Preview
  • Thug Notes

  • A Street-Smart Guide to Classic Literature
  • By: Sparky Sweets PhD
  • Narrated by: Greg Edwards 
  • Length: 6 hrs and 19 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (252 ratings)

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Thug Notes

By: Sparky Sweets PhD
Narrated by: Greg Edwards 
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Publisher's summary

Sparky Sweets, PhD, and Wisecrack proudly present this outrageously funny, ultra-sharp guide to literature based on the hit online series, Thug Notes. Inside, you'll find hilarious plot breakdowns and masterful analyses of 16 of literature's most beloved classics, including: Things Fall Apart, To Kill a Mockingbird, Hamlet, The Catcher in the Rye, Lord of the Flies, Pride and Prejudice, and more!

The series Thug Notes has been featured on BET, PBS, and NPR and has been used in hundreds of classrooms around the world. Whether you’re a student, teacher, or straight-up literary gangster like Dr. Sweets, Thug Notes has got you covered. You'll certainly never look at literature the same way again.

©2015 Sparky Sweets (P)2015 Random House Audio
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Critic reviews

"A deliciously executed example of the application of street sensibility to high-culture, high-concept areas." —The New York Times

"Move over, Cliff, there's a new Notes-master in town." —The Huffington Post

"If your eyes glaze over in class and your book reports are cribbed from Wikipedia, you might not need summer school . . . you might just need Thug Notes." —MTV

What listeners say about Thug Notes

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    5 out of 5 stars

A great modern speak version of Cliff Notes.

I confess I am an addict of the YouTube channel that this is on. Sometimes the language is a bit uhm crass or blunt, but it's like the podcast Small Town Murder you just can't help but love it. In a way at times I understand Sparky Sweets' way of breaking down the books better. He brought the plot and message of A Handmaids Tale to me clearly. Because I was honestly a bit confused with the end of that one. If your kids are at the age that will be exposed to the language anyway and you homeschool (YES! Hold on to your panties!) I say that this is a great reference.

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1 person found this helpful

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Best notes EVER!!!

Never has paraphrasing been so hilarious and informative. Where was this, when I was younger???
Great book.

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9 people found this helpful

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An intelligent analysis of literature: FO' ERRBODY

Would you listen to Thug Notes again? Why?

It has been often said that those who truly know their subject matter can simply and clearly explain it to ANYONE. Sparky Sweets PhD is therefore a highly knowledgeable and learned authority of literature. Moreno than any other I've heard.
He can explain classical literature to anyone, keeping the listerner/reader engaged all the while, and he proves it in this book.

If I were a teacher in collegiat classic literature, I would present this to my class as a powerful learning aid. A wonderful perspective to aid in understanding the subject AND keep my class engaged while they read.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Obviously, the narrator was my favorite speaker. I eagerly await his next project!

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5 people found this helpful

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Funny and smart concept but dense

Funny and smart concept but dense. not ideal for listening casually. It is explained very well though.

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THIS

it's everything I hoped it would be: Brash, vulgar, hilarious, and brilliant. if you enjoy Sparky sweets five minute video reviews of great works of literature, you'll love his 20-plus minute discussions of some of those same works.

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New Perspective for an Old Teacher

I have taught English at the secondary level for 15 years. While I know literature and have studied the classics, I was able to take away valuable bits of perspective from a different point of view and am confident that I will be a better teacher this upcoming semester. I thoroughly enjoyed this work and would recommend it to any educator who is looking for a fun review of the classics and/or adjust their teaching style in order to capture and maintain the attention of his or her students.

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Wonderfully Helpful.

Very interesting and clarifying in the case of literary works that are less easy to comprehend upon first reading. Still I abstained from from listening to the Crime and Punishment analysis since I haven't finished the book itself yet. The performance is great, feels as if I'm listening to a crazy long episode of thug notes. I only wish it could be longer and more detailed about each classic it covers, since sometimes it does feel like it was rushing through. Definitely worth the money, and I'm glad I didn't listen to the Crime and Punishment section yet since now I have more to look forward to!

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Great book, fantastic performance

Such a fun and thorough breakdown of some of these great literary works. Special shout out to the performer who read the work, as he made it very entertaining to listen to

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Awesome performance!

This is one of the books that is a must-listen! Hilarious, insightful, educational, engaging and entertaining throughout! Greg Edwards does a phenomenal job! Looking forward to the next book by Dr. Sweets 😘 😉

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10 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Better than Cliff Notes

I like the breakdown of the classics into themes and character analysis.

While the narrator made good Street comparisons, it seems like it was forced with some of the remarks.

But overall I was able to take away the message of the books.

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4 people found this helpful