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Medieval Europe

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Medieval Europe

By: Chris Wickham
Narrated by: Derek Perkins
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About this listen

The millennium between the breakup of the western Roman Empire and the Reformation was a long and hugely transformative period - one not easily chronicled within a single volume. Yet distinguished historian Chris Wickham has taken up the challenge in this landmark book, and he succeeds in producing the most riveting account of medieval Europe in a generation.

Tracking the entire sweep of the Middle Ages across Europe, Wickham focuses on important changes century by century, including such pivotal crises and moments as the fall of the western Roman Empire, Charlemagne's reforms, the feudal revolution, the challenge of heresy, the destruction of the Byzantine Empire, the rebuilding of late medieval states, and the appalling devastation of the Black Death. He provides illuminating vignettes that underscore how shifting social, economic, and political circumstances affected individual lives and international events. Wickham offers both a new conception of Europe's medieval period and a provocative revision of exactly how and why the Middle Ages matter.

©2016 Chris Wickham (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Europe Medieval Middle Ages Imperialism Africa Ottoman Empire Italy War United Kingdom Middle East Ancient History Crusade World History Mediaeval History
All stars
Most relevant  
for dedicated historians, but if you are really interested in history at a deeper level this is for you.

very detailed

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I really enjoyed the subject matter and would live to read the book, but its such a dry subject I unfortunately missed a lot of information.
up side is when I listen to it again I'll learn more

Great for information, but very dry

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Gets to just the right level of detail. Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Will read it again.

A comprehensively satisfying insight

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I often fear these larger, more in depth histories will make for poor listening experiences. In which tge listener is overcome by poor narration or an over abubdance of facts....

This is certainly botvtye case here, every minute listening was a pleasure. Wickham is always a pleasure to read and Perkins has a fantastic cadence and is in my opinion one of our greatest narrators.

I hardly ever review, but this Audiobook is truly fantastic and I reccomend it to everyone.

Simply Brilliant.

Brilliant

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The book covers main areas and domains of medieval Europe. It does not effectively connect them into a whole or pattern especially well though. The author more so acknowledges the challenge of doing so. There are patterns and sequences/developments (e.g. Christianity spread is done well; the impact of literacy on the state and church throughout), but the book is such an overview it lacks focus and the ability to meaningfully connect areas together. I think it either avoided this intentionality, but it comes out to be a very plain book that doesn't really answer questions or pose any good ones.

Sweeping and only loosely coherent

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Lengthy, interesting in a few instances, well narrated, otherwise (for me at least) rather boring.

Mainly for History ‘buffs’

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Some books are supposed to read as opposed to being read out loud ..

A good history

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