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A History of the World

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A History of the World

By: Andrew Marr
Narrated by: Andrew Marr, David Timson
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About this listen

Fresh, exciting and vivid, this is popular history at its very best.

Our understanding of world history is changing, as new discoveries are made on all the continents and old prejudices are being challenged. In this truly global journey, political journalist Andrew Marr revisiets some of the traditional epic stories, from classical Greece and Rome to the rise of Napoleon, but surrounds them with less familiar material, from Peru to the Ukraine, China to the Caribbean. He looks at cultures that have failed and vanished, as well as the origins of today’s superpowers, and finds surprising echoes and parallels across vast distances and epochs.

A History of the World is a book about the great change-makers of history and their times, people such as Cleopatra, Genghis Khan, Galileo and Mao, but it is also a book about us. For ‘the better we understand how rulers lose touch with reality, or why revolutions produce dictators more often than they produce happiness, or why some parts of the world are richer than others, the easier it is to understand our own times.’

©2012 Andrew Marr (P)2012 Macmillan Digital Audio Civilization World Ancient History Imperialism Self-Determination Thought-Provoking Funny Military War Refugee Ancient Greece France Crusade Interwar Period

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Editor reviews

In a feat of historical writing, author Andrew Marr's A History of the World is wholly informative and entirely entertaining. Now adapted into a major BBC One TV series, this historical audiobook has been narrated by BBC radio broadcaster and English actor David Timson, with an introduction by the author. The scope of Marr's research is extraordinary. Listeners are taken on an adventure through the ancient and less well-known civilisations as well as the influential figures who contributed significantly to life as it's known today. Available now from Audible.
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I thought it will be too comprehensive and impossible task to put a whole world history in one book - or at least that it will not be possible to do it and stay interesting. It would be either too shallow, or focused just on few aspects of history of human race.

However, author did the job in excellent way - through 90+ chapters, Marr focuses on major events in world history, mostly of big men and history-changers. Some less known parts are also covered, and this is done not only through (very good) narrative and historical facts, but also with analysis and comments, what this meant for human's history.

I have finished reading a book with a list of 15 topics I would like to learn more of and will be looking for books on those. This is a book on incredible progress of human race, but also on our shortfallings, brutality, wars and egoism. It might be grim and dark in some parts, but that is what our history has been like. It makes you think in different ways, and despite looking at major problems humanity currently faces, it ends with optimistic look and fact that we are living better lives than our predecessors.

Lot to learn from this one, and something everyone with interest in history should read.

Ignites lust for more knowledge on certain topics

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The challenge this book has is in its very ambition. There's a lot of ground to cover and while you will inevitably walk away feeling the better for having listened to it, it often misses or glosses over the slightly juicier stories or facts in an attempt to keep everything moving. It's not light entertainment but who expected that anyway? The books real moments of brilliance are to be found during the author's attempts to dispel common and lazy preconceptions (many of which I held) such as when and where democracy originated (everywhere and often) and how the world's peoples are not so different if assessed on national experiences alone. Get this book if you want are willing to think and apply its ideas. Don't get it if you just want 'fun fact' ammunition for a lazy pub session.

Thorough and thoughtful but not riveting...

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my knowledge has been vastly expanded.
most memorable moment was finding out that
Genetic material of a single male from 900years ago was shared by 1 in 200 of all men alive. Sum total of 16m men scattered across Eurasia. Chromosomarkers suggested it stemmed from ghensis khan.
In addition found very noteworthy that Every non African in the world stem from one line from Africa.Called 'natural lineal drift'.

Uncomplicated breeze through complicated history

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To be honest I doubt I have the discipline to read a book like this through, but I have a fascination with history, and the 'big picture' of our story as human beings. This audio format, as well as the accessible language, intriguing stories, and solid narration meant I smashed this audio book in under two weeks. I feel enriched for having listened. Can't recommend it enough if you have an interest in history. Hope to be able to find more like it.

So rich and read (listen) able.

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All those historical names you've heard, but don't know quite where to place in history. This books tells you where, why and how they influenced the world that we live in. The performance is great, and you can listen for hours and hours at the time.

A great summary of the history of the world

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Good storytelling and covers many significant historical events. Narration is excellent and at the right pace.

Humorous and with great storytelling

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So much information, wonderfully read and so well researched. I've listened to it a couple of times and think it's only the beginning. Marr is one of the greats.

A masterpiece

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What did you like most about A History of the World?

It was easier to digest such dense information with Marr's lilting burr

What could Andrew Marr have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Difficult subject matter to dramatise and change

Would you listen to another book narrated by Andrew Marr and David Timson ?

Definitely

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely not

Any additional comments?

Brilliant stuff, a superb introduction to historical matters

Interesting and informative

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This is an extremely long book, starting a very long time ago, and slowly making its way to now. There are many interesting facts and anecdotes gathered from Andrews wide research reading and the end leaves on an optimistic if enigmatic note.

Not for the faint hearted but worth the read

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Not a book to be read in one sitting but rather over a period of time as the history of world is slowly presented

A must read for all futurists

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