Mediaeval Africa

This audiobook reveals a truth that has too often been overlooked: Africa was home to sophisticated empires, powerful rulers, and legendary cities of gold and scholarship. Inside, you'll uncover the rich history and untold tales of a continent shaping its own destiny.

Embark on an enthralling journey through the heart of Medieval England in this captivating exploration of one of history's most dynamic periods. Delve into the lives of kings and queens, knights and peasants, as the story of England unfolds against the backdrop of feudalism, chivalry, and religious upheaval. Experience the turbulence of the Magna Carta, the devastation of the Black Death, and the intrigue of the Wars of the Roses, all of which shaped the destiny of England.

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 book. 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.

When most people think about the Middle Ages, they think about Europe. Images of knights, jousting, and even Christianity, seem ingrained in our understanding of the medieval era. However, the Middle Ages stretched far beyond Europe, which was struggling to rebuild after the fall of the Roman Empire. Europe may have fumbled along for about a thousand years, but Africa became a powerhouse of trade and wealth.

A history of peasants in the Middle Ages, the story takes the listener into the life of Marion, the carpenter's wife, and her extended family as they struggle to survive through hardship, featuring a year in their lives at the mercy of the weather and the Lord of the Manor. Existing without soap, paper or glass and only with the most basic of tools, we learn how they survive starvation, sickness, fire and natural disaster in their home on the edge of the Weald.

Cuando la mayoría de la gente piensa en la Edad Media, piensa en Europa. Las imágenes de caballeros, justas e incluso el cristianismo parecen arraigadas en nuestra percepción de la época medieval. Sin embargo, la Edad Media se extendió mucho más allá de Europa, que luchaba por reconstruirse tras la caída del Imperio romano. Puede que Europa avanzara a tientas durante unos mil años, pero África se convirtió en una potencia del comercio y la riqueza.

Brought to you by Penguin. Thomas Asbridge’s remarkable new book reveals the global impact of humanity’s greatest natural disaster, and the terrible human cost of this calamity. In the mid-fourteenth century, a lethal plague struck the medieval world, causing unimaginable suffering and...

Pick up almost any book on early and medieval world history and empire, and where do you find West Africa? On the periphery. This pioneering book tells a different story. Interweaving political and social history and drawing on a rich array of sources, Michael Gomez unveils a new vision of how categories of ethnicity, race, gender, and caste emerged in Africa and in global history. 

In just over a hundred years - from the death of Muhammad in 632 to the beginning of the Abbasid Caliphate in 750 - the followers of the Prophet swept across the whole of the Middle East, North Africa, and Spain. Their armies threatened states as far flung as the Franks in Western Europe and the Tang Empire in China. The conquered territory was larger than the Roman Empire at its greatest expansion, and it was claimed for the Arabs in roughly half the time.

Journey through ancient African history to explore a monumental lost city and the powerful Shona kingdom that built it. Whether you seek a thought-provoking escape for your commute or crave a broader worldview, this evocative archaeological journey delivers. The towering granite walls of...

'I am a helpless, devoted, pathetic fan. So is everyone I know' JAMES MARRIOTT, THE TIMES 'The history publishing phenomenon of my lifetime' ROBERT COLLS, NEW STATESMAN From the award-winning podcast The Rest is History and Sunday Times bestselling authors Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook comes...

Beginning in prehistoric times, West Africa has always been an incredible region. Early nomadic tribes settled into some of the earliest communities on Earth and learned how to work with metal. Various West African tribes then became adept at working with metal and were some of the most skilled artisans in the world. As civilizations developed in West Africa, nomadic tribes turned into urban societies that built kingdoms. Eventually, some of the greatest leaders in the world created mighty West African empires.

Many people know about the Mali Empire and its famous ruler, Mansa Musa. But did you know there was a major empire that came before it? Medieval African history tends to get ignored in favor of medieval European history. However, there is so much rich history to uncover, especially in the region of West Africa. The Ghana Empire is considered one of the greatest empires in African history. There was an abundance of gold in the region, and the Ghana Empire was a powerful trading partner. Advancements were made in administration, allowing it to become a dominant power in the region.

The modern history of Africa was, until very recently, written on behalf of the indigenous races by the white man, who had forcefully entered the continent during a particularly hubristic and dynamic phase of European history. In 1884, Prince Otto von Bismark, the German chancellor, brought the plenipotentiaries of all major powers of Europe together, to deal with Africa's colonization in such a manner as to avoid provocation of war.

Recent research has revealed that the richest person of all time lived in the 14th century in West Africa and went by many names, including Kankan Musa Keita, Emir of Melle, Lord of the Mines of Wangara, Conqueror of Ghanata, and the Lion of Mali II, but today he is usually referred to as Mansa Musa. Adjusting his wealth to modern values, he was worth about an estimated $400 billion as the Sultan of ancient Mali, which controlled the trade routes across the Sahara Desert.

Watch a remote desert camp transform into an African economic powerhouse fueled by the massive gold and salt trade. This sweeping historical journey transports you across the unforgiving Sahara, immersing lifelong learners in the bustling markets of West Africa's golden age. Experience an...

Dive into the epic medieval history of a Shi‘i dynasty that challenged Baghdad and engineered the rise of Cairo. Perfect for a busy commute, this immersive narrative transports you to the rugged landscapes of North Africa and the bustling trade hubs of the Mediterranean. Experience the...

Explore the epic rise and fall of West Africa's greatest empire through the legendary reign of a visionary gold king. Transform your daily commute into an immersive journey across the Sahara Desert. This educational historical biography transports you to the banks of the Niger River, where...

Experience the sweeping historical saga of a dissident religious movement that forged a mighty Mediterranean empire. Perfect for your daily commute, this immersive narrative transports you to the medieval Islamic world, exploring the profound schism between Sunni and Shia communities. Witness...

Uncover how a medieval African superpower dominated the global gold trade and shaped the destiny of the western Sahel. Perfect for a daily commute or a focused afternoon of learning, this immersive historical deep dive transports listeners straight to the bustling commercial crossroads of early...