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Title: The Wisdom of History
Author: The Great Courses
Narrator: Professor J. Rufus Fears
Format: Original Recording
Length: 18 hrs and 22 mins
Language: English
Release date: 07-08-13
Publisher: The Great Courses
Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 220 votes
Genres: History, World
Publisher's Summary:
In this unflinching series of 36 lectures, a world-renowned scholar makes the case that we not only can learn from history, but must.
Drawing on decades of experience as a classical historian, Professor Fears explores history's patterns to conclude that ignoring them - whether by choice or because we've never learned to see them - is to risk becoming their prisoner, repeating the mistakes that have toppled leaders, nations, and empires throughout time.
In this personal reflection on history, Professor Fears has taken on the challenge of extracting the past's lessons in ways that speak to us today, showing us how the experience of ancient empires such as those of Rome and Persia have much to teach us about the risks and responsibilities of being a superpower.
He shows how the study of those who left their impact on an earlier world - Caesar Augustus or Genghis Khan, George Washington or Adolf Hitler, Mahatma Gandhi or Josef Stalin - can equip us to make responsible choices as nations, citizens, or individuals in a post-9/11 world where those choices are more crucial than ever.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
Members Reviews:
Best set of lectures in the great courses
I have listened to many of the lectures given by the great courses and this is by far the most relevant, most eloquently performed and the most informative of all of the lectures I have listened to so far. The professor was engaging, the subject matter was well prepared and the information was brought into the perspective of our own day and age. Rufus Fears shall indeed be missed.
History in broad strokes
Any additional comments?
An insightful, entertaining search for the patterns of history. Reminds me of a quote attributed to Mark Twain: History doesn't repeat itself but it often rhymes".
A great performance on the myth of history
If history is a lie we choose to believe, than these lectures deliver it in a palatable form. I think of this as a counter balance to Zinn revisionist history. It gives clear, almost simplistic "lessons" we learn from all of history. Dr Fears always gives a performance that, to me, even rivals Dan Carlin.
Anecdotal over fact
What disappointed you about The Wisdom of History?
After many hours of listening, the author made his way to Abe Lincoln, a subject I know a bit about. In order to tidily fit his narrative of connecting Lincoln's contribution to history as some sort of divinely directed happening, he makes a point that Lincoln died on Good Friday. This detail works great for his "last great hope" tale and messianic purpose of Lincoln - only thing is - it's just not true! Lincoln died the day after Good Friday. As a scholar of history, he surely knows this, and while it may be a small detail, it made me wonder how many other areas of history were scrubbed for nicely fitting anecdotes to work. If I elect to listen to an 18-hour lecture, I want the truth not hyperbole.
What was most disappointing about The Great Coursess story?
Not knowing if I was being hoodwinked.
What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?
disappointment
Brilliant and forceful!
I wish every American would take the time to listen to this audio book and ponder the legacy we leave behind!!
