The History of the Medieval World Audiobook By Susan Wise Bauer cover art

The History of the Medieval World

From the Conversion of Constantine to the First Crusade

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The History of the Medieval World

By: Susan Wise Bauer
Narrated by: John Lee
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About this listen

From the schism between Rome and Constantinople to the rise of the T'ang Dynasty, from the birth of Muhammad to the crowning of Charlemagne, this erudite book tells the fascinating, often violent story of kings, generals, and the peoples they ruled. In her earlier work, The History of the Ancient World, Susan Wise Bauer wrote of the rise of kingship based on might. But in the years between the fourth and the 12th centuries, rulers had to find new justification for their power, and they turned to divine truth or grace to justify political and military action. Right thus replaces might as the engine of empire. Not just Christianity and Islam but the religions of the Persians and the Germans, and even Buddhism, are pressed into the service of the state. This phenomenon---stretching from the Americas all the way to Japan---changes religion, but it also changes the state.

©2010 Susan Wise Bauer (P)2010 Tantor
Ancient Europe Medieval Imperialism Military Crusade Thought-Provoking World History Medieval History

Critic reviews

“[A] witty and well-written examination of world history...that is rich in detail and intriguing in anecdotal information.” ( Publishers Weekly)

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.

What listeners say about The History of the Medieval World

Highly rated for:

Comprehensive Historical Coverage Broad Global Perspective Excellent Pronunciation Engaging Narrative Style
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Good Read bad history

It was fun listening to the history on this disc, however, the history is really not that good. She gets many facts wrong. Don't take everything you read in this work as the absolute truth.

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4 people found this helpful

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On second thought

Early Christian story is the general accepted point of view, which I am sure is extremely unreliable, especially in describing motives to these people who formed and forced its doctrines.

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2 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars

Same old history; humans haven't changed much

Lots of focus on who was ruling where and who was making war where. Paints the early/early medieval Catholic church as not really having much power. Mostly focuses on kings but a big section on history of Islam and its kingdoms. Little on western hemisphere and southern Africa; nothing on Australia at all.
Overall, good information; excellent narration. I did not lose interest, although that would be pretty easy if you didn't really want to learn the info.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Valuable information

Historically correct and would be great info for textbook support. Will buy hard copy in the future.

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    5 out of 5 stars

Interesting but it would not play.

This was interesting and the style was pleasing, very peaceful with touches of wit. However nothing would make the thing load correctly on my tablets so this review only covers about a third of the book.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

If you love history you'll love this book

This book is well researched well written and laid out The chapters are not too long They hit all the historical high points of the time period this book covers And the book flows nicely

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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John Lee

I wish John Lee would narrate every single book on Audible. I am sad to finish this trilogy as I have become attached to his voice.
Bauer is excellent.

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Informative

I used this for one of my highschool classes. I liked it very much. The reader was clear and into the story. It's nearly all political history about who held power when and how they got it. It also speaks of the starts of major religions and environmental events such as the eruption of Krakatoa. I think the author did a pretty good job of presenting a nearly impartial account of the events. I would definitely recommend it to anyone wanting to expand their knowledge of midevil history.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent

I learned a lot of how the European psyche came to be and how the modem belief in a shared History come to be.

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good overview

It was interesting and well read. A good overview of the subject matter and enjoyable.

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