The Black Death: The World's Most Devastating Plague

De: Dorsey Armstrong, The Great Courses

Narrado por: Dorsey Armstrong

Many of us know the Black Death as a catastrophic event of the medieval world. But the Black Death was arguably the most significant event in Western history, profoundly affecting every aspect of human life, from the economic and social to the political, religious, and cultural. In its wake the plague left a world that was utterly changed, forever altering the traditional structure of European societies and forcing a rethinking of every single system of Western civilization: food production and trade, the church, political institutions, law, art, and more. In large measure, by the profundity of the changes it brought, the Black Death produced the modern world we live in today.

While the story of the Black Death is one of destruction and loss, its breathtaking scope and effects make it one of the most compelling and deeply intriguing episodes in human history. Understanding the remarkable unfolding of the plague and its aftermath provides a highly revealing window not only on the medieval world but also on the forces that brought about the Renaissance, the Protestant Reformation, and modernity itself.

Speaking to the full magnitude of this world-changing historical moment, The Black Death: The World's Most Devastating Plague, taught by celebrated medievalist Dorsey Armstrong of Purdue University, takes you on an unforgettable excursion into the time period of the plague, its full human repercussions, and its transformative effects on European civilization. In 24 richly absorbing lectures, you'll follow the path of the epidemic in its complete trajectory across medieval Europe. Majestic in scope and remarkable in detail, this course goes to the heart of one of Western history's most catalytic and galvanizing moments, the effects of which gave us the modern world.

©2016 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2016 The Great Courses

That's why they call it a great course

Very good course! Professor had good voice modulation & pitch. She did not drone on and kept the subject interesting. I listened during the COVID pandemic and saw many parallels.

best lecture ever

interesting subject and prof really brings it to life.. i will look for others by her.

Enjoyable

This was a very good lecture series.

It might have been helpful to have the main points summarized at the end of each lecture.

Good insight into the plague

The course covers a lot that books I’ve read didn’t cover. The professor talks about all aspects and impacts on all classes of people.

Be warned it gets quite repetitive. But overall an interesting topic well delivered.

Excellent

These lectures effectively cover a sprawling and complex topic. Dorsey Armstrong is a capable, organized and confident presenter. Recommended.

Fantastic deep dive into the Plauge.

I enjoyed this one. Dr. Armstrong's chipper personality balances the horrors of the history being presented.

The Black Death: The Worlds Most Devastating Plague

This was an excellent course. Professor Armstrong gives a strong performance and the lectures are filled with information. Very enjoyable!

Best Great Course So Far

I have truly enjoyed listening to Prof. Armstrong. She had made the history of the time very interesting and easy to understand the causes and effects. I've always been interested in the Blak Death and this course has filled in so many holes in my limited knowledge of it. I would definitely recommend it.

History made fascinating.

What did you love best about The Black Death: The World's Most Devastating Plague?

The organization of the material. The author previewed, then summarized material covered in each section. It was easy to follow the flow.

What did you like best about this story?

The explanation of how the plagues swept across Asia and Europe. I knew about the plague but not about its spatial unfolding. This was quite interesting.

What about Professor Dorsey Armstrong’s performance did you like?

Her upbeat attitude, sincere interest in subject matter, and crystal clear diction and interesting rhythm.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Hmmm... I think the sections discussing the everyday outcomes of the plague. I knew that millions perished but until reading this book I did not have a firm grasp of the way daily life was upended, especially in smaller towns and villages. The discussion of the economic effects were enlightening.

Any additional comments?

Even if only remotely interested in medieval history, listen to this book. It is a winner.

Great overall look at the history of plague

An excellent overview of life during the historic epidemics and how it affects today. Being a bacteriologist I know quite a bit about plague, but this covers multiple aspects of the epidemics - how people reacted in different places, religion and the Church, attempted treatments, economic impacts, epidemiology of different epidemics, how it affected daily life then and changed things for the future and more. It is an excellent overview that let's you understand what it was like during the epidemics in medieval times.