Masterpieces of the Imaginative Mind: Literature's Most Fantastic Works

By: Eric S. Rabkin, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Eric S. Rabkin

Many of literature's greatest works, from ancient myths to the works of Nobel laureates, rely on fantasy. Even when there has been a dominant preference for realism, generation after generation of readers have been drawn to stories of the fantastic - not only for what they help us learn about ourselves as individuals or as members of society, but also for what they show about our social values. And now one of the world's foremost authorities on the literature of the fantastic and science fiction has created a series of 24 lectures that take you on a journey through some of the most remarkable feats of imagination in all of literature. You'll study strange tales of talking frogs and cannibal witches, from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein to Arthur C. Clarke's astonishing 2001: A Space Odyssey and beyond. Ranging from the early 1800s to contemporary times, Professor Rabkin casts a wide net for fantastic works and delves deeply into some of the most astonishing. You'll learn about the works and times of Edgar Allan Poe, the Brothers Grimm, Virginia Woolf, Lewis Carroll, Franz Kafka, Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, J.R.R. Tolkien, Ray Bradbury, Robert A. Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, and many others. And you'll see how artists you might not have even considered in this context - such as writers like Nathaniel Hawthorne, or composers like Offenbach and Tchaikovsky - owe a creative debt to this remarkably vibrant genre.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2007 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2007 The Great Courses

A look under the hood of our shared subconscious

This is not my first book or lecture on the symbolic meaning in fairy tales and other literary works, but it is the best.

A wonderfully researched, knowledgeable journey through how ideas from our pre-history are still shaping us today. Just like we still react to snakes without any prior experience, as it's pre-wired, what else is?

I'm finding it difficult to spit out the qualitative content of the 'depth' I feel hidden in this Great Courses. (Eric S. Rabkin doesn't though.) It shines lights under the hood of each and every one of us, our shared social constructs (even when those things that are not social constructs are made into social constructs, which is becoming the most threatening social construct of them all), and in essence: how our minds work. Ultimately, we experience the world through our minds. We create the world around us. When we look around, it's looking increasingly ugly, volatile, vengeful and hateful. Not just in the US, but globally.

This is a course with so much to give. I highly, highly recommend it.

Fantastic!!!

One of the best courses I have ever had the pleasure to listen to. This is an experience. Professor Rabkin knows his stuff, but most importantly - knows how to pass on that information. Loved it !!!!!

Wish the Course Would Never End!

I would register for any class taught by Eric S. Rabkin. Each lesson is comprised of unique standalone content that holds the listener's attention. As the lessons progress, Rabkin successfully weaves the information into a cohesive learning experience.

I cannot wait to read (or re-read) the books and stories referenced in this exceptional course.

I had a really hard time following these

His line of thought was confusing. But I'm not college educated either. It's probably my problem not him.

Exactly what the title says

A very informative overview of fantasy and science fiction, including many works new to me.

Literature appreciation

I quite liked this course. The approach reminded me of other books from The great Courses by prof Robert Greenberg - presenting works and authors in a historical and artistic context. After listening to the course I am encouraged to explore further specific books or authors and read the books. Also, reading them after the course is more enjoyable compared to not having as much context.

If you're looking for concentrated learning about literature this is not the course to get, if instead you like fantasy as a genre and are would like a good foundation from where to explore new authors, then this course is a very enjoyable way to do it.

Highly Recommend

Would you listen to Masterpieces of the Imaginative Mind: Literature's Most Fantastic Works again? Why?

I have already listened to this lecture twice. The professor is knowledgeable and provides multiple theoretical view points. The subject matter ranges widely enough to keep you on your toes.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Masterpieces of the Imaginative Mind: Literature's Most Fantastic Works?

I thoroughly enjoyed his treatment of early fairy tales, Edgar Allan Poe, and Alice in Wonderland/Through the Looking Glass. These were by far the best parts of the discussion. Detailed and thought provoking, these discussions challenged the listener to reread many of these stories with a new perspective.

I also very much enjoyed his discussion and treatment of J.R. Tolkien as well as the Sci Fi genre.

Any additional comments?

Fantasy is a wonderful genre because it allows us to pull back from our assumptions about the world, examine issues and concepts we wouldn't normally question, and take a deeper look at our own selves.

Science Fiction Defined

This is a very interesting course. The lecturer is well read and very knowledgable. His speaking voice is easy on the ears and his enthusiasm for the topic is quite evident and infectious. I came away looking at books I've read in a different way and a list of seminal science fiction works I want to read in the future.

I couldn’t believe how much I enjoyed listening to these lectures!

I stopped reading fiction in college and stuck to science for over a decade, but recently, I have found a new interest to this side of the literature and it’s all thanks to these amazing lectures.

Thank you Dr. Rabkin and The Great Courses!

Lectures on how fantasy evolved

Take a lovely journey through the ages with prof. Eric as he analyzes great works of fantasy. From well known fairy tales all the way to Clark, Asimov and LeGuin. I felt that some authors were overlooked; there is no mention of Octavia Butler for example which I found disappointing.
But overall, this was a very interesting series of lectures!