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  This is a brief selection from the many comments Dr. Fears has received, from all over the country, on his speaking events, and on his Teaching Company lecture series: A History of Freedom, Famous Greeks, Famous Romans, Churchill, and Book That Have Made History: Books That Can Change Your Life.
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“Lec-ture n: ‘An educational speech on a particular subject made before an audience.’ In the case of Professor J. Rufus Fears, this description would be woefully inadequate. I consider his presentation on the Roman Empire to be life-changing. Professor Fears provided us with a dynamic experience as we compared ourselves with those who witnessed the changes in their life and culture so long ago. We should put a picture of this ‘storyteller’ on the mantel, flanked by candles, to remind us of an encounter we won’t forget.”
—Bob Cerwin, retired businessman, executive coach,
past vice president of Rotary International
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“I am really enjoying your tapes on Famous Greeks. I have just been attending the Renaissance Weekend in Santa Fe. I used your comments on Pericles’ Funeral Oration in a seminar on the Gettysburg Address. I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed them. I truly love your lectures. You continue to bring accolades to our ever-improving university.”
—Robert Henry, Federal Judge
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“This week I finished your History of Freedom—superb job. Your organization and insight into the interplay between freedom, the events and the personalities place them in an entirely new context. I spent the first 13 years of my professional life as a lawyer, the next eight as a trial judge, and the last eight I have served on the California Court of Appeal. In my profession it is imperative that we periodically refresh our understanding of the foundations upon which our form of government rests. Your tapes helped renew my enthusiasm in approaching my tasks. Keep up the good work.”
—J. Gary Hastings, Judge, California Court of Appeal,
Second District, Section Four
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“I wanted to sincerely thank you for your terrific courses from The Teaching Company. They were not only incredibly entertaining but also a treasure map of knowledge. When the last audio words were spoken from your courses a sudden sadness overcame me. The only answer was to start at the beginning and listen to them all over again. I am now on the third round. As a hobbyist, I have studied ancient Greece for the last 20 years. Yet I feel like I have learned more from your courses than all the thousands of pages of text I have read. You are the Michael Jordan of history.”
—Andy Etzler, Clinical Pharmacist
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"Professor Fears' riveting lectures draw the audience into a different time and place. He evokes the eternal spirit of Freedom, whether it be the ancient Athenians and Spartans repelling the Persian invader, the Roman Republic fighting for its survival against the tactical genius or Hannibal, or Winston Churchill's England, standing alone against the Nazi plague that gripped a continent. I highly recommend him to any audience that wishes to examine seriously character, courage, and individual commitment to the greater good."
—Edward L. Bleynat, Jr., attorney and author
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“If there is one way to judge a lecturer, it is through The Teaching Company’s “Great Courses” series. Only the best lecturers are allowed their input in this captivating series. I have had the honor of both listening to the lectures series of Prof. Fears on tape, and attending one of his live lectures. His lecture’s boldness, insightful, and interesting content allow them to outpace all other great lecturers to the point of complete supremacy and, having personally met him, this does not surprise me in the least.”
—William (Web) Edward Bleynat, 14, Asheville, North Carolina
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“Your courses Famous Greeks and Romans are truly outstanding. I couldn’t wait to get into the car so I could listen. The lessons you teach are relevant and timeless. I have listened to your Famous Greeks and Famous Romans at least three times and loaned them to colleagues who have the same opinion. Our 13 year-old nephew listened to your Roman tapes day and night and could quote much of them verbatim. The mark of a great work is that it can appeal to a 13 year-old schoolboy and a 53 year-old engineering professor. I have since picked up some of the original works (Herodotus) and am enjoying them as well.”
—Shep Salon, Professor of Engineering
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“Your lectures on the history of freedom were a wonderful experience. Your insights into history, both modern and ancient were truly revelatory. In particular, I appreciated your lectures on ancient Greece and by far the most interesting discussions I've heard on Oedipus, Jesus and the Pauline principles of freedom, the American Revolution, Lincoln, Churchill, and, finally, your last impressions on the future of Freedom. Thank you so much for elevating the tone of my day and bringing me so many profound insights.”
—Michael Packer, MD, Idaho
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“The Teaching Company has kindly given me your address so I can thank you: The Winston Churchill of teachers and a giant of scholarship like Fernand Braudel. Your History of Freedom lectures are as life giving as a drink of blood to a spirit in Hades and I bow in gratitude to you.”
—Marianne Dunlop
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“I’ve been listening to your fabulous courses Famous Greeks and Famous Romans. I must tell you that it has been a long time since I have enjoyed anything so much. I have listened to a number of Teaching Company courses. I have enjoyed most of them. But I must be honest: yours are fantastic. I want to congratulate you on the passion you put into the subject. You have raised the subject of history to the level of great entertainment. I want my entire family to listen to your tapes.”
—Juan Gonzalez, Attorney, Miami
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“I wanted to let you know that I greatly enjoyed your History of Freedom tapes. I am a veterinarian, but I think if I had you as a professor my whole orientation may have changed. Your description of the early battles of the American Revolution held me spellbound.”
—Charles Sodikoff, DVM
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“I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for producing your Famous Romans lecture series for The Teaching Company. I only wish I had a professor like you when I went to college. Besides teaching history, your classes link Roman history to modern day America. The classes also teach why history is important, and how a person can improve himself by studying history and biography.”
—Jeffrey Kessler, New York
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