, who did not have
their own writing system, as did most ancient empires. Instead, we have to rely
on Spanish chroniclers, their observations, interviews with the Incas, and on
modern archaeology.
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THE SOcIAL ScIENcES
world histor y
EPOCHS OF EUROPEAN CIVILIZATION I: Antiquity to Renaissance
Professor Geoffrey Hosking—University College London
In the first of a two-part lecture series about the countless events of European
history and their meanings, Professor Geoffrey Hosking relates the incredible
stories of past societies and individuals from early Jewish settlements to the
Greek and Roman empires, to the basis of modern economies begun during the
Renaissance. While telling us about the notable ideas formulated in past epochs
that have lived on to the present—and those that didn’t—Professor Hosking
provides a critical scholarly analysis coupled with clear examples to help students
reach an understanding about the first several millennia of Western civilization.
EPOCHS OF EUROPEAN CIVILIZATION II:
Reformation to the Twenty-First Century
Professor Geoffrey Hosking—University College London
The period stretching from the Reformation to the twenty-first century
proved a time of radical change for Europe—and with the continent’s farreaching influence, for the entire world as well. This course provides a greater
understanding of the role played by such influential figures as Luther, Calvin,
Napoleon, and Stalin, among others. Further, the importance of this epoch in
European history is expounded upon in an analysis that will shed new light on
the present and the future of global politics.
THE ENLIGHTENMENT: Reason, Tolerance, and Humanity
Professor James Schmidt—Boston University
The Enlightenment stands at the threshold of the modern age. It elevated the
natural sciences to the preeminent position they enjoy in modern culture. In this
course, Professor Schmidt helps us explore this remarkable period. He discusses
the works of such influential thinkers as Voltaire, Denis Diderot, Adam Smith,
and Benjamin Franklin and leads us through the many innovations of their times
from coffeehouses and salons to political debates and revolution. Professor
Schmidt gives a balanced view of the period, highlighting its shortcomings and
its contributions to civilization.
LIBERTY AND ITS PRICE: Understanding the French Revolution
Professor Donald M.G. Sutherland—University of Maryland
Esteemed professor Donald M.G. Sutherland provides a riveting account of
the French Revolution, explaining how its effects varied greatly according to regional economies, social structures, and religious affiliations. He examines how
massive counter-revolutionary movements profoundly affected the course of the
Revolution, leading to the failure of constitutional government and, ultimately, to
an elitist dictatorship (in the person of Napoleon Bonaparte) that paved the way
for many of the struggles of the nineteenth century.
Available on Playaway
Call 1-877-732-2898 or visit www.recordedbooks.com
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THE SOcIAL ScIENcES
world histor y
RESOLUTE DETERMINATION: Napoleon and the French Empire
Professor Donald M.G. Sutherland—University of Maryland
In these extraordinary lectures, Professor Donald M.G. Sutherland explores
the life and times of Napoleon, one of history’s most brilliant strategic thinkers.
But despite his inarguable brilliance, Napoleon has also been denounced as unscrupulously ambitious and as alone responsible for the wars that bear his name.
With his scholarly eye, Professor Sutherland imparts a fuller understanding of
this polarizing figure and deftly shows how Napoleon fit into the sweep of history—and how he helped to define it.
Available on Playaway
HIGH SEAS, HIGH STAKES: Naval Battles That Changed History
Professor Timothy B. Shutt—Kenyon College
Naval battles have long captured the popular imagination, from
confrontations between Athens and Sparta in the ancient world to the epic
conflicts that took place during the World Wars and beyond. In this riveting
series of lectures, Professor Timothy B. Shutt of Kenyon College explores the
naval battles that have helped to establish empires and have changed history.
With studied insight into the events that have shaped the world over the
millennia, Professor Shutt imparts an understanding and appreciation for the
importance of naval warfare in world history.
THE WORLD’S FIRST SUPERPOWER I:
The Rise of the British Empire from 1497 to 1901
Professor Denis Judd—London Metropolitan University
This course examines the growth and development of the largest empire in
world history—the British Empire—beginning with the late fifteenth-century
Tudor dynasty and ending with the death of the Queen-Empress Victoria in
1901. Despite its global power and the emergence of Britain by the beginning of
the nineteenth century as the world’s first true superpower, the British Empire
had very humble, small-scale origins.
THE WORLD’S FIRST SUPERPOWER II:
From Empire to Commonwealth, 1901–Present
Professor Denis Judd—London Metropolitan University
In the second part of a two-part course on the nearly six-century-long history
of the British Empire, Professor Denis Judd picks up the narrative at the
beginning of the 20th century. The fascinating saga unfolds from the death of
Queen Victoria, through the First World War, the resulting tensions and divisions
created within the Empire after the war, the enormous energy and resources the
Empire used to fight World War II, and the final solution of Commonwealth
reached in its aftermath and to the present day.
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world histor y
DARWIN, DARWINISM, AND THE MODERN WORLD
Professor Chandak Sengoopta—University of London
This course will introduce the major themes of Darwin’s works and explore
their impacts on science and society from 1859 to the present. In response to
Darwin’s 1859 treatise, On the Origin of Species, Darwinism was variously attacked, defended, debated, modified, ridiculed, and championed. No biologist
after 1859 could ignore Darwin’s theories and few areas of thought and culture
remained immune to their influence.
WORLD WAR I: The Great War and the World It Made
Professor John Ramsden—Queen Mary University of London
“The Great War,” as it was known at the time, was also said to be the “war to
end all wars.” It seized all of Europe and much of the rest of the world in its grip
of death and destruction. The first truly modern war, it changed how war—and
peace—would be conducted throughout the remainder of the twentieth century
and into the present.
SIX MONTHS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD:
The Paris Peace Conference of 1919
Professor Margaret MacMillan—University of Toronto
For six months in 1919, the world’s major leaders met to discuss the peace
settlements to end World War I. They faced huge issues and, as the weeks went
by, their agenda grew. To understand what happened in Paris in 1919 is to understand our century. The burial requiems for the old world were sung there and
the new world made its uneasy start. But, above all, it was about building a better world. Could there be a peaceful and just international order? The question is
still with us today.
Available on Playaway
THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION: From Tsarism to Bolshevism
Dr. Jonathan D. Smele—Queen Mary University of London
The Russian Revolution of 1917 was a key turning point in the history of
modern Europe and the world. For much of the twentieth century, politics were
defined by attitudes to what had taken place in Russia in 1917. To understand
the Russian Revolution, then, is to understand a key building block of modern
history and the contemporary world. Renowned Russian researcher Dr. Jonathan
Smele sheds new light on the many forces that came to bear in tsarist Russia,
from the emancipation of the serfs in the mid-nineteenth century to the climactic revolutions of the early twentieth century.
Available on Playaway
Call 1-877-732-2898 or visit www.recordedbooks.com
35
THE NATURAL ScIENcES
UNDERSTANDING THE HOLOCAUST
Professor David Engel—New York University
In Understanding the Holocaust, Professor David Engel of New York University examines the encounter between Germany’s Third Reich and the Jews of the
twenty European countries that fell under Nazi domination between 1933 and
1945. Engel explores the reasons behind the Holocaust and attempts to enter
into the minds of the participants. From the origins of the idea behind the
killing campaign to the notions of modernity that many blame for creating the
possibility for such a happening, Engel offers an illuminating analysis of the
twentieth century’s great tragedy.
MYTHS AND MYSTERIES IN ARCHAEOLOGY:
Professor Susan A. Johnston—The George Washington University
In these eye-opening lectures, Professor Susan A. Johnston of the George
Washington University applies an archaeological perspective to the biggest myths
and mysteries in world history. Examining prominent theories and available evidence in a scholarly light, Professor Johnston introduces her audience to the scientific method, demonstrating the most reasonable course for determining
whether one's beliefs have merit, or are perhaps less than satisfying when held up
to more rigorous examination.
Available on Playaway
natural sciences
ASTRONOMY I: Earth, Sky, and Planets
Professor James B. Kaler—University of Illinois
Esteemed Professor James B. Kaler begins our study of astronomy with a
unifying overview of the Universe that provides a broad context into which we
place the objects of our planetary system. The course then divides into four overlapping portions. The first explores the Earth and the layout of the sky. In the
second, we examine the physical laws that control what we see. The heart of the
course examines the planets themselves, and reveals how they are constructed
and how they differ. The final segment shows what we have learned of the Solar
System’s creation, and then back again to Earth.
Available on Playaway
ASTRONOMY II: Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe
Professor James B. Kaler—University of Illinois
Even to the unaided eye, the sky displays a richness of sights. Over the past
century, our vision has taken us far beyond the home Galaxy into the vastness of
the Universe, where we find we are hardly alone. As far as we can see are countless other galaxies of all shapes and sizes set within an ever-expanding space that
was created in a “Big Bang” nearly 14 billion years ago. Come then on a voyage
that begins with our very own star, the Sun. Along the way we will visit the
births, lives, and deaths of stars, explore their circling planets, their groups and
galaxies, and all the stuff in the spaces between them.
Available on Playaway
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THE NATURAL
HUMANITIES
ScIENcES
literature
HEAVENS ABOVE: Stars, Constellations, and the Sky
Professor James B. Kaler—University of Illinois
Have you ever gone outside at night to admire the stars? And wonder what
they all are, and what stories they have to tell? This course guides listeners
through the sights of the naked-eye sky, wherein we directly witness the effects of
the turning and revolving of the Earth, the artistry painted by the human mind
using the sky and stars. Learn why the Big Dipper, not a true “constellation,”
might be seen all night, or why the Southern Cross is invisible from New York.
Find out the meanings of the celestial figures, where they came from, and why
we still use them today thousands of years after the first ones were invented.
BEHOLD THE MIGHTY DINOSAUR
Professor John Kricher—Wheaton College
Renowned ornithologist John Kricher presents a fact-based look at dinosaurs
and at a time scientists knew little about just a few generations ago. Aside from
birds, all dinosaurs have been extinct for 65 million years, yet, before then, they
dominated the Earth for about 160 million years, far longer than humans have
been around. In these entertaining and informative lectures, Professor Kricher
shows why these incredible creatures continue to excite our interest to the present day.
Available on Playaway
GLOBAL WARMING, GLOBAL THREAT
Professor Michael B. McElroy—Harvard University
The issue of global warming has captured the attention of people worldwide
over the past twenty years. Scientists studying the effects of human activities on
the global environment today believe we are changing the climate of the planet
on a global basis. We are warming the Earth, but are we risking the health of our
planet? What are the negative consequences of these actions? This course considers the complex interdependent systems that regulate the environment of Earth
and offers listeners a comprehensive overview of the essential environmental issues of our time.
Available on Playaway
FUELING THE PLANET: The Past, Present, and Future of Energy
Professor Michael B. McElroy—Harvard University
Renowned professor Michael B. McElroy leads a comprehensive examination
of energy, including its history, use in the world today, and environmental consequences. Whether discussing the “oil shocks” of the 1970s, the current reliance
on imported oil, or the growing buildup of carbon dioxide in the planet’s atmosphere, it is clear that energy represents one of the world’s most daunting challenges. In these informed, easy-to-follow lectures, Professor McElroy imparts a
clear understanding of energy—in all its applications—and offers a vision for a
clean, safe, and sustainable future.
Available on Playaway
Call 1-800-636-3399 to order
37
THE NATURAL ScIENcES
ECOLOGICAL PLANET: An Introduction to Earth’s Major Ecosystems
Professor John Kricher—Wheaton College
Renowned ornithologist John Kricher presents an absorbing analysis of the
diverse ecosystems that exist on Planet Earth. He provides a factual study of the
many fragile and threatened portions of our biosphere while giving a thorough
description of the interaction between systems and the effect of man’s presence
in them. Professor Kricher explains the amazing variety of flora and fauna that
inhabit the individual ecosystems and synthesizes current ecological issues
facing mankind.
UNSEEN DIVERSITY: The World of Bacteria
Professor Betsey Dexter Dyer—Wheaton College
Bacteria are the most overlooked organisms on your nature walk. You see
birds, trees, and wildflowers. You may even examine fungi, rock formations,
mosses, and insects. However, it is likely that you are not seeing bacteria even
though you may know they are there in countless numbers, far outnumbering
the other organisms, and that their influence on the environment is vast and
profound. Professor Dyer examines the role of bacteria as major players in Earth’s
biodiversity. In the course of these fascinating lectures, Professor Dyer delves into
the history of microbiology. This course serves as both a field guide for curious
naturalists and a friendly introduction to the world of bacteria and archaea.
HUMAN ANATOMY: The Beauty of Form and Function
Professor John K. Young—Howard University College of Medicine
Our bodies perform an amazing number and variety of tasks that we literally could not live without. Renowned scholar John K. Young provides a fascinating look at how the human body is constructed, how it employs its different
parts to our advantage, and how it can malfunction if not properly maintained.
Professor Young describes not only the basic anatomical bones and organs that
constitute our physical form, but also the role each plays in the synchronized
effort to keep us alive.
THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF HUMAN LIFE:
Understanding Mature Cells and Stem Cells
Professor John K. Young—Howard University College of Medicine
Every human is composed of an amazing assortment of cells and tissues that
carry out myriad functions necessary for sustaining life. In clear, concise language,
Professor Young explains the basic categories of cells and tissues and then delves
into their specialized functions, whether it be for muscle cells or the cells of reproductive organs and the highly unusual entities known as “extreme” cells. He then
takes audiences on a fascinating journey of discovery, where a complex scheme of
activity is taking place all the time, literally just beneath the surface.
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THE NATURAL ScIENcES
THE BASICS OF GENETICS
Professor Betsey Dexter Dyer—Wheaton College
Professor Betsey Dexter Dyer examines the wide-ranging field of genetics,
which is the study of the hereditary information of organisms, how it is used,
and how it is transferred through generations. These fascinating lectures also address DNA sequences and how they apply to “genetic engineering,” viruses, and
genetic diseases such as cancers and birth defects. In addition to examining why
people look and act the way they do, the course also considers the philosophical
issues associated with such controversial topics as cloning and genetic ID cards.
Available on Playaway
EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY I: The Science of Human Nature
Allen D. MacNeill—Cornell University
“Why do we do what we do?” In Part I of this thought-provoking series of
lectures, Allen D. MacNeill examines the surprising—and sometimes unsettling—answers to this most basic of human questions. The remarkable new
field of evolutionary psychology takes a scientific approach to the evolution of
human nature. Analyzing human behavior in relation to food, clothing, shelter,
health care, and sex, Evolutionary Psychology proves an immensely stimulating
exploration of human endeavor.
Available on Playaway
BREWMASTER’S ART: The History and Science of Beermaking
Professor Charles W. Bamforth—University of California, Davis
With origins 8,000 years in the past, beer brewing has held a prominent
place in many diverse cultures the world over. A university professor with more
than 30 years’ experience in the brewing industry, Professor Charles W. Bamforth is ideally suited to lead these engaging lectures on beermaking. With infectious enthusiasm, Professor Bamforth provides an informative look at brewing
today, including commentary on the complexity and balance of flavors that
make beer (in its wide range of styles) such a uniquely satisfying beverage.
Available on Playaway
MORE EXCITING MODERN SCHOLAR COURSES COMING IN 2011. . .
• The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World—Professor Jennifer Tobin
• Crime Scene Investigation: Part One—Professor Robert C. Shaler
• Citadels of Power: Castles in History and Archaeology—Professor Thomas J. Finan
• Understanding Nanotechnology I: A Bridge to the Future—Professor Deborah G. Sauder
• The Second Oldest Profession: A World History of Espionage I—Professor Jeffrey Burds
• Lessons of Literature: The Art of Slow Reading—Professor Joseph Luzzi
• Rock ’n Roll America: Part One: The 1950s—Professor William McKeen
• The World of Children’s Literature—Professor Kimberley Reynolds
Call 1-877-732-2898 or visit www.recordedbooks.com
39
THE MODERN ScHOLAR
The Social Feed
Our social sites allow you and your
patrons to share breaking news about
upcoming Modern Scholar courses, listen to
podcast interviews with our professors, join
in discussions about the courses, and be
informed about items of interest in the world
of audio lectures and academia. You can
also suggest courses that you think should
be included in the Modern Scholar series!
The Modern Scholar Blog
http://themodernscholar.wordpress.com
The Modern Scholar on Facebook
www.facebook.com/pages/The-Modern-Scholar
The Modern Scholar on Twitter
http://twitter.com/RBModernScholar
© RECORDED BOOKS, LLC/COURTESY OF ADAM POTKAY
Podcast interviews with our
professors are available on
iTunes, Stitcher Radio, and
our blog.
Professor Adam Potkay
(The College of William &
Mary) during his recording
sessions at our New York
studios in 2009.
40
See page 41 for ordering information
ORDERING INFORMATION
THE CONTINUOUS ORDER PLAN
The easiest and most cost-effective way to add new releases to your collection, the
Continuous Order Plan (COP) automatically ships the latest titles directly to you each
quarter at a considerable discount.
All titles on CD are priced at $98.75. Four titles are shipped each quarter on the CD
COP with a 35% discount, bringing the price to $64.19 per title.
All Modern Scholar on Playaway are priced at $59.75. Five titles are shipped each
quarter on the Playaway COP, which gives you a 5% discount, bringing the price to
$56.76 per title.
The MODeRN SChOlAR CONTiNuOuS ORDeR PlAN eSTiMATeD PRiCiNg
CD COP 4
4 titles per quarter
$260 per quarter
$1,040 per year
Playaway COP 5
5 titles per quarter
$294 per quarter
$1,176 per year
Another great way to save is by purchasing individual titles on CD.* The more you
purchase, the more you save: 30 or more titles will give you a 30% discount, 20 to 29
titles will give you a 20% discount, and 1 to 19 titles will give you a 15% discount.
Free MARC records and free replacements for damaged or defective products
for one year from date of purchase are available.
*Note: How to Listen To and Appreciate Jazz by Professor Ted Buehrer is specially priced at
$127.75 (before discount). This course also contains two music CDs.
HOW TO ORDER
Order online at www.recordedbooks.com
or check your selections on the following pages,
complete the order form below and fax it to Library Services
at 1-410-535-5499, or call us today at 1-877-732-2898.
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Call 1-877-732-2898 or visit www.recordedbooks.com
41
THE MODERN ScHOLAR cOURSES
CD
ISBN
PLAYAWAY
ISBN
Understanding the Fundamentals of Classical Music
__ UC028ME (CD) 978-1-4025-5879-5
__ 52427ME
978-1-4361-0416-6
Masterpieces of Western Music
__ UC053ME (CD) 978-1-4193-1386-8
__ 53070ME
978-1-4361-6557-0
TH E A RT S
Fundamentals of Jazz: How to Listen to and Appreciate Jazz*
__ UC096ME (CD) 978-1-4281-3781-3
Understanding Movies: The Art and History of Film
__ UC128ME (CD) 978-1-4361-4166-6
*Includes 2 special music CDs
__ 53068ME
978-1-4361-6555-6
__ 54444ME
978-1-4407-0674-5
Bible as the Root of Western Literature, The: Stories, Poems, and Parables
__ UC005ME (CD) 978-1-4025-3911-4
__ 52435ME
978-1-4361-0424-1
TH E H U M A N I TIES
Anglo-Saxon World, The
__ UC144ME (CD)
978-1-4407-0670-7
Bard of the Middle Ages: The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer
__ UC059ME (CD) 978-1-4193-3014-8
Classical Mythology: The Greeks
__ UC058ME (CD) 978-1-4193-2983-8
Classical Mythology: The Romans
__ UC066ME (CD) 978-1-4193-4991-1
Creating Humans: Ethical Questions Where Reproduction and Science Collide
__ UC037ME (CD) 978-1-4025-8595-1
__ 54904ME
978-1-4407-2187-8
Dante and His Divine Comedy
__ UC068ME (CD) 978-1-4193-5865-4
Detective Fiction: From Victorian Sleuths to the Present
__ UC149ME (CD) 978-1-4407-2546-3
__ 55080ME
978-1-4407-2549-4
Discovering the Philosopher in You: The Big Questions in Philosophy
__ UC021ME (CD) 978-1-4025-5492-6
Eternal Chalice: The Grail in Literature and Legend
__ UC085ME (CD) 978-1-4281-1676-4
Ethics: A History of Moral Thought
__ UC017ME (CD) 978-1-4025-4770-6
__ 52768ME
978-1-4361-4876-4
Faith and Reason: The Philosophy of Religion
__ UC064ME (CD) 978-1-4193-4764-1
__ 52431ME
978-1-4361-0420-3
From Here to Infinity: An Exploration of Science Fiction Literature
__ UC079ME (CD) 978-1-4193-8876-7
Giants of French Literature, The: Balzac, Flaubert, Proust, and Camus
__ UC152ME (CD) 978-1-4407-2607-1
__ 55090ME
978-1-4407-2610-1
Giants of Irish Literature, The: Wilde, Yeats, Joyce, and Beckett
__ UC080ME (CD) 978-1-4193-8881-1
978-1-4361-4879-5
__ 52771ME
Giants of Russian Literature, The: Turgenev, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, and Chekhov
__ UC084ME (CD) 978-1-4281-1293-3
Greek Drama: Tragedy and Comedy
__ UC072ME (CD) 978-1-4193-6365-8
Heaven in a Wild Flower: The British Romantic Poets
__ UC154ME (CD) 978-1-4407-2617-0
Hebrew Bible, The
__ UC118ME (CD)
42
__ 55092ME
978-1-4361-0589-7
See page 41 for ordering information
978-1-4407-2620-0
THE MODERN
HUMANITIES
ScHOLAR cOURSES literature
CD
ISBN
PLAYAWAY
ISBN
History of the English Language, A
__ UC088ME (CD) 978-1-4281-1729-7
Ideas That Shaped Mankind: A Concise History of Human Thought
__ UC045ME (CD) 978-1-4025-8205-9
__ 52432ME
978-1-4361-0421-0
Islam and the West
__ UC044ME (CD)
978-1-4025-8202-8
__ 52455ME
978-1-4361-0581-1
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
__ UC001ME (CD) 978-1-4025-3899-5
__ 52433ME
978-1-4361-0422-7
Literature of C.S. Lewis, The
__ UC039ME (CD) 978-1-4025-8166-3
Masterpieces of Medieval Literature
__ UC073ME (CD) 978-1-4193-7789-1
Monsters, Gods, and Heroes: Approaching the Epic in Literature
__ UC038ME (CD) 978-1-4025-8163-2
Odyssey of the West I: A Classic Education through the Great Books: Hebrews and Greeks
__ UC090ME (CD) 978-1-4281-2744-9
__ 52424ME
978-1-4361-0409-8
Odyssey of the West II: A Classic Education through the Great Books: From Athens to Rome and the Gospels
__ UC097ME (CD) 978-1-4281-3831-5
__ 53066ME
978-1-4361-6553-2
Odyssey of the West III: A Classic Education through the Great Books: The Medieval World
__ UC105ME (CD) 978-1-4281-7010-0
__ 55203ME
978-1-4407-5235-3
Odyssey of the West IV: A Classic Education through the Great Books: Toward Enlightenment
__ UC111ME (CD) 978-1-4281-7630-0
Odyssey of the West V: A Classic Education through the Great Books: Enlightenment, Revolution
and Renewal
__ UC112ME (CD) 978-1-4281-7635-5
Odyssey of the West VI: A Classic Education through the Great Books: The Twentieth Century
__ UC126ME (CD) 978-1-4361-4147-5
__ 54901ME
978-1-4407-2184-7
Philosophy and the Law: How Judges Reason
__ UC120ME (CD) 978-1-4361-2908-4
__ 53067ME
978-1-4361-6554-9
Philosophy of Mind
__ UC160ME (CD)
978-1-4407-7250-4
__ 56030ME
978-1-4407-7254-2
Philosophy of Thomas Aquinas, The
__ UC148ME (CD) 978-1-4407-1954-7
__ 55687ME
978-1-4407-4825-7
Plato and Aristotle: The Genesis of Western Thought
__ UC009ME (CD) 978-1-4025-4746-1
__ 56994ME
978-1-4498-4686-2
Shakespeare: The Seven Major Tragedies
__ UC067ME (CD) 978-1-4193-5860-9
__ 52428ME
978-1-4361-0417-3
Shakespeare: Ten Great Comedies
__ UC131ME (CD) 978-1-4361-6938-7
__ 54071ME
978-1-4407-0029-3
Stranger Than Fiction: The Art of Literary Journalism
__ UC166ME (CD) 978-1-4407-8291-6
__ 56164ME
978-1-4407-8295-4
Religions of the East: Paths to Enlightenment
__ UC069ME (CD) 978-1-4193-5870-8
Rings, Swords, and Monsters: Exploring Fantasy Literature
__ UC076ME (CD) 978-1-4193-8695-4
Walt Whitman and the Birth of Modern American Poetry
__ UC054ME (CD) 978-1-4193-1389-9
Way with Words I, A: Writing, Rhetoric, and the Art of Persuasion
__ UC086ME (CD) 978-1-4281-7394-1
Call 1-877-732-2898 or visit www.recordedbooks.com
43
THE MODERN ScHOLAR cOURSES
CD
ISBN
PLAYAWAY
ISBN
Way with Words II, A: Approaches to Literature
__ UC109ME (CD) 978-1-4281-7394-1
Way with Words III, A: Understanding Grammar for Powerful Communication
__ UC123ME (CD) 978-1-4361-2926-8
Way with Words IV, A: Understanding Poetry
__ UC122ME (CD) 978-1-4361-2920-6
__ 54070ME
978-1-4407-0028-6
World of George Orwell, The
__ UC173ME (CD) 978-1-4498-3520-0
__ 56863ME
978-1-4498-3524-8
Alexander of Macedonia: The World Conquered
__ UC159ME (CD) 978-1-4407-6907-8
__ 55990ME
978-1-4407-6911-5
American Inquisition: The Era of McCarthyism
__ UC013ME (CD) 978-1-4025-4758-4
__ 54073ME
978-1-4407-0031-6
American Presidency, The: From Theodore Roosevelt to Ronald Reagan
__ UC016ME (CD) 978-1-4025-4767-6
__ 52456ME
978-1-4361-0582-8
TH E S O c I A L ScIENcES
American Legal Experience, The
__ UC026ME (CD) 978-1-4025-5787-3
Archaeology and the Iliad: The Trojan War in Homer and History
__ UC077ME (CD) 978-1-4193-8700-5
Big Picture Investing
__ UC020ME (CD)
978-1-4025-4779-9
__ 52453ME
978-1-4361-0579-8
Big Picture MBA, The: What Every Business School Graduate Knows
__ UC052ME (CD) 978-1-4193-1383-7
__ 54421ME
978-1-4407-0607-3
Brotherhood of the Revolution: How America’s Founders Forged a New Nation
__ UC008ME (CD) 978-1-4025-4551-1
__ 52429ME
978-1-4361-0418-0
Catholic Church in the Modern Age, The
__ UC116ME (CD) 978-1-4361-0303-9
Christianity at the Crossroads: The Reformations of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries
__ UC099ME (CD) 978-1-4281-3912-1
__ 52426ME
978-1-4361-0411-1
Cold War: On the Brink of Apocalypse
__ UC071ME (CD) 978-1-4193-5880-7
Command and Control: Great Military Leaders from Washington to the Twenty-First Century
__ UC169ME (CD) 978-1-4498-0805-1
__ 56448ME
978-1-4498-0809-9
Communication Matters I: He Said/She Said: Women, Men, & Language
__ UC011ME (CD) 978-1-4025-4752-2
__ 52454ME
978-1-4361-0580-4
Communication Matters II: “That’s Not What I Meant!”: The Sociolinguistics of Everyday Conversation
__ UC018ME (CD) 978-1-4025-4773-7
Conflicts That Shaped Pharaonic Egypt
__ UC175ME (CD) 978-1-4498-3914-7
__ 56896ME
978-1-4498-3918-5
__ 56617ME
978-1-4498-1926-2
Darwin, Darwinism, and the Modern World
__ UC040ME (CD) 978-1-4025-8190-8
Dead Sea Scrolls, The: The Truth Behind the Mystique
__ UC102ME (CD) 978-1-4281-5624-1
Decline and Fall of Rome, The
__ UC125ME (CD) 978-1-4361-3216-9
Empire of Gold: A History of the Byzantine Empire
__ UC094ME (CD) 978-1-4281-3267-2
Enlightenment, The: Reason, Tolerance, and Humanity
__ UC061ME (CD) 978-1-4193-3716-1
44
See page 41 for ordering information
THE
THEMODERN
HUMANITIES
ScHOLAR cOURSES
CD
ISBN
PLAYAWAY
literature
ISBN
Epochs of European Civilization I: Antiquity to Renaissance
__ UC047ME (CD) 978-1-4025-8359-9
Epochs of European Civilization II: Reformation to the Twenty-First Century
__ UC060ME (CD) 978-1-4193-3416-0
Feminism and the Future of Women
__ UC031ME (CD) 978-1-4025-5888-7
From Jesus to Christianity: A History of the Early Church
__ UC065ME (CD) 978-1-4193-4769-6
__ 56795ME
978-1-4498-3202-5
Fundamental Cases: The Twentieth-Century Courtroom Battles That Changed Our Nation
__ UC074ME (CD) 978-1-4193-7801-0
__ 52430ME
978-1-4361-0419-7
Glory That Was Greece: Greek Art and Archaeology
__ UC140ME (CD) 978-1-4407-0329-4
__ 54303ME
978-1-4407-0334-8
__ 56515ME
978-1-4498-1282-9
“God Wills It!”: Understanding the Crusades
__ UC062ME (CD) 978-1-4193-3721-5
Grandeur That Was Rome, The: Roman Art and Archaeology
__ UC170ME (CD) 978-1-4498-1278-2
Heaven or Heresy: A History of the Inquisition
__ UC101ME (CD) 978-1-4281-4375-3
Hebrews, Greeks, and Romans: The Foundations of Western Civilization
__ UC007ME (CD) 978-1-4025-4484-2
High Seas, High Stakes: Naval Battles That Changed History
__ UC113ME (CD) 978-1-4281-8565-4
History of Ancient Greece, A
__ UC089ME (CD) 978-1-4281-2739-5
History of Ancient Israel, A: From the Patriarchs Through the Romans
__ UC078ME (CD) 978-1-4193-8871-2
__ 56029ME
978-1-4407-7249-8
History of Ancient Rome, A
__ UC003ME (CD) 978-1-4025-3905-3
978-1-4361-4875-7
__ 52767ME
History of Ancient Sparta, A: Virtue, Valor, and Devotion in the Greek Golden Age
__ UC134ME (CD) 978-1-4361-7817-4
__ 54902ME
978-1-4407-2185-4
History of Native America, A
__ UC171ME (CD) 978-1-4498-3114-1
__ 56777ME
978-1-4498-3118-9
History of Venice, A: Queen of the Seas
__ UC141ME (CD) 978-1-4407-0482-6
__ 54347ME
978-1-4407-0486-4
House Reunited, A: How America Survived the Civil War
__ UC034ME (CD) 978-1-4025-6694-3
__ 52770ME
978-1-4361-4878-8
Icons of the Iron Age: The Celts in History and Archaeology
__ UC129ME (CD) 978-1-4361-5000-2
__ 54072ME
978-1-4407-0030-9
In Michelangelo’s Shadow: The Mystery of Modern Italy
__ UC167ME (CD) 978-1-4407-9529-9
__ 56398ME
978-1-4407-9533-6
__ 57549ME
978-1-4561-1878-5
Law of the Land, The: A History of the Supreme Court
__ UC002ME (CD) 978-1-4025-3902-2
__ 56343ME
978-1-4407-9371-4
Liberty and Its Price: Understanding the French Revolution
__ UC127ME (CD) 978-1-4361-4160-4
__ 53069ME
978-1-4361-6556-3
Incas, The: Inside an American Empire
__ UC049ME (CD) 978-1-4193-0945-8
Jerusalem: The Contested City
__ UC004ME (CD) 978-1-4025-3908-4
Journeys of the Great Explorers: Columbus to Cook
__ UC043ME (CD) 978-1-4025-8199-1
Call 1-877-732-2898 or visit www.recordedbooks.com
45
THE MODERN ScHOLAR cOURSES
CD
ISBN
PLAYAWAY
ISBN
Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin, The
__ UC029ME (CD) 978-1-4025-5882-5
__ 55912ME
978-1-4407-6641-1
Life and Times of Mark Twain, The
__ UC168ME (CD) 978-1-4498-0447-3
__ 56408ME
978-1-4498-0451-0
Masters of Enterprise, The: American Business History and the People Who Made It
__ UC033ME (CD) 978-1-4025-7443-6
Medieval World I, The: Kingdoms, Empires, and War
__ UC142ME (CD) 978-1-4407-0488-8
__ 54903ME
978-1-4407-2186-1
Medieval World II, The: Society, Economy, and Culture
__ UC143ME (CD) 978-1-4407-0494-9
__ 54349ME
978-1-4407-0498-7
Myths and Mysteries in Archaeology
__ UC163ME (CD) 978-1-4407-7561-1
__ 56051ME
978-1-4407-7565-9
One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic: A History of the Church in the Middle Ages
__ UC095ME (CD) 978-1-4281-3776-9
People and the Ballot, The: A History of American Party Politics
__ UC098ME (CD) 978-1-4281-3836-0
People’s Dynasty, The: Culture and Society in Modern China
__ UC164ME (CD) 978-1-4407-8278-7
__ 56161ME
978-1-4407-8282-4
Political Theory: The Classic Texts and Their Continuing Relevance
__ UC075ME (CD) 978-1-4193-8148-5
Principles of Economics: Business, Banking, Finance, and Your Everyday Life
__ UC063ME (CD) 978-1-4193-3932-5
Quest, The: The Historians’ Search for Jesus and Muhammad
__ UC139ME (CD) 978-1-4361-9240-8
__ 55686ME
978-1-4407-4824-0
Religion, Myth, and Magic: The Anthropology of Religion
__ UC151ME (CD) 978-1-4407-2602-6
__ 55089ME
978-1-4407-2605-7
Resolute Determination: Napoleon and the French Empire
__ UC133ME (CD) 978-1-4361-6999-8
__ 55398ME
978-1-4407-2939-3
Rethinking Our Past: Recognizing Facts, Fictions, and Lies in American History
__ UC041ME (CD) 978-1-4025-8193-9
__ 52452ME
978-1-4361-0578-1
Russian Revolution, The: From Tsarism to Bolshevism
__ UC158ME (CD) 978-1-4407-3462-5
__ 55523ME
978-1-4407-3466-3
Six Months That Changed the World: The Paris Peace Conference of 1919
__ UC015ME (CD) 978-1-4025-4764-5
__ 52434ME
978-1-4361-0423-4
Take Me Out to the Ballgame: A History of Baseball in America
__ UC110ME (CD) 978-1-4281-7583-9
__ 52422ME
978-1-4361-0407-4
Tiber and the Potomac, The: Rome, America, and Empires of Trust
__ UC130ME (CD) 978-1-4361-6932-5
__ 54069ME
978-1-4407-0027-9
Understanding the Holocaust
__ UC087ME (CD) 978-1-4281-1724-2
Upon This Rock: A History of the Papacy from Peter to John Paul II
__ UC083ME (CD) 978-1-4281-0838-7
Visions of Utopia
__ UC124ME (CD)
978-1-4361-3210-7
Waking Dragon: The Emerging Chinese Economy and Its Impact on the World
__ UC104ME (CD) 978-1-4281-5778-1
Wars That Made the Western World: The Persian Wars, the Peloponnesian War, and the Punic Wars
__ UC051ME (CD) 978-1-4193-1380-6
Winston Churchill: Man of the Century
__ UC042ME (CD) 978-1-4025-8196-0
46
See page 41 for ordering information
THE MODERN ScHOLAR cOURSES
CD
ISBN
PLAYAWAY
ISBN
World War I: The Great War and the World It Made
__ UC050ME (CD) 978-1-4193-1360-8
World’s First Superpower I, The: The Rise of the British Empire from 1497 to 1901
__ UC048ME (CD) 978-1-4025-9588-2
World’s First Superpower II, The: From Empire to Commonwealth, 1901–Present
__ UC057ME (CD) 978-1-4193-1389-1
TH E NAT U R A L ScIENcES
Astronomy I: Earth, Sky, and Planets
__ UC024ME (CD) 978-1-4025-5781-1
__ 52425ME
978-1-4361-0410-4
Astronomy II: Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe
__ UC025ME (CD) 978-1-4025-5784-2
__ 52769ME
978-1-4361-4877-1
Basics of Genetics, The
__ UC132ME (CD)
978-1-4361-6993-6
__ 55397ME
978-1-4407-2938-6
Behold the Mighty Dinosaur
__ UC108ME (CD) 978-1-4281-7389-7
__ 52423ME
978-1-4361-0408-1
Brewmaster’s Art: The History and Science of Beermaking
__ UC147ME (CD) 978-1-4407-1541-9
__ 54774ME
978-1-4407-1545-7
Building Blocks of Human Life: Understanding Mature Cells and Stem Cells
__ UC115ME (CD) 978-1-4281-8577-7
Ecological Planet, The: An Introduction to Earth’s Major Ecosystems
__ UC119ME (CD) 978-1-4361-0595-8
Evolutionary Psychology I: The Science of Human Nature
__ UC172ME (CD) 978-1-4498-3121-9
__ 56778ME
978-1-4498-3125-7
Fueling the Planet: The Past, Present, and Future of Energy
__ UC136ME (CD) 978-1-4361-8909-5
__ 55982ME
978-1-4407-6902-3
Global Warming, Global Threat
__ UC006ME (CD) 978-1-4025-3914-5
__ 52436ME
978-1-4361-0425-8
Heavens Above: Stars, Constellations, and the Sky
__ UC114ME (CD) 978-1-4281-8571-5
Human Anatomy: The Beauty of Form and Function
__ UC117ME (CD) 978-1-4361-0541-5
Unseen Diversity: The World of Bacteria
__ UC121ME (CD) 978-1-4361-2914-5
Enjoy a
substantial discount
when you enroll in a
Continuous Order Plan!
See page 41 for details.
Call 1-877-732-2898 or visit www.recordedbooks.com
47
each Modern Scholar course
features 14 college lectures on 7 CDs
or 1 Playaway.
The Modern Scholar is available on
a Continuous Order Plan. See page 41
for details.
4 easy Ways to Order:
• Visit us at www.recordedbooks.com
• Fax the order form on page 41 to
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