
Charlemagne: Father of Europe
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Narrated by:
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Professor Philip Daileader
About this listen
Some say Charlemagne was a great king, while others believe the many atrocities committed under his reign make him the first in a line of political disasters throughout Europe. This debate has been going on for more than a millennium. He has been remembered for his intellectual and martial strength, as well as his diplomacy and desire for justice, but there is contention about how much truth lies in tales of his superior abilities. What is it about Charlemagne that inspires such fascination? What did he do to generate so much controversy? Why have opinions about Charlemagne diverged so much?
The study of Charlemagne, and the broader field called Carolingian history, has changed markedly in the last 25 years or so. The Carolingian dynasty to which Charlemagne belonged ruled much of continental Europe in the eighth, ninth, and 10th centuries; they shaped the continent - geographically and politically - and put modern history into motion. In Charlemagne: Father of Europe, you will look back on Charlemagne’s rule and the way his dynasty and its influence would affect the world in the centuries that would follow. Join Professor Philip Daileader of William & Mary for this 12-lecture historical journey into the life, times, and complicated legacy of the ruler known as the pater Europae.
As you sift through the accounts surrounding Charlemagne and his influence, you will have the opportunity to experience a multifaceted story that goes beyond the more simplified narratives that have shaped common views of the early Middle Ages. With invaluable historical context and nuance that is often missing from broader surveys of medieval history, you will get a clearer view of a complex figure and the world he lived in.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
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The Vikings evoke striking images of horned helmets, battle axes, and merciless coastal raids. Remembered for their shocking brutality and impressive naval prowess, these marauding pirates from the North have inspired poetry, fantasy novels, plays, symphonies, and even comic book heroes over the last 12 centuries. But do any of these enduring tropes reflect reality? Who were the Vikings really? What do we know about the period that bears their name? Explore these questions and more in The Viking Age, a 12-lecture course that corrects the record on a transformative period in world history.
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Up to date with new info
- By Amy Cassidy on 01-05-25
By: Jennifer Paxton, and others
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The Middle Ages Around the World
- By: Joyce E. Salisbury, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Joyce E. Salisbury
- Length: 12 hrs and 15 mins
- Original Recording
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The Middle Ages was a time of major historical shifts and transformations. This amazing era reverberates with discoveries, innovations, events, and historical processes that are integral to the world we know now. In these 24 enthralling lectures, Professor Salisbury leads you on a sumptuous tour of this incredible historical epoch, making clear that the remarkable historical currents and advances of the Middle Ages unfolded not only in the West, but across the globe, from Europe, Africa, and the Middle East to Asia, the Americas, and beyond.
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A Rare Disappointment from The Great Courses
- By Curtis on 08-21-22
By: Joyce E. Salisbury, and others
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Unsung Heroes of the Ancient World
- By: Gregory S. Aldrete, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Gregory S. Aldrete
- Length: 13 hrs and 15 mins
- Original Recording
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The 24 revealing lectures of Unsung Heroes of the Ancient World reconstruct over a dozen biographies from the classical world—most of them little-known, some of them quite unlikely heroes. With Professor Emeritus Gregory Aldrete as your expert guide, you will meet the ambitious travel writers, dedicated engineers, careful cartographers, diligent farmers, woman philosophers, devoted wives, skilled military generals, African rebels, Persian kings, and impressive athletes who stood out among their peers centuries ago.
By: Gregory S. Aldrete, and others
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The New Testament
- By: Bart D. Ehrman, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Bart D. Ehrman
- Length: 12 hrs and 27 mins
- Original Recording
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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.
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If you want a balanced overview this is not it
- By Amazon Customer on 02-27-16
By: Bart D. Ehrman, and others
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The Dead Sea Scrolls
- By: Gary A. Rendsburg, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Gary A. Rendsburg
- Length: 12 hrs and 21 mins
- Original Recording
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Whether complete or only fragmentary, the 930 extant Dead Sea Scrolls irrevocably altered how we look at and understand the foundations of faith and religious practice. Now you can get a comprehensive introduction to this unique series of archaeological documents, and to scholars' evolving understanding of their authorship and significance, with these 24 lectures. Learn what the scrolls are, what they contain, and how the insights they offered into religious and ancient history came into focus.
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A comprehensive overview of the Qumran Scrolls
- By Jacobus on 09-25-13
By: Gary A. Rendsburg, and others
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Charlemagne
- A Captivating Guide to the Greatest Monarch of the Carolingian Empire and How He Ruled over the Franks, Lombards, and Romans
- By: Captivating History
- Narrated by: Jason Zenobia
- Length: 3 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
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Warrior. Ruler. Patron of the arts and language. Terrorist. Brutal oppressor. Protector of the good. Guardian of Christendom. Father of Europe. There are so many different ways in which Charlemagne can be described, and yet, the man himself is often seen as an enigma. Depending on the viewpoint of history, he could have been either a monster or a guardian angel. Yet, as with most men, the truth lies somewhere in between. The truth is that he was human.
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Excellent
- By lawrence theriot on 01-25-23
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Norse Mythology
- By: Jackson Crawford, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Professor Crawford
- Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins
- Original Recording
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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.
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Brilliant Course
- By Frederik on 12-05-21
By: Jackson Crawford, and others
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The Roman Empire: From Augustus to the Fall of Rome
- By: Gregory S. Aldrete, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Gregory S. Aldrete
- Length: 12 hrs and 41 mins
- Original Recording
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The Roman Empire: From Augustus to the Fall of Rome traces the breathtaking history from the empire’s foundation by Augustus to its Golden Age in the 2nd century CE through a series of ever-worsening crises until its ultimate disintegration. Taught by acclaimed Professor Gregory S. Aldrete of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, these 24 captivating lectures offer you the chance to experience this story like never before, incorporating the latest historical insights that challenge our previous notions of Rome’s decline.
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Gregory S. Aldrete is a treasure
- By Laurel Tucker on 02-04-19
By: Gregory S. Aldrete, and others
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Augustus
- The Life of Rome's First Emperor
- By: Anthony Everitt
- Narrated by: John Curless
- Length: 15 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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Caesar Augustus has been called history's greatest emperor. It was said he found Rome made of clay and left it made of marble. With a senator for a father and Julius Caesar for a great-uncle, he ascended the ranks of Roman society with breathtaking speed. His courage in battle is still questioned yet his political savvy was second to none. He had a lifelong rival in Mark Antony and a 51-year companion in his wife, Livia. And his influence extended perhaps further than that of any ruler who has ever lived.
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Ancient biographies are hard
- By Orson on 09-29-10
By: Anthony Everitt
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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
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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.
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Not Engaging or Very Interesting
- By Tommy D'Angelo on 03-05-17
By: Thomas F. X. Noble, and others
What listeners say about Charlemagne: Father of Europe
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- D. Littman
- 04-06-25
Excellent, fascinating
One of the best lecturers on the teaching company. Makes the otherwise (possibly) dreary fascinating & compelling & relevant to modern times.
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- Djean
- 02-02-23
Hire a Narrator
A very good book on the history of Charlemagne. I understand that The Great Courses are all narrated by the professors. This professor, however, should have hired a professional narrator to read his book. I could "see" him sitting down with reading glasses slowly turning the pages. It really took away from my enjoyment of the book.
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- avigdor s yaakov
- 10-15-23
Very good.
I was not focused and paying attention the whole whole time, but I really enjoyed it.
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- D.
- 07-03-23
Loved it
Very clearly narrated and presented. Is confident and persuasive in detailing the period’s history in a pleasant manner.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Susan K
- 06-16-22
Superb lectures on the enigmatic Charlemagne
Professor Daileader is a great scholar of the Middle Ages. Hugely informative and entertaining! You will see Charlemagne in a whole new light.
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- Sandra
- 05-05-23
Not worth the money
I’m glad i waited until this title
Was available on the plus catalog…. Story is too simple does not go into details.
Further more the author’s narrator sound like he has a cold.
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- Faycal Ikhouane
- 12-14-24
Instructive and entretaining
The course is organized into 12 lectures covering different aspects relating to Charlemagne himself and his reign. The last lecture is about whether the denomination "Father of Europe" is deserved and accurate. The lectures are concise and to the point.
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- Anonymous User
- 01-31-23
Charlemagne Lectures
Philip Daileader presents a clear and compassionate view of Charlemagne, objective in nature and concise. His presentation is as good as his research. I highly recommend his lectures.
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- Anonymous User
- 05-01-22
A good look at European history.
Very well done and well researched. In this course one may learn a great deal about history and a fascinating man. He had flaws like all of us do, but he accomplished great things like all of us dream of. A very good balance.
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- Some Guy
- 01-18-23
Interesting, neutral content about Charlemagne
I found the material very neutrally presented, and the topics pertinent. I'm now interested in exploring more about Charlemagne's life in particular matters, and I am glad this book didn't get more in detail about things. Breaking lessons up into half hour chunks was perfect.
Daileader has a compelling narrator voice, but some mannerisms he can't help and they do sometimes distract from what he's saying. I didn't count that against my score here, I really believe 4/5 stars is what his performance deserves. In practical terms, his voice never caused me to turn off the audiobook.
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