Thug Notes

A Street-Smart Guide to Classic Literature

By: Sparky Sweets PhD

Narrated by: Greg Edwards

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 sixteen 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.

Critic reviews

Praise for the hit YouTube series:

"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

"Thug Notes is taking wonderful literature and making it understandable, embraceable and making it usable." —PBS-TV, Tavis Smiley

"Thug Notes delivers the innovation needed in education." —The Tampa Bay Times

"Thug Notes takes literary classics out of the academic ghetto." —The Daily Dot

I love his analysis

A really smart, clever, and easy to understand read on the reads! I wish he were my teacher in high school.

Best notes EVER!!!

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

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.

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!

Funny and smart concept but dense

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