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Fall of Civilizations

Stories of Greatness and Decline

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Fall of Civilizations

By: Paul Cooper
Narrated by: Paul Cooper
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About this listen

The landmark history book from the creator of the Top Ten podcast

Based on the highly acclaimed podcast with over 1 million subscribers, Fall of Civilizations brilliantly explores how a range of ancient societies rose to power and sophistication, and how they tipped over into collapse

Across the centuries, we journey from the great empires of Mesopotamia to those of Khmer and Vijayanagara in Asia and Songhai in West Africa; from Byzantium to the Maya, Inca and Aztec empires of the Americas; from Roman Britain to Rapa Nui. With meticulous research, breathtaking insight and dazzling, empathic storytelling, historian and novelist Paul Cooper evokes the majesty and jeopardy of these civilizations, and asks what it might have felt like for a person alive at the time as they witnessed the end of their world.

©2024 Paul Cooper (P)2024 Duckworth Books Ancient Civilization Europe World Ancient History Africa Middle East Imperialism Middle ages Military Ancient Greece

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Critic reviews

'Paul Cooper's histories of fallen civilizations are brilliantly written: clear, compelling, and ultimately chilling as we are forced to accept the lost genius of ancient cultures and the inevitable ruination of our own. Full of fascinating detail and nuanced findings, you need to read this book' Cal Flyn, journalist and author of Islands of Abandonment

'An instructive, engaging and compelling epic which reveals the fragility of human existence: magnificent triumphs and lamentable tragedies, the civilized and the barbarian. A timely tour de force of historical storytelling' Ron Ramdin, author of The Making of the Black Working Class in Britain

Cooper draws parallels between fears for our own future and the colossal wrecks of fallen empires so that we may marvel at them and, perhaps, learn from them Tim Leach, author of- The Hollow Throne
All stars
Most relevant  
One of those books that just makes you think different. Well worth it, although delivery was a little dry, 1.2x seemed to help that

Mind opening

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Having been a long time listener of the FoC podcast, this was a way to give back to Mr. Cooper. This is great to listen to as I toil the hours away on the computer. His monotone delivery is steady and is well dictated. When research and story telling come together is such a way it creates a feel of calm and introspective thought. Often about how brief and unique the time we live in now is. How most of human history is very different to the world we live in now.

insightful and thought provoking

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Having already enjoyed the author's Fall of Civilizations podcast, I was confident that I would enjoy this too. An absolute treat, full of quotations from surviving primary sources.

Excellent set of rise and fall histories

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A great look into the history of empires now gone. History does not repeat but goes in circles

Very interesting

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i’ve waited for this to come to audible for so long, it’s my go to listen for when i need to escape because everything about it is fantastic! informative and easy listening at its best, truly does build a movie in your mind.

builds a whole movie in your mind!

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Paul's book (I have audiobook, and hardback on its way) transitions seamlessly from his podcast, offering the same clean yet opulent prose and beautiful storytelling. Although the book revisits some familiar terrain from the podcast, it is enriched with a good amount of new material, enhancing the overall narrative. This makes the book a must-have for fans and a perfect introduction for newcomers wary of his long podcast episodes :).

On a personal note, Paul has expressed that only a handful of episodes remain in the FoC podcast series. It is a sentiment that many, including myself, hope will be reconsidered, given the profound impact and inspiration his work continues to bestow upon tens of thousands. The prospect of his voice and vision concluding on this epic topic would undoubtedly be a loss to the literary and podcasting community.

Beautiful compliment to FoC Podcast

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Of necessity, only a flavour of each civilisation covered in this book is provided. However, its choice of targets (some, like the Songhai, I knew almost nothing about) is refreshing, and the pictures painted are vivid.

I would thoroughly recommend this book.

All too brief, but captivating

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A few good insights but very hidebound ,conventional with a gloomy delivery and text to match.

Very gloomy

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it is short history of the world. however hardly anything new or fresh. if you are familiar with history of the world it is not for you. if you know nothing (originate fromthe usa) you should listen to it

pretty standard

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I am not familiar with Mr Cooper's podcasting but bought the book out of my general interest in history.
The stories of long lost but clearly not forgotten civilizations are fascinating and the myth busting nature of some of the content provides added interest.
Mr Cooper does like to imagine what might have been seen, heard and felt by the people at the time.
These flights of fancy do add colour but are supposition of course.
Colour and fancy do not feature in the monotonal narration however.
Goodness, I found it a challenge to get through this listen.
Essentially grim subject matter delivered in a wearisome manner.

We're All Doomed . . .

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