Emperor

A New Life of Charles V

By: Geoffrey Parker

Narrated by: Nigel Patterson

Length: 26 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

The life of Emperor Charles V (1500-1558), ruler of Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and much of Italy and Central and South America, has long intrigued biographers. But the elusive nature of the man (despite an abundance of documentation), his relentless travel and the control of his own image, together with the complexity of governing the world's first transatlantic empire, complicate the task.

Geoffrey Parker, one of the world's leading historians of early modern Europe, has examined the surviving written sources in Dutch, French, German, Italian, Latin, and Spanish, as well as visual and material evidence. He explores the crucial decisions that created and preserved this vast empire, analyzes Charles' achievements within the context of both personal and structural factors, and scrutinizes the intimate details of the ruler's life for clues to his character and inclinations. The result is a unique biography that interrogates every dimension of Charles' reign and views the world through the emperor's own eyes.

©2019 Geoffrey Parker (P)2019 Tantor

Critic reviews

"This is a splendid book. It's well-written, engaging the reader, even while marshalling to good use a truly impressive erudition...." (James D. Tracy, author of Emperor Charles V)

best read on Charles V

best narrated book on Charles v. overall excellent historical background on family and the habsburgs.

Interesting story about a historical person

I liked the book. It was very detailed. I did find it a little repetitious but still enjoyed it.

Excellent

Excellent writing, it is thorough without taxing. It is also beautiful writing. The reading is superb.

Excellent biography

I really appreciate the style by Parker. He brings Charles to life with great skill. Narration is also flawless.

A book both well written and well read

A book both well written and well read. Nigel Patterson does a tremendous job here.

Cool

It's really good but it needs some pictures to make the story more interesting and fun...😉

Great overall

Excellent popular biography that shows notable familiarity with primary sources and adequately contextualizes the life and legacy of Charles V. I would have appreciated more engagement with the key figures and ideas of the reformation in Germany and the inquisition in Spain. Perhaps also with the theological questions and challenges behind the debates over the treatment of the indigenous population of Spanish America. Engagement with church politics in Italy was also reductionistic at some points. Otherwise, very solid work.

Fascinating

A thoroughly engrossing account of Charles V’s life during a historical time of epic multi-dynastic struggles, religious upheavals, geographic discoveries. A exceedingly well researched, profound contribution to the history of the time, yet also accessible to the non- historian.

Excellent Content and Narration

Narration: Nigel Patterson is great, does a great job on emphasis and story development

The content is great for the historical reader. Germany, Spain, Reformation, Netherlands, France, England, Papacy, and Ottoman politics in depth. You almost can't say you know the Renaissance period without knowing this story.

You also get great context on the importance and management of the New World for Charles V. It was actually quite the side show. You get awesome clarity on the age of exploration and how it unfolded within the framework of the dynastic struggle in Europe.

You will probably enter the book with England, France, Spain, and Austria as the major players in Europe.. But what you leave understanding is that (to the leaders) the most important thing was House of Tutor, House of Hapsburg, House of Trastamara, and House of Valois. The players were not religious or national zealots. They were political and dynastic tigers, some extremely slimy. France was selling out Christians to Ottoman allies. Even the interpretation of Luther was wrapped in Dynastic colors as much as religious.

Great book

Probably better "read" with the eyes

I love audiobooks and this one is well done. However, when the timeline jumps around topically, it can be confusing for a bit until you realize that the topic has caused a jump backwards in the timeline. Since I often multi-task when listening to audiobooks, I think that I personally would have done better to have read this one with my eyes rather than as an audiobook.