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Worth Dying For

The Power and Politics of Flags

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Worth Dying For

By: Tim Marshall
Narrated by: Ric Jerrom
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About this listen

When you see your nation's flag fluttering in the breeze, what do you feel? For thousands of years flags have represented our hopes and dreams. We wave them. Burn them. March under their colours. And still, in the 21st century, we die for them. Flags fly at the UN, on the Arab street, from front porches in Texas. They represent the politics of high power as well as the politics of the mob.

From the renewed sense of nationalism in China, to troubled identities in Europe and the USA, to the terrifying rise of Islamic State, the world is a confusing place right now and we need to understand the symbols, old and new, that people are rallying round.

In nine chapters (covering the USA, UK, Europe, Middle East, Asia, Africa, Latin America, international flags and flags of terror), Tim Marshall draws on more than 25 years of global reporting experience to reveal the histories, the power and the politics of the symbols that unite us - and divide us.

©2016 Tim Marshall (P)2017 Audible, Ltd
Anthropology Elections & Political Process Freedom & Security Politics & Government United States Imperialism Thought-Provoking National Security Social Policy War
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Critic reviews

"This might be the comprehensive flag volume we've all been waiting for - a slick yet detailed and well-researched journey through some of the world's most infamous and interesting flags…. Marshall guides us through this myriad of stories admirably." ( Geographical Magazine)
"A fascinating tour of the world's ensigns, their histories and meanings...a sobering lesson in just how silly we human beings can be." ( Daily Mail)
"Marshall points out that we often forget the aggressive symbolism of established flags...[they] are a quick, visual way of communicating loyalties, power and ideas." (Robbie Millen, The Times)

What listeners say about Worth Dying For

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Entertained and Informed across Continents

Great narration, brilliant content as always. Covers every continent and the relevant geopolitics in an entertaining way.

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So interesting

Loved this book, full of interesting facts and historical information. The African and Middle Eastern chapters especially added so much context to where the world is now. I do wish audiobooks could have illustrations.

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Good book, with some interesting history

really liked this one, however it's nothing compared to prisoners of geography another tim Marshall book. if enjoyed this one give that one ago.

the book is well thought out and explains some fascinating history behind some of the key flags in the world, however most will recognize that certain flags have more meaning to certain groups already.

that being said you are bound to find something you did not know about certain cultures and flags, which will help your understanding of geo politics.

the book is well read and laid out, would definitely recommend to anyone.

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Good content, dodgy accents!

The content is great, however I struggled with the narrator's accents, Russian and Portuguese stand out as particularly bad. The accents aren't necessary.

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Bad narration

I really like Tim Marshall but when I heard the narrator i cringed as I've already experienced 20+ hours in a Daniel Todman book so I knew what was coming. It's a shame the narrator indulges in accents and emphasis where none are needed.
Sadly I have another 40+ hours in another Dan Todman book to look forward to.....

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Fantastic book, so-so narration

Another fascinating book by Tim Marshall,only let down by the narrator’s poor attempts at various accents. If he just read it normally it would have been fine as he has a good narration voice generally but his distractingly bad accents undermine his overall performance.

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Good content, average narration

Great variety in content but the fake accents are a real turnoff and pretty hard to listen to

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Arrgh - the Narrator

Subject matter is fascinating; the author's writing is sublime, the research is of a high quality, though in no way academic. But the flipping narrator is beyond annoying. If the narrator had only maintained his normal speaking voice through, this book would be wonderful. But the faux put on attempts at accent are beyond bad. It's difficulty to know whether the fake American, the appalling Trump impression, the cringeworthy Scots accent or the incredibly grating Northern Irish attempts are worse. I haven't mentioned the Slavic attempts, or the countless others (though I am conscious I just did) which detract from the author's hard work and craftsmanship. Narrator hang your head in shame - you are ruining this wonderful book.

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Accents

The accents were quite frustrating/inaccurate, which made it hard to listen to at times.

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Another educational book by T Marshall

I love the way Tim takes you to a fascinating history of the world, its nations and most prominent international organisations.

This is also another fantastic performance of Ric Jerom for whom I have a lot of respect and admiration as a narrator. His delicate tuning of tone, pace, pitch, rhythm and intonation make Listening to this book a even more enjoyable journey. Fine tuning his pronunciation of Spanish and Spanish accent in English would give him a 5 star next time :-)

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