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  • The History of the Medieval World

  • From the Conversion of Constantine to the First Crusade
  • By: Susan Wise Bauer
  • Narrated by: John Lee
  • Length: 22 hrs and 42 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (98 ratings)
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The History of the Medieval World

By: Susan Wise Bauer
Narrated by: John Lee
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Summary

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

Critic reviews

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

What listeners say about The History of the Medieval World

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really enjoyed

listened and then bought the book, so much info, will reread and listen again, blah blah :)

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A detailed history from the fall of Rome to the first crusade

It’s hard to say something bad about this book. the book details, history of China, India, Rome and Europe from around the fall of Rome, to the first crusade. Lots of interesting facts, and at least in my case stories of civilisations, I’ve not heard of before. Great.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • JD
  • 03-12-20

Comprehensive

took a while to get through but I enjoyed it! I was surprised at the range.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Incredible

Incredible journey in the past. I really recommend this for everyone who loves history. Enjoy!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good overview

If you want to know what happened when and get a good broad brush dynastic history of major civilisations in the early medieval period it is great. A good general history that gives a good platform for more detailed reading. They should make undergrads read it. They won’t.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

History in real depth

if you want a comprehensive history lesson then this book is ideal
wonderfully cross-referenced and clearly told it gives a great understanding of the different events across the world during this fascinating period

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Both comprehensive and enjoyable

Well paced and constructed. Comprehensive in its coverage and still suitably accessible to all whilst having a rigorous feel.

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  • RG
  • 13-11-19

A continuing rollercoaster ride through history

This is a book packed with events covering time from the 4th to the 11th Century with information brought together from various parts of the world and presented in what is best described a time lapse approach. You race through what was happening at a particular time in different places and you're left catching your breath at the pace of delivery - I found it exhilarating and well worth the purchase. I got the audio version but for some reason there were no pdf downloads as with the other two books, which would have been helpful. The coverage leaves you with enough information for you to go off and research areas of interest that emerge as you fly through time. This series is very much an encyclopedia though set out in chronological order and made to satisfy the history nerd that resides within. I wholeheartedly recommend

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great

a great summation of the time periods notable characters and events performed excellently.

I need to listen to the next one now

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Great overview of a fascinating historical period

For somebody with an interest but little knowledge such as myself I found this riveting. Both the grand sweep and the individual details are covered well. Excellent reader, too.

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