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Destiny Disrupted
- A History of the World through Islamic Eyes
- Narrated by: Tamim Ansary
- Length: 17 hrs and 28 mins
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Publisher's summary
This book reveals the parallel "other" narrative of world history to help us make sense of today's world conflicts. Ansary traces the history of the Muslim world from pre-Mohammedan days through 9/11, introducing people, events, empires, legends, and religious disputes, both in terms of what happened and how it was understood and interpreted.
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- By M. A. Chris Raine on 03-23-19
By: T. R. Fehrenbach
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Fields of Blood
- Religion and the History of Violence
- By: Karen Armstrong
- Narrated by: Karen Armstrong
- Length: 20 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
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For the first time, religious self-identification is on the decline in American. Some analysts have cited as cause a post-9/11 perception: that faith in general is a source of aggression, intolerance, and divisiveness - something bad for society. But how accurate is that view? With deep learning and sympathetic understanding, Karen Armstrong sets out to discover the truth about religion and violence in each of the world’s great traditions, taking us on an astonishing journey from prehistoric times to the present.
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Rethinking Violence and Religion
- By Milton Big Elk on 11-05-14
By: Karen Armstrong
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The Story of Russia
- By: Orlando Figes
- Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki
- Length: 12 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
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The Story of Russia is about how the Russians defined themselves―and repeatedly reinvented such definitions along the way. Moving from Russia’s agrarian beginnings in the first millennium to subsequent periods of monarchy, totalitarianism, and perestroika, all the way up to Vladimir Putin and his use of myths of Russian history to bolster his regime, celebrated historian Orlando Figes examines the ideas that have guided the country’s actions.
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Almost perfect…
- By Samantha Dispenzieri on 02-21-23
By: Orlando Figes
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What Is America
- A Short History of the New World Order
- By: Ronald Wright
- Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki
- Length: 6 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
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Ranging with dazzling expertise through anthropology, history, and literature, Wright reconfigures our self-perception, arguing that the "essence" of America can be traced to the foundations of our history--literally to the collision of worlds that began in 1492, as one civilization subsumed another--and exploring how these currents continue to shape our world.
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insightful overview
- By rm3154 on 04-19-12
By: Ronald Wright
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The Jews
- Story of a People
- By: Howard Fast
- Narrated by: Nelson Runger
- Length: 12 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
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“There is no human being on the face of this earth exempt from the Jewish influence. For as long as there has been history, the Jew has wandered through it, shaping it at times, riding the current silently at other times, but always leaving his mark. History without the Jew? It is inconceivable.”—Howard Fast. His popular history brings the history of the Jewish people into focus, from Genesis to contemporary times.
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The Jews: Story of a People
- By SArt on 05-12-12
By: Howard Fast
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The Balkans [Modern Library Chronicles]
- By: Mark Mazower
- Narrated by: Robert O'Keefe
- Length: 6 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
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In this fascinating work, winner of the Wolfson Prize for History Mark Mazower uncovers the history of the Balkans with detail and clarity. He explores the reasons for current conflicts and examines the Balkans as a religious, cultural, and economic melting pot for Europe and Asia. Through Robert O'Keefe's articulate narration, listeners will be absorbed by this rich world.
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Thorough History...
- By David on 09-30-05
By: Mark Mazower
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How the Scots Invented the Modern World
- By: Arthur Herman
- Narrated by: Robert Ian Mackenzie
- Length: 18 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
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Who formed the first literate society? Who invented our modern ideas of democracy and free market capitalism? The Scots. As historian and author Arthur Herman reveals, in the 18th and 19th centuries Scotland made crucial contributions to science, philosophy, literature, education, medicine, commerce, and politics - contributions that have formed and nurtured the modern West ever since. This book is not just about Scotland: it is an exciting account of the origins of the modern world.
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Eagerly Awaited Audiobook
- By Lulu on 09-01-16
By: Arthur Herman
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Incarnations
- India in Fifty Lives
- By: Sunil Khilnani
- Narrated by: Vikas Adam
- Length: 16 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
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For all of India's myths, its sea of stories and moral epics, Indian history remains a curiously unpeopled place. In Incarnations, Sunil Khilnani fills that space, recapturing the human dimension of how the world's largest democracy came to be. His trenchant portraits of emperors, warriors, philosophers, film stars, and corporate titans - some famous, some unjustly forgotten - bring feeling, wry humor, and uncommon insight to dilemmas that extend from ancient times to our own.
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Great listen, the author is biased
- By Anonymous User on 02-15-19
By: Sunil Khilnani
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Islam
- A Short History [Modern Library Chronicles]
- By: Karen Armstrong
- Narrated by: Richard M. Davidson
- Length: 6 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
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Best-selling author and renowned religious scholar Karen Armstrong presents a concise and articulate history of Islam, the world's fastest-growing faith. Beginning with the Prophet Muhammad's flight from Medina and concluding with an examination of modern Islamic practices and concerns, Armstrong delivers an unbiased overview. She contends that no religion is more feared and misunderstood by the Western world as Islam, and firmly challenges the notion that these two civilizations are on a collision course.
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Read the Book, pass on the audible!
- By J********** on 08-21-06
By: Karen Armstrong
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Empires of Trust
- How Rome Built - and America Is Building - a New World
- By: Thomas F. Madden
- Narrated by: Richard Poe
- Length: 12 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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In Empires of Trust, Professor Thomas F. Madden explores surprising parallels between the Roman and American republics. By making friends of enemies and demonstrating a commitment to fairness, the two republics - both "reluctant" yet unquestioned super-powers - built empires based on trust. Madden also includes vital lessons from the Roman Republic's 100-year struggle with "terrorism."
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Bork, Reagan, and Honest of Rome
- By Nelson Alexander on 12-20-08
By: Thomas F. Madden
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The Golden Rhinoceros
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From the birth of Islam in the seventh century to the voyages of European exploration in the 15th, Africa was at the center of a vibrant exchange of goods and ideas. It was an African golden age in which places like Ghana, Nubia, and Zimbabwe became the crossroads of civilizations, and where African royals, thinkers, and artists played celebrated roles in the globalized world of the Middle Ages. The Golden Rhinoceros brings this unsung era marvelously to life, taking listeners from the Sahara and the Nile River Valley to the Ethiopian highlands and Southern Africa.
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Excellent scholarly intro to a medieval Africa
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The Silk Roads
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It was on the Silk Roads that East and West first encountered each other through trade and conquest, leading to the spread of ideas, cultures, and religions. From the rise and fall of empires to the spread of Buddhism and the advent of Christianity and Islam, right up to the great wars of the 20th century - this book shows how the fate of the West has always been inextricably linked to the East.
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An Absolutely SUPERB Book for Lovers of History
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What listeners say about Destiny Disrupted
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall
- Robert
- 04-18-10
Lots of little known information
I thought the author did a great job of laying out the time line.
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3 people found this helpful
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- Ninjachinchin
- 08-23-13
HISTORY...PERSPECTIVE DOES MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
I highly recommend the unabridged audio version as presented from a moderate Muslim’s point of view and read by the author, Mr. Tamim Ansary. His excellent narration and accurate pronunciation of people, places and things only increases the listening experience, which may not have been as enjoyable had another, ‘less-adept’ narrator been chosen for the task. That being said, the information contained in this book deals with 1300 years of human history. True, there are plenty of facts but ‘Destiny Disrupted…’ neither falls into that category of boring text book nor is it a dull book of historic facts. ‘Destiny Disrupted…’ is a kaleidoscope of kingdoms, cultures, campaigns and clashes, ranging from those of Europe, Asia Minor, Persia and ‘Middle World’ (a/k/a Middle East to the West), to the distant lands of India and the Far East.
Through Ansary’s eyes we gain an alternative perspective of the Middle World and as he is equally critical of both Western and Muslim prejudices and dogma, he establishes himself as a trustworthy guide and reporter. This book offers a fulfilling overview, striking the perfect balance between summary and detail, objective reporting and critical analysis; while setting contemporary events and world views into historical context. This is the larger picture most westerners need to hear but unfortunately will never know.
This is important and relevant so if you are ready to put aside the traditional western commentary and you are willing to hear the ‘other side’, then you are ready to be enlightened and so this book is for you.
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2 people found this helpful
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- steamer.ssf
- 10-27-18
Excellent, Unbiased East & West Historical Narratives
I found this to be superlative summaries of East and West histories. I like how coverage of both was unbiased, chronological, and logically showing how the nexus of both civilizations effected and was perceived by each side. I enjoyed the perspective from an Eastern point of view as well as listening to the author narrating at 1.25 speed. A very enjoyable history book/listen.
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- WISDOC
- 01-04-18
A common sense voice
An explanation of the lack of cultural understanding between the Islamic emotionally orientated thinking and western rationality. One of the most useful books in understanding how the cultural views are incompatible.
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- Rena Alisa
- 01-10-15
An Insider's view of Islam
The author, Tamim Ansary, is a devout Muslim. Born in the Middle East, he is now a professor of Islamic studies and history in the US. He lives in two worlds. In this lucid and well written book, he attempts to describe the history, sociology, and general world view of Islam. This is a tall order, but he does it well.
In the author's view the values of the Islamic world are innately different than the values of the West. The central feature is the "Uma" -- the collective society. The aim of the Uma is to care for all of it's members. To do this requires unity and a traditional code of conduct. Women are supposed to be closeted and home oriented. Individuals are supposed to follow community rules for the good of all. Religion is the primary socializing force and so the religious leaders must be in charge.
The author does not promote Islamic ideals over those of Western Democracy. He is just trying to explain how we arrived where we are today. I am writing this review during the Jan.8th 2015 hostage crisis in Paris. So this book is very relevant. Intellectually, Tamim Ansary seems totally in tune with the free values of his adopted country. Emotionally he seems to long for the social closeness and safety of his Islamic heritage. But you really cannot have it both ways.
This book has helped me understand the current news much better. However it does not offer any solutions.
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- eliz
- 11-11-14
A far too hidden perspective
Any additional comments?
I was very glad to read history from the level-headed Arabic perspective of Tamin Ansary. Though i read a lot of history, I was grateful to have his perspective and I look forward to reading more by him.
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- Jody H. Grady
- 04-27-18
brilliant
compelling narrative. uniquely balanced perspective, and strong (but understated) reading made this the best listen I've had on audible in years.
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- Jerry
- 12-26-18
Very informative
excellent read, sheds new light on Muslim history and its recent interaction with western civilization
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- Rob
- 08-06-18
Fills an overlooked perspective: Non-Eurocentric!
I love world history and really enjoy reading about everything from ancient Rome to the World Wars. However, I find nearly all histories written in English take a firmly Eurocentric perspective. This book doesn't start with the Greeks or Romans. It doesn't paint the colonizing monarchies of Western Europe as the "good guys" (it also doesn't specifically paint them as the bad guys either).
This book touches on all of the history that you learned in school but tells the story from the perspective of the Muslim world. I'd recommend it to any Westerner who is interested in learning something new about World History and wants to find a good place to start.
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- Hampus Josserand
- 10-21-14
The book really needed to be a bit longer
it really needed to be a bit longer and in depth. I wish he would have gone further lengths in the details of Islamic history in contrast to european.
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