ODYSSEY OF THE WEST I A Classic Education Through the Great Books: Hebrews and Greeks

Professor Shutt introduces this first part of a combination Western Civ and Great Books course in which various lecturers cover GILGAMESH; the Hebrew Bible; Homer; Hesiod; Herodotus; Greek poetry, drama, and art; and related history, usually at an introductory level. The quality of the lecturers varies. Professors Shutt and Schiffman (The Hebrew Bible) are bombastic and idiosyncratic. Schiffman's New York accent ("Sawng of Sawngs") is nearly overwhelming, and Shutt swallows moistly, far too often. But they aren't dull. The standout is Professor Meineck, on Hesiod and Greek lyric poetry and drama. His material has the most depth, and his delivery is energetic, lucid, and engaging. This is a worthwhile program, even if one must make allowances for some of the lecturers' speech mannerisms. W.M. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 07/ JAN 08]