Listen free for 30 days
People who bought this also bought...
-
Parallel Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans
- By: Plutarch
- Narrated by: Charlton Griffin
- Length: 83 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 22
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 21
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 21
Plutarch (c. AD 46-AD 120) was born to a prominent family in the small Greek town of Chaeronea, about 20 miles east of Delphi in the region known as Boeotia. His best known work is the Parallel Lives, a series of biographies of famous Greeks and Romans, arranged in pairs to illuminate their common moral virtues and vices. The surviving lives contain 23 pairs, each with one Greek life and one Roman life as well as four unpaired single lives.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
must read for history buffs
- By Andrew on 28-06-16
-
Mussolini's War
- Fascist Italy from Triumph to Collapse, 1935-1943
- By: John Gooch
- Narrated by: Mark Elstob
- Length: 21 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 3
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 3
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 3
While staying closely aligned with Hitler, Mussolini remained carefully neutral until the summer of 1940. Then, with the wholly unexpected and sudden collapse of the French and British armies, Mussolini declared war on the Allies in the hope of making territorial gains in Southern France and Africa. This decision proved a horrifying miscalculation, dooming Italy to its own prolonged and unwinnable war, immense casualties and an Allied invasion in 1943 which ushered in a terrible new era for the country.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Succint and enilighening
- By Wilhelm Snyman on 18-05-20
-
The History of Rome: The Complete Works
- By: Titus Livy, Cyrus Edmunds - translator, William A. McDevitte - translator
- Narrated by: Alastair Cameron
- Length: 88 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 7
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 4
-
Story3.5 out of 5 stars 5
Titus Livy's only known surviving work is a monumental history of Rome that was originally written in Latin. It is estimated that Livy's The History of Rome was written between 27 and 9 BC and covers the legends of Aeneas, the fall of Troy, the city's founding in 753 BC, and Livy's account ends with the reign of Emperor Augustus. The History of Rome is a must-have for anyone interested in ancient history and the Roman era. With colorful detail and intriguing insight, Titus brings to life some of the most turbulent times in human history.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Takes patient attention.
- By Amazon Customer on 18-11-18
-
Histories
- By: Herodotus
- Narrated by: David Timson
- Length: 27 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 92
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 85
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 83
In this, the first prose history in European civilization, Herodotus describes the growth of the Persian Empire with force, authority, and style. Perhaps most famously, the book tells the heroic tale of the Greeks' resistance to the vast invading force assembled by Xerxes, king of Persia. Here are not only the great battles - Marathon, Thermopylae, and Salamis - but also penetrating human insight and a powerful sense of epic destiny at work.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Beautifully delivered
- By R. Mcintyre on 06-09-16
-
Napoleon the Great
- By: Andrew Roberts
- Narrated by: Stephen Thorne
- Length: 37 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 897
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 834
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 832
Napoleon Bonaparte lived one of the most extraordinary of all human lives. In the space of just 20 years, from October 1795, when as a young artillery captain he cleared the streets of Paris of insurrectionists, to his final defeat at the (horribly mismanaged) battle of Waterloo in June 1815, Napoleon transformed France and Europe. After seizing power in a coup d'état, he ended the corruption and incompetence into which the revolution had descended.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Comprehensive and engaging book
- By Garym213 on 27-12-16
-
The Storm Before the Storm
- The Beginning of the End of the Roman Republic
- By: Mike Duncan
- Narrated by: Mike Duncan
- Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 568
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 530
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 530
The Roman Republic was one of the most remarkable achievements in the history of civilization. After its founding in 509 BCE, the Romans refused to allow a single leader to seize control of the state and grab absolute power. The Roman commitment to cooperative government and peaceful transfers of power was unmatched in the history of the ancient world. But by the year 133 BCE, the republican system was unable to cope with the vast empire Rome now ruled.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
7 minutes to 11 hours...
- By borodude on 25-10-17
-
Parallel Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans
- By: Plutarch
- Narrated by: Charlton Griffin
- Length: 83 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 22
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 21
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 21
Plutarch (c. AD 46-AD 120) was born to a prominent family in the small Greek town of Chaeronea, about 20 miles east of Delphi in the region known as Boeotia. His best known work is the Parallel Lives, a series of biographies of famous Greeks and Romans, arranged in pairs to illuminate their common moral virtues and vices. The surviving lives contain 23 pairs, each with one Greek life and one Roman life as well as four unpaired single lives.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
must read for history buffs
- By Andrew on 28-06-16
-
Mussolini's War
- Fascist Italy from Triumph to Collapse, 1935-1943
- By: John Gooch
- Narrated by: Mark Elstob
- Length: 21 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 3
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 3
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 3
While staying closely aligned with Hitler, Mussolini remained carefully neutral until the summer of 1940. Then, with the wholly unexpected and sudden collapse of the French and British armies, Mussolini declared war on the Allies in the hope of making territorial gains in Southern France and Africa. This decision proved a horrifying miscalculation, dooming Italy to its own prolonged and unwinnable war, immense casualties and an Allied invasion in 1943 which ushered in a terrible new era for the country.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Succint and enilighening
- By Wilhelm Snyman on 18-05-20
-
The History of Rome: The Complete Works
- By: Titus Livy, Cyrus Edmunds - translator, William A. McDevitte - translator
- Narrated by: Alastair Cameron
- Length: 88 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 7
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 4
-
Story3.5 out of 5 stars 5
Titus Livy's only known surviving work is a monumental history of Rome that was originally written in Latin. It is estimated that Livy's The History of Rome was written between 27 and 9 BC and covers the legends of Aeneas, the fall of Troy, the city's founding in 753 BC, and Livy's account ends with the reign of Emperor Augustus. The History of Rome is a must-have for anyone interested in ancient history and the Roman era. With colorful detail and intriguing insight, Titus brings to life some of the most turbulent times in human history.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Takes patient attention.
- By Amazon Customer on 18-11-18
-
Histories
- By: Herodotus
- Narrated by: David Timson
- Length: 27 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 92
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 85
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 83
In this, the first prose history in European civilization, Herodotus describes the growth of the Persian Empire with force, authority, and style. Perhaps most famously, the book tells the heroic tale of the Greeks' resistance to the vast invading force assembled by Xerxes, king of Persia. Here are not only the great battles - Marathon, Thermopylae, and Salamis - but also penetrating human insight and a powerful sense of epic destiny at work.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Beautifully delivered
- By R. Mcintyre on 06-09-16
-
Napoleon the Great
- By: Andrew Roberts
- Narrated by: Stephen Thorne
- Length: 37 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 897
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 834
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 832
Napoleon Bonaparte lived one of the most extraordinary of all human lives. In the space of just 20 years, from October 1795, when as a young artillery captain he cleared the streets of Paris of insurrectionists, to his final defeat at the (horribly mismanaged) battle of Waterloo in June 1815, Napoleon transformed France and Europe. After seizing power in a coup d'état, he ended the corruption and incompetence into which the revolution had descended.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Comprehensive and engaging book
- By Garym213 on 27-12-16
-
The Storm Before the Storm
- The Beginning of the End of the Roman Republic
- By: Mike Duncan
- Narrated by: Mike Duncan
- Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 568
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 530
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 530
The Roman Republic was one of the most remarkable achievements in the history of civilization. After its founding in 509 BCE, the Romans refused to allow a single leader to seize control of the state and grab absolute power. The Roman commitment to cooperative government and peaceful transfers of power was unmatched in the history of the ancient world. But by the year 133 BCE, the republican system was unable to cope with the vast empire Rome now ruled.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
7 minutes to 11 hours...
- By borodude on 25-10-17
-
The March of the Ten Thousand
- By: Xenophon
- Narrated by: Alastair Cameron
- Length: 7 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall0 out of 5 stars 0
-
Performance0 out of 5 stars 0
-
Story0 out of 5 stars 0
The March of the Ten Thousand by Xenophon is an account of the Greek mercenary armies formed by Cyrus the Younger in an attempt to overthrow his brother, Artaxerxes II, with the purpose of gaining control of the Persian Empire. Xenophon was one of the leaders of these mercenaries; his work The Anabasis retells the story of the march to the Battle of Cunaxa.
-
The Vanquished
- Why the First World War Failed to End, 1917-1923
- By: Robert Gerwarth
- Narrated by: John Banks
- Length: 10 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 204
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 188
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 186
For the Western allies, 11 November 1918 has always been a solemn date - the end of fighting which had destroyed a generation and a vindication of a terrible sacrifice with the total collapse of their principal enemies: the German Empire, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire. But for much of the rest of Europe, this was a day with no meaning, as a continuing nightmarish series of conflicts engulfed country after country. In this highly original, gripping book, Robert Gerwarth asks us to think again about the true legacy of the First World War.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
excellent summary
- By Elaine on 04-01-17
-
Roman History, Volume 1
- By: Dio Cassius
- Narrated by: Charlton Griffin
- Length: 29 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 2
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 2
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 2
Dio Cassius was a Roman statesman and historian of Greek origin. He published 80 volumes of history on ancient Rome, beginning with the arrival of Aeneas in Italy. The volumes documented the subsequent founding of Rome (753 BC), the formation of the republic (509 BC), and the creation of the empire (31 BC). The history continues until AD 229.
-
The Peloponnesian War
- By: Thucydides
- Narrated by: Charlton Griffin
- Length: 26 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 34
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 28
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 29
Historians universally agree that Thucydides was the greatest historian who has ever lived, and that his story of the Peloponnesian conflict is a marvel of forensic science and fine literature. That such a triumph of intellectual accomplishment was created at the end of the fifth century B.C. in Greece is, perhaps, not so surprising, given the number of original geniuses we find in that period. But that such an historical work would also be simultaneously acknowledged as a work of great literature and a penetrating ethical evaluation of humanity is one of the miracles of ancient history.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Fantastic & full! Valued added cntnt. x1.25 speed.
- By AHW on 04-08-15
-
Lancaster and York
- The Wars of the Roses
- By: Alison Weir
- Narrated by: Maggie Mash
- Length: 22 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 486
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 404
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 402
Lancater and York is a riveting account of the Wars of the Roses, from beloved historian Alison Weir. The war between the houses of Lancaster and York was characterised by treachery, deceit, and bloody battles. Alison Weir's lucid and gripping account focuses on the human side of history. At the centre of the book stands Henry VI, the pious king whose mental instability led to political chaos, and his wife Margaret of Anjou, who took up her arms in her husband's cause and battled in a violent man's world.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Incredible Events - Oddly Dull in Presentation
- By Alison on 04-11-14
-
Egypt, Greece and Rome
- Civilizations of the Ancient Mediterranean
- By: Charles Freeman
- Narrated by: Jim Meskimen
- Length: 32 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 38
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 33
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 33
Long sources of mystery, imagination, and inspiration, the myths and history of the ancient Mediterranean have given rise to artistic, religious, cultural, and intellectual traditions that span the centuries. In this unique and comprehensive introduction to the region's three major civilizations, Egypt, Greece, and Rome draws a fascinating picture of the deep links between the cultures across the Mediterranean and explores the ways in which these civilizations continue to be influential to this day.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Ambitious yet highly accessible history
- By Amazon Customer on 05-01-15
-
The Twelve Caesars
- By: Suetonius
- Narrated by: Charlton Griffin
- Length: 14 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 47
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 24
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 24
The Twelve Caesars was written based on the information of eyewitnesses and public records. It conveys a very accurate picture of court life in Rome and contains some of the raciest and most salacious material to be found in all of ancient literature. The writing is clear, simple and easy to understand, and the numerous anecdotes of juicy scandal, bitter court intrigue, and murderous brigandage easily hold their own against the most spirited content of today's tabloids.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
The Twelve Caesars
- By Matthew on 25-12-12
-
The Origins of Totalitarianism
- By: Hannah Arendt
- Narrated by: Nadia May
- Length: 23 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 121
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 107
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 103
This classic, definitive account of totalitarianism traces the emergence of modern racism as an "ideological weapon for imperialism", beginning with the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe in the 19th century and continuing through the New Imperialism period from 1884 to World War I.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
A must read, for people interested in history.
- By Terje on 13-05-14
-
The First World War
- A Complete History
- By: Martin Gilbert
- Narrated by: Roger Clark
- Length: 33 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 3
-
Performance3.5 out of 5 stars 3
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 3
It was to be the war to end all wars, and it began at 11:15 on the morning of June 28, 1914, in an outpost of the Austro-Hungarian Empire called Sarajevo. It would officially end nearly five years later. Unofficially, however, it has never ended: Many of the horrors we live with today are rooted in the First World War. The Great War left millions of civilians and soldiers maimed or dead. It also saw the creation of new technologies of destruction: tanks, planes, and submarines; machine guns and field artillery; poison gas and chemical warfare.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Awful narrator
- By Pimco PC on 19-05-20
-
Being and Time
- By: Martin Heidegger
- Narrated by: Martyn Swain, Taylor Carman
- Length: 23 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 1
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 1
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 1
Being and Time was published in 1927 during the Weimar period in Germany, a time of political, social and economic turmoil. Heidegger himself did not escape the pressures and his nationalism, and undeniable anti-Semitism in the following decades cast a shadow over the man, but not the work. Being and Time is not coloured by expressions of his later views (unlike other writings) and remains an outstanding document.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Swain is G.O.A.T
- By Cameron Day on 25-05-20
-
Homer Box Set: Iliad & Odyssey
- By: Homer, W. H. D. Rouse - translator
- Narrated by: Anthony Heald
- Length: 25 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 421
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 381
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 378
Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey are unquestionably two of the greatest epic masterpieces in Western literature. Though more than 2,700 years old, their stories of brave heroics, capricious gods, and towering human emotions are vividly timeless. The Iliad can justly be called the world’s greatest war epic. The terrible and long-drawn-out siege of Troy remains one of the classic campaigns. The Odyssey chronicles the many trials and adventures Odysseus must pass through on his long journey home from the Trojan wars to his beloved wife.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Epic. Literally
- By Mr llewellyn on 23-09-15
-
The History of the Ancient World
- From the Earliest Accounts to the Fall of Rome
- By: Susan Wise Bauer
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 26 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 332
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 299
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 296
This is the first volume in a bold new series that tells the stories of all peoples, connecting historical events from Europe to the Middle East to the far coast of China, while still giving weight to the characteristics of each country. Susan Wise Bauer provides both sweeping scope and vivid attention to the individual lives that give flesh to abstract assertions about human history. This narrative history employs the methods of "history from beneath" - literature, epic traditions, private letters, and accounts - to connect kings and leaders with the lives of those they ruled.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
interesting not riveting
- By Amazon Customer on 15-02-18
Summary
Here in a single volume is the entire, unabridged recording of Gibbon's masterpiece. Beginning in the second century at the apex of the Pax Romana, Gibbon traces the arc of decline and complete destruction through the centuries across Europe and the Mediterranean. It is a thrilling and cautionary tale of splendor and ruin, of faith and hubris, and of civilization and barbarism. Follow along as Christianity overcomes paganism... before itself coming under intense pressure from Islam. It is a story that begins in Rome and ends in the capture of Constantinople by the Turks almost 1,500 years later. To aid in navigating this massive work, please refer to the accompanying PDF, which contains a table of contents and starting times for each chapter.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.
What members say
Average customer ratings
Overall
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
5 Stars55
-
4 Stars16
-
3 Stars17
-
2 Stars3
-
1 Stars9
Performance
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
5 Stars48
-
4 Stars14
-
3 Stars14
-
2 Stars4
-
1 Stars7
Story
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
5 Stars53
-
4 Stars12
-
3 Stars13
-
2 Stars3
-
1 Stars6
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- El
- 12-12-15
Immense book & audiobook
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
I would to anyone who like Roman history this much (120 + hours). It is not for the faint-hearted.
What was one of the most memorable moments of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire?
All the characters (and we are talking hundreds) are depicted in such depth, with this acute, sharp self-assured moral judgement of the 18th century. Gibbons made us feel he had the chance to observe them for long hours and days before he formed his opinion. Theses characters' depiction were my favourite parts by far.
Have you listened to any of Charlton Griffin’s other performances? How does this one compare?
Never heared any other performance but the narrator is truly fantastic. He has the perfect voice and tone to transfigure the complexity and sophistication of 18th century writing style to restitute with strength and clarity the meaning of the text and the personality of the author. You feel like Gibbons is talking to you, that after years and years of studies and reading, he finally delivers to you the pared down, quintessential truth of many years of reflexion about centuries of history. The long sentences, complex structures, the narrator always turns them to his advantage to make them easily understood by the listener, carrying their gravitas without falling into mannierism. This audiobook made me realize that 18th century writing lends itself beautifully to orality (while we could actually find the reading quite arduous and complext)Truly, I have never been more impressed by a narrator. Charlton Griffin truly adds a lot to this audiobook and to Gibbons' work.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
120+ hours, even with the best of enthusiasm ... It took me 2 months.
Any additional comments?
It is a superproduction of very high quality. A massive piece of literature, a very well-produced audiobook and the best narrator possible.
38 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Alan Myers
- 15-05-19
This is fantastic value and brilliantly delivered!
I was taking my time to purchase this due to the reviews about the narration. Such a long book and such a listening commitment would obviously be totally spoiled by poor delivery. I can say that I do not agree with the reviews that say this is poorly narrated. First of all, this is extremely difficult to narrate: the sentences are long, full of the detailed sub-clauses, understated opinion and twists and turns that you'd expect from a book written in the late 1700s. The narrator pulls this off admirably, and has done something that I couldn't do by reading myself: get me beyond the first 5 pages without falling asleep. Since then, I've enjoyed the book enormously, and thank you to Audible for getting me into audio books! A word of warning: Gibbon's work is often called 'magisterial' which is sometimes code wording for 'long and dull'. This is a book of its time, and has none of the quips of Stephen Fry, or the efforts to make things 'alive' of Mary Beard, or any other modern television history. But the scope is amazing: the detail and the groundwork that has gone in are breathtaking. Many of his conclusions are tempered by modern historians, he often takes too much of the writings at face value, without any modernist understanding of context, failing to see propaganda where it is obvious to us today. And the final 'fall' is itself subject to debate about whether or not it happened, or how you can describe the end of the Roman empire as a cataclysm or a gradualistic process of change. Hence many of his conclusions are now challenged as being too unilinear, putting too much emphasis on this or that factor, when the processes involved operated on many inter-connected fronts. But Gibbon is one of the very baselines that modern history starts from, and its worth every penny of the 1 credit charged. I started off trying to concentrate on every word, but now I just let it all wash over me and the experience is calming, relaxing and educational all at once. Enjoy!
18 people found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance3 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- missfrizzy
- 20-07-15
Sweeping Story - narration takes some getting used
Where does The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
Definitely the longest, by some significant margin.
What other book might you compare The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire to, and why?
Nothing to compare this to. Magnificent in scope and ambition - much like the empire itself.
What do you think the narrator could have done better?
American pronunciations from a very British speaker was a bit odd. Narration was a bit slow for me and was actually much more listenable when played at twice normal speed.
16 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jimbo
- 31-12-17
Excellent
What made the experience of listening to The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire the most enjoyable?
Excellent book. Very well read: The narrator has the perfect voice for this kind of story and keeps to a good pace. Also a great deal to get so much material in one audiobook. Moreover Audible allows you to download this as twelve separate downloads, by clicking on the triangle to the left of your pre-download purchase, so no need to worry about waiting around or it taking up too much space.
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Thomas
- 11-08-15
Top quality history
What made the experience of listening to The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire the most enjoyable?
The most thorough account you could want for what is effectively a history of Europe, and the rise of the modern states that we see today.
What about Charlton Griffin’s performance did you like?
Excellent narration. The only mistake I found was at one point the narrator said "pause" and silence ensued for a few seconds.
12 people found this helpful
-
Overall3 out of 5 stars
-
Performance3 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Charles B.
- 17-05-16
Great history. Weak narration
Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?
No. With such a lot of content, the narrator needs to be better. I loved the history but could not continue after the second part because of the colourless narrator. This may in part be because of Gibbon's old fashioned 'cerebral' writing style. The text is packed with facts, which I love, it could do with a bit more drama.
10 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Manish
- 14-10-19
A Monster
This is an absolute monster of a book. I hadn't realised it encompasses the entire Byzantine Empire, rise of Islam, Crusades etc. Bit old fashioned. Just lie back, listen and soak up the knowledge. Don't concentrate too hard!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Juli C. Schuttger
- 28-06-18
Historic book, worth it for historians and others
Gibbon's work is something that has intrigued me for years, and the audiobook format made it possible for me to know what is inside. Though Gibbon's story is sometimes biased and sometimes superseded by later research, his huge cast of characters each take their turns being described as humans and acting in the big story Gibbon is telling. Something I particularly enjoyed was Gibbon's discussion of the sources he uses, and his analysis of whether they are reliable. That isn't often discussed in histories of more recent times, since the sources are so much more numerous. Charlton Griffin has just the right voice to read this work as well - a deep, cultured English male voice seems fitting for the work of a British author.
Overall, I very much enjoyed this book. It is not for the impatient, but worth the time if you want to understand both Roman history and Enlightenment history. Next I'll be listening to the Great Courses lecture series on this book to get an even better grasp of its content and setting.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall1 out of 5 stars
-
Performance1 out of 5 stars
-
Story2 out of 5 stars
- Brian
- 30-05-17
Is the narrator even human?
I really enjoy history books, but this one became a treacle like nightmare to wade through very quickly. The narrator reads in such a boring and monotonous style, that the content of the book becomes irrelevant. Would put me to sleep within minutes.
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Daniel T.
- 29-09-18
Really long but amazing.
Really long but amazing. The understanding that you gain not just of this era but of the wider history of the world and they way it all holds together is second to none.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story3 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 05-08-17
Outstanding Reading of a Classic Historical Work
OK, so I'm only about 20 hours, with 106 hours to go, but what a joy so far. Charlton Griffin's performance really brings the text alive. This is much more enjoyable to listen to than you might expect. The fact that Gibbon is unafraid to express his own opinion in just about every sentence he writes is part of what makes this fun. He was a phenomenal writer and Griffin is a phenomenal reader. If this peaks your interest at all, you should definitely give it a try.
20 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Marcus
- 03-03-16
The European Civilization
Examining a period of world (european) history (late antiquity throughout the middle ages) crucial to the understanding of western civilization, this book is a treasure. Edward Gibbon, drawing from various sources, most of them contemporary of the facts it exposes, traces the history of the Roman Empire in the west and in the east. Along the way, he discuss christianity, the Roman Catholic Church, the crusades, the beginning of the Muslim faith and the advent of the Ottoman Empire. The successive battles between the romans and the barbarian are explained in a way that one understands the facts that underline the formation of modern european states. The author is not shy in declining his views about the events, with renders the book even more fascinating. An enlightening reading!
51 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Patrick Or Lissy
- 17-02-17
Sometimes a slog, but what a journey
Some chapters were dryer than others, but overall an incredible listen, especially when you consider that it was written over 200 years ago!
After an overview of the time it begins in depth with Emperor Commodus and goes through the fall of the Eastern Empire to the Turks. That's over 1200 years! Of course it doesn't just look at the Roman Empire, but Gibbon also explains the sparks of areas around the empire that lead to flames within. If you don't mind listening for a long time (it took me about 4 months), this is definitely worth it.
My only gripe is that I didn't have any maps to help me visualize some more obscure areas being talked about (of course there's nothing to be done about that since it's an audiobook). The issue is easily remedied with a pause and Google search.
44 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Student
- 18-09-18
Masterpiece - Best Audiobook I’ve Listened To
This audiobook is absolutely phenomenal--and I have much to say about that--but let me first be clear about what this book is and what it is not.
The "Decline and Fall" can be best described as a brilliantly written exposition of Gibbon's views on events after the death of Marcus Aurelius and how these contributed to the downfall of the Roman empire, interwoven within a chronological narrative alongside colorful anecdotes and digressions. The main strengths of the work are Gibbon's clever and (dare I say) sublime command of the English language, his impressive wit, his astute observations and analysis of the political significance of major events, his keen perception of the levers of power in Roman society, his awareness of the human condition during what he describes rather bluntly as one of the most awful eras in history, and his genuine appreciation for the consternation of a people subject to the whims and caprice of all-powerful monarchs. Gibbon does not hesitate to editorialize throughout the narrative, offering readers strong and candid impressions through his cynical tone, his acerbic wit, and his biting criticism of contemptible characters. (Some examples below).
The book is not, however, a good introduction to Roman History, or even to the history of the late Empire for that matter. I wouldn't recommend it if your goal is simply to become more knowledgeable about a period. Despite Gibbon's unmatched thoroughness, the work is over 200 years old, and as such there are inevitably some inaccuracies due to the limitations of the sources at the time. So if knowledge is your goal, I'd recommend grabbing a modern book or reading wikipedia (seriously).
Instead, I'd recommend Gibbon if you'd like to enjoy a literary masterpiece with observant and well-thought out political opinions about the decline of Rome, encapsulated in a work that flows mellifluously with expertly crafted language, and that constitutes one of the most magnificent literary achievements of all time. A good analogy would be going to the Sistine Chapel -- you don't go to learn about Michelangelo or the events depicted therein, you go to be inspired by the masterpiece before you.
As you can tell, I thought very highly of the book, and with due cause. After all, there's a reason that a 200 year old book over 4,000 pages in length is still read today--a pretty powerful testament to its quality. (For context, I downloaded the book without any prior awareness of this quality, so I had no opinion at the outset. In fact, I was afraid the language would be turgid and abstruse on account of its age--I'm happy to say that I was blown away by the inaccuracy of my naive preconceptions, as I can relate without hesitation that Gibbon is the best writer I've personally encountered).
A good deal of credit is also due for Charlton Griffin’s masterful performance. His phrasing, inflection, and tone perfectly reflects the mood of Gibbon’s writing. That, and I wish my voice sounded even half as good as Charlton’s...
To conclude, here's a brief example of Gibbon's writing and astute commentary on politics, in discussing the power of the Praetorians, which I think is pretty representative of his approach throughout the work:
"Such formidable servants are always necessary, but often fatal to the throne of despotism. By thus introducing the Praetorian guards as it were into the palace and the senate, the emperors taught them to perceive their own strength, and the weakness of the civil government; to view the vices of their masters with familiar contempt, and to lay aside that reverential awe, which distance only, and mystery, can preserve towards an imaginary power. In the luxurious idleness of an opulent city, their pride was nourished by the sense of their irresistible weight; nor was it possible to conceal from them, that the person of the sovereign, the authority of the senate, the public treasure, and the seat of empire, were all in their hands. To divert the Praetorian bands from these dangerous reflections, the firmest and best established princes were obliged to mix blandishments with commands, rewards with punishments, to flatter their pride, indulge their pleasures, connive at their irregularities, and to purchase their precarious faith by a liberal donative; which, since the elevation of Claudius, was enacted as a legal claim, on the accession of every new emperor."
39 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 23-10-17
For the hardest core history fans only
I loved all of it, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone that I know. 126 hours of meandering through the Roman decline told by a man from 1787, having all of the prejudices you would expect, was for me a lot of fun but most people who are humans and have ears would likely rip them off half way through the work. But if your reading this review you probably fall into the group of people who enjoy this kind of thing, and in that case I would recommend it just for the satisfaction of beating this book! It's great, just do it.
40 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- R. Hosseini
- 28-07-16
Perfect!
Not just a history of Rome but a beautiful piece of art and literature. Perfection!
21 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Andrew Gruenberger
- 15-06-16
work of art
the work itself is monumental and impressive. his arguments are clear and debatable. it took a long time to get through this, but it is worth it. anyone serious about history or the English language will certainly appreciate this product of the age of enlightenment.
19 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- sky
- 09-12-16
Fantastic
Gibbon's entire masterpiece in the absolutely perfect voice for the work. Truly quite the deal.
18 people found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 15-12-16
Not for the faint of heart…
… But if you're crazy about history, or want to know more about the origins of modern Europe, the Middle East, and the entire Mediterranean region, this book is an extremely good read. It's monumentally boring at times, and of course mired in the past as any 18th century work must be, and enormously prejudiced at times, but for all those faults it is well written and well researched.
17 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Richard Murphy
- 05-04-16
Loved It!
A great historical and thorough introduction of not only Roman antiquity but of Christianity and Islam. Astonishing how similar modern history resembles the sinuous advances between cultures and conquerors of the time periods in this book.
14 people found this helpful