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The story of Britain from the earliest settlements in 3000BC to the death of Elizabeth I in 1603. To look back at the past is to understand the present. In this vivid account of over 4,000 years of British history, Simon Schama takes us on an epic journey which encompasses the very beginnings of the nation's identity, when the first settlers landed on Orkney. From the successes and failures of the monarchy to the daily life of a Roman soldier stationed on Hadrian's Wall, Schama gives a vivid, fascinating account of the many different stories and struggles that lie behind the growth of our island nation.
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Well written but hard to manage as an audiobook
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Dishonesty Is the Second-Best Policy
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David Mitchell’s 2014 best seller Thinking About It Only Makes It Worse must really have made people think - because everything’s got worse. We’ve gone from UKIP surge to Brexit shambles, from horsemeat in lasagne to Donald Trump in the White House, from Woolworths going under to all the other shops going under. It’s probably socially irresponsible even to try to cheer up.
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Excellent casual listening
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Word Perfect
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From 1st January to 31st December the listener will discover a curious coinage or a fascinating etymological fact linked to that particular day - from the dramatic true story behind stealing someone's thunder to the original Jack the Lad. Word Perfect gathers all her very best discoveries from the true origin of freelancer which comes from knights who were free to use their lance for whoever paid most, rather than being tied to a single lord. (Also secretaries kept your secrets so were secretries).
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Lovely book but has technical issues
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Why the Germans Do It Better
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Emerging from a collection of disparate city states 150 years ago, no other country has had as turbulent a history as Germany or enjoyed so much prosperity in such a short time frame. Today, as much of the world succumbs to authoritarianism and democracy is undermined from its heart, Germany stands as a bulwark for decency and stability. Mixing personal journey and anecdote with compelling empirical evidence, this is a searching and entertaining exploration of the country many in the West still love to hate.
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Doesnt do what it says on the tin
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History of Havana
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Explore the captivating history of Havana! This captivating history audiobook is for you if you want to go on a startling adventure, starting from the days of Christopher Columbus and continuing through wars, revolutions, protests, and partying.
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What If?
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From the creator of the wildly popular xkcd, What If? gives hilarious and informative answers to important questions you probably never thought to ask. Millions visit xkcd.com each week to read Randall Munroe's iconic webcomic. Fans ask him a lot of strange questions. How fast can you hit a speed bump, driving, and live? When (if ever) did the sun go down on the British Empire? When will Facebook contain more profiles of dead people than living?
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Good fun that descends into silliness
- By Dr L Madden on 01-12-14
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A History of Britain: Volume 1
- By: Simon Schama
- Narrated by: Stephen Thorne
- Length: 15 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The story of Britain from the earliest settlements in 3000BC to the death of Elizabeth I in 1603. To look back at the past is to understand the present. In this vivid account of over 4,000 years of British history, Simon Schama takes us on an epic journey which encompasses the very beginnings of the nation's identity, when the first settlers landed on Orkney. From the successes and failures of the monarchy to the daily life of a Roman soldier stationed on Hadrian's Wall, Schama gives a vivid, fascinating account of the many different stories and struggles that lie behind the growth of our island nation.
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Well written but hard to manage as an audiobook
- By Roderic on 23-01-14
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Dishonesty Is the Second-Best Policy
- By: David Mitchell
- Narrated by: David Mitchell
- Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
David Mitchell’s 2014 best seller Thinking About It Only Makes It Worse must really have made people think - because everything’s got worse. We’ve gone from UKIP surge to Brexit shambles, from horsemeat in lasagne to Donald Trump in the White House, from Woolworths going under to all the other shops going under. It’s probably socially irresponsible even to try to cheer up.
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Excellent casual listening
- By Pyrex on 30-11-19
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Word Perfect
- Curious Coinages and Etymological First Aid for Every Day of the Year
- By: Susie Dent
- Narrated by: Susie Dent
- Length: 10 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
-
Performance
-
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From 1st January to 31st December the listener will discover a curious coinage or a fascinating etymological fact linked to that particular day - from the dramatic true story behind stealing someone's thunder to the original Jack the Lad. Word Perfect gathers all her very best discoveries from the true origin of freelancer which comes from knights who were free to use their lance for whoever paid most, rather than being tied to a single lord. (Also secretaries kept your secrets so were secretries).
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Lovely book but has technical issues
- By SJ M. on 22-10-20
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Why the Germans Do It Better
- Notes from a Grown-Up Country
- By: John Kampfner
- Narrated by: Adam Bromley
- Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
-
Story
Emerging from a collection of disparate city states 150 years ago, no other country has had as turbulent a history as Germany or enjoyed so much prosperity in such a short time frame. Today, as much of the world succumbs to authoritarianism and democracy is undermined from its heart, Germany stands as a bulwark for decency and stability. Mixing personal journey and anecdote with compelling empirical evidence, this is a searching and entertaining exploration of the country many in the West still love to hate.
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Doesnt do what it says on the tin
- By stefan cross on 26-04-21
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History of Havana
- A Captivating Guide to the History of the Capital of Cuba, Starting from Christopher Columbus' Arrival to Fidel Castro
- By: Captivating History
- Narrated by: David Patton
- Length: 3 hrs and 20 mins
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Explore the captivating history of Havana! This captivating history audiobook is for you if you want to go on a startling adventure, starting from the days of Christopher Columbus and continuing through wars, revolutions, protests, and partying.
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What If?
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- By: Randall Munroe
- Narrated by: Wil Wheaton
- Length: 6 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
From the creator of the wildly popular xkcd, What If? gives hilarious and informative answers to important questions you probably never thought to ask. Millions visit xkcd.com each week to read Randall Munroe's iconic webcomic. Fans ask him a lot of strange questions. How fast can you hit a speed bump, driving, and live? When (if ever) did the sun go down on the British Empire? When will Facebook contain more profiles of dead people than living?
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Good fun that descends into silliness
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The Perfect King
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Edward’s life is one of the most extraordinary in all English history. He ordered his uncle to be beheaded, he usurped his father’s throne and he started a war which lasted for more than a hundred years. He took the crown when it was at its lowest point and raised it to new heights, presenting himself as a new King Arthur, victorious across Europe. He was the architect of many English icons - from parliamentary rule to the adoption of English as the official language and even the building of a great clock tower at Westminster.
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Scholarly, interesting and engaging blography
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The Time Traveller's Guide to Restoration Britain
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If you could travel back in time, the period from 1660 to 1700 would make one of the most exciting destinations in history. It's the age of Samuel Pepys and the Great Fire of London, bawdy comedy and the libertine court of Charles II, Christopher Wren in architecture, Henry Purcell in music and Isaac Newton in science. In The Time Traveller's Guide to Restoration Britain, Ian Mortimer answers the crucial questions that a prospective traveller to 17th-century Britain would ask.
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Informative, interesting and entertaining history
- By Kirstine on 21-09-17
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Monarchy
- By: David Starkey
- Narrated by: David Starkey
- Length: 10 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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Performance
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Story
The crown of England is the oldest surviving political institution in Europe. Throughout this audiobook Dr David Starkey emphasises the Crown's endless capacity to adapt to circumstances and reshape national policy, whilst he unmasks the personalities and achievements, the defeats and victories, which lie behind the kings and queens of British history. Each of these monarchs has contributed to the religion, geography, laws, language, and government which we live with today.
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Outstanding content and narration
- By Tarek on 14-06-17
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13 Things That Don't Make Sense: The Most Intriguing Scientific Mysteries
- By: Michael Brooks
- Narrated by: Matt Addis
- Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
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Performance
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Story
Science starts to get interesting when things don'’t make sense. Even today, there are experimental results that the most brilliant scientists can neither explain nor dismiss. In the past, similar anomalies have revolutionised our world: in the 16th century, a set of celestial irregularities led Copernicus to realise that the Earth goes around the sun and not the reverse. In 13 Things That Don'’t Make Sense, Michael Brooks meets thirteen modern-day anomalies that may become tomorrow'’s breakthroughs.
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Really interesting listen!
- By Lillian on 27-03-11
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Magna Carta: The Making and Legacy of the Great Charter
- By: Dan Jones
- Narrated by: Dan Jones
- Length: 3 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
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Performance
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By the summer of 1215, King John of England had lost control of his kingdom. In June his rebellious barons forced him to attach his regal seal - under oath - to a remarkable document. The so-called 'Great Charter' established an Englishman's right to habeas corpus and set limits to the exercise of royal power. For the first time, an English king had agreed to a document that limited his powers by law and protected his subjects' rights.
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Recommended
- By Mister Peridot on 02-06-16
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24 Hours in Ancient Rome
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- Narrated by: John Telfer
- Length: 7 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
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Walk a day in a Roman's sandals. What was it like to live in one of the ancient world's most powerful and bustling cities - one that was eight times more densely populated than modern-day New York? In this entertaining and enlightening guide, best-selling historian Philip Matyszak introduces us to the people who lived and worked there. In each hour of the day, we meet a new character - from emperor to slave girl, gladiator to astrologer, medicine woman to water-clock maker - and discover the fascinating details of their daily lives.
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Fantastic insight into Roman life
- By harrietp on 16-11-17
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Centuries of Change
- By: Ian Mortimer
- Narrated by: Mike Grady, Ian Mortimer
- Length: 16 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
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In a contest of change, which century from the past millennium would come up trumps? Imagine the Black Death took on the female vote in a pub brawl, or the Industrial Revolution faced the Internet in a medieval joust - whose side would you be on? In this hugely entertaining book, celebrated historian Ian Mortimer takes us on a whirlwind tour of Western history, pitting one century against another in his quest to measure change.
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Though provoking approach to history
- By Kirstine on 28-11-17
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Primate Change
- By: Vybarr Cregan-Reid
- Narrated by: Vybarr Cregan-Reid
- Length: 11 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
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If you think you are you, think again. Primate Change is a wide-ranging, polemical look at how and why the human body has changed since humankind first got up on two feet. Spanning the entirety of human history - from primate to transhuman - Vybarr Cregan-Reid's book investigates where we came from, who we are today and how modern technology will change us beyond recognition.
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An important book
- By AOF on 11-11-18
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Toksvig's Almanac 2021
- An Eclectic Meander Through the Historical Year by Sandi Toksvig
- By: Sandi Toksvig
- Narrated by: Sandi Toksvig
- Length: 9 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
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Let Sandi Toksvig guide you on an eclectic meander through the calendar, illuminating neglected corners of history to tell tales of the fascinating figures you didn't learn about at school. From popes who gave birth during papal processions, to the inventor of Scrabble, to pioneering civil rights activist Ida B. Wells, who refused to give up her seat on a train decades before Rosa Parks was born. As witty and entertaining as it is instructive, this is an essential companion to each day of the year.
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Fabulous!
- By Pen Name on 23-11-20
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Rubicon
- The Triumph and Tragedy of the Roman Republic
- By: Tom Holland
- Narrated by: Mark Meadows, Tom Holland
- Length: 15 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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The Roman Republic was the most remarkable state in history. What began as a small community of peasants camped among marshes and hills ended up ruling the known world. Rubicon paints a vivid portrait of the Republic at the climax of its greatness - the same greatness which would herald the catastrophe of its fall. It is a story of incomparable drama.
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Great story let down by monotonous narration
- By Fitz on 18-06-20
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The Fall of Constantinople
- The Rise of the Ottoman Empire and the End of the Byzantine Empire
- By: Charles River Editors
- Narrated by: Jim D Johnston
- Length: 1 hr and 4 mins
- Unabridged
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In terms of geopolitics, perhaps the most seminal event of the Middle Ages was the successful Ottoman siege of Constantinople in 1453.
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All Hell Let Loose
- By: Max Hastings
- Narrated by: Cameron Stewart
- Length: 32 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
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The complete magisterial history of the greatest and most terrible event in history, from one of the finest historians of the Second World War. This shows the impact of war upon hundreds of millions of people around the world - soldiers, sailors and airmen; housewives, farm workers and children. Reflecting Max Hastings' 35 years of research on World War II, All Hell Let Loose describes the course of events but focuses chiefly upon human experience.
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40 hours long yet still felt too short.
- By MR on 10-09-16
Summary
'History is an infinite reservoir of stories, examples, warnings, explanations, jokes, rebukes and inspiration... You can't understand the present if you can't understand the past.' (Dan Snow)
In On This Day in History, Dan Snow, Britain's favourite historian, tells the story of an important event that happened on each day of the year. From the signing of the Armistice treaty at 11 a.m. on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 to Rosa Parks refusing to give up her bus seat on 1 December 1955, our past is full of all kinds of fascinating turning points.
Dan lives and breathes history, and this book offers a refreshingly direct way into his vast knowledge. On This Day in History's 365 carefully picked entries add up into a short, vivid, personal history of the world. And by explaining the past, Dan Snow helps us better understand our present - and future. There is no such thing as a day on which nothing happened.
What listeners say about On This Day in History
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Adisha
- 09-03-19
Really great survey of key historical events!
I thoroughly enjoyed this fascinating unbiased survey of world history. It is deep, insightful and scholarly and highly recommended for anyone with a healthy passion for history.
It is worth keeping a diary/record cards, make notes and create bookmarks to get the most out of this formidable audiobook which is also an excellent starting point for further more in-depth study.
Furthermore, I recommend purchasing the Kindle version too where you can view excellent summary timelines and maps to visualise the topics discussed.
So pleased it is read by the author too. Very eloquent and well-presented.
Thank you Dan Snow for a very enlightening book!
4 people found this helpful
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- stufie
- 29-03-19
A bit disappointed
Got this having listened to the Neil Oliver book. Some interesting stuff and some that had heard before. Felt it was read in a rushed style.
2 people found this helpful
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- BobbyJo: Hamilton, Ontario
- 25-03-21
Excellent
Really enjoyable book, especially for lockdown walks.
The stories are diverse from across the globe, some funny, some sad and all interesting. Dan Snow has a really nice style too making the book an easy informative listen.
1 person found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 14-09-20
bloody loved it! Dan, a fantastic idea.
was a great book. love things like this. a real good read, and now I know (and will quote) lots of " did you know on this day"
1 person found this helpful
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- Loulou
- 08-11-19
Informative
Great short snippets from history and really interesting, but a bit tricky to follow on audiobook. I’ve abandoned half way in order to start again on Kindle.
1 person found this helpful
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- Andy
- 03-10-19
shadows fact with lefty opinion at several points
see title, wasting no more time on it. Napoleon Bonaparte and his rabbits......really......European geography and religion shaped on same day......ignored.
5 people found this helpful
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- Ken Sanderson
- 19-12-21
interesting but not riveting.
it really is a 365 day list of important and not so important events in history. I wanted to enjoy it so very much but in the end, I found listening my way all the length a bit tiresome.
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- mr l blake
- 16-11-21
nice light and informative
very quickly interesting and informative, good that Dan Snow narrated. really enjoyed varied subject matter and content
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- Jomo
- 27-08-21
Excellent detail but read at hurricane speed
The daily snippets of history are fascinating but the author reads it so frantically my little brain can't process it! There is barely a clear break between each day adding to my confusion. I'm going to try slowing down the play speed.
Update: I can cofirm playing at 0.85x speed works perfectly!
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- Di
- 18-07-21
Fascinating
Just bite sized pieces of history. Great to dib in and out of or listen again to especially interesting dates. I saw Dan Snow’s lecture tour that mentioned this book, so pleased it made it to audiobook and especially that he narrated it. Enthusiasm pours out of him. Really enjoyable listen.