The Development of European Civilization

By: Kenneth R. Bartlett, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Kenneth R. Bartlett

Length: 24 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

In almost every way that matters, historical Europe was the laboratory in which the world you now live in was conceived and tested. And you'll be living with the consequences for the rest of your life. These 48 lectures lead you through the doors of that laboratory and guide you through the development of Europe from the late Middle Ages through the eve of World War II.

As you follow Professor Bartlett through the dramatic story of European history, you'll learn about the major ideologies and "isms" that bubbled forth from Europe's constantly fermenting cauldron of debate and conflict, including absolutism, scientism, rationalism, capitalism, nationalism, liberalism, and totalitarianism. You'll investigate the forces that intermingled to create the Industrial Revolution and the accompanying economic and social upheavals that would, in turn, create so many more. You'll also make sense of the European ideologies of government, including the rule of law, the concept of "the consent of the governed," taxation, an independent judiciary, and other concepts. You'll explore the new roles for religion in European life, from the end of the traditional union of altar and throne to great upheavals such as the Protestant Reformation and the Great Schism. And you'll witness the evolution of the European class system, which influenced the social forces that swirled around it just as much as it was influenced by them.

Rather than offering a laundry list of dates, events, and famous individuals, Professor Bartlett leaves you instead with an understanding of historical and social causality. More important: He offers you the chance to experience Europe's development from a European perspective.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2011 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2011 The Great Courses

Great experience

This is an excellent , intellectually based approach to European history. The professor is in full command. There is not a single boring lecture: all are stimulating. There are facts, but it is ideas which are emphasized. I recommend it very highly. I will listen to it again, I'm sure.

10/10 would recommend

I loved this course! I used it for studying for my AP European History class, and it was insanely helpful.

Very good history here

Solid book with tons of facts and details…. Knows the Eritrean continent and history v well.

Excellent survey course

Professor Bartlett organized his course around the religious, social and scientific beliefs and theories that emerged and morphed during the long period under review. The emerging value systems challenged the orthodoxy of the time and explain the conflicts and insurrections that mark Europe's history and justify its characterization as "the dangerous continent."
Professor Bartlett's lectures were well organized and well-delivered with occasional snippets of wry humor. A very competent treatment of the subject matter!

Amazing

What did you love best about The Development of European Civilization?

Everything

What did you like best about this story?

All of it

Have you listened to any of Professor Kenneth R. Bartlett’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

i loved it.

Any additional comments?

This is wonderful and is a perfect recap. I wish everyone had listened to this.

Interesting Course

Overall, this is an interesting course and was worth my time. The goal of the course is to explain the development of European civilization over an approximately five hundred year period. The course assumes a basic knowledge of European history, so this is not the place to start if you do not already have a good overview. I'm docking the course one star because the professor is at times a little too opinionated or conclusory in his interpretation of events. I like this course best for the way that it pulls different aspects of European history over the last half-millennium into one course with an attempt to weave the experiences of disparate groups into one. He achieves this by looking at the development of Germany, Italy, Spain, France and England for the most part. Again, this is not for a beginner in history, but it provides new perspectives to people with a good basic understanding of European history.

The Development of Some European Civilizarion

A fine job with the dominant European cultures, such as Britain, France, and Germany, with less emphasis on the other European states.

Interesting synthesis

What other book might you compare The Development of European Civilization to and why?

Along the lines of a Western Civ class.

Any additional comments?

Along the lines of a Western Civ class. The professor does a great job discussing the underlying developments and themes of European history.

Fascinating high level tour of historical Europe

Prof. Bartlett gives a set of fascinating lectures on European history and civilization. He has a wonderful lecturing voice and the lectures are well planned and very interesting.

From my perspective, it would help to have some background in European history first, so I wouldn't use this as a first lecture series for a homeschooler or someone new to European history. (I would recommend as an intro Daileader's three- part series on the middle ages and Bartlett's series on the Italian Renaissance.)

This was one of my favorite courses to listen to in the evening while winding down.

Gives good background but very narrow

Bartlett seems to think Europe was all about organized religion. He covers well the importance of the Italian peninsula. Since his Ph.D. Is from the same university as his job, His knowledge is very much a product of educational inbreeding.