William R. Cook

Ph.D., Cornell University

State University of New York at Geneseo

Dr. William R. Cook is the Distinguished Teaching Professor of History at the State University of New York at Geneseo, where he has taught since 1970. He earned his bachelor’s degree cum laude from Wabash College and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa there. He was then awarded Woodrow Wilson and Herbert Lehman fellowships to study medieval history at Cornell University, where he earned his Ph.D.

Professor Cook teaches courses in ancient and medieval history, the Renaissance and Reformation periods, and the Bible and Christian thought. Since 1983 Professor Cook has directed 11 Seminars for School Teachers for the National Endowment for the Humanities.

His books include Images of St. Francis of Assisi and Francis of Assisi: The Way of Poverty and Humility. Dr. Cook contributed to the Cambridge Companion to Giotto and edits and contributes to The Art of the Franciscan Order in Italy.

Among his many awards, Professor Cook has received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. In 1992 the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education named him New York State’s Professor of the Year. In 2003 he received the first-ever CARA Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Medieval Studies from the Medieval Academy of America.

Save Up To $185	The Cathedral Professor William R. Cook Tour the world's most captivating cathedrals from the comfort of your own home with these 24 lavishly illustrated lectures by Professor William R. Cook. An exciting, immersive, and multidimensional learning experience, The Cathedral brings you closer to cathedrals like Notre Dame in Paris and those in Amiens, Chartres, and Canterbury than any on-site tour could hope to do. With high-definition 3-D modeling and imagery, you'll travel around and inside the world's great Gothic cathedrals from fascinating new perspectives.

	The Catholic Church: A History Professor William R. Cook Explore the vast and fascinating history of one of the most influential institutions in the world with The Catholic Church: A History. In 36 informative and engaging lectures, follow the development of this powerful religious force throughout the centuries and witness its ability to move armies, inspire saints, and shape the lives and spirits of its more than 1 billion members. With noted historian and Professor William R. Cook, you'll quickly realize why no understanding of Western civilization is complete without an understanding of the Catholic Church.

Save Up To $205	Tocqueville and the American Experiment Professor William R. Cook Was the greatest book on U.S. democracy ever written crafted by a Frenchman visiting this country some 175 years ago? Why would such a book be relevant in today’s ever-changing political landscape? Professor William R. Cook of the State University of New York, Geneseo, leads a 24-lecture, spirited exploration of Alexis de Tocqueville and his unique observations of this young nation that resulted in Democracy in America.

Save Up To $185	Dante’s Divine Comedy Professor William R. Cook Two gifted teachers share the fruit of two lifetimes’ worth of historical and literary expertise in this rewarding introduction to one of the greatest poems ever written. You will explore invaluable background information on Dante’s life, why he wrote the Divine Comedy, how to approach English editions, and many of the poem’s characters and episodes.

Save Up To $205	Lives of Great Christians Professor William R. Cook For many, Christianity is the daily effort to live one’s faith in every moment. This course introduces you to those who have done so over the centuries, those Professor William Cook calls "superstars of faith:" Francis and Clare of Assisi, Catherine and Bernardino of Siena, Thomas More, Martin Luther, John Wesley, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, Jr., and others.

Save Up To $185	St. Augustine’s Confessions Professor William R. Cook This course examines all 13 books, or chapters, of this masterpiece that inspired Dante and Martin Luther and encouraged Christianity to accept the thinking of Plato. It provides the background needed to understand the Confessions as Augustine intended and analyzes his account—told in stories that are as powerful as any in world literature—of the events leading to his Christian conversion.

	Francis of Assisi Professor William R. Cook When Francis of Assisi died in 1226, he left behind little material wealth. And yet he did leave behind a spiritual legacy that survives and changes lives even today. Francis of Assisi, delivered by the veteran teaching team of Professors William R. Cook and Ronald B. Herzman, gives you a well-rounded and fully informed introduction to this luminous man and his influence on the course of both Christian and Western history. Throughout each of these lectures shines the deeply human sense of Assisi and his views on faith, hope, love, and more—views that, Professors Cook and Herzman argue, are needed as much today as they were when Francis was alive.

Save Up To $205	Machiavelli in Context Professor William R. Cook What images does the name Machiavelli conjure up? Political opportunism? Cold-blooded manipulation? The ends that justify the means? But does the Machiavelli most of us think we know bear any resemblance to the Machiavelli who lived, pondered, and wrote? Professor William R. Cook offers the opportunity to meet an extraordinarily thoughtful and sincere student of history and its lessons.

	Understanding the World's Greatest Structures: Science and Innovation from Antiquity to Modernity & The Cathedral (Set) Professor William R. Cook Explore the wonders of some of the greatest cathedrals, buildings, bridges, and towers in the world with this fascinating, richly illustrated two-course set. First, experience the engineering genius that makes works such as the Giza pyramids, Brunelleschi's dome, and the Brooklyn Bridge possible with Understanding the World's Greatest Structures: Science and Innovation from Antiquity to Modernity. Then, get closer than ever before to the spiritual, historical, and architectural grandeur of Notre Dame in Paris, Chartres, Amiens, Canterbury, and other Gothic cathedrals with The Cathedral.

Save Up To $460	The Cathedral & Holy Land Revealed (Set) Professor William R. Cook Travel around the world and tour some of its most impressive spiritual and architectural sites from the comfort of home with this richly illustrated two-course set. First, in The Cathedral, high-definition 3-D modeling brings you closer to cathedrals like Notre Dame in Paris and Canterbury in England than any on-site tour could do. And The Holy Land Revealed allows you to relive and encounter life in the ancient Holy Land through the lens of archaeology and a breathtaking range of ruins, artifacts, murals, documents, and other long-buried objects.

	History of Christian Theology & The Catholic Church: A History (Set) Professor William R. Cook Illuminate your understanding of Christianity with this insightful two-course set delivered by two expert religion scholars and award-winning professors. In The History of Christian Theology, investigate the many responses that Christian believers, scholars, and theologians have developed over more than 2,000 years of questions about their faith. Then, in The Catholic Church: A History, follow the development of this powerful religious force throughout the centuries and witness its ability to move armies, inspire saints, and shape the lives and spirits of its more than 1 billion members.

Save Up To $460	The Catholic Church: A History & Popes and the Papacy: A History (Set) Professor William R. Cook Explore the vast and fascinating history of one of the most influential spiritual institutions in the world with this two-course set taught by award-winning professors. In The Catholic Church: A History, follow the development of this powerful religious force throughout the centuries and witness its ability to move armies, inspire saints, and shape the lives and spirits of its more than 1 billion members. Then, focus on the dramatic history of the papal office and the lives of those who've represented it with Popes and the Papacy: A History.

	The Catholic Church & Story of the Bible (Set) Professor William R. Cook Explore the vast and fascinating history of one of the most influential institutions in the world with The Catholic Church: A History with noted historian and Professor William R. Cook. In 36 informative and engaging lectures, follow the development of this powerful religious force throughout the centuries and witness its ability to move armies, inspire saints, and shape the lives and spirits of its more than 1 billion members. Then, in Story of the Bible, Luke Timothy Johnson will illuminate for you the remarkable and complicated process by which this important book came into being.

	The Cathedral & High Middle Ages (Set) Professor William R. Cook Rediscover the Middle Ages with this two-course set delivered by masterful historians and experts in this often misunderstood period of Western history. First, tour the world's most captivating cathedrals from the comfort of home with The Cathedral. Then, gain new insights into the social, intellectual, religious, and political transformations that underlay the period between 1000 and 1300 in The High Middle Ages.

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William R. Cook