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Title: Germany

Author: Ralph Raico, Wendy McElroy

Narrator: Richard C. Hottelet, Peter Hackes, Harry Reasoner

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs and 54 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-26-06

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 61 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

Germany is historically one of the most important of all nations. Since emerging from its days as a Roman province, Germany (including Prussia) has had a central role in European affairs. It has reached the heights in art, music, literature, and political power, yet it's also reached the depths in humiliating military defeat and partition. This presentation reviews the broad sweep of German history.

(P)1991 Knowledge Products, Inc.

Members Reviews:

Good Overview

Reasoner was the primary narrator with various quotes throughout the book provided by other voices, chiefly Peter Hackes and Richard C. Hottelet. Just shy of 3 hours, "Germany" provides a superficial but still very useful overview of German history (including Prussia). The authors, Raico and McElroy, start begin with the time of Roman occupation, continue through the Medieval period, cover both World Wars, and conclude just after the reunification of West and East Germany. Much time is spent on WWII, looking at both the factors leading up to the war as well as the main points and consequences of the war itself. Raico and McElroy spend the least time with post-WWII details, practically skimming over German history both pre and post-Berlin Wall. There is, however, enough information in this book to present a broad view of Germany's central place in world history.

Over half the book is on the 20th century

Gives an extremely brief tour of German history up to the 20th Century. Then slows down to give a brief history of the Germany in the 20th Century

Fun.

Enjoyed hearing Harry Reasoner's voice after all these years. Anyway, its a fun, not particularly detailed romp through Germanic history.

Waste of time.

This book reads like a faulty selection of data from German history, a selection dictated by randomness and/or obviousness, and a series of funny accents: what is the point of M.me de Stael speaking 'English' with a French accent? And Germans speaking 'English' with a German accent, when they were in fact speaking German?

Miss it.

Tour de force through German History

Would you listen to Germany again? Why?

Yes. Its unbiased and seems to be close to the facts.

What did you like best about this story?

The imitated German accent is more comedy than anything else. We don't speak like that! Never mind ...

What three words best describe the narratorss voice?

Chewing Gum, Cowboy hat, Marlboro

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

No

Any additional comments?

I recommend it!!

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Title: This Sceptred Isle

Subtitle: Empire, Volume 2: 1783-1876

Author: Christopher Lee

Narrator: various

Format: Original Recording

Length: 7 hrs and 24 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-28-06

Publisher: BBC Worldwide Limited

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 41 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

Here are the origins of the modern nations of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and of the ways in which British influence has affected, for better or for worse, nations such as India, Sri Lanka, and China. Here are the stories, not always happy and glorious, of Captain James Cook, Mungo Park, Warren Hastings, Sir Stamford Raffles, and David Livingstone.

This part of the story culminates in Queen Victoria being proclaimed Empress of India in 1876, the central symbol of some of the most potent imperial imagery. But just as the Empire itself was built not as the result of any grand plan, so the seeds of its twentieth century move towards independence from Britain were simultaneously and unwittingly being sown.

And, if you enjoyed the Empire series, then don't miss This Sceptred Isle's telling of the

and

.

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Title: London

Subtitle: The Biography, Street Life and the People

Author: Peter Ackroyd

Narrator: Simon Callow

Format: Abridged

Length: 2 hrs and 59 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-02-05

Publisher: Random House AudioBooks

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 11 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

Ackroyd portrays London from the time of the druids to the beginning of the twenty-first century, noting magnificence in both epochs, but this is not a simple chronological record. It is a comprehensive account, animated by Ackroyd's concern for the close relationship between the present and the past as well as by what he describes as the peculiar "echoic" quality of London whereby its texture and history actively affect the lives and personalities of its citizens. London is perhaps the most important study of the city ever written, and confirms Ackroyd's status as what one critic has called "our age's greatest London imagination". Street Life and the People vividly describes the everyday activities and concerns of Londoners. Particular areas of interest include customs, food, drink, entertainment, sex, crime, and punishment.

©2000 Peter Ackroyd; (P)2004 Random House Audiobooks

Critic Reviews:

"Peter Ackroyd was born to write the biography of London....A brilliant book." (Sunday Telegraph)

Members Reviews:

Always with us

Interesting, though given the subject matter - the life of the poor in the great city - inevitably repetitive. From Roman times to the twenty first century the association of poverty with crime, sexual exploitation , and punishment are described using the words and experiences of contemporary witnesses. An interesting survey of a never changing reality which includes some curious changes in attitudes and tolerance through the period.

Excellent

Callows splendid voice carries the story,excellent book the snippets of London history are intriguing,highly recommend.

As expected

Peter Ackroyd's history of London is just enthralling but each volume is shorter than it needs to be. Simon Callow seems a perfect choice for narrator as he was for the shakespearian volumes. A learned and listenable set well worth the time but a touch expensive to get the lot.

Drenched in Detail

Heavy going at times. Masses of detail. Interesting background and current biography of The Big Smoke!

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Title: The Fight for Survival

Subtitle: Forgotten Voices of the Second World War

Author: Max Arthur

Narrator: Timothy West

Format: Abridged

Length: 3 hrs and 1 min

Language: English

Release date: 09-12-05

Publisher: Random House AudioBooks

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

In the spring of 1940, after months of inactivity, the powerful and highly trained German army smashed it's way through neutral Holland and Belgium and into northern France. The Allies had no choice but to retreat to the costal areas, where the 'Miracle of Dunkirk' took place. Half a million men were finally evacuated to England. Hitler, anxious to invade Britain, ordered the Luftwaffe to destroy the Royal Air Force. The Battle of Britain started. A climax was reached on September 15th when, following a great raid over London, the RAF shot down 175 raiders. Hitler relentlessly bombed Britain hoping to break the British people. Many were killed or wounded and countless home where destroyed but the British spirit never broke. The British people defied the enemy until May of 1941 when much of the Luftwaffe was moved away to fight on the Russian front.

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Title: The Reformation [Modern Library Chronicles]

Author: Patrick Collinson

Narrator: John McDonough

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 23 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-08-05

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 43 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

Renowned scholar Patrick Collinson is Regius Professor of Modern History, Emeritus, Cambridge. He states, "The Reformation (and Counter Reformation) was the blast furnace in which the modern state was forged." This engaging work offers a concise overview of the ecumenical revolution of the late medieval and Renaissance periods. Narrator John McDonough's presentation of the spiritual and the secular elements that led to religious reform will captivate listeners.

©2004 Patrick Collinson; (P)2004 Recorded Books, LLC

Members Reviews:

Not for beginners

This is not a book for someone who knows nothing about the Reformation to begin with--the theological distinctions between Luther and Calvin, let alone Zwingli and Melanchthon, are hard for a non-Protestant to understand, and the relative brevity of the work doesn't give him time to really hash it out (to be fair, the issues that separated these guys are sometimes hard to appreciate, even when they're understood). However, it is very well-written, and since the author is one of the best-known scholars on the subject it is certainly reliable. It is an excellent overview of a complicated subject. In addition, the narrator is excellent.

A spinning compass

As I listened to this book I felt like I was sitting on the needle of a compass that had no sense of true north. Rather the author seems to hold a magnet and spins the reader in all sorts of directions.

The Protestant Reformation is a relatively well-defined period in the history of western Christianity. Yet the book begins with a meandering discussion of the eastern church. Then after some mention of the key place of Martin Luther, he discusses how the Protestant Reformation is part of a wider experience of renewal in a variety of religions.

I purchased this book to gain a better understanding of the events and theological developments of the Protestant Reformation. This book is a great disappointment.

Mid-brow, entertaining history

Any additional comments?

This book was detailed enough to teach me something that I didn't already know, but light enough for my 21st century attention span. The listener needn't worry about the author covering the reformation with a sectarian bias. The only weakness I can gripe about is that the author organizes the book to discuss different Reformation-related trends that spanned Europe. Of course, the Reformation developed differently in different countries. Those differences were addressed in detail, but, since chapters are not organized geographically, I found it difficult to keep track of which country's Reformation he was talking about. The author jumps from locality to locality in the same paragraph. Admittedly, I probably would have heard the reference to a different example in a different country if my attention were fully focused on the reading. But, hey, this is an audio-book, which means that I'm always doing something else while the narrator has a maximum of 1/2 my attention.

boring

much too academic. i had trouble paying attention and wished i hadn't purchased this.

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Title: Europe Under the Old Regime

Subtitle: Power, Politics, and Diplomacy in the Eighteenth Century

Author: Albert Sorel

Narrator: Charlton Griffin

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 2 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-25-04

Publisher: Audio Connoisseur

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 34 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

In this brief introduction to his mighty history, Sorel gives us a sweeping and incisive understanding of the workings of court diplomacy as practiced from the time of Louis XIV up to the Revolution itself. It is an ugly picture of beautifully dressed women and gentlemen behaving in the most barbarous fashion, while doing so with grace and in a mannered style that was so brilliant and compelling that we can only wonder how they could carry out their perfidy and remain outwardly so cavalier. And yet, in the midst of sordid intrigue and heinous butchery, they did just that.

Never in European history has such elaborate courtesy and refined behavior so thoroughly masked a vile intent. No one could be trusted. Thrones and kingdoms were partitioned and absorbed willy-nilly and their rulers sent packing...if they were lucky. Wars were frequent and horrible. Revenge, secret agreements, assassination: all in a day's work for an 18th century enlightened despot. When it came to "reasons of state", no kingdom was secure and no treaty sacrosanct. Diplomatic and military success were the only things that counted, and they were pursued with deadly zeal.

This miniature masterpiece pierces the veil of 18th century manners and refinement to reveal the shocking truth of a "polite" aristocracy on the verge of self-immolation. Even after a hundred years, Europe Under the Old Regime remains one of the greatest historical essays ever written.

Members Reviews:

Very Informative

Unique prospective on the advancing developement of Europe, and the thoughts of the old guard.

A book about everything and nothing

While the author is highly knowledgeable in European history , the book is written very poorly. There is no time or geographic progression so it is very hard to fallow. So each chapter will take you to Russia Poland France England, treaty of Westphalia, Napoleon, and Cromwell and everything else. No point to it.

Half way through, I cant tell my wife what have I learned...

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Title: Fireworks

Subtitle: Pop Culture

Author: iMinds

Narrator: Ellouise Rothwell

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-16-09

Publisher: iMinds

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: History, Ancient

Publisher's Summary:

Learn the history of Fireworks with iMinds insightful audio knowledge series.A Chinese book from 850 CE, called Classified Essentials of the Mysterious Tao of the True Origin of Things, warns the reader that if sulphur, realgar and saltpetre are heated with honey, they produce smoke and flames. Thus begins the history of artificially made fire. Taoism permeates every facet of Chinese society. Lao Tzu introduced Taoist thought in the sixth-century BCE as a purely philosophical discipline. Its centrality to Chinese society led it to have an effect on all intellectual pursuits, including alchemy, which led to the development of gunpowder in the eighth-century CE and, subsequently, fireworks as we know them today.

With a few adjustments to the original concoction, alchemists through the ages settled on the ingredients of gunpowder as saltpetre, sulphur and charcoal. Saltpetre was easy to access, as it appeared as a white crust on certain soils.

Perfect to listen to while commuting, exercising, shopping or cleaning the house.. iMinds brings knowledge to your MP3 with 8 minute information segments to whet your mental appetite and broaden your mind.

iMinds offers 12 main categories; become a Generalist by increasing your knowledge of Business, Politics, People, History, Pop Culture, Mystery, Crime, Culture, Religion, Concepts, Science and Sport. Clean and concise, crisp and engaging, discover what you never knew you were missing.

iMinds is the knowledge solution for the information age cutting through the white noise to give you quick, accurate knowledge .. Perfect your dinner party conversation, impress your boss - an excellent way to discover topics of interest for the future.

Editorial Reviews:

Prometheus, the Greek Titan, was punished by the gods for bringing fire to humanity. Not far behind Prometheus have been a string of 12-year-old boys who have been punished by their fathers for their use of fireworks. This tiny audiobook produced by iMinds is a fun and fascinating glimpse into the history of fireworks - from their listing in a Chinese book in A.D. 850 to their powerful incarnation as gunpowder. Much of this listen is devoted to the ingredients of gunpowder. Beware the 12-year-old boy armed with this audiobook and a garage full of saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal.

Critic Reviews:

"I'm learning all sorts of stuff about stuff I didn't even know I didn't know. And it sticks. In a nutshell: wonderful." (Jonathon Margolis, Financial Times)

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Title: The Death of Royalty

Subtitle: The Lives and Executions of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette

Author: Charles River Editors

Narrator: Colin Fluxman

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 33 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-05-17

Publisher: Charles River Editors

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette are among France's most famous royalty, but for reasons they would have much rather avoided. Coming of age in the wake of the reign of the Sun King, Louis XIV, and his father, Louis XV, Louis XVI initially intended to be one of France's most enlightened Kings. Instead, he was destined to be the only French King ever executed. Indeed, it is his death and his role in fomenting the French Revolution (along with his infamous Queen, Marie Antoinette) that continue to play the central role in Louis XVI's legacy.

Throughout history, a countless number of historical figures have had their lives overshadowed by the myths and legends that surround them to the extent that their legacy comes to define them. In French history, this is truer of Marie Antoinette than just about everyone else. Nearly 220 years after she was put to the guillotine, Marie Antoinette is more famous than ever, fairly or unfairly coming to epitomize royalty and everything that was wrong with it. Since her death, Marie Antoinette has been the subject of sharp historical debate over whether she was actually a catalyst in the French Revolution or simply an insignificant scapegoat who was unfairly made a target.

Members Reviews:

Did anyone edit this or even read it before printing?

Apart from any factual information, which at least to my knowledge is correct - this book is so poorly written that I wonder that it's not a first draft by the author(s), who didn't even bother to proofread it. At least ten times, maybe more, there will be a paragraph on a particular subject or item, and then the next paragraph or shortly following will be the same information in almost the same words, or almost slightly rephrased. The first time this happened, I thought to myself, I must have looked away and gone back too far because I've already read this part.

There is no excuse for the sloppy editing.

Good read

Filled in some history gaps. These Charles River Editors short books really make quick and enlightening reading. I've enjoyed them all.

The Death of Royalty Comes Alive in Your Hands!

This concise but poignant book is PERFECT for me! This item is easier to read because it has fewer pages. This is because it encapsulates the lives of Marie-Antoinette and her husband Louis XVI and concentrates on the period just prior to their executions and of course speaks to the executions.as well. For a well detailed look at that miserable time, you can do no better than this book!

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Title: The Modern Scholar: Liberty and Its Price

Subtitle: Understanding the French Revolution

Author: Donald Sutherland

Narrator: Donald Sutherland

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 49 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-09-09

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 58 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

Esteemed professor Donald M.G. Sutherland provides a riveting account of the French Revolution, explaining how its effects varied greatly according to regional economies, social structures, and religious affiliations. He examines how massive counter revolutionary movements profoundly affected the course of the Revolution, Leading to the failure of constitutional government and, ultimately, to an elitist dictatorship (in the person of Napoleon Bonaparte) that paved the way for many of the struggles of the 19th century.

Members Reviews:

Compelling overview of an amazing era

Would you listen to The Modern Scholar: Liberty and Its Price again? Why?

I do indeed plan to listen to it again, as I found not only the content to be interesting but the professor's presentation to be easy to listen to and follow. And I have his book on this subject now in my Audible wishlist and am looking forward to listening to it.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Napoleon. Because, who else?

What does Donald Sutherland bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

His clear fascination for the period and his references to his research.

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

No.

Any additional comments?

The French Revolution and indeed the history of the Continent in the early 19th Century was something of a blank space in my education. This lectures series went a long way towards filling it in.

Good book, but a bit morbid

Be prepared to hear various methods of murder for about 60% of the book. The author has a morbid obsession the terror of the first years after the revolution, while neglecting the relevant stuff. For most of the book there is no clarity of who was running the government, what was the process of electing officials... etc.

Napoleon's rise to power is treated very succinctly, but there are some good observations of his reign.

Conclusion: good book, I still learned a lot, but I wish there were less murder descriptions and more political science.

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Title: The Tudors

Author: David Musgrove

Narrator: David Musgrove

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs and 30 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-01-11

Publisher: BBC Worldwide Limited

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 7 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

To accompany the August 2011 issue of BBC History Magazine, expert historians discuss the life and reigns of the five Tudor monarchs with BBC History Magazine editor Dr David Musgrove. Dr Steven Gunn, of Oxford University, discusses Henry VII. Professor George Bernard, of Southampton University, introduces us to Henry VIII. Reading Universitys Professor Ralph Houlbrooke talks about Edward VI. Dr Anna Whitelock of Royal Holloway University of London invites us to reconsider Mary I. Oxford Universitys Dr Susan Doran reviews the reign of Elizabeth I.