The Great Revolutions of Modern History

By: Lynne Ann Hartnett, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Professor Lynne Ann Hartnett

The great revolutions of the past 300 years have profoundly shaped the social, cultural, political, and military landscape of the 21st century. These epic changes tore down established orders and built new ones in their place. What drives individuals and groups to embrace revolution? At what point does a society decide to revolt? Is there such a thing as a peaceful revolution? Why have some revolutions failed while others changed the world?

Delve into these questions and more in The Great Revolutions of Modern History. Taught by Professor Lynne Ann Hartnett of Villanova University, these 24 eye-opening lessons will give you new insights into the forces that have shaped our political and cultural world. You will travel back in time and around the world to examine some of history’s most momentous and influential political transformations. Starting with the motivations and ramifications of the American Revolution and the French Revolution, covering world-changing movements in China, Mexico, India, Haiti, Africa, Russia, and more, Professor Hartnett surveys the shifting tides that inspired each of these revolutions.

We live in a precarious time in the 21st century, with uprisings constantly in the news. What you will learn in The Great Revolutions of Modern History is that revolutions often follow a similar pattern and arise from a similar source: masses of people dissatisfied with the status quo. Join Professor Hartnett for an exploration of political and cultural change - and see how the modern world was formed.

The fascinating thing about this course is that, no matter how many systems are overthrown or how fraught a particular moment can be, a certain aspect of humanity remains constant. People want freedom, opportunity, justice, and they are willing to fight for these values, even if it costs them their lives. The Great Revolutions of Modern History is a masterful presentation of the human spirit in search of a better way of life.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2021 The Great Courses (P)2021 The Teaching Company, LLC

Much new information

I enjoyed professor Hartmet’s lectures. She provided me with much information that was new to me. I enjoyed her style of presentation. Highly recommended!

Exceptionally helpful lessons for those of us who didn’t pay attention in history class

Prof Hartnett brings history to life in an exciting and compelling way, helping readers to gain new insights and understanding to revolutions past and present. Given the current revolutionary times that we live in, these lessons are tremendously helpful in providing context and analysis that can be useful for navigating the present challenges. Thanks Prof Hartnett!

Good Book with Bad Narration

Stressing every work doesn’t add to the meaning. It just annoys the listeners. Narration should be done by the mind and reason not by the nerves and passion.

Entertaining and Informative

Well-paced, highly engaging, and chock full of information! A great listen. Would recommend to anyone looking for an extensive coverage of revolutions around the world.

Almost good

The content is interesting enough, but the style of writing reminds me of small town journalism, adding sentiment and melodrama like CNN news anchors are prone to do. This is not how great historians write, and certainly not how professors should.

Making it worse, the reading style is halting, at times almost staccato. And the last paragraph makes the book forgettable - a mishmash of conjecture that vainly tries to make the reader fear the Big Revolution in our midst: instantaneously televised news. But that's old news.

Except for the factual information, the book sounds like a high school essay read in front of the class by its creator. I was disappointed.