A World Lit Only by Fire Audiobook By William Manchester cover art

A World Lit Only by Fire

The Medieval Mind and the Renaissance: Portrait of an Age

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A World Lit Only by Fire

By: William Manchester
Narrated by: Barrett Whitener
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From tales of chivalrous knights to the barbarity of trial by ordeal, no era has been a greater source of awe, horror, and wonder than the Middle Ages. In handsomely crafted prose and with the grace and authority of his extraordinary gift for narrative history, William Manchester leads us from a civilization tottering on the brink of collapse to the grandeur of its rebirth, the Renaissance. The latter was a dense explosion of energy that spawned some of history's greatest poets, philosophers, and painters, as well as some of its most spectacular villains.Knight time: explore our list of titles about the Middle Ages.©1979, 1980 William Manchester (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc. Europe Expeditions & Discoveries Medieval Renaissance World Middle Ages Italy World History Medieval History

Critic reviews

"An absorbing and readable history." (School Library Journal)
"Manchester provides easy access to a fascinating age when our modern mentality was just being born." (Chicago Tribune)
"Manchester has not forgotten the skills that, with invective, eloquence, and anecdote, make him a master storyteller."(Kirkus Reviews)
Engaging Narrative • Fascinating Historical Details • Deadpan Humor • Compelling Storytelling • Vivid Descriptions
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A World Lit Only By Fire was the first audio book I listened to way back in the ninties, and it is still my favorite. I think I've read many of the best books, "Two Years Before The Mast", "Brothers Karamozov", the Sharp novels. This book is different. It makes one ask, how hungry could I get? Do I have any bravery? Have I ever really sinned? If I had the power to force people to do one thing, I would make them read the Magellan section of this book. They would be amazed at the power of human character.

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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one of the better 'included' titles I've listened to. May be the first one I've actually finished.

Great book

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The book focuses on the 15th and 16th centuries, the period spanning between the 5th and 14th centuries briefly mentionned in chapter 1. This isn't a schoraly book, it doesn't have a clear structure, and it is not clear what the aim of the book is. A large part of the text is dedicate to Magellan's voyage leaving out many other important events. This author provides freely his opinion about events and people instead of trying to provide an objective account. This said, the book is not boring in the sense that it provides a glimpse into the daily life of some characters that lived during the transition from the Middle Ages to the Modern Age.

Title isn't accurate

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This man will always be cherished for his meticulously researched, discerning works of history.
This is one of them. Excellent!

Manchester the Great!

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This is a fascinating book that delves into the history behind the history that we all have learned about. It takes you far beyond what you may have learned in high school or even college. I loved this book and the performance is perfect for the stories being told.

An excellent portrait of an age.

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He doesn't pull back. It's just the unvarnished account. love his work. Really would have liked to have read this in school instead of the politicized "here's how we think you should view history" text books I got.

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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book endeavor is outstanding. simple, direct and easy to understand. this book must be read in all high schools and colleges

Great book for a simple but a butchery time

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Manchester does an excellent job of whetting one's appetite for more on the late middle ages and the early renaissance with this interesting tour through several centuries that were both more violent, more immoral, more exciting in the sum than one might think. Heroes, real heroes, abound, along with villains that make today's villains look untutored. The rotten Catholic church birthed the reformation and forced honest thinkers into heroism and martyrdom....the lives of most people were nasty, brutish, and short, but still out of that mass of misery came fabulous individuals who changed the world so that today our lives are only nasty and brutish, but not nearly as bad as those of the past.

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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