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Titans of History

The Giants Who Made Our World

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Titans of History

By: Simon Sebag Montefiore
Narrated by: Steve West
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About this listen

 NEW EDITION - FEATURING UPDATED INTRODUCTION AND NEW CHAPTERS

The giant characters of history - from Mozart to Michelangelo, Shakespeare to Einstein, Henry VIII to Hitler, Catherine the Great to Margaret Thatcher, Jesus Christ to Genghis Khan ­- lived lives of astonishing drama and adventure, debauchery and slaughter, but they also formed our world and will shape our future. In this eclectic and surprising collection of short and entertaining life stories, Simon Sebag Montefiore introduces his choice of kings, empresses, sultans and conquerors, as well as prophets, explorers, artists, actresses, courtesans and psychopaths. From the ancient times, via crusades and world wars, up to the 21st century, this accessible history introduces readers to the titans who changed the world: the characters we should all know, and the stories we should never forget.

(p) Penguin Random House US 2017©2017 Simon Sebag Montefiore Historical War Middle Ages Imperialism Military Russia Royalty Ancient History Iran Stalin Winston Churchill Africa Soviet Union Middle East Socialism Latin America Self-Determination Ancient Greece Crusade Interwar Period

Critic Reviews

Simon Sebag Montefiore is a master storyteller
Sparkling biographical essays ... A tour of the good, the bad and the ugly
Entertaining and informative. Full of offbeat, fascinating detail
Comprehensive, chilling and highly compelling. A first-class chronologically arranged catalogue that enagages as it teaches
Compulsive reading ... We do not shudder at the depths to which men and women throughout history have sunk, but experience a piquant relish ... a book that reminds us how thin the veneer of civilisation is
A survey of great historical figures favours villainy over goodness ... A compilation of short biographical profiles ... catering to our appalled fascination with evil. Monsters outnumber heroes. Stalin, the subject of Montefiore's superb two-volume biography, is the prototype for many of the maniacal autocrats whose rages and rampages are described here. A strutting parade of psychopathic dictators, warlords, malevolent dwarves ... Montefiore finds room for a few gods, one or two secular saints, American founding fathers, Lincoln and Churchill, and a smattering artists and scientists, but their achievements hardly manage to maintain the pretence of civilisation. What excites Montefiore is villainy ... and he does this with wicked verve
All stars
Most relevant
I was amazed by the quantity and quality of the material in this book by S S Montefiore. However, I found that a little of it, or just a few of the short chapters at a time, went a long way. I was disconcerted to hear about Jesus Christ sandwiched between Tiberius and Caligula, and other juxtapositions were just as unlikely. I did finish the book despite temptations to bail out early, and am glad I did. The reader was very good, and the writer is terrific - but it will be a long time before I tackle yet another book by Mr Montefiore.

Brilliant but overpowering

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A very enjoyable sweep thru history
Masterful editing to capture the essence of people in a short account
Loved it

Excellent

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