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Titans of History

The Giants Who Made Our World

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Titans of History

By: Simon Sebag Montefiore
Narrated by: Steve West
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About this listen

NEW EDITION - FEATURING UPDATED INTRODUCTION AND NEW CHAPTERS

The giant characters of history - from Mozart to Michelangelo, Shakespeare to Einstein, Henry VIII to Hitler, Catherine the Great to Margaret Thatcher, Jesus Christ to Genghis Khan ­- lived lives of astonishing drama and adventure, debauchery and slaughter, but they also formed our world and will shape our future. In this eclectic and surprising collection of short and entertaining life stories, Simon Sebag Montefiore introduces his choice of kings, empresses, sultans and conquerors, as well as prophets, explorers, artists, actresses, courtesans and psychopaths. From the ancient times, via crusades and world wars, up to the 21st century, this accessible history introduces readers to the titans who changed the world: the characters we should all know, and the stories we should never forget.

©2017 Simon Sebag Montefiore (P)2017 Penguin Random House US Historical War Imperialism Royalty Ancient History King Military French Revolution Ottoman Empire Winston Churchill France Self-Determination Ancient Greece Crusade Interwar Period

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All stars
Most relevant  
An interesting collection of people most of which I knew about. There were several facts I learnt and the narration was well done.

A parade of important people from the past to the present

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While his knowledge of early history is very concise Simon Montefiore shows a remarkable inability to transfer those skills to more modern subjects. He totally misunderstood George Orwell’s feeling towards socialism and repeats the right wing misunderstanding about his most famous novel 1984 (I suggest Lynskey’s: Ministry if Truth which who would do well to have read). He also has a chapter on a character from fiction falling for the propaganda about his actions. It is an interesting book but you need to be aware of Montefiore’s right wing views.

Disappointed towards the end.

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Disappointed. Too general a history from a eminent author and no overall analysis of the 'great man theory ' of history. Not seen together. I would recommend to a teenager as a primer though.

Disappointed. too general.

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I found some goofs, which made me doubt the other narratives. Author did not do rigorous research The author claims that Lincoln freed the slaves, ignoring the documented fact, that Lincoln himself did not want to free them, but rather that he wanted them out of his wonderful white country.
He was only an abolitionist in the sense that he wanted blacks out of HIS country, into another on some remote continent. They had to be promoted from slave to cargo.

But the reading was excellent: crisp, clear.

Uncertain about reliability

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I was so looking forward to hearing this book but the narration is so flat it put me off buying the Romanovs, also narrated by the author. It's like listening to someone reading from Wikipedia whist they are very tired; some of the characters are that brief; it's a chore not a pleasure. As a physical book it is probably much better.

Like listening to wikipedia

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Fabulous concept from a marvellous author, let down by probably the most awful narration i have yet heard on Audible.

Awful narration!

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Not for anyone with any knowledge of history! Love the authors books this is rubbish

Superficial

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