Famous authors

Brahms: Background (4:01)

Music Teachers (3:11)

Brahms the Composer (1:03)

Brahms Meets Joseph Joachim (2:43)

Brahms Meets Robert Schumann (3:19)

Brahms and the Schumanns (2:02)

Brahms at Detmold (2:52)

Brahms in Vienna (2:22)

Director of Concerts (3:56)

Brahms' Work and Temperament (1:48)

Brahms in His Later Years (1:24)

Credits: Johannes Brahms: A Concise Biography' (0:47)

Johannes Brahms: An Overview of His Music (5:40)

George Austen (2:27)

The Austen Children (3:30)

St. Nicholas Church (1:25)

Jane's Teachers (1:47)

Life in Steventon (2:40)

Family Influence (1:48)

Bath (3:35)

A Gentle Irony (2:33)

Seaside Holidays (1:59)

The House at Chorlton (2:48)

Godmersham Park (1:06)

Publishing Career and End of Life (2:39)

Credits: Jane Austen: A Concise Biography (0:47)

Jane Austen 1779 - 1817 (3:16)

Mr. Patrick Bronte (3:31)

Haworth: Home of the Brontës (2:00)

Brontë Sisters: Public Education (2:31)

Brontë Sisters: Education at Home (3:36)

Brontë Sisters Between Duty and Creativity (3:59)

Brontë Family in Turmoil (3:11)

Brontë Sisters Branch Out (3:46)

Literary Success (1:37)

Deaths in the Bronte Family (2:49)

Death of Charlotte Bronte (1:56)

Credits: The Brontë Sisters: A Concise Biography (0:34)

Brontë Sisters: An Overview of Their Work (2:52)

Robert Burns: Popular Poet (3:40)

Robert Burns: Early Years (1:32)

The Burns Family's Struggles (2:17)

Calvinism and Robert Burns (2:57)

Robert Burns: Head of the Family (1:32)

Burns' Commonplace Book (1:22)

Burns' First Book in Print (2:25)

Employment, Travel, and Marriage (1:48)

Second Published Collection of Poems (2:35)

Robert Burns' Needs (1:26)

Burns' Sexual Behavior (3:29)

A Burns' Poem (2:36)

Legacy of Robert Burns (0:54)

Credits: 'Robert Burns: A Concise Biography ' (0:44)

Robert Burns (1759-1796): An Overview of His Work (4:08)

Essence of Burns (0:52)

Confucius (551 - 479 BC) (2:41)

China: Overview of Confucius' Times (3:28)

On the Human Condition (1:45)

In Honor of Confucius (2:02)

Chinese Temples and Religion (1:17)

Analects of Confucius (2:06)

Confucius: Guidance for Human Behavior (3:33)

Confucius on Learning (2:03)

Confucius on Filial Duty (1:48)

Confucius on Ritual (1:55)

Confucius on Music (0:35)

Confucius: Behavior and Spirituality (1:15)

Confucius' 'Analects' (3:23)

Tomb of Confucius (1:14)

Credits: 'Confucius: A Concise Biography' (0:28)

Confucius (551 - 471 BC): Works Associated with Him (5:42)

Early Life of Dickens (2:56)

The Places of Dickens' Books (3:09)

Dickens' Inspiration (1:33)

London 1822 (5:33)

Success (5:05)

Success: Tragedy Strikes Dickens (2:00)

Fame (4:27)

Fame: Dickens' Intensity (3:58)

Credits:Charles Dickens: A Concise Biography (0:30)

Charles Dickens, An Overview of His Works (7:11)

American Poetry - Male Dominated Field (2:11)

Emily Dickinson's Challenges (1:43)

Emily Dickinson's Unique Expression (1:46)

Emily Dickinson's Parents (1:22)

New England Religion (2:54)

Emily Dickinson's Siblings (1:22)

The Evergreens (1:49)

Emily Dickinson's Education (1:53)

Emily Dickinson's Heartbreak (0:41)

Shakespeare (2:34)

Dickinson's Withdrawal from the World (2:55)

The Todds (2:20)

Dickinson's Correspondence (2:24)

Dickinson's Works and Publication (2:40)

Credits: Emily Dickinson: A Concise Biography (0:24)

Overview (2:26)

William Faulkner: Introduction (1:33)

William Faulkner's Great-Grandfather (3:18)

William Faulkner's Grandfather (1:36)

William Faulkner's Father and Mother (3:40)

Faulkner's Imagination and Source (4:50)

Faulkner's Troubles (3:27)

Faulkner's First Published Poetry (2:05)

Writers and Writing (3:26)

Marriage and Writing Career (2:04)

Domestic and Financial Turbulence (1:38)

Nobel Prize (1:34)

Credits: 'William Faulkner: A Concise Biography' (0:29)

William Faulkner: An Overview of His Work (3:28)

The Essence of Faulkner (0:49)

F. Scott Fitzgerald: Early Influences (5:13)

Education (2:09)

Princeton University (3:41)

First Novel (2:03)

Archpriest of the Flapper Age (3:23)

'The Great Gatsby' (2:33)

Emotional Turmoil (2:19)

Reduced Circumstances (2:31)

Decline in Hollywood (3:03)

Last Year of Fitzgerald's Life (1:53)

Credits: 'F. Scott Fitzgerald: A Concise Biography' (0:40)

Scott Fitzgerald (1890 - 1940): An Overview of His Work (3:08)

George Eliot (1819 - 1880) (4:12)

Education of Mary Anne Evans (4:33)

Religion and Moralism (2:45)

Renunciation of Christianity (1:58)

Journalist for 'Westminster Review' (6:02)

Lifelong Companions (2:48)

Published Articles (2:40)

Fame and Partnership (2:51)

Deaths of George Lewes and Marian Evans (2:03)

Credits: 'George Eliot: A Concise Biography' (0:55)

George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) 1819 - 1880: An Overview of Her Work (4:50)

Birth of Goethe (2:04)

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's beginnings (4:08)

Dr. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1:52)

Literary Success for Goethe (3:02)

Royal Poet (4:07)

Inspiration for Goethe (3:13)

Goethe's Companions (1:52)

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's Passions (4:22)

Goethe's Negative Feelings (2:17)

Goethe's Mark (2:05)

Credits: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: A Concise Biography (0:34)

Overview of Goethe's Work (5:52)

Inspiration for Wessex (2:15)

Hardy's Beginnings (3:17)

Religion and Nature Fascinate Hardy (2:42)

Schools of Hardy's Youth (3:04)

A Rich Background for Hardy (2:42)

Church Restorations for Hardy (3:55)

Love For Hardy (2:23)

Hardy's Frequent Moves (3:29)

Success and Tragedy for Hardy (3:08)

Hardy's Final Years (1:37)

Credits: Thomas Hardy: A Concise Biography (0:25)

An Overview of Thomas Hardy's Work (5:24)

Ernest Hemingway's Mother (3:18)

Ernest Hemingway's Family Life (2:25)

Journalist and Ambulance Driver (2:57)

Convalescence and Romance (1:47)

Marriage to Hadley Richardson (2:34)

Hemingway's Friends in Paris (3:59)

Bullfighting and Marriage (3:34)

Hemingway in Key West (2:00)

Hemingway and Deep Sea Fishing (1:50)

Hemingway's Relationships (2:31)

Last Years of Hemingway's Life (1:45)

Credits: 'Ernest Hemingway: A Concise Biography' (0:36)

Ernest Hemingway 1899-1961: An Overview of His Work (3:52)

The Essence of Hemingway (0:38)

Victor Hugo's Beginnings (3:22)

Hugo's Writing Talent Emerges (3:35)

Two Loves of Hugo (3:45)

Major Success for Hugo (3:08)

Hugo's Love Affair (2:16)

Tragedy Turns Hugo's Direction (3:41)

Political Events in Hugo's Life (3:17)

Hugo's Political Stance (3:32)

Exile is Purposeful for Hugo (4:03)

Tragedy Strikes Victor Hugo (3:23)

Hugo's Life and Death (2:11)

Credits: Victor Hugo: A Concise Biography (0:37)

An Overview of Victor Hugo's Work (9:47)

Ibsen's Early Life (3:43)

Ibsen: Isolated in Norway (3:36)

Ibsen's Writings Emerge (2:48)

Limited Acceptance Of Ibsen's Plays in Bergen (3:58)

Ibsen's Sojourn in Rome (3:43)

Ibsen's Work Sparks Praise and Controversy (2:17)

Building the Ibsen Legend (3:40)

Ibsen, the Master Builder (2:41)

Henrik Ibsen's Legacy (2:30)

Credits: Henrik Ibsen: A Concise Biography (0:45)

An Overview of Henrik Ibsen's Work (8:27)

Birth of Henry James (3:31)

Henry James Exposed to Several Cultures (2:21)

A Time of Awakening for James (3:19)

Henry James, Before the Civil War (4:22)

Student Life Not for Henry James (3:47)

Tension Between the New World and Old in Italy (2:30)

History and Progress Intrigues James (4:22)

James' Family Success (3:46)

James Lasting Legacy (1:17)

Credits: Henry James: A Concise Biography (0:38)

An Overview of Henry James' Work (6:41)

James Joyce Early Life (2:00)

School Life of Joyce (3:26)

James Joyce's Travels and First Publication (2:22)

Dublin Dominates Joyce's Work (5:52)

James Joyce Marries (4:06)

Desperate Times in Trieste (3:35)

Publishing Ups and Downs for James Joyce (2:35)

Benefactor for Joyce (2:13)

Joyce Struggles with Friends and Publication (2:52)

Final Times of James Joyce (1:55)

Credits: James Joyce: A Concise Biography (0:21)

Early life of Franz Kafka (3:47)

Significant Events in the Kafka Family (2:39)

Jewish Integration (2:27)

School and Home Life for Kafka (3:39)

Importance of Kafka's Friends (3:11)

Kafka's Work Versus Writing (3:37)

Kafka's Health and Women Troubles (3:50)

Kafka's Detachment in Writing (2:36)

Kafka's Writing Reflects World Views (2:53)

Credits: Franz Kafka: A Concise Biography (0:34)

An Overview of Franz Kafka's Work (4:08)

D. H. Lawrence, Novelist (1885 - 1930) (7:05)

D. H. Lawrence: Early Years (1:16)

Major Events (2:24)

D. H. Lawrence: Teacher and Writer (4:12)

Three Novels (3:20)

Literary Society (1:16)

Scandal and Anti-War Sentiment (1:21)

D. H. Lawrence in Cornwall (1:44)

D. H. Lawrence in America (3:24)

D. H. Lawrence, Painter (1:53)

Credits: 'D. H. Lawrence: A Concise Biography' (0:44)

D. H. Lawrence (1885 - 1930): An Overview of His Work (6:24)

Herman Melville: 1819-1891 (4:03)

Changing Fortunes of the Melville (3:19)

Melville's First Writing (3:22)

Melville in New Bedford (4:11)

Aboard a Whaling Ship (2:26)

Whale Blubber (1:41)

Real Events in Fiction (3:46)

Melville's Novels (2:52)

Literary Disaster (1:58)

Posthumous Success (1:18)

Credits: 'Herman Melville: A Concise Biography' (0:42)

Herman Melville (1819 - 1891): An Overview of His Work (3:26)

O'Neill Family in America (4:14)

Background of Eugene O'Neil (2:59)

O'Neill's Early Trials (2:45)

Darker Side of O'Neill (2:46)

O'Neill's First Marriage (2:00)

Eugene O'Neill: From Decadence to Success (3:22)

Provincetown Playhouse (3:51)

Eugene O'Neill's Success and Failures (3:55)

Legacy of Eugene O'Neill (2:54)

Credits: Eugene O'Neill: A Concise Biography (0:44)

An Overview of Eugene O'Neill's Work (3:02)

Birth of Orwell (2:47)

Orwell's Privileged Education (4:41)

Orwell Dissatisfied in Burma (3:51)

Orwell Impoverished in Paris (3:05)

Orwell's Writing Becomes Noticed (2:06)

Orwell Happy in Wellington (2:09)

Orwell Fights For Justice (2:37)

Orwell's Production Career (2:43)

Sadness and Success for Orwell (2:53)

Final Days of George Orwell (1:34)

Credits: George Orwell: A Concise Biography (0:32)

Overview of George Orwell's Work (5:44)

Poe Family (4:20)

Edgar Allan Poe's Education (2:03)

Poe's Life in Richmond (4:16)

Poe's Troubles: Military and University (2:51)

Poe's Military Career (2:28)

Poe's Early Professional Writing (4:00)

Poe's Literary Success and Frustration (2:07)

Edgar Allan Poe: Editorship (1:29)

Fall and Rise of Edgar Allan Poe (1:52)

Deaths of Virginia Poe and Edgar Allan Poe (2:24)

Credits: ' Edgar Allan Poe: A Concise Biography' (0:48)

Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849): An Overview of His work (6:23)

Proust Has Profound Effect on Readers (2:24)

Proust's Beginnings (1:48)

Proust Exposed to Technological Advancements in Paris (2:04)

Marcel Proust's Family (3:59)

Marcel Proust's Early Love Affairs (2:46)

Proust's Writing Career Begins (2:58)

Proust a Snob? (2:04)

Marcel Proust's Characters and Love Affairs (2:43)

Proust's Early Works (2:35)

Marcel Proust Published (2:13)

Proust Wins the Prix Goncourt and Chevalier de la Legion d'honneur (2:45)

Credits: Marcel Proust: A Concise Biography (0:38)

An Overview of Marcel Proust's Works (3:07)

Poetry and Tourism (3:10)

Sir Walter Scott's Roots (3:45)

Walter Scott's Education (2:23)

Walter Scott's Social Life (2:19)

Walter Scott, Gentleman and Writer (2:15)

Walter Scott, Poetry to Novel (4:26)

Walter Scott's Family Life (2:30)

Life Influences Walter Scott's Works (2:16)

Sir Walter Scott Honors Scotland (1:58)

Scott Faces Financial Ruin (2:38)

The Passing of Sir Walter Scott (1:45)

Credits: Sir Walter Scott: A Concise Biography (0:35)

Overview of Sir Walter Scott's Work (5:42)

Stratford in Shakespeare's Day (4:44)

Shakespeare: Marriage (2:11)

Shakespeare's London (6:39)

Religion and Royalty in London (3:13)

The World of the Theater (8:49)

The Audience (5:30)

Stratford (2:00)

Credits: 'William Shakespeare: A Concise Biography' (0:53)

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): An Overview of His Work (8:38)

The Essence of Shakespeare (0:59)

Childhood Influences of George Bernard Shaw (3:50)

Religious Conflict (2:20)

Family Changes (2:27)

Beginning of Shaw's Writing Career (2:14)

Shaw's Transformation (2:39)

Shaw and Socialism (1:38)

Shaw the Playwright (3:06)

Actors in Shaw's Life (1:24)

Shaw's Political and Love Lives (3:52)

'St. Joan' (1:29)

Nobel Prize for Literature (2:06)

George Bernard Shaw: Last Years (0:51)

Credits: George Bernard Shaw: A Concise Biography' (0:49)

G. B. Shaw: Playwright & Essayist (1856 - 1950) - An Overview of His Work (7:07)

John Steinbeck: 1902 - 1968 (5:05)

Inspiration from Nature (4:38)

Cannery Row in Monterrey (2:59)

John Steinbeck - College Days (2:38)

Interest in Natural Systems (1:55)

Hardship and Rejection (2:23)

Birth of Steinbeck's Main Characters (2:08)

Steinbeck: Fame and Fortune (1:56)

Hollywood Fame (2:24)

John Steinbeck: Nobel Prize (2:14)

Credits: John Steinbeck: A Concise Biography (0:30)

John Steinbeck (1902 - 1968): An Overview of His Work (6:42)

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894) (2:52)

Influences in Stevenson's Life (2:44)

Influential Surroundings in Stevenson's Early Years (2:58)

University Days (1:51)

Breakdown and Rest (3:00)

Traveler (1:19)

The Barbizon Painters (1:23)

Love and Adventure (2:40)

Travel and Marriage (3:03)

Stevenson in France and England (1:35)

Robert Louis Stevenson's Fame (1:31)

Life in the South Pacific (2:04)

Death of Robert Louis Stevenson (1:48)

Credits: 'Robert Louis Stevenson: A Concise Biography' (0:43)

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894: An Overview of His Work (3:09)

Jonathan Swift (1667 - 1745) (3:00)

Writer Among Writers (1:10)

Jonathan Swift: Education (1:34)

Sir William Temple (3:08)

Religion and Power (2:26)

Religious Orders (2:30)

Swift: Literary Genius (2:01)

Swift: In the Interest of Ireland (3:42)

Women in Swift's Life (2:38)

Swift's Literary Friends (1:30)

Swift's Satire and His Generosity (4:05)

Credits: 'Jonathan Swift: A Concise Biography' (0:27)

Jonathan Swift (1667 - 1745): An Overview of His Work (6:24)

The Essence of Swift (0:44)

Mark Twain (1835 - 1910) (2:59)

Childhood Home of the Clemens Family (3:22)

Sam Clemens and the Mississippi River (2:13)

Challenges for Clemens Family (1:20)

Sam Clemens: Riverboat Pilot (1:17)

Civil War (1:49)

Sam Clemens Out West (1:50)

Mark Twain: Writer (2:20)

Mark Twain: Traveler, Writer, Lecturer (3:31)

Mark Twain's Family Life (1:43)

Mark Twain in Europe (1:51)

Mark Twain: American Celebrity (2:51)

Writer, Humorist, and Satirist (1:39)

Credits: 'Mark Twain: A Concise Biography' (0:31)

Mark Twain (1835-1910): An Overview of His Work (3:09)

The Essence of Mark Twain (0:30)

Voltaire's Vision (3:09)

18th Century French Royalty (3:23)

Voltaire Pens Controversy (3:04)

Voltaire's Company (1:49)

Voltaire Goes Too Far (2:06)

Voltaire's Liaison (2:51)

Voltaire Influences Royalty (4:03)

Voltaire Seeks a Permanent Residence (2:26)

Ecrasez L'infame, Wipe Out Corruption (1:51)

Standing Up for Integrity (2:00)

Voltaire in Paris for the Last Time (2:12)

Credits: Voltaire: A Concise Biography (0:45)

An Overview of Voltaire's Works (5:34)

Walt Whitman's Beginnings (2:42)

A Paumanok Picture (4:06)

Lessons of Manhattan (1:21)

Poetry Born of Landscape (4:08)

Whitman's New Orleans Adventure (2:03)

Whitman, Poet and Medical Orderly (3:31)

Whitman's Washington Friends (3:17)

Whitman Reconnects With Nature (2:46)

Whitman's First Home (2:32)

Whitman's Final Days (2:12)

Credits: Walt Whitman: A Concise Biography (0:32)

An Overview of Whitman's Works (3:20)

Oscar Wilde's Beginnings (4:59)

Wilde Family: From Prominence to Disgrace (1:48)

Wilde's School Days (3:09)

Wilde's Emerging Expression (2:21)

Wilde's Engaging Personality (2:30)

Mocking of Oscar Wilde (1:42)

Wilde Tours United States (2:24)

Wilde Gets Married and Enjoys Success (3:12)

Wilde's Male Lovers (2:30)

Wilde on Trial for Homosexuality (2:38)

Death of Oscar Wilde (1:03)

An Overview of Wilde's Works (6:13)

Woolf's Family (4:05) -- Woolf's Early Years (3:57) -- Tragedy In Young Woolf's Life (2:13) -- Woolf Struggles With Guilt (1:37) -- Woolf's Intellectual Company (3:41) -- The Bloomsbury Group (2:26) -- Virginia (Stephens) Woolf Marries (2:04) -- Woolf Struggles Mentally (1:58) -- Woolf's Mental and Literary Success (1:57) -- Woolf Changes the Depiction of Women (3:08) -- Death of Virginia Woolf (1:02) -- Credits: Virginia Woolf: A Concise Biography (0:46) -- Overview of Virginia Woolf's Works (5:04) --

William Wordsworth's Boyhood (4:44)

William Wordsworth's Becomes a Poet (2:46)

Wordsworth's Travels (4:36)

Wordsworth's Relationships (3:34)

Wordsworth's Concern for the Heart of Man (3:45)

Wordsworth's Poetry (2:05)

Tragedy and Controversy in Wordsworth's Life (2:38)

Influences on William Wordsworth (2:09)

Wordsworth's Final Move (2:16)

Credits: William Wordsworth: A Concise Biography (0:32)

An Overview of William Wordsworth's Work (6:25)

Religion and W.B. Yeats (4:32)

Yeats' Formative Years (3:43)

Mysticism Influences Yeats (2:48)

Influential People in the life of W.B. Yeats (2:53)

Poetry of W. B. Yeats (2:51)

W. B. Yeats, A Major Figure on the Literary Scene (1:30)

The Abbey Theatre (3:33)

Progression of Yeats (3:13)

Legacy of W.B. Yeats (3:10)

Credits: W. B. Yeats: A Concise Biography (0:35)

Overview of W.B. Yeats' Work (4:22)

Emile Zola: Biographical Background (3:43)

World of Nature (2:34)

World of Literature (2:01)

Zola: Meaningful Work (2:02)

Zola's First Published Works (2:10)

Emile Zola: Art Critic (2:55)

Zola's Series of Novels (2:01)

Zola: A Man Fulfilled (1:41)

Zola's Hidden Family (2:29)

Dreyfus Affair (2:44)

Zola's Last Days (2:18)

Credits: 'Emile Zola: A Concise Biography ' (0:39)

Emile Zola (1840 - 1902): An Overview of His Work (5:47)

The Essence of Zola's Work (0:57)