-
Rise and Fall of the Borgias
- Narrated by: William Landon
- Length: 4 hrs and 58 mins
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
Rise and Fall of the Borgias
Buy for $16.00
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Publisher's summary
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—listeners 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?
In the Rise and Fall of the Borgias, listeners will spend 10 revealing lectures untangling the web of rumors, speculation, and historical embellishment from what is actually known about the infamous Roman family. With Dr. William Landon, listeners will explore the historical context that helped the Borgias make their fortune and better understand how they could be both magnanimous and ruthless, pious and morally suspect.
The story of the Borgias is rich with intrigue, even without the fictional enhancement it has received from the numerous films, novels, and television shows that have been created based on the family’s notoriety. Dr. Landon introduces listeners to the major players and lays bare their machinations to reach the highest offices of church and state. Were their exploits as salacious as listeners have been led to believe? Did they manipulate the papacy for their own gain? Are the rumors of incest, bribery, political assassinations, and other morally questionable behaviors true or the stuff of historical gossip?
As listeners explore these and other rumors surrounding the Borgias, they will pull back the curtain on the historian’s craft and see how the story of this Renaissance dynasty has been shaped over time and how new research and a healthy dose of skepticism has allowed us to get a little closer to the truth—without losing any of the drama.
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
How the Medici Shaped the Renaissance
- By: William Landon, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Professor William Landon
- Length: 6 hrs and 9 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 266
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 222
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 222
In How the Medici Shaped the Renaissance, you’ll study the remarkable trajectory of the Medici from the late 14th century to 1737, when the Medici dynasty ended. Across that span of time, you’ll witness the birth of the Italian Renaissance, and the rise of the Medici as an economic powerhouse under founder Giovanni de’ Medici. You’ll learn how the Medici came to dominate Florence and how they played diverse roles in politics, religion, and culture.
-
2 out of 5 stars
-
Not for non history buffs
- By Amazon Customer on 01-06-22
By: William Landon, 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 1,112
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 962
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 959
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
-
Medieval Myths & Mysteries
- By: Dorsey Armstrong, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Dorsey Armstrong
- Length: 5 hrs and 6 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 4,804
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 4,249
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 4,223
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.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Interesting, but centered on Britain
- By Ximena on 04-10-20
By: Dorsey Armstrong, and others
-
The New Testament
- By: Bart D. Ehrman, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Bart D. Ehrman
- Length: 12 hrs and 27 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2,031
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,766
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,753
Whether taken as a book of faith or a cultural artifact, the New Testament is among the most significant writings the world has ever known, its web of meaning relied upon by virtually every major writer in the last 2,000 years. Yet the New Testament is not only one of Western civilization’s most believed books, but also one of its most widely disputed, often maligned, and least clearly understood, with a vast number of people unaware of how it was written and transmitted.
-
1 out of 5 stars
-
If you want a balanced overview this is not it
- By Amazon Customer on 02-27-16
By: Bart D. Ehrman, 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 544
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 470
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 467
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
-
The Age of Benjamin Franklin
- By: The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Professor Robert J. Allison PhD Harvard University
- Length: 12 hrs and 30 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 192
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 163
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 162
Why is Benjamin Franklin so compelling? What made him so successful in his day? And why has he continued to influence generations of Americans? Tackle these questions and more in The Age of Benjamin Franklin, a thorough - and sometimes surprising - course that presents a full portrait of a personality that defies easy definition.
-
1 out of 5 stars
-
It's a lecture
- By Amazon Customer on 05-17-18
-
How the Medici Shaped the Renaissance
- By: William Landon, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Professor William Landon
- Length: 6 hrs and 9 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 266
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 222
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 222
In How the Medici Shaped the Renaissance, you’ll study the remarkable trajectory of the Medici from the late 14th century to 1737, when the Medici dynasty ended. Across that span of time, you’ll witness the birth of the Italian Renaissance, and the rise of the Medici as an economic powerhouse under founder Giovanni de’ Medici. You’ll learn how the Medici came to dominate Florence and how they played diverse roles in politics, religion, and culture.
-
2 out of 5 stars
-
Not for non history buffs
- By Amazon Customer on 01-06-22
By: William Landon, 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 1,112
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 962
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 959
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
-
Medieval Myths & Mysteries
- By: Dorsey Armstrong, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Dorsey Armstrong
- Length: 5 hrs and 6 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 4,804
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 4,249
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 4,223
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.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Interesting, but centered on Britain
- By Ximena on 04-10-20
By: Dorsey Armstrong, and others
-
The New Testament
- By: Bart D. Ehrman, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Bart D. Ehrman
- Length: 12 hrs and 27 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2,031
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,766
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,753
Whether taken as a book of faith or a cultural artifact, the New Testament is among the most significant writings the world has ever known, its web of meaning relied upon by virtually every major writer in the last 2,000 years. Yet the New Testament is not only one of Western civilization’s most believed books, but also one of its most widely disputed, often maligned, and least clearly understood, with a vast number of people unaware of how it was written and transmitted.
-
1 out of 5 stars
-
If you want a balanced overview this is not it
- By Amazon Customer on 02-27-16
By: Bart D. Ehrman, 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 544
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 470
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 467
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
-
The Age of Benjamin Franklin
- By: The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Professor Robert J. Allison PhD Harvard University
- Length: 12 hrs and 30 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 192
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 163
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 162
Why is Benjamin Franklin so compelling? What made him so successful in his day? And why has he continued to influence generations of Americans? Tackle these questions and more in The Age of Benjamin Franklin, a thorough - and sometimes surprising - course that presents a full portrait of a personality that defies easy definition.
-
1 out of 5 stars
-
It's a lecture
- By Amazon Customer on 05-17-18
-
Killers of the Flower Moon
- The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI
- By: David Grann
- Narrated by: Will Patton, Ann Marie Lee, Danny Campbell
- Length: 9 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 22,553
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 19,768
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 19,723
In the 1920s, the richest people per capita in the world were members of the Osage Nation in Oklahoma. After oil was discovered beneath their land, the Osage rode in chauffeured automobiles, built mansions, and sent their children to study in Europe.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
An outstanding story, highly recommended
- By S. Blakely on 06-22-17
By: David Grann
-
The End Is Always Near
- Apocalyptic Moments, from the Bronze Age Collapse to Nuclear Near Misses
- By: Dan Carlin
- Narrated by: Dan Carlin
- Length: 7 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 10,283
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 9,054
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 9,001
In The End Is Always Near, Dan Carlin looks at questions and historical events that force us to consider what sounds like fantasy; that we might suffer the same fate that all previous eras did. Will our world ever become a ruin for future archaeologists to dig up and explore? The questions themselves are both philosophical and like something out of The Twilight Zone.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Hardcore Histories Greatest Hits
- By Steven Glover on 10-31-19
By: Dan Carlin
-
Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World
- By: Jack Weatherford
- Narrated by: Jonathan Davis, Jack Weatherford
- Length: 14 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 19,927
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 16,477
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 16,473
The Mongol army led by Genghis Khan subjugated more lands and people in 25 years than the Romans did in 400. In nearly every country the Mongols conquered, they brought an unprecedented rise in cultural communication, expanded trade, and a blossoming of civilization.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Golden Horde/Platinum Listen
- By Cynthia on 12-11-13
By: Jack Weatherford
-
Powers and Thrones
- A New History of the Middle Ages
- By: Dan Jones
- Narrated by: Dan Jones
- Length: 24 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,662
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 1,434
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 1,428
When the once-mighty city of Rome was sacked by barbarians in 410 and lay in ruins, it signaled the end of an era—and the beginning of a thousand years of profound transformation. In a gripping narrative bursting with big names—from St Augustine and Attila the Hun to the Prophet Muhammad and Eleanor of Aquitaine—Dan Jones charges through the history of the Middle Ages. Powers and Thrones takes listeners on a journey through an emerging Europe, the great capitals of late Antiquity, as well as the influential cities of the Islamic West.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Hard to take a break from it!
- By Mariano's Music on 12-09-21
By: Dan Jones
-
Bill O'Reilly's Legends and Lies: The Patriots
- By: Bill O'Reilly, David Fisher
- Narrated by: Holter Graham, Bill O'Reilly
- Length: 9 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2,696
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 2,369
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 2,362
The must-have companion to Bill O'Reilly's historical docudrama Legends and Lies: The Patriots, an exciting and eye-opening look at the Revolutionary War through the lives of its leaders. The American Revolution was neither inevitable nor a unanimous cause. It pitted neighbors against each other as loyalists and colonial rebels faced off for their lives and futures. These were the times that tried men's souls: No one was on stable ground, and few could be trusted.
-
1 out of 5 stars
-
Couldn't stop listening!
- By Erin on 08-05-16
By: Bill O'Reilly, and others
-
Killing Jesus
- A History
- By: Bill O'Reilly, Martin Dugard
- Narrated by: Bill O'Reilly
- Length: 6 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 9,672
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 8,532
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 8,544
Millions of people have thrilled to best-selling authors Bill O'Reilly and historian Martin Dugard's Killing Kennedy and Killing Lincoln, works of nonfiction that have changed the way we view history. Now the anchor of The O'Reilly Factor details the events leading up to the murder of the most influential man in history: Jesus of Nazareth. Nearly 2,000 years after this beloved and controversial young revolutionary was brutally killed by Roman soldiers, more than 2.2 billion human beings attempt to follow his teachings and believe he is God.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
The Jesus story in context
- By Kimberly on 10-01-13
By: Bill O'Reilly, and others
-
The History of the Ancient World
- From the Earliest Accounts to the Fall of Rome
- By: Susan Wise Bauer
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 26 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 5,589
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 4,887
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 4,860
This is the first volume in a bold new series that tells the stories of all peoples, connecting historical events from Europe to the Middle East to the far coast of China, while still giving weight to the characteristics of each country. Susan Wise Bauer provides both sweeping scope and vivid attention to the individual lives that give flesh to abstract assertions about human history. This narrative history employs the methods of "history from beneath" - literature, epic traditions, private letters, and accounts - to connect kings and leaders with the lives of those they ruled.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
An Historic Achievement
- By Ellen S. Wilds on 04-25-14
By: Susan Wise Bauer
-
Joseph Smith
- Rough Stone Rolling
- By: Richard Lyman Bushman
- Narrated by: James Anderson Foster
- Length: 28 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,302
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,132
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,132
Founder of the largest indigenous Christian church in American history, Joseph Smith published the 584-page Book of Mormon when he was 23 and went on to organize a church, found cities, and attract thousands of followers before his violent death at age 38. Richard Bushman, an esteemed cultural historian and a practicing Mormon, moves beyond the popular stereotype of Smith as a colorful fraud to explore his personality, his relationships with others, and how he received revelations.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Polarizing...in a great way
- By Brigham Larson on 01-24-18
-
Caesar
- Life of a Colossus
- By: Adrian Goldsworthy
- Narrated by: Derek Perkins
- Length: 24 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 3,908
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 3,474
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 3,468
Tracing the extraordinary trajectory of Julius Caesar's life, Adrian Goldsworthy covers not only the great Roman emperor's accomplishments as charismatic orator, conquering general, and powerful dictator but also lesser-known chapters. Ultimately, Goldsworthy realizes the full complexity of Caesar's character and shows why his political and military leadership continues to resonate some 2,000 years later.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Caesar and his times
- By Mike From Mesa on 08-31-15
-
Misquoting Jesus
- By: Bart D. Ehrman
- Narrated by: Richard M. Davidson
- Length: 9 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 3,283
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 2,302
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 2,299
When world-class biblical scholar Bart Ehrman first began to study the texts of the Bible in their original languages he was startled to discover the multitude of mistakes and intentional alterations that had been made by earlier translators. In Misquoting Jesus, Ehrman tells the story behind the mistakes and changes that ancient scribes made to the New Testament and shows the great impact they had upon the Bible we use today.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Understanding Manuscripts
- By KaHef on 11-22-06
By: Bart D. Ehrman
-
When Women Ruled the World
- By: Kara Cooney
- Narrated by: Kara Cooney
- Length: 9 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2,952
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 2,623
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 2,617
This riveting narrative explores the lives of six remarkable female pharaohs, from Hatshepsut to Cleopatra - women who ruled with real power - and shines a piercing light on our own perceptions of women in power today. Female rulers are a rare phenomenon - but thousands of years ago in ancient Egypt, women reigned supreme. But throughout human history, women in positions of power were more often used as political pawns in a male-dominated society. What was so special about ancient Egypt that provided women this kind of access to the highest political office?
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
A Thoroughly Feminist Review of Ancient Egypt
- By Morgan on 03-07-19
By: Kara Cooney
-
The Templars
- The Rise and Spectacular Fall of God's Holy Warriors
- By: Dan Jones
- Narrated by: Dan Jones
- Length: 15 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2,851
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 2,482
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 2,465
In 1307, as they struggled to secure their last strongholds in the Kingdom of Jerusalem, the Templars fell afoul of the vindictive and impulsive king of France. On Friday, October 13, hundreds of brothers were arrested en masse, imprisoned, tortured, and disbanded amid accusations of lurid sexual misconduct and heresy. They were tried by the Vatican in secret proceedings. But were they heretics or victims of a ruthlessly repressive state?
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Unexpected
- By Protogere on 10-30-17
By: Dan Jones
Our favorite moments from Rise and Fall of the Borgias
- Lecture 1, Chapter 2 from Valencia to Rome the Borja Become the Borgia
- Lecture 3, Chapter 4 Cardinal Borgia Becomes Pope Alexander VI
- Lecture 8, Chapter 9 Cesare Borgia and Niccolò Machiavelli
- Lecture 1, Chapter 2 from Valencia to Rome the Borja Become the Borgia
- Rumors circulate about Cesare Borgia
- Lecture 3, Chapter 4 Cardinal Borgia Becomes Pope Alexander VI
- "Rodrigo badly predicted how the new Pope would act"
- Lecture 8, Chapter 9 Cesare Borgia and Niccolò Machiavelli
- Machiavelli praises Cesare Borgia
The history of a single family says a lot about the Renaissance!
Facts we all know about the Borgias: They had power. They had Popes. Everything in the Showtime series couldn’t be true. Professor Landon probes why this particular family acquired a reputation for incest, poison, and assassination. Did Rodrigo Borgia (aka Pope Alexander VI) hold orgies in the Vatican, or was he a better-than-average Renaissance pontiff? Was Lucrezia, his daughter—yes, you read that right—a murderous temptress, or merely a woman whose value was to ally her family to other powerful clans through marriage? One overarching question runs through the lectures like silk through brocade: what made the Borgias infamous?
About the Professor
Dr. William Landon is Professor of European History at Northern Kentucky University. He received his MSc and PhD in History, with an emphasis on the life and works of Niccolò Machiavelli, from the University of Edinburgh.
An international authority in the fields of Machiavelli studies, the Renaissance, and the history of ideas, Dr. Landon is also a 2017 recipient of a National Science Foundation Grant. He has published two books: Politics, Patriotism and Language: Niccolò Machiavelli’s "Secular Patria" and the Creation of an Italian National Identity; and Lorenzo di Filippo Strozzi and Niccolò Machiavelli: Patron, Client, and the Pistola fatta per la peste/An Epistle Written Concerning the Plague. He is also the presenter of a 24-lecture series on Machiavelli’s The Prince, produced by The Great Courses. Alongside his professional life as a historian, Dr. Landon is a classically trained painter, sculptor, a pianist, a lover of literature and music, and the co-owner/operator of a small organic farm.
Related to this topic
-
The Art of War
- By: Sun Tzu
- Narrated by: Aidan Gillen
- Length: 1 hr and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 41,399
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 34,281
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 33,862
The 13 chapters of The Art of War, each devoted to one aspect of warfare, were compiled by the high-ranking Chinese military general, strategist, and philosopher Sun-Tzu. In spite of its battlefield specificity, The Art of War has found new life in the modern age, with leaders in fields as wide and far-reaching as world politics, human psychology, and corporate strategy finding valuable insight in its timeworn words.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
The actual book The Art of War, not a commentary
- By Fred271 on 12-31-19
By: Sun Tzu
-
Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World
- By: Jack Weatherford
- Narrated by: Jonathan Davis, Jack Weatherford
- Length: 14 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 19,927
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 16,477
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 16,473
The Mongol army led by Genghis Khan subjugated more lands and people in 25 years than the Romans did in 400. In nearly every country the Mongols conquered, they brought an unprecedented rise in cultural communication, expanded trade, and a blossoming of civilization.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Golden Horde/Platinum Listen
- By Cynthia on 12-11-13
By: Jack Weatherford
-
Flannery O'Connor and the Scandal of Faith
- By: Jessica Hooten Wilson, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Jessica Hooten Wilson
- Length: 3 hrs and 5 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 4
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 4
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 4
Across six revealing lectures, Professor Jessica Hooten Wilson will introduce you to one of the 20th century’s most fascinating and divisive writers in Flannery O’Connor and the Scandal of Faith. Beginning with an overview of her brief but remarkable life, Professor Wilson will then take you through an exploration of themes in O’Connor’s work and the hallmarks of her literary style. You’ll get a clearer picture of O’Connor’s historical and geographical context while digging into how her stories can transcend time and place.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Clearly portrayed
- By Jill Brim on 11-17-24
By: Jessica Hooten Wilson, and others
-
The Last Days of Cabrini-Green
- By: Ben Austen, Harrison David Rivers
- Narrated by: Ben Austen, Patina Miller, Harry Lennix, and others
- Length: 3 hrs and 32 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 16
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 15
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 15
In 1992, the deadliest year in Chicago’s history, seven-year-old Dantrell Davis was shot and killed in front of his elementary school inside the public housing complex Cabrini-Green. What happened to Dantrell led to a truce among Chicago’s gangs, but it also ignited a national panic about poverty and violence in America’s cities. Dantrell’s name would soon be used to demolish all of Chicago’s high-rise public housing, displacing tens of thousands of low-income families.
By: Ben Austen, and others
-
MOVE: The Untold Story of an American Tragedy
- By: Curtis Bryant, Kevin Arbouet
- Narrated by: Tariq Trotter
- Length: 5 hrs and 19 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 267
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 263
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 263
This searing audio documentary brings listeners deep inside the unforgettable story of MOVE, gaining unprecedented access to surviving MOVE members, elected officials from the era, eyewitnesses, and historians to create an indelible portrait of an American tragedy.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Balanced Examination of History
- By James Peacock on 08-14-24
By: Curtis Bryant, and others
-
The Autobiography of Malcolm X
- As Told to Alex Haley
- By: Malcolm X, Alex Haley
- Narrated by: Laurence Fishburne
- Length: 16 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 12,430
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 11,057
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 10,997
Experience a bold take on this classic autobiography as it’s performed by Oscar-nominated Laurence Fishburne. In this searing classic autobiography, originally published in 1965, Malcolm X, the Muslim leader, firebrand, and Black empowerment activist, tells the extraordinary story of his life and the growth of the Human Rights movement. His fascinating perspective on the lies and limitations of the American dream and the inherent racism in a society that denies its non-White citizens the opportunity to dream, gives extraordinary insight into the most urgent issues of our own time.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
it's Nearly perfect
- By Kerry on 09-16-20
By: Malcolm X, and others
-
The Art of War
- By: Sun Tzu
- Narrated by: Aidan Gillen
- Length: 1 hr and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 41,399
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 34,281
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 33,862
The 13 chapters of The Art of War, each devoted to one aspect of warfare, were compiled by the high-ranking Chinese military general, strategist, and philosopher Sun-Tzu. In spite of its battlefield specificity, The Art of War has found new life in the modern age, with leaders in fields as wide and far-reaching as world politics, human psychology, and corporate strategy finding valuable insight in its timeworn words.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
The actual book The Art of War, not a commentary
- By Fred271 on 12-31-19
By: Sun Tzu
-
Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World
- By: Jack Weatherford
- Narrated by: Jonathan Davis, Jack Weatherford
- Length: 14 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 19,927
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 16,477
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 16,473
The Mongol army led by Genghis Khan subjugated more lands and people in 25 years than the Romans did in 400. In nearly every country the Mongols conquered, they brought an unprecedented rise in cultural communication, expanded trade, and a blossoming of civilization.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Golden Horde/Platinum Listen
- By Cynthia on 12-11-13
By: Jack Weatherford
-
Flannery O'Connor and the Scandal of Faith
- By: Jessica Hooten Wilson, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Jessica Hooten Wilson
- Length: 3 hrs and 5 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 4
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 4
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 4
Across six revealing lectures, Professor Jessica Hooten Wilson will introduce you to one of the 20th century’s most fascinating and divisive writers in Flannery O’Connor and the Scandal of Faith. Beginning with an overview of her brief but remarkable life, Professor Wilson will then take you through an exploration of themes in O’Connor’s work and the hallmarks of her literary style. You’ll get a clearer picture of O’Connor’s historical and geographical context while digging into how her stories can transcend time and place.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Clearly portrayed
- By Jill Brim on 11-17-24
By: Jessica Hooten Wilson, and others
-
The Last Days of Cabrini-Green
- By: Ben Austen, Harrison David Rivers
- Narrated by: Ben Austen, Patina Miller, Harry Lennix, and others
- Length: 3 hrs and 32 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 16
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 15
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 15
In 1992, the deadliest year in Chicago’s history, seven-year-old Dantrell Davis was shot and killed in front of his elementary school inside the public housing complex Cabrini-Green. What happened to Dantrell led to a truce among Chicago’s gangs, but it also ignited a national panic about poverty and violence in America’s cities. Dantrell’s name would soon be used to demolish all of Chicago’s high-rise public housing, displacing tens of thousands of low-income families.
By: Ben Austen, and others
-
MOVE: The Untold Story of an American Tragedy
- By: Curtis Bryant, Kevin Arbouet
- Narrated by: Tariq Trotter
- Length: 5 hrs and 19 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 267
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 263
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 263
This searing audio documentary brings listeners deep inside the unforgettable story of MOVE, gaining unprecedented access to surviving MOVE members, elected officials from the era, eyewitnesses, and historians to create an indelible portrait of an American tragedy.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Balanced Examination of History
- By James Peacock on 08-14-24
By: Curtis Bryant, and others
-
The Autobiography of Malcolm X
- As Told to Alex Haley
- By: Malcolm X, Alex Haley
- Narrated by: Laurence Fishburne
- Length: 16 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 12,430
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 11,057
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 10,997
Experience a bold take on this classic autobiography as it’s performed by Oscar-nominated Laurence Fishburne. In this searing classic autobiography, originally published in 1965, Malcolm X, the Muslim leader, firebrand, and Black empowerment activist, tells the extraordinary story of his life and the growth of the Human Rights movement. His fascinating perspective on the lies and limitations of the American dream and the inherent racism in a society that denies its non-White citizens the opportunity to dream, gives extraordinary insight into the most urgent issues of our own time.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
it's Nearly perfect
- By Kerry on 09-16-20
By: Malcolm X, and others
-
Mythology: Mega Collection
- Classic Stories from the Greek, Celtic, Norse, Japanese, Hindu, Chinese, Mesopotamian and Egyptian Mythology
- By: Scott Lewis
- Narrated by: Madison Niederhauser, Oliver Hunt
- Length: 31 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 698
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 612
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 612
Do you know how many wives Zeus had? Or how the famous Trojan War was caused by one beautiful lady? Or how Thor got his hammer? Give your imagination a real treat. This Mega Mythology Collection of eight audiobooks is for you....
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
An interesting set of introductions.
- By Kevin Potter on 05-30-19
By: Scott Lewis
-
Helter Skelter
- The True Story of the Manson Murders
- By: Vincent Bugliosi, Curt Gentry
- Narrated by: Scott Brick
- Length: 26 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 9,987
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 8,831
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 8,816
Prosecuting attorney in the Manson trial Vincent Bugliosi held a unique insider's position in one of the most baffling and horrifying cases of the 20th century: the cold-blooded Tate-LaBianca murders carried out by Charles Manson and four of his followers. What motivated Manson in his seemingly mindless selection of victims, and what was his hold over the young women who obeyed his orders? Now available for the first time in unabridged audio, the gripping story of this famous and haunting crime is brought to life by acclaimed narrator Scott Brick.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Everything I remembered about the case was wrong..
- By karen on 06-22-12
By: Vincent Bugliosi, and others
-
Fingerprints of the Gods
- The Quest Continues
- By: Graham Hancock
- Narrated by: Graham Hancock
- Length: 18 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 8,778
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 7,771
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 7,730
Fingerprints of the Gods is the revolutionary rewrite of history that has persuaded millions of listeners throughout the world to change their preconceptions about the history behind modern society. An intellectual detective story, this unique history audiobook directs probing questions at orthodox history, presenting disturbing new evidence that historians have tried - but failed - to explain.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Classic in Historical Mysteries
- By Kelly on 09-05-19
By: Graham Hancock
-
The Secret History of Christmas
- By: Bill Bryson
- Narrated by: Bill Bryson
- Length: 3 hrs and 3 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,393
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,253
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,249
Christmas is the single biggest annual event on the planet, a time for merry-making, over-indulgence, peace, goodwill, and the occasional family row. It’s as comfortable and familiar as a pair of old shoes and yet still glittery and exciting. But what do you really know about it? It’s stuffed full of traditions and rituals that most of us have been observing all our lives without having the slightest idea of where they come from.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Fascinating and Entertaining
- By Laura Carrington on 11-23-22
By: Bill Bryson
-
World War 2 in the Pacific Collection: Across Wake Island, Bataan, Guadalcanal, Corregidor, and Iwo Jima
- Helmet for My Pillow: From Parris Island to the Pacific, The Saga of Pappy Gunn, On Valor's Side, The Coastwatchers, They Call it Pacific, Joe Foss Flying Marine, South from Corregidor, The Story of Wake Island, & Mission Beyond Darkness
- By: Robert Lackie, General George C. Kenney, T. Grady Gallant, and others
- Narrated by: Museum Audiobooks Cast
- Length: 66 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 102
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 92
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 92
This is a nine-book bundle on the Pacific War, the theatre of World War II that was fought in Asia, the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean and Oceania. The Pacific War saw the Allies pitted against Japan, aided by Thailand and its Axis allies, Germany and Italy. Fighting included some of the largest naval battles in history, and the war culminated in the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Good collection, great bargain well worth a credit
- By R. Denton on 08-13-21
By: Robert Lackie, and others
-
Black Elk Speaks
- Being the Life Story of a Holy Man of the Oglala Sioux, The Premier Edition
- By: John G. Neihardt
- Narrated by: Robin Neihardt
- Length: 6 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,230
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,077
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,081
Widely hailed as a spiritual classic, this inspirational and unfailingly powerful story reveals the life and visions of the Lakota healer Nicholas Black Elk (1863–1950) and the tragic history of his Sioux people during the epic closing decades of the Old West. In 1930, the aging Black Elk met a kindred spirit, the famed poet, writer, and critic John G. Neihardt (1881–1973) on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Tale of tears
- By William Sanders on 01-25-15
By: John G. Neihardt
People who viewed this also viewed...
-
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 1,406
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 1,239
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 1,230
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
-
Medieval Myths & Mysteries
- By: Dorsey Armstrong, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Dorsey Armstrong
- Length: 5 hrs and 6 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 4,804
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 4,249
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 4,223
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.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Interesting, but centered on Britain
- By Ximena on 04-10-20
By: Dorsey Armstrong, and others
-
The Life and Times of Prince Albert
- By: Patrick Allitt, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Patrick Allitt
- Length: 4 hrs and 28 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 6,419
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 5,469
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 5,440
In 10 lectures, award-winning historian Patrick N. Allitt transports listeners to England in the 1840s and 1850s. During those two decades, Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, became one of the most influential people in the country and remains a figure of fascination even today. In fact, the British royal family as we know it wouldn't exist without the private and public actions of this detached, impartial, and upright political figure.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
A Master Storyteller
- By tru britty on 04-18-20
By: Patrick Allitt, 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 865
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 761
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 759
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
-
The Science of Sci-Fi
- From Warp Speed to Interstellar Travel
- By: Erin Macdonald, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Erin Macdonald
- Length: 3 hrs and 59 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 8,163
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 7,046
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 7,019
Science fiction allows us to go places we can only dream of seeing - other worlds, distant stars, entirely different galaxies. While not every story is concerned with the hard science behind space travel and other futuristic ventures, fiction can give us amazing insight into what we could be capable of and what we dream of doing. In these 10 lectures, Professor Erin Macdonald interweaves real science and the achievements of the imagination to reveal the truth that underlies our favorite stories and sheds light on what the future may hold.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
surfing the surface
- By scarlet on 01-13-20
By: Erin Macdonald, 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 8,749
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 7,851
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 7,799
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
-
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 1,406
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 1,239
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 1,230
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
-
Medieval Myths & Mysteries
- By: Dorsey Armstrong, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Dorsey Armstrong
- Length: 5 hrs and 6 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 4,804
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 4,249
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 4,223
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.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Interesting, but centered on Britain
- By Ximena on 04-10-20
By: Dorsey Armstrong, and others
-
The Life and Times of Prince Albert
- By: Patrick Allitt, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Patrick Allitt
- Length: 4 hrs and 28 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 6,419
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 5,469
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 5,440
In 10 lectures, award-winning historian Patrick N. Allitt transports listeners to England in the 1840s and 1850s. During those two decades, Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, became one of the most influential people in the country and remains a figure of fascination even today. In fact, the British royal family as we know it wouldn't exist without the private and public actions of this detached, impartial, and upright political figure.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
A Master Storyteller
- By tru britty on 04-18-20
By: Patrick Allitt, 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 865
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 761
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 759
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
-
The Science of Sci-Fi
- From Warp Speed to Interstellar Travel
- By: Erin Macdonald, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Erin Macdonald
- Length: 3 hrs and 59 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 8,163
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 7,046
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 7,019
Science fiction allows us to go places we can only dream of seeing - other worlds, distant stars, entirely different galaxies. While not every story is concerned with the hard science behind space travel and other futuristic ventures, fiction can give us amazing insight into what we could be capable of and what we dream of doing. In these 10 lectures, Professor Erin Macdonald interweaves real science and the achievements of the imagination to reveal the truth that underlies our favorite stories and sheds light on what the future may hold.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
surfing the surface
- By scarlet on 01-13-20
By: Erin Macdonald, 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 8,749
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 7,851
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 7,799
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
-
History's Great Military Blunders and the Lessons They Teach
- By: The Great Courses, Gregory S. Aldrete
- Narrated by: Gregory S. Aldrete
- Length: 12 hrs and 12 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 3,507
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 3,096
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 3,078
Military history often highlights successes and suggests a sense of inevitability about victory, but there is so much that can be gleaned from considering failures. Study these crucibles of history to gain a better understanding of why a civilization took - or didn't take - a particular path.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Martial Chaos
- By Cynthia on 08-16-16
By: The Great Courses, 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 1,121
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 973
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 965
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
-
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 428
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 378
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 375
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
-
The Berlin Wall: A World Divided
- By: Hope M. Harrison, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Hope M. Harrison
- Length: 5 hrs and 2 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 318
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 270
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 269
The Berlin Wall is perhaps modern history’s most infamous edifice. The Berlin Wall: A World Divided is more than just the story of brick, concrete, and barbed wire. It’s the story of a city, a country, and a world - all of them divided. To hear how the Berlin Wall exemplified this division is to gain insights into a central tension of world history: between the human drive for freedom and the political will that would control and repress that drive.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Woke Historian colors Berlin Wall Story
- By Miguel Angel on 01-13-22
By: Hope M. Harrison, and others
-
A History of Video Games
- By: Jeremy Parish, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Jeremy Parish
- Length: 4 hrs and 40 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 415
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 355
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 355
Since their arrival in the mid-20th century, video games have become a sprawling, multi-billion dollar business. On an annual basis, the industry is even more profitable than Hollywood. Today’s video games feature stunning, lifelike visuals and complex storylines - but they didn’t start out that way. The origin of video games can be traced back to World War II. In the 10 lectures of A History of Video Games, listeners will follow the development of the digital game from its roots in the war room to its proliferation in the 21st-century living room.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
A fairly shallow and disjointed series of lectures
- By Michael G. Matrix on 01-31-22
By: Jeremy Parish, 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 120
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 101
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 101
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
What listeners say about Rise and Fall of the Borgias
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Brian K. Cutshall
- 05-05-23
A brief history of the Borgias
A very compelling history of the Borgia family. It was a great listen and highly recommend it.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 11-02-21
Excellent!
One of the most well researched biographies I've read on the Borgias. Well done!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- JL
- 02-18-22
Fascinating historical portrait
This really made me think about the roll of gossip and backbiting in history and today. History is always more complicated than it appears on the surface. These lectures on the Borgias were wonderful and entertaining, neither glossing over, nor glorifying this powerful family. Time and credit well spent.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Bessie Mae
- 01-24-22
Informative
I certainly didn't know the first thing about the Borgia family before listening to these lectures. I learned a great deal about the history, religion, and culture of their lives.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Justin
- 01-27-22
Not too shaggy, I meant shabby.
Good take on this family. I’m craving more information after completing this, which is fitting for a 5 hour course. Now I’ll have to purchase another audible experience…
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- CManz
- 02-17-20
Ripping Renaissance History
I loved every bit of this course. It's real, sink-your-teeth-in history with all the tension and drama of a PBS or STARZ series, delivered by an actual scholar with a perfect voice, and who tells you when he agrees or disagrees with traditional scholarship. Ideal course and well worth my time and credit.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Will Meza
- 06-07-20
suprisingly good.
I have heard several great course books but this one is one of my favorite. very well done and executed.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Chad
- 09-12-21
Pope-pourri
Wow. The Catholic church in the Renaissance was REALLY messed up. Popes of the era were essentially caligulas currying and sharing political favor and giving in (sometimes publicly) to carnal debauchery. And that's without even considering the Inquisition. It's a wonder the churh has followers.
Oh, right, the Borgias. This goes over the history of the family members, what they were accused of, and what they actually did. The key takeaway is that they are far from angels, but also far from the extremes they have been historically accused of. They weren't great people, but they acted quite similarly to their peers.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Roman
- 11-13-21
Excellent
Highly recommended for history lovers. This professor also lectures on Machiavelli and Medici, he is excellent.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Alicia Castro
- 01-30-24
Revealing
The author sorts out the sources used by historians, and traces much of the stories about the Borgias to disinformation spread by their enemies and from those who disliked their Spanish roots. He shows us the Borgias' licentiousness and ruthlessness, but recognizes these things as common in the culture of Italian power at that time - they just did everything more openly and with more enjoyment.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!