The Early Middle Ages Audiobook By Philip Daileader, The Great Courses cover art

The Early Middle Ages

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The Early Middle Ages

By: Philip Daileader, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Philip Daileader
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About this listen

The Early Middle Ages - the years from A.D. 650 to 1000 - were crucial to Europe's future social and political development. These 24 lectures trace a journey from Scandinavia across northern and central Europe to the farthest reaches of the Byzantine and Islamic empires, providing an exciting new look an era often simply called the "Dark Ages."

Given the period's dismal reputation and its temporal remoteness from the 21st century, you'll be surprised to learn about some of the most challenging questions historians have ever had to tackle: Why did the Roman Empire fall? Why did the ancient world give way to the medieval world? Why did Christian monotheism become the dominant religion in Europe? You'll meet some of the era's exciting figures, such as St. Augustine and Justinian, and you'll consider the extent to which the historical realities of King Arthur and Charlemagne match up to the legends that have become attached to their names. You'll also look at the era's effect on the Vikings, the rise of the Carolingians, and the golden age of Islamic rule in Spain.

Professor Daileader also explores the contrasting historical theories offered by two extremely influential historians: Edward Gibbon, the English author of the monumental The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, whose explanations closely followed those of the Roman moralists of the 4th and 5th centuries; and Henri Pirenne, the Belgian thinker who injected a newfound emphasis on social and especially economic factors into the analysis of history.

You'll see why the era belies its reputation as dark and dismal, but you'll come away with a new appreciation for this once-lost era.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2004 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2004 The Great Courses
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Featured Article: Travel to the Middle Ages with These Audiobooks and Podcasts


The Medieval Era, the tumultuous centuries from the fall of the Roman Empire to the advent of the Enlightenment, is one of the most alluring and intriguing periods of human history. Ready to travel back in time? Check out these audiobooks and podcasts, which cover everything from Icelandic sagas and Medieval murder to the queens of Medieval England and the scientific advancements of the Arab World.

Comprehensive Historical Overview • Engaging Storytelling Approach • Engaging Speaker • Accessible Educational Content
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I enjoy everything that this professor does, but I do enjoy this time period this best. He has such a good sense of humor and relevance.

Early Middles

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This period of history can be rather dry for a variety of reasons, but Professor Daileader not only manages to put together a course that is fascinating throughout, but his delivery is excellent. There is even a fair amount of humour, which I almost never find in the Great Courses series.

Professor Daileader is easily the best orator in the Great Courses series, and second only to Michael C. Drout from the Modern Scholar series.

Highly recommended.

Great course, better Professor

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The professor narrating the history of this period makes it so entertaining to listen to.

I've definitely learned a lot more about the middle ages and managed to fill the gap existing in my knowledge.

Absolutely recommend it!

Great narration

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Long distance commuter here. I've listened to probably 500 hours of audiobooks and lectures and have heard a variety of speaking habits and accents. This professor's inflection on some words made it a little difficult for me to get into because it was a bit distracting. However, I pushed through and eventually didn't even hear that anymore.
I recommend listening to this lecture if you are interested in ancient/medieval history and/or watch The Last Kingdom on Netflix! He gives a lot of interesting background around that time period.

Keep Listening!

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This is read by the author as a series of lectures and it is organized like all the Great Courses series. That makes it easy to get through a lot of information in a reasonable time. I like to listen while commuting as each lecture is around 45 minutes.. I like the author's voice and I like his moments of humor that enliven stories and how he lectures. He reminds me of my best university teachers. After this, I will be looking for more by the same author.

Great narration, entertaining history lesson

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Very informative and well done. He focuses mostly on the late Romans and those that will make up eventual France but hits all areas of Europe.

Very interesting

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Excellent history! The subject matter is shared with insight, depth and wit. I look forward to hearing his next one on the Middle Ages, the High Middle Ages!

Well worth listening to!

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Explains the causes of the fall of the Roman Empire. The best explanation I have heard. Also explains origin of many things found in later Middle Ages.

Learned a lot of new insights

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I Rented this from my local library probably 12 years ago. It was the most fun I've had learning. I wish high school could have been this energetic.

long time listener.

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Highly recommend. Clear, unbiased, comprehensive, engaging and funny. Well organized and easy to follow. Another Great Course from Great Courses on Audible!

Clear, unbiased, comprehensive, engaging and funny.

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