Hearing Homer's Song

In this engaging biography, Robert Kanigel explores the life and groundbreaking work of Milman Parry, a pioneering classical scholar whose research revolutionized our understanding of Homeric poetry. From his early days in Oakland to his travels across Europe and Yugoslavia, Parry's quest to prove that the Homeric epics stem from an oral tradition transformed literary studies and gave rise to the field of "oral theory." Kanigel offers an insightful look into Parry's personal life, his significant contributions, and the mysterious circumstances surrounding his early death, all while highlighting his enduring influence on how we interpret storytelling across cultures and eras.