The Modern Scholar: The Medieval World I: Kingdoms, Empires, and War

By: Prof. Thomas F. Madden

Narrated by: Thomas F. Madden

An award-winning, widely recognized expert on premodern history, Professor Thomas F. Madden launches the first of a two-part series on the medieval world. This all-encompassing investigation of a highly influential time period includes the major events of the era and informative discussion of empire, papacy, the Crusades, and the fall of Constantinople.

During the course of these lectures, Professor Madden also addresses the rise of Islam, reform movements, and schisms in the church. In so doing, Professor Madden underscores the significance and grand scale of an age that continues to hold an undeniable fascination for people today.

Download the accompanying reference guide.©2009 Thomas F. Madden (P)2009 Recorded Books, LLC

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Prof Madden is fabulous

What did you like best about this story?

Prof Madden is not at all condescending. This is part 1 of 2 parts- both are excellent and informative and Prof M makes amusing and interesting asides. I've listened to all about 4/5 times.

Nice Overview

Nice overview on the political history of Europe in the Medieval time. Highlights the important turning points, and the events that lead to shape Europe as we know it today. It's a bit difficult to keep up with all the names and people if you're not already familiar with them.

Excellent course, not so excellent professor

The course is very interesting and has a lot of good history in it, but the professor tends to stammer and repeat himself which makes it a bit annoying to listen to.

Favorite audible lecturer; interesting topic

I'm dumbfounded by the reviewers panning Prof. Madden's speaking style; he's one of my favorites on Audible and I wish he were still recording more! Listen to a sample to decide what camp you are in. He does have a deadpan style, but I find it soothing and dryly funny; sort of the opposite to a Rufus Fears type over-emoting (at least in my book).

Substantively, the Middle Ages are fascinating, especially in the hands of someone who can discern what we can know, what we don't know, and the trends in historians' views of the limited source material. If you find this topic interesting, I would highly recommend his courses on the Crusades and on the History of Venice, though I have yet to run across one I didn't like. They are all reminiscent of the best of college lectures.

religion

they still can't makeup their mind about it.. leaves us all confussed. need to the quiz.

Fantastic Listen

What made the experience of listening to The Modern Scholar the most enjoyable?

The author ties everything together so well.

Have you listened to any of the narrator’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I like all of Professor Madden's lectures.

Madden at his scholarly best.

I've listened to a dozen courses from Professor Madden, and this is right up there among my favorites. His style is very informal, with a great narrative flow and lots of fascinating asides along the way. The course itself has a very broad scope, so if you are looking for general knowledge or just want to brush up on the period, you won't be disappointed. Highly recommended!

An interesting and inspiring course

Dr. Madden's lectures inspired me to get interested in the medieval world to a degree that I had not anticipated. Extremely interesting topic. I learned so much. How little we know of the peoples, kingdoms and empires that formed the foundation of our society throughout the middle ages.

Another good course from a master

There are reasons why I bought just about every lectures given by Thomas F. Madden, if one can forgive his stylistic dullness, his lecture was concise, to the point and informative. The lecture bridges the gap between middle age and high middle age, often 14th century feel too much like a vacume, except 100 year war, it almost feel as if nothing interesting occur after the 4th crusade in 1204 to 1454, if you feel this way, this course would bridge it.