Fascinating story. Most of the books I listen to are fiction, Nesbo, Lethem, Burke, and such. "Swerve" is full of lore that's new to me and helps explain aspects of our world today I hadn't understood.

The writing is just splendid. It's paced, suspenseful, loving of knowledge, and an example to us all.

The reader's fine. He's a reader, not someone needed to bring the work to life. The author has given us a book that needs no help coming to life.

This highly comprehensive and illuminating story chronicles an Italian man's quest for the lost works of antiquity. From the reaches of utter obscurity, he discovers a piece of work that will help fuel the renaissance and change the path of western thought forever.

His pronunciation of Italian and Greek words and names.

It is one of the most interesting books I have ever encountered.

No

Weaving in more mystery, interesting anecdotes.

His voice, his emphasis, pronunciations

I stopped listening about 90 minutes into it.

If you're a real history buff, this book is a find. If you're just interested in history, but prefer it spiced up with some intrigue, then this may not be the book for you.

This book is lyrical, almost poetic. It is so pleasurable that this reader is stunned that it is deeply profound as well.

I have a better understanding of ancient and medieval history and philosophy from Swerve than I got in from classes at the University. Stephen made the characters alive and interactive in their political/social environs.

Thanks to this book, I no longer think modernity evolved into our scientific perception of reality. Instead, it's clear to me that we rediscovered it. And quite accidentally.

it gave me a new perspective on history and how important it is to learn from it.

I've always wanted to know more about how ancient writings come down to us. There's a lot of detail about manuscripts and how long they last, and how little actually dates back to ancient times. I found it very interesting. The story of Poggio Bracciolini, the renaissance book hunter is also interesting. The author writes in wonderful prose. The reader compliments it nicely. If you like ancient/Roman/European history, this book is an entertaining overview.

Yes. Interesting book about how we got to where we are. Also really fascinating look back at both the classical and medieval periods.

Guns germs and steel.

No.

No.

The way in which the author describes the atmosphere of the time periods and the characters involved in the story is most enjoyable.

the story of a curiosity that engulfed those prior to the renaissance. How even under the pressure of a masochistic abomination that ruled the era tried to uncover truths buried in history.

I was saddened by the stories of those that suffered under the intimidation of the Catholic church. And angered by the arrogance of those that refute reason, even today. How time after time the great religions of man have interfered with our development as humans.

A must read! It makes you realize the fragility of human elightenment and makes you think about how we must carefully guard it and nurture it..

This book has given me a greater respect for the humanities than ever before.

A terrific story and reader. I could have done without Greenblatt's story about his mother at the beginning, but otherwise it is a terrific book.

A great reader