Fascinating

This is one of the best Great Courses. A brilliant overview of world literature. It gave me fresh insights into writers and works I was familiar with and introduced me to many new gems.

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Brilliant summation

Would you consider the audio edition of The History of World Literature to be better than the print version?

Yes, this course of lectures are well read, without unnecessary theatrics, at an easy listening pace, all of which make an exceptional difference to the usability of an audiobook.

What other book might you compare The History of World Literature to, and why?

In my mind this compares to a lit review magazine more than just another book as it takes the best and most notable works from history and consecutively describes the gist of each story as it were and briefly analyses its' effects in its own time as well as its impact on any following literature as well as the reach of its effect.

What does Professor Grant L. Voth bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Professor Grant L. Voth brings in a wealth of experience in analyses as well as the remarkable understanding of a well read mind and allows the listener the benefit of both.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The collection and progression of man's wisdom through literature throughout recorded history.

Any additional comments?

His voice is pleasant, non-monotone, non-drowsy and not theatrically animated with different pitches for different characters. Its really good.

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5 people found this helpful

excellent lecture. Really enjoyed it!

thoroughly enjoyable introduction to world literature by a great expert in the field. highly recommended

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Brilliant

It has long since become a cliche to say 'everybody should read this book' (or, in this case, listen to a course) but believe me, this one surely that being said about it.
Whether you are in high school or a keen amateur reader or, in fact, just curious what is the deal with this literature thing, by the end of the course you will be not only more knowledgeable but also be likely to fall in love with literature (again).
Professor Voth's voice sounds like it belongs to a waterfront thug, which just adds another (and great) dimension to the whole affair as he dispenses brilliant analysis of some of the most familiar and some not so familiar works of world literature.
Another aspect of the course which I really appreciated was geographical breadth of the books covered. Yes, there is a lot of European literature but you will also hear about American, Asian and middle-Eastern works - I don't consider myself to be ignorant but some of the books covered were new to me.
Highly recommended.

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4 people found this helpful

I'll never tire of relistening to these lectures

I am so grateful to Grant L. Voth. These lectures are wonderful. In his closing remarks he told us the title is misleading as he's provided us with merely one history of world literature, not the only such history. He's right of course. After purchasing this product, I admit to feeling a tad disappointed that about half the lectures dealt with works I'd never heard of, writers I'd never heard of or of writers whose names I knew but names of writers I didn't think I'd ever become interested in. After several listens, Grant's talked me round: I'm glad he's introduced me to them or convinced me they're worth taking seriously. Of the 50% of writers I already loved and wanted to know more about, about half of the lectures didn't focus on the works I most wanted to learn more about. However, since as Grant explains my preferred works had entire courses devoted to them, he didn't think it was his job to try to squeeze everything into one twelfth or twenty fourth of what they deserved: I accept that logic. I now appreciate some of my favorite writers even more than I already did because I've now become familiar with some of their less well known works. Once again, thanks for that, Grant. Not one minute of these lectures was wasted. Attempting to list the good points would be as pointless as zooming in on some of the fractal, recursive stories referred to by, or maps inspired by, Borges. Not only do the lectures teach so much; so do the lecture notes and other appendices. I can't think of a better way to spend money, or to use up one of our free monthly audible credits..

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Excellent

Would you consider the audio edition of The History of World Literature to be better than the print version?

Yes Because the lecturer is excellent in the way the course is structure.

The Course itself is best to do chapter by chapter as it is intensive.

What other book might you compare The History of World Literature to, and why?

Any of the Great courses within the literature subjects.

Which character – as performed by Professor Grant L. Voth – was your favourite?

All of the course. It is a long format, so do take your time. The narrative of the characters of the first half of the course which explained about the nature of the novel is the main bases for me to understand.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes all of it.
The subjects are divided section by section so its easy to learn, it is intensive so please please take your time.

Any additional comments?

Great Book Well Worth A++++++++++++++++++++++++

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4 people found this helpful

The.best story

This was a compellingly interesting series, a story in itself very well told by Prof Voth. It introduced some stories from other cultures unknown to me but even when I knew the book the lecturer gave it a new fascinating perspective. One of the best Great Courses I have done.

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