Classics of American Literature, Part I

This lecture series (seven parts, twelve lectures each) is surprisingly enjoyable. I like literature a lot, but often lectures about it are dull, or overly pedantic. Professor Weinstein makes his topics very interesting, even if you haven't read the works he is discussing. In the first set of 12 lectures, he covered Franklin, Irving, Poe, Emerson, and Thoreau. While I've read a lot of Franklin, Poe, and Thoreau, I never read much of Irving or Emerson -- and I must admit that I am intrigued to read Emerson now. In a lot of ways, he really seems like America's first real philosopher. Anyway, I'm already into Part II of this series, and I'm glad there are so many more to look forward to!