The Forge of Christendom Audiobook By Tom Holland cover art

The Forge of Christendom

The End of Days and the Epic Rise of the West

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The Forge of Christendom

By: Tom Holland
Narrated by: James A. Gillies
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At the approach of the first millennium, the Christians of Europe did not seem likely candidates for future greatness. Weak, fractured, and hemmed in by hostile nations, they saw no future beyond the widely anticipated Second Coming of Christ.

But when the world did not end, the peoples of Western Europe suddenly found themselves with no choice but to begin the heroic task of building a Jerusalem on Earth.

In The Forge of Christendom, Tom Holland masterfully describes this remarkable new age, a time of caliphs and Viking sea kings, the spread of castles, and the invention of knighthood. It was one of the most significant departure points in history: the emergence of Western Europe as a distinctive and expansionist power.

©2008 Tom Holland (P)2018 Tantor Ancient Christianity Europe Historical History Medieval Ministry & Evangelism Theology Western Western Europe Middle Ages Emotionally Gripping
Vivid Historical Narrative • Entertaining Storytelling • Comprehensive Medieval Coverage • Insightful Interpretation
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This book covers a wide swath of early Christian history and details how encounters with various European groups shaped its evolution. Unfortunately because it covers so many topics the detail is often lacking to make a solid connection with the peoples and historical figures described and glosses over many historical events.

A mile wide and an inch deep

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I found it thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable. I highly recommend it to medieval history fans.

Epic history with brilliant Narration

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This reads like a stunningly studied Ph. D. thesis, drawing all pieces together and presenting a picture of the time and how it relates to the central event in seamless fashion. This isn't to say it's dry and unreadable by non-experts; this is not the case at all. I was exceptionally impressed.

Great academics, great story

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If you’re a fan of history, do yourself a favor and give this a listen.

Riveting and wonderfully narrated

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There is a lot going on in this book. It is hard to follow by listening.

Probably better read than listened to

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admittedly my first time listening to this book I just couldn't I couldn't believe I had ordered a book this long about this subject that was so boring and so I stopped.
then many months went by and in my boredom I thought maybe I'll try this book again and I'm so glad I did the writing is like nothing I've ever experienced history comes alive in this incredibly detailed and well-atched monument to the history of Europe

I would give the performance a million stars

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Great listen for any history fan out there. Another great book from Holland. I would be remise to not mention the great job James Gillies does.

Tom Holland does it again.

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This book has to do with the rise of Christianity in Europe from about 800-1100. From England, to France. From Germany and the Holy Roman Empire. The popes all is covered here.

Great history of midevil Europe

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The narrator did a wonderful job. The production value was clearly high. The story was well placed, while the content was comprehensive.

Quick and comprehensive

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It seems as though Holland has written in a manner that can be best described as too clever by a half,

Not his best work IMHO# To much phoney dramatizat

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