Medieval Myths & Mysteries
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Medieval Myths & Mysteries
Buy for $20.00
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Dorsey Armstrong
About this listen
Was King Arthur a real person? What about Robin Hood? Is the Holy Grail a cup, or something else, altogether? Did Europeans really burn millions of people at the stake for witchcraft, in the past? These are just a few of the questions you will explore with the help of medieval scholar Dorsey Armstrong as she reveals the truth about the stories we continue to tell about the medieval period. Some contain nuggets of truth, others are wholly fabricated, but all of them can tell us something about the past.
From films like Braveheart and Excalibur to literature such as Ivanhoe and Morte d’Arthur, the years between 500 and 1500 have generated amazing stories of knights and damsels, superstitions and magic; some of these stories even made it into our grade school history curriculum. But what were those years really like? Known, somewhat inaccurately, as the “Middle Ages,” this period was not merely a transition from Roman antiquity to the Renaissance, but a vibrant time full of people just as curious, innovative, malicious, joyful, confused, ambitious, complex - in other words, just as human - as in any other period of history.
The 10 enlightening (and often humorous) lectures of Medieval Myths and Mysteries will show you how far from the “dark” times of legend these centuries were. Uncover the facts about the Knights Templar. Reveal the truth behind the tales of legendary creatures like the Questing Beast and the unicorn. Trace the events of the Black Death and the ways it altered the world in its wake, and much more.
With Professor Armstrong, you will dig deep into the ways that later generations reshaped the narrative of the medieval years and perpetuated the myths of a simpler and less civilized age, which was, in fact, much richer and more complex than many of us have been led to believe.
©2019 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC.Listeners also enjoyed...
-
Powerful Women of the Medieval World
- By: Dorsey Armstrong, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Dorsey Armstrong
- Length: 4 hrs and 59 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 1,425
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 1,255
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 1,246
Throughout history, women have played integral roles in family, society, religion, government, war - in short, in all aspects of human civilization. Their contributions have often shaped history and shifted the axis of power for later generations of women. And yet, unearthing their stories from the historical record has often been a challenge. In Powerful Women of the Medieval World, Professor Dorsey Armstrong will introduce you to 10 amazing women who played vital roles in the Middle Ages.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Very good! I wish I would have began listening to the Great Courses sooner.
- By Malia on 03-20-21
By: Dorsey Armstrong, and others
-
The Foundations of Western Civilization
- By: Thomas F. X. Noble, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Thomas F. X. Noble
- Length: 24 hrs and 51 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,688
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,448
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,433
What is Western Civilization? According to Professor Noble, it is "much more than human and political geography," encompassing myriad forms of political and institutional structures - from monarchies to participatory republics - and its own traditions of political discourse. It involves choices about who gets to participate in any given society and the ways in which societies have resolved the tension between individual self-interest and the common good.
-
2 out of 5 stars
-
Not Engaging or Very Interesting
- By Tommy D'Angelo on 03-05-17
By: Thomas F. X. Noble, and others
-
Years That Changed History: 1215
- By: Dorsey Armstrong, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Dorsey Armstrong
- Length: 12 hrs and 29 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 557
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 477
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 474
What is so important about the year 1215? There are some history buffs who may be able to tell you that 1215 is the year the Magna Carta was signed, but there are even fewer who know that King John of England’s acceptance of this charter was only one of four major, world-changing events of this significant year. In fact, the social, cultural, political, geographical, and religious shifts that occurred in this year alone had such a huge impact on the entire world, it warrants an entire course of study for anyone truly interested in the pivotal points of history....
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
1215 -- Before and Beyond
- By Carol on 08-16-19
By: Dorsey Armstrong, and others
-
1066: The Year That Changed Everything
- By: Jennifer Paxton, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Jennifer Paxton
- Length: 3 hrs
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2,654
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 2,336
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 2,323
With this exciting and historically rich six-lecture course, experience for yourself the drama of this dynamic year in medieval history, centered on the landmark Norman Conquest. Taking you from the shores of Scandinavia and France to the battlefields of the English countryside, these lectures will plunge you into a world of fierce Viking warriors, powerful noble families, politically charged marriages, tense succession crises, epic military invasions, and much more.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
History brought to life
- By Joshua on 07-10-13
By: Jennifer Paxton, and others
-
A Day's Read
- By: The Great Courses, Emily Allen, Grant L. Voth, and others
- Narrated by: Arnold Weinstein, Emily Allen, Grant L. Voth
- Length: 18 hrs and 25 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 234
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 207
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 209
Join three literary scholars and award-winning professors as they introduce you to dozens of short masterpieces that you can finish - and engage with - in a day or less. Perfect for people with busy lives who still want to discover-or rediscover-just how transformative an act of reading can be, these 36 lectures range from short stories of fewer than 10 pages to novellas and novels of around 200 pages. Despite their short length, these works are powerful examinations of the same subjects and themes that longer "great books" discuss.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Stories not included, only discussed
- By Julie Newman on 01-15-16
By: The Great Courses, and others
-
Norse Mythology
- By: Jackson Crawford, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Professor Crawford
- Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 816
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 706
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 702
Thor, Odin, Loki, Freyja, the Valkyries, Valhalla, Ragnarok — many of the places we encounter these and other names, places, and events from Norse mythology in daily life and pop culture are connected to the medieval sources in name only.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Brilliant Course
- By Frederik on 12-05-21
By: Jackson Crawford, and others
-
Powerful Women of the Medieval World
- By: Dorsey Armstrong, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Dorsey Armstrong
- Length: 4 hrs and 59 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 1,425
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 1,255
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 1,246
Throughout history, women have played integral roles in family, society, religion, government, war - in short, in all aspects of human civilization. Their contributions have often shaped history and shifted the axis of power for later generations of women. And yet, unearthing their stories from the historical record has often been a challenge. In Powerful Women of the Medieval World, Professor Dorsey Armstrong will introduce you to 10 amazing women who played vital roles in the Middle Ages.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Very good! I wish I would have began listening to the Great Courses sooner.
- By Malia on 03-20-21
By: Dorsey Armstrong, and others
-
The Foundations of Western Civilization
- By: Thomas F. X. Noble, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Thomas F. X. Noble
- Length: 24 hrs and 51 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,688
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,448
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,433
What is Western Civilization? According to Professor Noble, it is "much more than human and political geography," encompassing myriad forms of political and institutional structures - from monarchies to participatory republics - and its own traditions of political discourse. It involves choices about who gets to participate in any given society and the ways in which societies have resolved the tension between individual self-interest and the common good.
-
2 out of 5 stars
-
Not Engaging or Very Interesting
- By Tommy D'Angelo on 03-05-17
By: Thomas F. X. Noble, and others
-
Years That Changed History: 1215
- By: Dorsey Armstrong, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Dorsey Armstrong
- Length: 12 hrs and 29 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 557
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 477
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 474
What is so important about the year 1215? There are some history buffs who may be able to tell you that 1215 is the year the Magna Carta was signed, but there are even fewer who know that King John of England’s acceptance of this charter was only one of four major, world-changing events of this significant year. In fact, the social, cultural, political, geographical, and religious shifts that occurred in this year alone had such a huge impact on the entire world, it warrants an entire course of study for anyone truly interested in the pivotal points of history....
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
1215 -- Before and Beyond
- By Carol on 08-16-19
By: Dorsey Armstrong, and others
-
1066: The Year That Changed Everything
- By: Jennifer Paxton, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Jennifer Paxton
- Length: 3 hrs
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2,654
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 2,336
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 2,323
With this exciting and historically rich six-lecture course, experience for yourself the drama of this dynamic year in medieval history, centered on the landmark Norman Conquest. Taking you from the shores of Scandinavia and France to the battlefields of the English countryside, these lectures will plunge you into a world of fierce Viking warriors, powerful noble families, politically charged marriages, tense succession crises, epic military invasions, and much more.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
History brought to life
- By Joshua on 07-10-13
By: Jennifer Paxton, and others
-
A Day's Read
- By: The Great Courses, Emily Allen, Grant L. Voth, and others
- Narrated by: Arnold Weinstein, Emily Allen, Grant L. Voth
- Length: 18 hrs and 25 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 234
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 207
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 209
Join three literary scholars and award-winning professors as they introduce you to dozens of short masterpieces that you can finish - and engage with - in a day or less. Perfect for people with busy lives who still want to discover-or rediscover-just how transformative an act of reading can be, these 36 lectures range from short stories of fewer than 10 pages to novellas and novels of around 200 pages. Despite their short length, these works are powerful examinations of the same subjects and themes that longer "great books" discuss.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Stories not included, only discussed
- By Julie Newman on 01-15-16
By: The Great Courses, and others
-
Norse Mythology
- By: Jackson Crawford, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Professor Crawford
- Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 816
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 706
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 702
Thor, Odin, Loki, Freyja, the Valkyries, Valhalla, Ragnarok — many of the places we encounter these and other names, places, and events from Norse mythology in daily life and pop culture are connected to the medieval sources in name only.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Brilliant Course
- By Frederik on 12-05-21
By: Jackson Crawford, and others
-
The American Civil War
- By: Gary W. Gallagher, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Gary W. Gallagher
- Length: 24 hrs and 37 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 4,631
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 4,104
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 4,079
Between 1861 and 1865, the clash of the greatest armies the Western hemisphere had ever seen turned small towns, little-known streams, and obscure meadows in the American countryside into names we will always remember. In those great battles, those streams ran red with blood-and the United States was truly born.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Excellent Series
- By Rodney on 07-09-13
By: Gary W. Gallagher, and others
-
The Real History of Secret Societies
- By: Professor Richard B. Spence, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Professor Richard B. Spence
- Length: 12 hrs and 21 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,121
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 966
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 963
Welcome to The Real History of Secret Societies, a historical look at the true-life groups which, if you believe the myths, are the unspoken power behind some of the world’s major turning points, from controlling the British crown to holding back the electric car and keeping Martians and Atlantis under wraps. Prepare yourself. In this course brought to you in partnership with HISTORY®, you will be visiting some of history’s deepest rabbit-holes, across centuries and continents, in search of secret societies in all their varieties.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Far more politics than fraternity.
- By Tp on 11-25-19
By: Professor Richard B. Spence, and others
-
How the Earth Works
- By: Michael E. Wysession, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Michael E. Wysession
- Length: 24 hrs and 31 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,742
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,516
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,498
How the Earth Works takes you on an astonishing journey through time and space. In 48 lectures, you will look at what went into making our planet - from the big bang, to the formation of the solar system, to the subsequent evolution of Earth.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Excellent course
- By Doug B. on 05-23-19
By: Michael E. Wysession, and others
-
Why You Are Who You Are
- Investigations into Human Personality
- By: Mark Leary, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Mark Leary
- Length: 12 hrs and 52 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2,354
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 2,054
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 2,022
To understand the roots of personality is to understand motivations and influences that shape behavior, which in turn reflect how you deal with the opportunities and challenges of everyday life. That's the focus of these exciting 24 lectures, in which you examine the differences in people's personalities, where these differences come from, and how they shape our lives. Drawing on information gleaned from psychology, neuroscience, and genetics, Professor Leary opens the door to understanding how personality works and why.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
As an addict, I listened to this book. Very Helpfu
- By Life Lover on 05-15-18
By: Mark Leary, and others
-
Food: A Cultural Culinary History
- By: Ken Albala, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Ken Albala
- Length: 18 hrs and 22 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 5,170
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 4,574
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 4,539
Eating is an indispensable human activity. As a result, whether we realize it or not, the drive to obtain food has been a major catalyst across all of history, from prehistoric times to the present. Epicure Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin said it best: "Gastronomy governs the whole life of man."
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
One of my top 3 favorite courses!
- By Jessica on 12-28-13
By: Ken Albala, and others
-
Ancient Civilizations of North America
- By: Edwin Barnhart, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Edwin Barnhart
- Length: 12 hrs and 19 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 3,448
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 3,062
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 3,035
For the past few hundred years, most of what we’ve been taught about the native cultures of North America came from reports authored by the conquerors and colonizers who destroyed them. Now - with the technological advances of modern archaeology and a new perspective on world history - we are finally able to piece together their compelling true stories. In Ancient Civilizations of North America, Professor Edwin Barnhart, Director of the Maya Exploration Center, will open your eyes to a fascinating world you never knew existed - even though you’ve been living right next to it, or even on top of it.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
A different perspective - civilizations not tribes
- By Steve Goppert on 07-26-18
By: Edwin Barnhart, and others
-
Being Human: Life Lessons from the Frontiers of Science
- By: Robert Sapolsky, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: The Great Courses
- Length: 5 hrs and 53 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,622
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,424
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,415
Understanding our humanity - the essence of who we are - is one of the deepest mysteries and biggest challenges in modern science. Why do we have bad moods? Why are we capable of having such strange dreams? How can metaphors in our language hold such sway on our actions? As we learn more about the mechanisms of human behavior through evolutionary biology, neuroscience, anthropology, and other related fields, we're discovering just how intriguing the human species is.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Somewhat Interesting but not Quite as Advertised
- By Adam J Duhame on 10-05-13
By: Robert Sapolsky, and others
-
The Celtic World
- By: The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Professor Jennifer Paxton PhD
- Length: 12 hrs and 52 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2,212
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,952
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,933
Following the surge of interest and pride in Celtic identity since the 19th century, much of what we thought we knew about the Celts has been radically transformed. In The Celtic World, discover the incredible story of the Celtic-speaking peoples, whose art, language, and culture once spread from Ireland to Austria. This series of 24 enlightening lectures explains the traditional historical view of who the Celts were, then contrasts it with brand-new evidence from DNA analysis and archeology that totally changes our perspective on where the Celts came from.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
I wish this had a different title
- By Kindle Customer on 06-20-18
-
The Pagan World
- Ancient Religions Before Christianity
- By: Hans-Friedrich Mueller, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Hans-Friedrich Mueller
- Length: 12 hrs and 34 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,379
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,191
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,181
In The Pagan World: Ancient Religions Before Christianity, you will meet the fascinating, ancient polytheistic peoples of the Mediterranean and beyond, their many gods and goddesses, and their public and private worship practices, as you come to appreciate the foundational role religion played in their lives. Professor Hans-Friedrich Mueller, of Union College in Schenectady, New York, makes this ancient world come alive in 24 lectures with captivating stories of intrigue, artifacts, illustrations, and detailed descriptions from primary sources of intriguing personalities.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
The Pagan World
- By arnold e andersen md Dr Andersen on 03-28-20
By: Hans-Friedrich Mueller, and others
-
Warriors, Queens, and Intellectuals: 36 Great Women Before 1400
- By: Joyce E. Salisbury, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Joyce E. Salisbury
- Length: 17 hrs and 53 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 539
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 462
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 460
Throughout history, women have played integral roles in family, society, religion, government, war - in short, in all aspects of human civilization. Powerful women have shaped laws, led rebellions, and played key roles in dynastic struggles. Some were caught up in forces beyond their control, while others manipulated and murdered their way to the top. However, unearthing their stories from the historical record has been a challenge, with the ordinary difficulties of preserving information across the generations increased by centuries of historical bias and gendered expectations.
-
1 out of 5 stars
-
Subpar Course
- By Hennypenny on 07-23-19
By: Joyce E. Salisbury, and others
-
The Other Side of History: Daily Life in the Ancient World
- By: Robert Garland, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Robert Garland
- Length: 24 hrs and 28 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 8,779
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 7,875
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 7,823
Look beyond the abstract dates and figures, kings and queens, and battles and wars that make up so many historical accounts. Over the course of 48 richly detailed lectures, Professor Garland covers the breadth and depth of human history from the perspective of the so-called ordinary people, from its earliest beginnings through the Middle Ages.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Tantalizing time trip
- By Mark on 08-21-13
By: Robert Garland, and others
-
The Life and Writings of C. S. Lewis
- By: Louis Markos, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Louis Markos
- Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 527
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 461
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 457
What can we still learn from C.S. Lewis? Find out in these 12 insightful lectures that cover the author's spiritual autobiography, novels, and his scholarly writings that reflect on pain and grief, love and friendship, prophecy and miracles, and education and mythology.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Basically a collection of sermons
- By Richard on 11-20-13
By: Louis Markos, and others
Our favorite moments from Medieval Myths & Mysteries
- Chapter 2, Lecture 1: Misconceptions about the Middle Ages
- Chapter 4, Lecture 3: The Holy Grail
- Chapter 11, Lecture 10: The Medieval World and Game of Thrones
- Chapter 2, Lecture 1: Misconceptions about the Middle Ages
- Two conflicting views of the Middle Ages
- Chapter 4, Lecture 3: The Holy Grail
- "Who was King Arthur?"
- Chapter 11, Lecture 10: The Medieval World and Game of Thrones
- Discovering history through Game of Thrones.
About the Professor
Dr. Dorsey Armstrong is professor of English and medieval literature at Purdue University, where she has taught since 2002. The holder of an AB in English and creative writing from Stanford University and a PhD in medieval literature from Duke University, she also taught at Centenary College of Louisiana and at California State University, Long Beach. Dorsey applied her extensive knowledge to audio lectures on Medieval Myths & Mysteries. Her research interests include medieval women writers, late-medieval print culture, and the Arthurian legend, on which she has published extensively and includes the 2009 book Sir Thomas Malory’s Morte Darthur: A New Modern English Translation Based on the Winchester Manuscript and Gender and the Chivalric Community in Malory's Morte d'Arthur, published in 2003. In January 2009, she became editor-in-chief of the academic journal Arthuriana, which publishes the most cutting-edge research on the legend of King Arthur, from its medieval origins to modern scholarship.
Featured Article: Travel to the Middle Ages with These Audiobooks and Podcasts
The Medieval Era, the tumultuous centuries from the fall of the Roman Empire to the advent of the Enlightenment, is one of the most alluring and intriguing periods of human history. Ready to travel back in time? Check out these audiobooks and podcasts, which cover everything from Icelandic sagas and Medieval murder to the queens of Medieval England and the scientific advancements of the Arab World.
People who viewed this also viewed...
-
Conspiracies & Conspiracy Theories
- What We Should and Shouldn't Believe - and Why
- By: Michael Shermer, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Michael Shermer
- Length: 6 hrs and 30 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2,133
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,871
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,858
The stuff of conspiracy theories makes for great, entertaining stories in movies, books, and television. And there is no shortage of subjects: from who really killed JFK to the truth behind 9/11. And then, there are subjects from alien invasions to the Moon landing was simulated - theories that are truly out of this world, which according to some, is flat. Many of these crazy concepts have jumped off the pages or screens to become so pervasive in our culture that thousands - even millions - subscribe to them as reality.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
No chapter titles!!???
- By Nomad of the World on 09-21-19
By: Michael Shermer, and others
-
Powerful Women of the Medieval World
- By: Dorsey Armstrong, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Dorsey Armstrong
- Length: 4 hrs and 59 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 1,425
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 1,255
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 1,246
Throughout history, women have played integral roles in family, society, religion, government, war - in short, in all aspects of human civilization. Their contributions have often shaped history and shifted the axis of power for later generations of women. And yet, unearthing their stories from the historical record has often been a challenge. In Powerful Women of the Medieval World, Professor Dorsey Armstrong will introduce you to 10 amazing women who played vital roles in the Middle Ages.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Very good! I wish I would have began listening to the Great Courses sooner.
- By Malia on 03-20-21
By: Dorsey Armstrong, and others
-
American Monsters
- By: Adam Jortner, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Adam Jortner
- Length: 4 hrs and 55 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,569
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,398
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,387
Grab a flashlight and go monster-hunting in the safe company of Adam Jortner, award-winning professor of religion at Auburn University. You’ll encounter chilling tales of living houses, sentient plants, psychotic toys, brain-eating zombies, and otherworldly beings whose mere name is enough to drive people insane. Along the way, you’ll learn how monster stories change how Americans think and what Americans do, how they shape the history of our country, and what secrets about human nature these inhuman monsters can share.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Great entertaining listen
- By lindsayb on 06-22-21
By: Adam Jortner, and others
-
Powerful Women Who Ruled the Ancient World
- By: Kara Cooney, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Kara Cooney
- Length: 5 hrs and 45 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 704
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 615
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 612
What is power and who is allowed to wield it? Why is female power so rare and, often, so feared? What can the women who gained power in the ancient world teach us about the contemporary world and our modern ideas of gender, authority, and equality? Listeners will explore these and other questions as you travel back to the ancient world and uncover the stories of remarkable women who overcame a host of barriers to wield power in a male-dominated world.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Informative
- By Red-Haired Ash on 05-02-20
By: Kara Cooney, and others
-
Writing the Bible: Origins of the Old Testament
- By: Martien Halvorson-Taylor, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Martien Halvorson-Taylor
- Length: 5 hrs and 9 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 646
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 574
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 570
Who wrote Great Expectations? That’s easy: Charles Dickens. Who’s the author of Beloved? Toni Morrison, of course. Now how about the Old Testament? You’d think for a book as widely known, studied, and distributed as the Bible, the question of authorship would have been sorted out by now. But the question is more complex (and fascinating) than it seems. Why? Because asking it is to challenge everything we might assume about the Bible’s identity as a book, about what “writing” and “authorship” really mean, and about how a written text could become sacred.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
What a Great Courses Book Is Meant to Be
- By Gilbert M. Stack on 12-16-21
By: Martien Halvorson-Taylor, and others
-
Rise and Fall of the Borgias
- By: William Landon, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: William Landon
- Length: 4 hrs and 58 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 908
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 765
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 765
Since its rise to the highest ranks of power in Renaissance Europe, the Borgia family has developed a scandalous reputation. While they were indeed ostentatious, calculating, worldly, cruel - and even, occasionally, murderous - you may be surprised to find that the Borgias were not terribly different from other powerful and ambitious families of their day. So why has history set them apart as one of the most corrupt and reviled families in history?
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
A remarkable history of a maligned family
- By Happy Customer on 12-03-19
By: William Landon, and others
-
Conspiracies & Conspiracy Theories
- What We Should and Shouldn't Believe - and Why
- By: Michael Shermer, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Michael Shermer
- Length: 6 hrs and 30 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2,133
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,871
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,858
The stuff of conspiracy theories makes for great, entertaining stories in movies, books, and television. And there is no shortage of subjects: from who really killed JFK to the truth behind 9/11. And then, there are subjects from alien invasions to the Moon landing was simulated - theories that are truly out of this world, which according to some, is flat. Many of these crazy concepts have jumped off the pages or screens to become so pervasive in our culture that thousands - even millions - subscribe to them as reality.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
No chapter titles!!???
- By Nomad of the World on 09-21-19
By: Michael Shermer, and others
-
Powerful Women of the Medieval World
- By: Dorsey Armstrong, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Dorsey Armstrong
- Length: 4 hrs and 59 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 1,425
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 1,255
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 1,246
Throughout history, women have played integral roles in family, society, religion, government, war - in short, in all aspects of human civilization. Their contributions have often shaped history and shifted the axis of power for later generations of women. And yet, unearthing their stories from the historical record has often been a challenge. In Powerful Women of the Medieval World, Professor Dorsey Armstrong will introduce you to 10 amazing women who played vital roles in the Middle Ages.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Very good! I wish I would have began listening to the Great Courses sooner.
- By Malia on 03-20-21
By: Dorsey Armstrong, and others
-
American Monsters
- By: Adam Jortner, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Adam Jortner
- Length: 4 hrs and 55 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,569
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,398
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,387
Grab a flashlight and go monster-hunting in the safe company of Adam Jortner, award-winning professor of religion at Auburn University. You’ll encounter chilling tales of living houses, sentient plants, psychotic toys, brain-eating zombies, and otherworldly beings whose mere name is enough to drive people insane. Along the way, you’ll learn how monster stories change how Americans think and what Americans do, how they shape the history of our country, and what secrets about human nature these inhuman monsters can share.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Great entertaining listen
- By lindsayb on 06-22-21
By: Adam Jortner, and others
-
Powerful Women Who Ruled the Ancient World
- By: Kara Cooney, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Kara Cooney
- Length: 5 hrs and 45 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 704
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 615
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 612
What is power and who is allowed to wield it? Why is female power so rare and, often, so feared? What can the women who gained power in the ancient world teach us about the contemporary world and our modern ideas of gender, authority, and equality? Listeners will explore these and other questions as you travel back to the ancient world and uncover the stories of remarkable women who overcame a host of barriers to wield power in a male-dominated world.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Informative
- By Red-Haired Ash on 05-02-20
By: Kara Cooney, and others
-
Writing the Bible: Origins of the Old Testament
- By: Martien Halvorson-Taylor, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Martien Halvorson-Taylor
- Length: 5 hrs and 9 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 646
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 574
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 570
Who wrote Great Expectations? That’s easy: Charles Dickens. Who’s the author of Beloved? Toni Morrison, of course. Now how about the Old Testament? You’d think for a book as widely known, studied, and distributed as the Bible, the question of authorship would have been sorted out by now. But the question is more complex (and fascinating) than it seems. Why? Because asking it is to challenge everything we might assume about the Bible’s identity as a book, about what “writing” and “authorship” really mean, and about how a written text could become sacred.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
What a Great Courses Book Is Meant to Be
- By Gilbert M. Stack on 12-16-21
By: Martien Halvorson-Taylor, and others
-
Rise and Fall of the Borgias
- By: William Landon, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: William Landon
- Length: 4 hrs and 58 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 908
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 765
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 765
Since its rise to the highest ranks of power in Renaissance Europe, the Borgia family has developed a scandalous reputation. While they were indeed ostentatious, calculating, worldly, cruel - and even, occasionally, murderous - you may be surprised to find that the Borgias were not terribly different from other powerful and ambitious families of their day. So why has history set them apart as one of the most corrupt and reviled families in history?
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
A remarkable history of a maligned family
- By Happy Customer on 12-03-19
By: William Landon, and others
-
10 Women Who Ruled the Renaissance
- By: Joyce Salisbury, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Joyce Salisbury
- Length: 4 hrs and 59 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 443
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 391
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 388
The 16th century was a time of immense change across the globe. For many historians, it marks a massive shift in the way the world operated; it is often considered the beginning of modernity. We may regard the 16th century as the time of Shakespeare and the conquistadors, but women also played a powerful role in many of the major events around the world. In 10 Women Who Ruled the Renaissance, you will explore the lives of 10 extraordinary women who exemplified the spirit of the 1500s - an era dominated by adventure, discovery, and cross-cultural exchange.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Fills Gaps in History
- By Amanda on 01-22-21
By: Joyce Salisbury, and others
-
Medical Mysteries Across History
- By: Roy Benaroch MD, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Roy Benaroch MD
- Length: 4 hrs and 49 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,296
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 1,123
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,115
In these 10 eye-opening lectures by a practicing doctor and medical educator, you’ll walk through a series of medical mystery cases ripped from history and involving well-known historical figures whose identities are nevertheless hidden from you. Every one of these cases requires you to use your detective skills to identify and diagnose the mystery patient just like the doctors that attended them. In the process, you’ll learn fascinating insights into medicine: both the medicine that was practiced thousands of years ago and the medicine doctors practice today.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
delightful
- By Amazon Customer on 03-14-20
By: Roy Benaroch MD, and others
-
Essentials of Social Psychology
- By: Wind Goodfriend, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Wind Goodfriend
- Length: 5 hrs and 20 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 329
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 286
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 282
In this illuminating Audible Original, Professor Wind Goodfriend explores the various facets of social psychology, including how we form personal identities, the importance of perceptions, the human need to be liked and respected, stereotypes and prejudices, and more. Social psychology can be both fascinating in its own right and, ideally, applicable to your everyday life.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
A Solid Intro to an Important Field
- By Gilbert M. Stack on 08-14-22
By: Wind Goodfriend, and others
-
10 Big Questions of the American Civil War
- By: Caroline Janney, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Caroline Janney
- Length: 4 hrs and 4 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 595
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 505
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 500
In 10 Big Questions of the American Civil War, join noted author and Civil War historian Dr. Caroline E. Janney, a professor at the University of Virginia, for a pointed examination of some of the most intriguing, provocative, and enduring questions about the Civil War era. The aim of these 10 eye-opening lectures is to separate myth from memory.
-
1 out of 5 stars
-
Rockyp
- By Robert Palomino on 12-11-19
By: Caroline Janney, and others
-
The Culture of Knighthood in Medieval Romance
- By: Larissa (Kat) Tracy, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Larissa Tracy
- Length: 2 hrs and 19 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 129
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 110
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 110
In The Culture of Knighthood and Medieval Romance, join scholar of medieval literature Larissa Tracy for a fascinating dive into the deeper context of narratives about knights and their world. Her Audible Original takes you through the evolution of knighthood and courtly literature, dispelling prevalent myths about chivalry and romance with an eye to revealing just how textured and complex these ideas actually were.
-
1 out of 5 stars
-
A course on Sir Lancelot lacks a lot.
- By Patrick Mullane on 12-20-23
By: Larissa (Kat) Tracy, and others
-
Witchcraft in the Western Tradition
- By: Jennifer McNabb, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Jennifer McNabb
- Length: 5 hrs and 11 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 874
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 769
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 767
Beginning with the witch hunts of the early 15th century, Professor Jennifer McNabb takes you on an eye-opening exploration of witchcraft and superstition in Witchcraft in the Western Tradition. In these 10 lectures, you will better understand where many of our most indelible images of witchcraft come from and how the religious pursuit of witches across Europe and into the Americas in the early modern period spread fear and violence like a contagion, for generations.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Interesting, but not great
- By KlaatuBaradaNikto on 01-10-21
By: Jennifer McNabb, and others
-
How to Say It: Words That Make a Difference
- By: Allison Friederichs Atkison, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Allison Friederichs Atkison
- Length: 4 hrs and 44 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,571
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,343
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 1,323
Words. We use them all the time, every day, mostly without giving them much thought at all. We take for granted that they’re here at our disposal whenever we need them. But if you’ve ever wished you could communicate more effectively, words are the place to start. It’s incumbent upon you to choose the best words to accomplish your goals, because how you choose to communicate influences—well, everything! The power of communication shapes our professional goals, our relationships, and our lives—so the words we choose to use carry a great deal of power.
-
2 out of 5 stars
-
Meh. Glad I didn't pay for it.
- By Paula on 07-23-22
By: Allison Friederichs Atkison, and others
-
The World of J.R.R. Tolkien
- By: Dimitra Fimi, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Dimitra Fimi
- Length: 4 hrs and 42 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 724
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 642
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 637
In The World of J.R.R. Tolkien, you will join Dr. Dimitra Fimi to delve into Tolkien’s complex and multilayered mythology, examining all these ingredients and more. In these 10 lectures, you will explore and appreciate Middle-earth as medieval, mythological, and modern, a literary creation that was shaped by forces old and new. And you may be surprised to discover just how much of Tolkien’s legendarium was constructed posthumously, with his son Christopher compiling and publishing many of Tolkien’s later works after his death.
-
1 out of 5 stars
-
Calls Tolkien a racist and sexist
- By Kevin on 09-29-22
By: Dimitra Fimi, and others
-
The Big Mysteries of Human Evolution
- By: Dr. Elen Feuerriegel, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Dr. Elen Feurriegel
- Length: 4 hrs and 28 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 388
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 330
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 327
In 10 riveting episodes, paleoanthropologist Elen Feuerriegel takes you on an unrivaled tour of the human fossil record in search of the biological and behavioral underpinnings of our very “humanness”.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Fascinating lecture
- By M Hester on 04-15-22
By: Dr. Elen Feuerriegel, and others
-
Learning How to Learn
- By: Tesia Marshik, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Tesia Marshik
- Length: 4 hrs and 21 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 396
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 351
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 346
Education can be enriching and transformative. It can also be downright excruciating—even demoralizing. When it comes to learning, why are some of us lovers and some of us haters? Welcome to the world of educational psychology, which uses science to explore what causes people to engage and learn, and what we can do to make learning opportunities more enjoyable and impactful. Spoiler alert: Teachers can only do so much. Students, too, must take control of their learning. Unfortunately, many of us never, ahem, learned the skills to do just that.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Like sitting through a middle school class
- By KDS on 06-16-22
By: Tesia Marshik, and others
-
Women Who Made Science History
- By: Leila McNeill, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Leila McNeill
- Length: 2 hrs and 56 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 63
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 51
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 51
It’s not news that women have been denied the same educational and institutional opportunities, resources, and access as men, and that science’s history is often told through the stories of great men, with a few great women making an appearance here and there. But that approach misses the big picture. The history of science isn’t complete without women.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Short but Worthwhile
- By Gilbert M. Stack on 03-07-23
By: Leila McNeill, and others
-
The Hidden History of Holidays
- By: Hannah Harvey, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Hannah Harvey
- Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,135
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 983
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 975
From Halloween costumes to patriotic parades to belly-busting meals, every holiday tradition tells a unique story—one encoded in symbols and layered meanings that stretch back over the centuries. In 19 lectures, professional storyteller Dr. Hannah B. Harvey takes listeners through the seasons and investigates the surprising stories behind seemingly odd holiday traditions.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
An enjoyable listen, but a few inaccuracies
- By Kristopher willis on 12-17-19
By: Hannah Harvey, and others
Interesting
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
very enjoyable!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Excellent course
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Interesting facts, worth the listen
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A winner for readers of Brother Cadfael
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Riveting!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Engaging, but...
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A must read for medieval fans!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Who doesn’t like myths and mysteries?
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I need more!!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.