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The Gunpowder Plot

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The Gunpowder Plot

By: Antonia Fraser
Narrated by: Patricia Gallimore
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About this listen

Remember, remember, the Fifth of November....

With a narrative that grips the listener like a detective story, Antonia Fraser brings the characters and events of the Gunpowder Plot to life. Dramatically recreating the conditions and motives that surrounded the fateful night of 5 November 1605, she unravels the tangled web of religion and politics that spawned the plot.

©1996 Antonia Fraser (P)2003 W F Howes Ltd 17th Century Europe Great Britain Modern Political Science Politics & Government England Thought-Provoking Middle Ages

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Critic reviews

"Told with impressive scholarship and panache...with a sense of pace and tension worthy of a John le Carré novel.” (Sunday Telegraph)

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What did you like most about The Gunpowder Plot?

As always, Fraser managed to deal with an incendiary piece of history in a fair and balanced way. I've definitely filled a big gap in my knowledge of UK history, which is good.

Also, I'm going to have to see what else has been done by the narrator, because I was easily listening to it on 2x speed without it sounding strange.

Another solid history from Antonia Fraser

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Antonia Fraser is a first class, unbiassed historian and I did enjoy this book very much. However, I may have enjoyed an abridged version more, as the detail is very intricate and sometimes a bit tedious, it really depends on how much detail you like in your histories. I believe most of her books also have abridged versions and I think i will try one of those next time.

Perhaps a little too much detail

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This provided great detail and background on a turning point in English history I thought I knew and understood. The narrator was very easy to listen to. I would recommend putting away any other books, you will not want to stop listening

Fascinating insight

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It can be a bit difficult keeping track of all the actors in this narrative, which is often the case in histories such as these. It will probably require a second listen to get the fullest out of it.

Otherwise, the general plot is well told and it conveys the sense of the times well. You are impressed by what is both an ancient and yet frighteningly modern police state. It's actually surprisingly relevant to today's problems with religious extremism and terrorism.

An excellent telling of the gunpowder treason.

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Brilliant if you love history. I was fascinated by the bit where the conspirators spread their leftover gunpowder in front of the fire to dry...

Brilliant

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