Heroes

From Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar to Churchill and de Gaulle

By: Paul Johnson

Narrated by: James Adams

In this enlightening and entertaining work, Johnson presents heroism through examples in history. From Alexander to Joan of Arc and George Washington to Marilyn Monroe, here are men and women from every age and corner of the world who have inspired and transformed their cultures and the world itself.©2007 Paul Johnson (P)2007 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Good stories, but not well delineated

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Breaking each individual covered into a chapter would have been helpful for the purposes of learning and memory. For now, these all flow together into one long narrative, and I have trouble separating out names/dates/chronology of these historical figures.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Less of the dramatized stories of British nobility. Good for entertainment, but few takeaways.

Broad collection of interesting essays

Johnson covers much ground rampaging through history discussing innumerable historical figures and their heroic significance. The work of a towering intellect, it requires full attention.

The best narrator yet. Perfect for the author.

Exceptional narration and an incredible narrative from a favorite historian! I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys learning from and emulating the greats of history.

Concise, varied history of the Hero

Paul Johnson’s abilities to make history a lively story is well known and much appreciated. His common sense and well balanced approach to me is an antidote to the Left.

I had just finished Mr. Johnson’s A History of the American People which I found to be superb, and a needed counterbalance to the propaganda and hatred apparently of all things American Howard Zin’s grim view of America.
I found the Heroes from the Biblical
, Roman, world war times to be the most fascinating for me because that was the weakest area of my knowledge. I also appreciated that he brought women -Heroins into the fold of people who changed their times.

For me, the latter part of the book showcasing the women who gave salons, Paris, and then London we’re interesting but not quite as dramatically important in my mind. p
Perhaps two or three could’ve been left out and it would’ve improved the book. On the other hand, the biblical women were ferocious and amazing to read about that section was very stimulating to listen to an area. I knew absolutely nothing about, so I appreciate his bringing the powerful women into the fold of being a hero.

Very good although somewhat puzzling

I seem to be out of sync with the other reviewers. I really enjoyed this book although it was not what I expected based on the title. And I am puzzled as to why some of those listed as heroes were included and why some others were not.

Nevertheless the short histories and vignettes given for each taught me much that I did not know of the people involved, it is, as all of Paul Johnson's works, well written and very well narrated.

But do not expect a deep examination of the concept of "hero" or consistent explanations as to why some people are included. If you can just relax and listen to the book you may enjoy it as much as I did.