
A World Lit Only by Fire
The Medieval Mind and the Renaissance: Portrait of an Age
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Narrated by:
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Barrett Whitener
About this listen
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- Narrated by: Jim Meskimen
- Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
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The word medieval conjures images of the “Dark Ages”. But the myth of darkness obscures the truth; this was a remarkable period in human history. The Bright Ages recasts the European Middle Ages for what it was, capturing this 1,000-year era in all its complexity and fundamental humanity, bringing to light both its beauty and its horrors. The Bright Ages takes us through 10 centuries and crisscrosses Europe and the Mediterranean, Asia, and Africa, revisiting familiar people and events with new light cast upon them.
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Does exactly what it claims to clarify
- By Aaron Rapozo on 12-13-21
By: Matthew Gabriele, and others
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Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World
- By: Jack Weatherford
- Narrated by: Jonathan Davis, Jack Weatherford
- Length: 14 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
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The Mongol army led by Genghis Khan subjugated more lands and people in 25 years than the Romans did in 400. In nearly every country the Mongols conquered, they brought an unprecedented rise in cultural communication, expanded trade, and a blossoming of civilization.
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Golden Horde/Platinum Listen
- By Cynthia on 12-11-13
By: Jack Weatherford
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1493
- Uncovering the New World Columbus Created
- By: Charles C. Mann
- Narrated by: Robertson Dean
- Length: 17 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
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More than 200 million years ago, geological forces split apart the continents. Isolated from each other, the two halves of the world developed radically different suites of plants and animals. When Christopher Columbus set foot in the Americas, he ended that separation at a stroke. Driven by the economic goal of establishing trade with China, he accidentally set off an ecological convulsion as European vessels carried thousands of species to new homes across the oceans.
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Fascinating Mindbending History.
- By Betsy Powel on 12-19-11
By: Charles C. Mann
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The Anglo-Saxons
- A History of the Beginnings of England: 400 - 1066
- By: Marc Morris
- Narrated by: Roy McMillan
- Length: 13 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
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Sixteen hundred years ago Britain left the Roman Empire and swiftly fell into ruin. Grand cities and luxurious villas were deserted and left to crumble, and civil society collapsed into chaos. Into this violent and unstable world came foreign invaders from across the sea, and established themselves as its new masters. The Anglo-Saxons traces the turbulent history of these people across the next six centuries. It explains how their earliest rulers fought relentlessly against each other for glory and supremacy, and then were almost destroyed by the onslaught of the vikings.
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"Pretty Good"
- By Stephen on 05-30-21
By: Marc Morris
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A History of Britain: Volume 1
- By: Simon Schama
- Narrated by: Stephen Thorne
- Length: 15 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
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The story of Britain from the earliest settlements in 3000BC to the death of Elizabeth I in 1603. To look back at the past is to understand the present. In this vivid account of over 4,000 years of British history, Simon Schama takes us on an epic journey which encompasses the very beginnings of the nation's identity, when the first settlers landed on Orkney. From the successes and failures of the monarchy to the daily life of a Roman soldier stationed on Hadrian's Wall, Schama gives a vivid, fascinating account of the many different stories and struggles that lie behind the growth of our island nation.
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Some History. Mostly a Monarchy Tabloid Rag
- By Carrie on 03-22-19
By: Simon Schama
My Favorite After 20 Years
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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Yes, there's much we can learn about contemporary times by studying history.What was one of the most memorable moments of A World Lit Only by Fire?
The gross abuses of the Church.Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Too much for one setting. Vast scope and lengthy. Can't wait to return to another chapter each day. I listen as I walk or exercise.Any additional comments?
I'm in the midst of listening right now. Manchester writes popular history, not scholarly. He makes some broad generalizations. And, he covers a vast amount of territory, time, and personalities to weave together a narrative that keeps my interest, touches on items of significance to Europe and the Ottoman Empire, and is not afraid to point out the gross sins of The Church (as the Catholic Church then was called). Manchester's writing is stirring my interest in going deeper. This time period fascinates me.Engaging narrative of an unknown world
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Great book
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Title isn't accurate
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This is one of them. Excellent!
Manchester the Great!
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An excellent portrait of an age.
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Easily the best book I've read on history.
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Would you listen to A World Lit Only by Fire again? Why?
I re-listen to it all the time. When I can't sleep, this is a surefire way to drift off. It's fascinating stuff. And the perfect degree of dryness, so that I can fall asleep guiltless.What was one of the most memorable moments of A World Lit Only by Fire?
To be sure, it has to be the section on Martin Luther, a certifiable nut job of the first order! I sleep like a baby until old Barrett starts reading the writings of this bat case and I pop awake completely riveted. How on earth does anyone take Martin Luther seriously?Which scene was your favorite?
Without a doubt it's ol' Martin's fascination with bodily processes. How does anyone read this and not go into hysterical convulsions? Really! And all of it read in Barrett's entertaining monotone. It has the quality of a computer reading porn. Insanely, and, I'm sure, unintentionally funny!Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Nothing in particular.Any additional comments?
This is a fascinating book that is unintentionally hilarious to me. I listen to parts of it all the time because it is William Manchester after all. For some reason it just tickles me.A Cure For Insomnia
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Great book for a simple but a butchery time
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Manchester gives you the highlights of art, the church, exploration, political chicanery, and science, and you will finish this book intending to learn more about the age that birthed our own.
My only regret is that the book is not four times as long with this masterful storyteller entertaining me more.
You will want more...
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