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A World Lit Only by Fire

The Medieval Mind and the Renaissance; Portrait of an Age

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A World Lit Only by Fire

By: William Manchester
Narrated by: Barrett Whitener
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The preeminent popular history of civilization’s rebirth after the Dark Ages

From tales of chivalrous knights to the barbarity of trial by ordeal, no era has been a greater source of awe, horror, and wonder than the Middle Ages. In handsomely crafted prose and with the grace and authority of his extraordinary gift for narrative history, William Manchester leads us from a civilization tottering on the brink of collapse to the grandeur of its rebirth, the Renaissance, a dense explosion of energy that spawned some of history’s greatest poets, philosophers, and painters, as well as some of its most spectacular villains.

One of the most volatile periods of western history witnessed the passing of the Dark Ages and the dawning of the Renaissance, illuminated by magnificent scientific and artistic achievements and spectacular leaps of thought and imagination. Manchester’s narrative weaves together extraordinary figures, varied elements, and accomplishments of the period.

©1992 , 1993 by William Manchester (P)2007 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Europe Expeditions & Discoveries Medieval Renaissance World Middle Ages Royalty Imperialism Italy
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Critic reviews

“Manchester provides easy access to a fascinating age when our modern mentality was just being born.”

(Chicago Tribune)

“Lively and engaging, full of exquisite details and anecdotes that transform this period—usually murky—into a comprehensive tableau.”

(Dallas Morning News)

“A captivating, marvelously vivid popular history that humanizes the tumultuous span from the Dark Ages to the dawn of the Renaissance.”

(Publishers Weekly)

“Manchester has not forgotten the skills that, with invective, eloquence, and anecdote, make him a master storyteller.”

(Kirkus Reviews)

“An absorbing and readable history.”

(School Library Journal)
All stars
Most relevant
This is a magnum opus is the sense of how the writer rides you through the middle ages and renaissance in what is a digestible and beautifully constructed view of Europe at this time

A 20th century gem

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Some audio has been added in some sections to give more detail/context which is nice. However it can be somewhat jarring due to the difference in sound quality and volume of the added sections compared to the rest of the audiobook.

Audio not great in places

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this is what I want from audible very well written very well told I loved it

loved it

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This is a good listen and the author has obviously done a lot of research. The narration is generally good too, although here and there is some clumsy editing where the recording doesn’t quite match the rest of it.

Great for a freebie

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The narrator was somewhat monotonous and I found myself drifting out of listening. There were parts higher or lower in voice at times too.

Drifted away…

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