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Title: A History of Europe

Author: J. M. Roberts

Narrator: Frederick Davidson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 38 hrs and 8 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-13-09

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 75 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

Beginning with its Paleolithic origins and the early civilizations of the Aegean, Roberts traces the development of the European identity over the course of thousands of years, ranging across empires and religions, economics, science, and the arts. Antiquity, the age of Christendom, the Middle Ages, early modern history, and the old European order are all surveyed in turn, with particular emphasis given to the turbulent 20th century.

Critic Reviews:

"A lucid, convincing introductory guide, certainly the best such summation currently available." (

Kirkus Reviews)"The appearance of

A History of Europe by J.M. Roberts is...timely and welcome." (

New York Times Book Review)

Members Reviews:

Amazing

What an insightful book. It was a skillful overview of history. I found it fascinating and enriching!

call me a cretin

great material. This fellow knows his stuff. But...the accent is hard to decipher and the recording doesn't help. I gave up.

An example of why so many find History boring.

As a lifelong academic and lover of history, I cringe inside when someone says that history is boring because all it is is names and dates and "this happened then that happened in this year and that year, test on Monday." History is about the uncovering of the past, and finding the truth and what it means for us. Real history is about interpreting and collecting evidence, and telling a compelling and useful story. Real history is so much more than names and dates, it is supposed to inform us of truths about the human condition by examining people in different times and places.

This book, however, is "history" in the boring sense that so many think history is. No interpretive work is done, no attempt is made to form a more personal narrative, and if you payed attention in your high school World History course, this book is not likely to tell you anything new. My fear is that people more open-minded about history will be turned off by this book if it is the first one that they listen to. There are many great histories out there. This is not one of them.

Hate The Narration

The narrator is so bad its almost comical. It was so distracting that I gave up on this book a few times always with the intention to try again later, but theres no point I know I wont bother! Its officially abandoned.

Too bad because I like the subject matter, but I have a bunch of other books that can fill that void.

Annoying narration

The content of this book is probably quite good, but the narration -- in a nasal, condescending British accent -- destroys interest. Whomever told the narrator they could be a reader did a real dis-service to Audible listeners.

The narration was so annoying, I finally gave up after an hour. Perhaps I will try it again another time, but I regret this purchase.

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Title: The Last Plantagenets

Author: Thomas Costain

Narrator: David Case

Format: Unabridged

Length: 17 hrs and 16 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-03-09

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 106 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

The final volume in A History of the Plantagenets covers the century from 1377 to 1485, when civil war ravaged England, rebellious peasants marched on London and wandering preachers sowed dissent in the credulous poor. The last Plantagenet monarchs governed in violence and confusion. Kings came and went, deposed or murdered. Princes and nobles slaughtered or were slaughtered in bloody battles or private feuds. It was an era of brilliant successes, tragic reverses, and wild extravagance.

©1983 Thomas Costain; (P)2009 Random House

Members Reviews:

Last Plantagenets Review

This book covers the last century of Plantagenent rule in England, or 1377-1485 to be exact. I thought it was excellent except for the final bit on Richard III, the last Last Plantagenent. The first half of the book covers the 1377-1399 reign of Richard II. At first blush, this may seem lopsided, but it is not because this is perhaps the most interesting period of the entire Plantagenent rule. Featured is the Peasant's Revolt and a rather quirky monarch who is forcibly removed from office. The narrator impersonates Richard II with a high, pompous voice that reminds the reader with every utterance of the fundamental reason that his subjects ultimately found him to be intolerable.

The book proceeds through the reigns of three Henry's and the confused period of the War of the Roses more rapidly, although it does justice to interesting characters such as Owen Glendower of Wales and Catherine of Valois.

My only problem with the book is its coverage of the final two year reign of Richard III. At this point, the author switches his style, and the exposition comes off as if it were written by Richard's defense attorney. For example, the author make a somewhat compelling case that Richard was not the man who committed the infamous murder of the Princes in the Tower. He ignores the equally compelling case, made by other authors, that Richard was guilty of these murders. Perhaps this can be excused because the "Richard is innocent" argument was new at the time the book was written, but it seems unbalanced to a 21st century reader.

The good parts of the book greatly outweigh the bad, however,so I recommend it highly to readers interested in this period.

Keep Going Back For More

If you could sum up The Last Plantagenets in three words, what would they be?

Informative, Entertaining, Way Way Better than High School History Class

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Last Plantagenets?

No particular Memorable Moment. The entire book was so well done that even though I have read the hard back book three times over the years, I HAD to have this audio book. I have had many positive experiences with David Case and the combination of his talent and the marvelous written history that turns famous names into real people was impossible for me to pass up. If you want to hear the experiences of real people and not just memorize dates and battle names, get this book. I think you will be glad you did even after listening to it multiple times as I plan to do.

What does David Case bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

Hard to define that. It is as though I was listening to a traveling story teller from centuries ago who has come to my town to tell us the latest news of the goings on of people in power.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No way.

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Title: The Modern Scholar: Heaven or Heresy: A History of the Inquisition

Author: Thomas F. Madden

Narrator: Thomas F. Madden

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 30 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-27-08

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 112 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

For many, the Inquisition conjures Gothic images of cloaked figures and barbarous torture chambers. So enmeshed is this view of the Inquisition in popular culture that such scenes play out even in comedies such as Mel Brooks' History of the World and Monty Python's Flying Circus. But is this a fair portrayal? And how was the Inquisition perceived in its own time? Professor Thomas F. Madden of Saint Louis University delivers a stimulating series of lectures exploring all facets of the Inquisition, including the religious and political climate of its time and the Inquisition's relationship to heresy and reformation. With a scholarly eye and infectious enthusiasm, widely published author and noted expert on pre-modern European history Thomas Madden imparts an understanding of the Spanish and Roman Inquisitions while dispelling popular myths associated with the subject.

©2007 Thomas F. Madden; (P)2007 Recorded Books

Members Reviews:

Some of the best info on the Inquistion out there

While classroom lectures are not as well-read as some of the Times Bestseller fiction novels, the teacher doesn't do a bad job and gives great info on the Inquisition.

Most importantly, one is able to try to understand WHY a sane person would support such a practice. From this vantage point of history, the Inquisitors seem out of their skulls, but I appreciated the professor's lectures precisely because the picture that came through was of rational men taking their beliefs to a logical end. It was enlightening to try to get into their shoes.

The lectures kept me interested. I suspect Dr. Madden is a strong Catholic, but every author and every teacher is biased.

Very informative

This covers a lot of history, starting with the Roman origins of inquisitions. The lecturer is very well informed though he does seem to go out of his way to defend the church every few minutes. Even so, he presents the history most have never really looked into in a way that's easy to follow and retain.

A decent course

I like Madden's courses, and this one did not disappoint, however, the history of Inquisition stopped being interesting after the Reformation, although the course touched on the modern misconception of the Inquisition, the course could have been more interesting if it focuses more on the heretical theology.

Why Torture and Murder is Okay

Any additional comments?

The lecturer tries to appear neutral, but especially toward the end, he becomes a hardcore apologist for the Catholic church. The purpose of the whole lecture is just to defend the torture and murder of the Inquisition and downplay anything negative. The lecturer seems to think it was okay to torture and kill those "stubborn and rebellious" people who refused to believe in Catholicism. Truly sick. This shouldn't be called "Modern Scholar." It should be called "Modern Catholic Apologist."

"The Inquisition Was Good"

What disappointed you about The Modern Scholar: Heaven or Heresy: A History of the Inquisition?

This is a deeply troubling lecture series. Delivered at a reputable college (St. Louis University), the author insists that the Inquisition had its heart in the right place and only meant to spread the word of God through Europe.

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Title: The Modern Scholar

Subtitle: Journeys of the Great Explorers: Columbus to Cook

Author: Glyndwr Williams

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-24-08

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 39 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

In these lectures, the most important discovery voyages, the individual characteristics of their commanders, and the endurance of their crews will be described. Interspersed with accounts of individual voyages will be lectures that explain the more general and technical aspects of the voyages: improvements in ship design and navigation, constraints of wind and current, living conditions on board ship, and problems of health and discipline. Special attention will be paid to the controversies that developed from some of these voyages.

Members Reviews:

An enjoyable course in Sailing History

This series gives both a great perspective on the history of 'The Great Explorers' as well as an insight into the lifestyle of the early sailors. Prof. Williams is an authority in this field of history.

This is a great starting point if you would like to refresh your memory on the journeys of these famous explorers and from here you can search through Audible for other great books that detail these sailors lives in more detail.

I am surprised that Audible has not made more of his books available in Audio format - a particular favorite of mine is "Voyages of Delusion: The Quest for The North West Passage"

The Modern Scholar 'lecture' style of presentation allows you to fit a single lesson into your schedule, be it exercise, commuting, falling asleep etc.

An Excellent Survey by An Excellent Historian

Prof. Williams provides an excellent overview and insight to the age of exploration. I found his deliberate delivery very helpful in better understanding and retaining the material. Very interesting and entertaining.

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Title: Vienna 1814

Subtitle: How the Conquerors of Napoleon Made Love, War, and Peace

Author: David King

Narrator: Mel Foster

Format: Unabridged

Length: 14 hrs and 14 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-21-08

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 101 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

Despite the gravity of the situation, the Hapsburg Emperor of Austria, in opening his splendid rococo palace to the European royals and providing elaborate banquets and lavish entertainments, set the stage for the most extravagant pageantry since the fall of the Roman Empire. Guests were swept up in the dazzling whirlwind of social events - masquerades, hunts, and elaborate dinners - even as maps were being redrawn, rulers reinstated or ousted, and fortunes transferred. Ultimately, the Congress of Vienna ushered in the longest period of peace Europe has ever known.

Vienna 1814 is a rich, impeccably researched history of the intrigue and frivolity that would forever mark the Congress of Vienna as the greatest Vanity Fair of all time.

Critic Reviews:

"Deftly paced and engagingly written." (Publishers Weekly)

"A worthy contribution to the study of a critical historical event long neglected by historians." (Library Journal)

Members Reviews:

Very good

This book is well written, and covers an important topic that not a lot has been written about recently. This topic isn't just the culmination of 30 years of events in Europe, but also sets the stage for the trouble later in the century, which ultimately leads to WW1 and WW2. This book also helps you understand why certain events around this time in America occurred as they did, such as the end of the War of 1812. I also liked the details it gives about life in Vienna in the early 19th century, which almost makes you feel like you are there. My only complaint is that by the second half of the book, some of the social details become a bit repetitive. This is minor, and the book overall is well worth it.

brings you into the whirl of the time

This books does a nice job bring the reader, listener, into the life of the Congress of Vienna, part party, part diplomacy. With the party dominant. It turns out that the party aspects of the event were closely interlocked with the diplomacy aspects, at least insofar as the author is able to show. So it seems necessary to be cognizant of both. At times, I found the party aspects a bit overwhelming, but the author (& the narrator) are able to bring things together at the end of each thematic section to make what you have heard relevant. I am more comfortable with political/diplomatic history of this period, so it some ways it was refreshing to see the players in their times of pleasure & partying, and not just in their times of plotting.

Disappointing narrator

Would you listen to Vienna 1814 again? Why?

This is a fine history, interesting and useful. It is wonderfully insightful for anyone interested in the Napoleonic Era.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Mel Foster?

Sadly, Mr. Foster does not even know how to properly pronounce Viscount Castlereagh's name, which is both distracting and enevitably annoying as he is a key participant. Any reasonable narrator should be able to handle this responsibility.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

A fine tome mishandled by a poor narrator.

Good book--shameful reading

This is a terrific book, full of interest and historical detail. But as other listeners have pointed out, the pronunciation errors are inexcusable.

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Title: The Hundred Years War, Volume 1

Author: Alfred H. Burne

Narrator: Charlton Griffin

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 30 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-07-08

Publisher: Audio Connoisseur

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 100 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

Volume One briefly traces the causes of the conflict and then plunges straight ahead into the military preparations and initial clashes, mainly naval. Under what many consider the leadership of England's greatest sovereign, Edward III, Calais is seized as a port-of-entry for English arms and supplies. With Calais secure in his rear, Edward marches into the interior of France and comes to grips with Philip's army at Crécy in 1346, an epoch changing calamity for France. After numerous sieges, marches and smaller battles, the next French King, John II, is captured by Edward's son, the Black Prince, at the battle of Poitiers in 1356. By the time of Edward III's death in 1377, England controls a good third of French territory. But the French doggedly resist, and the war drags on into a desultory second phase lasting well into the early 1400s.

The Hundred Years War is a military history, and probably the finest English chronicle of these confusing events. Drawing upon all known English and French sources, A. H. Burne has assembled a stunning narrative that sweeps you into the military camps of the English and French kings. Volume 2 carries the story to its climactic ending in 1453.

Members Reviews:

Targeted for a Niche Audience

There are few offerings on Audible for this particular set of campaigns, so anyone interested in this really needs to know up front what they're getting into.

The first thing to note is that there are different kinds of historical accounts, and these serve different functions. This account is NOT a political history. It's a military history. That means that, just as the synopsis says, the causes of the war are briefly touched upon, but the bulk of this narrative deals with troop movements, battles, and the overall progress of the armies involved. For the armchair war gamer, this book will be the type that gets people to pull out the old maps and push around plastic markers.

For those not familiar with the time period, please understand that this work isn't targeted for those seeking to learn the basics, and it was never meant to be. In other words, you will not find here an understanding of who these people are and why they're doing any of what they do. This book is targeted for those who are already interested in (and thus have a solid idea of) the biographies and politics of the age and want to dig deeper into the campaigns themselves. Personally, I'd recommend starting with overview histories of Medieval England and France so as to learn who the key players are and to get a sense of the politics. Start broad so you can see how each era molds the next, then start narrowing the focus to this era. Get to know the likes of Edward III, the Black Prince, John of Gaunt, Philip the Fair, Henry V, and Joan of Arc. From there, move to a working knowledge of armor, of castle sieges, and of swords, longbows, and cannon, as these things will inform your understanding of what these troops were dealing with. And then if you decide you absolutely love the idea of a military history, this is the book for you. Most general history enthusiasts never get to this point. It's not a mark against the historian or the audience, it's simply a measure of the specialization involved.

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Title: The Hundred Years War, Volume 2

Author: Alfred H. Burne

Narrator: Charlton Griffin

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 32 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-07-08

Publisher: Audio Connoisseur

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 63 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

With the death of Henry V, England's cause is doomed. Though brilliantly led by a series of capable English commanders, there will never again be a military commander who wears a crown like Edward III and Henry V. The French rally around the miraculous leadership of Joan of Arc in 1429 and repulse the English siege at Orleans, thus setting in motion a 24-year series of events leading to the final English defeat at Castillon in 1453. By that date, the French king, Charles VII, is able to sit on his throne with confidence.

Members Reviews:

More Balanced Due to More Available Information

I'm working under the assumption that if you went through part 1 of this, you already know what to expect, but just in case... this is a military history, not a biographical or political history. That means it's deals with logistical info and battle data such as troops, routes, supplies, equipment, and other such things. Political background is limited, so for those looking for an overview, this is not the place to begin. But for the advanced scholar of this era, this is more suited for war gaming simulations and such.

Where volume 1 of this deals with Edward III's campaigns and has English bias due to a lack of French information from the period, this volume has considerably more to work with on both sides of the fight. There era between Edward III and Henry V is largely glossed over, mostly due to lags between skirmishes, but from the road to Agincourt to the end of the war, it's all here in magnificent detail.

A fairly biased account

Monotony seem to be a pitfall of most military histories, that's I can handle, since the detail of military action of the time can be of interests to some, however, what I've found particularly troubling about this book is that the author seemed to feel compelled to defend English whenever he could, as if the English were somehow, morally superior, that element tainted the objectivity of this two volume book throughout.

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Title: Mirage

Subtitle: Napoleon's Scientists and the Unveiling of Egypt

Author: Nina Burleigh

Narrator: Cassandra Campbell

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 28 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-05-07

Publisher: Books on Tape

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 42 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

It was not until 1798, when an unlikely band of scientific explorers traveled from Paris to the Nile Valley, that Westerners received their first real glimpse of what lay beyond the Mediterranean Sea.

Under the command of Napoleon Bonaparte and the French Army, a small and little-known corps of Paris' brightest intellectual lights left the safety of their laboratories, studios, and classrooms to embark on a 30-day crossing into the unknown: some never to see French shores again. Carrying pencils instead of swords, specimen jars instead of field guns, these highly accomplished men participated in the first large-scale interaction between Europeans and Muslims of the modern era. And many lived to tell the tale.

Internationally acclaimed journalist Nina Burleigh brings readers back to a little-known landmark adventure at the dawn of the modern era - one that ultimately revealed the deepest secrets of ancient Egypt to a very curious continent.

Members Reviews:

A lesson in history

The perspective of this novel is fascinating. It contains an encyclopedia of information woven together well. Little cumbersome at times but definately worth the trouble.

Too little plot, too much political patronizing

The politically correct carping starts subtly and ends overtly. It's not terribly thoughtful. Though purporting to rescue Egyptians from the stain of French and British foreigners, the author instead disrespects them with her view that they were helplessly infantile.

Listened to it twice.

Where does Mirage rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?

This is the best book I have come across on the scientists that accompanied Napoleon on the French adventure in Egypt.

Any additional comments?

The narrator Cassandra Campbell while obviously an American speaker did a creditable job in pronouncing the French names and words which is always appreciated.

There is a freshness of tone in Nina Burleigh, perhaps due to the fact that she is a young journalist rather than a grizzled Historian. She has an obvious affection for Egypt, the Scientists and though she has reservations about Napoleon and the soldiers, but she does not have the usual hostility towards Napoleon found among Anglos.

A good read.

Great combination of history, science and culture

What made the experience of listening to Mirage the most enjoyable?

The very rich, multi-layered intellectual experience. Many of the current West vs. East issues are seen in this book.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Understanding how Napolean was the rock star of his day.

nice prespective on what happenned on the ground

If you could sum up Mirage in three words, what would they be?

I enjoyed the read. It made you feel and smell the aroma of the time and it tells you how the role of science and scientists make all the difference in human progress.

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Title: The War for All the Oceans

Subtitle: From Nelson at the Nile to Napoleon at Waterloo

Author: Roy Adkins, Lesley Adkins

Narrator: Patrick Lawlor

Format: Unabridged

Length: 21 hrs and 59 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-17-07

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 113 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

The War for All the Oceans is epic narrative history, sure to appeal to fans of Patrick O'Brian and C. S. Forester, as well as all readers of military and social history.

Critic Reviews:

"Sumptuous storytelling." (Kirkus)

"Vivid....[A] rollicking saga." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

I really enjoyed this book!

Would you listen to The War for All the Oceans again? Why?

The authors obviously did a great deal of research into the letters and writings of people who actually took part in making this history. Most of the material they quote is not from the elites but from common sailors, wives, prostitutes, prisoners of war, young officers, criminals, women aboard British warships, impressed Americans, smugglers, parole breakers, and otherwise unknown and disreputable participants. For me, this brought historical events into sharp focus.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The War for All the Oceans?

No single memorable moment, rather it is the compilation of hundreds of individual moments, each as perfect as if captured in amber, that makes this history so compelling.

Which scene was your favorite?

One of the best stories about the British navy in the Napoleonic era that highlights the sensibilities of the age involves the visit of the Queen to a battleship just newly arrived back in England. The sailors, being sailors, had brought aboard hundreds of prostitutes, which was a common practice in the British navy at the time. The Captain ordered that they be kept below decks while the Queen toured the ship. But, the Queen, being the Queen, looked down into a passageway and saw these women staring up at her as if she were from another planet. She immediately ordered that the women be allowed to come up on deck so they could see what was going on. Priceless!

Any additional comments?

A lot of comments here about the reader, most of them negative. Too bad. I enjoyed Lawlor's narration, his comic French accent and terrible Scottish accent as well. His interpretations of the voices of all these common people who witnessed this conflict added immeasurably to their humanity and their realness.

Pretty good, if disorganized

I enjoyed the The War for All the Oceans. There were a great deal of personal letters and diary entries that gave life to the battles and even everyday life of the soldiers and seamen.

As a reader of the Aubrey-Maturin series by Patrick O'Brian, I certainly found several familiar sequences and battles.

The main drawback of the book is a bit of a tendency to skip from one story to the next and back again. To a degree it can be explained as an attempt to maintain chronology, but some anecdotes could have been completed with much less inter-splicing of material.

Overall, I found the book both entertaining and informative. I would certainly recommend it to anyone with a love for the old British Navy, or those who have an interest in the Napoleonic wars.

Good material, horrid narration

If any one thing detracts from the wealth of information in this classic on British naval warfare, it is Patrick Lawlor's amateurish narration. His ludicrously affected British, French, and Scottish accents, mispronunciations and sing-song prose recital should make the authors cringe.

The Other Story about the Napoleonic Wars

The book covers the Napoleonic Wars from the perspective of the naval battles.

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Title: Three Empires on the Nile

Subtitle: The Victorian Jihad, 1869-1899

Author: Dominic Green

Narrator: Stephen Hoye

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 7 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-23-07

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 130 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

This is not the Middle East of the early 21st century. It is Africa in the late 19th century, when the river Nile became the setting for an extraordinary collision between Europeans, Arabs, and Africans. A human and religious drama, the conflict defined the modern relationship between the West and the Islamic world. The story is not only essential for understanding the modern clash of civilizations but is also a gripping, epic, tragic adventure.

Three Empires on the Nile tells of the rise of the first modern Islamic state and its fateful encounter with the British Empire of Queen Victoria. Ever since the self-proclaimed Islamic messiah known as the Mahdi gathered an army in the Sudan and besieged and captured Khartoum under its British overlord Charles Gordon, the dream of a new caliphate has haunted modern Islamists. Today, Shiite insurgents call themselves the Mahdi Army, and Sudan remains one of the great battle lines between Muslims and Christians, blacks and Arabs. The 19th-century origins of it all were even more dramatic and strange than today's headlines.

In the hands of Dominic Green, the story of the Nile's three empires is an epic in the tradition of Kipling, the bard of empire, and Winston Churchill, who fought in the final destruction of the Mahdi's army. It is a sweeping and very modern tale of God and globalization, slavers and strategists, missionaries and messianists.

Critic Reviews:

"Green...has written a formidable work....He succeeds in not only untangling the complex politics of the Great Powers as they reacted to the crisis along the Nile but also explaining the equally opaque motivations of the shadowy Mahdi and his followers as they pursued their jihad." (Publishers Weekly)

"Green achieves a vividly popular account of Britain's ascendance in Egypt and Sudan." (Booklist)

Members Reviews:

Astoundingly good

I've read many great books about the Middle East (by authors like Lawrence Wright, David Fromkin, Rory Stewart, Michael Oren, and Peter Hopkirk) and this one ranks right there with the best of them. Green is a masterful storyteller - I found myself running, cleaning, and doing my laundry solely to listen to it! As he crazy-glues you to the book (or your headphones in this case), Green deftly covers every important influence on the Nile watershed in the late nineteenth century - British, French, Egyptian, and Ottoman politics, slavery, the scramble for africa (Egypt wanted to be a colonial power too!), the British media, Sudanese religious practices, and great vignettes of about ten or so main characters. The only thing he leaves out is the American civil war veterans' quiet but profound influence on Egypt's military and education practices (see Oren's Power, Faith and Fantasy on that).

In addition, Stephen Hoy is one of my top 5 favorite narrators, and I've heard at least 25. His reading is awesome. You will love this book.

An narrative that captured the spirit of an age

I like the narrative for the emotional framing rather than historical accuracy, emotional narrative makes a history very entertaining, so I'd suggest one to read this as a well researched historical novel than serious history, the book captured the spirit and inherent contradiction of British imperialism incredibly well.