Margaret Mitchell - Gone with the Wind

A Video Talk

When Margaret Mitchell was a little girl, she sat on her grandmother’s veranda and listened avidly to stories of the Civil War. It came as a terrible shock some years later when she discovered that the South had actually lost the war. Those stories, and the journalism work she did in the city of Atlanta would all help her to write her classic novel about Scarlett O’Hara surviving the horrors of the war that divided a nation.

I’ll tell you the fascinating story behind this memorable and, today, controversial novel and its author. Who was Rhett Butler based on? How did fame affect Margaret Mitchell? And what about that famous ending – did Scarlett ever get Rhett back?

“We should keep reading ‘Gone with the Wind'”
― Washington Post

A powerful and epic novel

It was actually an accident that brought about the writing of her book. The tale was not written chronologically and it’s a miracle it ever came to be published at all. Discover what name Margaret Mitchell originally gave to her feisty heroine, and what changes she made just before publication.

When Gone with the Wind was published in 1936 it was an immediate bestseller and speculation began as to which actors could take the main parts in a movie. When the film premiered in Atlanta in 1939, after a very troubled production, it broke box office records, won ten Academy Awards and remains the highest grossing film in history.

Enriching the word through tales

The brothers were devoted to each other. Wilhelm married but Jacob always shared their home. Their first collection, Children’s and Household Tales, came out in 1812, and eventually they published more than 200 stories. The world is a richer place thanks to those two remarkable men.

Learn more about the Brothers Grimm, and delve more deeply into the wolf-infested forest of Little Red Riding Hood.

Watch the video talk

This Video Talk is a real treat! Taken from a live-streamed presentation, it has been carefully recorded and completely edited to deliver the experience of being part of an audience and having the best seat in the house. It includes over 60 minutes of intriguing stories about the author to help you understand what prompted this book to be written. The main characters and their roles are identified, the themes behind the story are analysed, and a description of the influence that the era, lifestyle and circumstances have on the book’s setting. It is illustrated with photographs, paintings, scenes from different film versions and book covers – you’ll have plenty to look at while you listen.

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Just $15. Buy it now – you’ll receive access details by return email.

COMING SOON. This video talk will be available from 1st December 2021. Please check back here then.

Purchase the Video Talk

At just $15 this Video Talk is a real treat! Taken from a live-streamed presentation, it has been carefully recorded and completely edited to deliver the experience of being part of an audience and having the best seat in the house. It includes over 60 minutes of intriguing stories about the author to help you understand what prompted this book to be written. The main characters and their roles are identified, the themes behind the story are analysed, and a description of the influence that the era, lifestyle and circumstances have on the book’s setting. It is illustrated with photographs, paintings, scenes from different film versions and book covers – you’ll have plenty to look at while you listen.

Buy it now and receive a link to view your video immediately.

100% guaranteed. If you don’t feel my talk is great value for money, please let me know why and I will refund your purchase price.

Discuss it with me

I hope you enjoyed hearing about Margaret Mitchell, her life and her iconic book. I’m interested to hear what you think, so please tell me in a comment or leave a review here.

Reviews
What a wonderful holiday gift—thank you, Susannah! I was hanging on every word My introduction to GWTW was similar to yours My next-door neighbor (a... Read more

What a wonderful holiday gift—thank you, Susannah! I was hanging on every word. My introduction to GWTW was similar to yours. My next-door neighbor (a middle-aged woman) gave me her copy when I was 14 years old. Luckily, summer had just begun, so it didn’t matter that I stayed up three nights straight reading nonstop. I lived, breathed, and ate GWTW and was devastated after reading the final sentence. It’s the first time a book totally grabbed me and wouldn’t let go! I keep looking to repeat the experience, but have never fully succeeded.

Linda Fineman
Thank you Susannah for a wonderful Zoom talk on Gone With The Wind  I loved it and like you it brought back memories of reading my favourite book w... Read more

Thank you Susannah for a wonderful Zoom talk on Gone With The Wind.  I loved it and like you it brought back memories of reading my favourite book when I was 16 years old.

I love receiving your newsletter, so thank you for your gift.

Irene
Many thanks for yet another wonderful lecture from you  It brought back many memories of reading “Gone with the Wind” especially like others I fo... Read more
Many thanks for yet another wonderful lecture from you.  It brought back many memories of reading “Gone with the Wind” especially like others I found it hard to put down,  which resulted in my having problems with my eyes!!! Over Christmas, I will catch up with the movie again.
 
I do appreciate the work you put in to give us these lectures and find these and your newsletter very interesting and informative. 
Desley
I just want to tell you how much I adored your Zoom lecture on Gone with the Wind I wish I was living in Sydney so I could attend yourcourses

I just want to tell you how much I adored your Zoom lecture on Gone with the Wind. I wish I was living in Sydney so I could attend your
courses.

Daphne
Really enjoyed your zoom talk on GWTW I can never get enough background on all things connected  Truly Scarlett was one of the most fascinating women... Read more
Really enjoyed your zoom talk on GWTW. I can never get enough background on all things connected.  Truly Scarlett was one of the most fascinating women in literature, along with my other fave minx – Becky Sharp.
Thank you again – love your work!
Annie
Thank you Susannah for this fine presentation on Gone with the Wind, I learned a lot I too read GWTW as a teenager and was deeply moved by it Happily... Read more

Thank you Susannah for this fine presentation on Gone with the Wind, I learned a lot. I too read GWTW as a teenager and was deeply moved by it. Happily, the movie did the book justice.
I will rewatch the movie soon. My enjoyment will be enriched by having listened to your insights into its production.

Mary
Wonderful presentation Susannah, thank you so much   I was introduced to “Gone With the Wind” by my history master when aged 16 (am 78 now) an... Read more
Wonderful presentation Susannah, thank you so much.
 
I was introduced to “Gone With the Wind” by my history master when aged 16 (am 78 now) and it has been my favourite book and film ever since.
 
Really enjoyed hearing about the life of Margaret Mitchell, how the book came about and the difficulties in making the film. You are quite correct, I don’t think anybody would ever venture to make another film as it could never stand up against the original.
Diana
I caught up with your talk last night I found it fascinating as I had no knowledge of Margaret Mitchell's life
I caught up with your talk last night. I found it fascinating as I had no knowledge of Margaret Mitchell’s life.
Dianne
I wish to thank you greatly for the gift of your talks on Charles Dickens and “Gone with the Wind”, which I listened with great pleasure  Refres... Read more
I wish to thank you greatly for the gift of your talks on Charles Dickens and “Gone with the Wind”, which I listened with great pleasure. 
Refreshing to listen to your voice in affording me knowledge on such a great writer and film.
I always receive your newsletters with great appreciation. 
Irma

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Featured image credit- Clark Gable & Vivien Leigh in Gone with the Wind, 1939, Selznick/MGM production, https://fanart.tv/movie/770/gone-with-the-wind//h6>

Comments (6)

  1. Mary

    Thank you Susannah for this fine presentation on Gone with the Wind.I learned a lot. I too read GWTW as a teenager and was deeply moved by it. Happily, the movie did the book justice.
    I will rewatch the movie soon. My enjoyment will be enriched by having listened to your insights into it’s production. Thank you again.

    • Susannah Fullerton

      I am so glad you enjoyed the talk, Mary. Thanks for your kind comments.
      Yes, a fabulous book and a fabulous movie!

  2. Marjorie June

    Hi Susannah

    Thank you so much for your interesting talk on ‘Gone with the Wind’ on Monday. I enjoyed it very much. I didn’t read it until I was in my thirties and enjoyed it then. When I was 14 years old I read Enid Blyton which at that time (1950’s)was discouraged as it was considered of no literary value. I encouraged my 12 year old brother to read the books which he enjoyed and has them still until this day. While he didn’t become a avid reader, he does read the occasional book. I went on to become a book addict, and have since read many classics. My home is full of books.

    Marjorie June

    • Susannah Fullerton

      We are lucky to be book addicts!!! Yes, Enid Blyton has given many children a love of reading, and I don’t think kids should be discouraged from reading her books.
      I am so glad you enjoyed the Margaret Mitchell talk.
      Merry Christmas!

  3. Margaret Sams

    Hi Susannah
    I read Gone With The Wind when I was about 14
    (Probably not with my parents permission). I remember wishing it would never end.
    And the film! I can’t tell you how many times I have watched it. I fell in love with Clark Gable and anyone else in my life who looked a bit like him.
    Can’t wait to listen to your talk tomorrow.
    Margaret Sams

    • Susannah Fullerton

      I was also 14 when I read it. My mother handed me this huge book, with no picture on the cover, and said ‘I think you might like this one!”. Three days later, I emerged pale and weeping, having done nothing but read it. I’ve adored it ever since. I’m also in love with Clark Gable. No wonder they have never attempted another film version – who could match those fabulous actors in the main roles?
      I do hope you enjoy the talk!

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