The Rise and Fall of Alexandria

Birthplace of the Modern Mind

By: Justin Pollard, Howard Reid

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 11 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

Founded by Alexander the Great and built by self-styled Greek pharaohs, the city of Alexandria at its height dwarfed both Athens and Rome. It was the marvel of its age, legendary for its vast palaces, safe harbors, and magnificent lighthouse. But it was most famous for the astonishing intellectual efflorescence it fostered and the library it produced. If the European Renaissance was the "rebirth" of Western culture, then Alexandria, Egypt, was its birthplace.

It was here mankind first discovered that the earth was not flat, originated atomic theory, invented geometry, systematized grammar, translated the Old Testament into Greek, built the steam engine, and passed their discoveries on to future generations via the written word. Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, Cleopatra, Jewish scholars, Greek philosophers, and devout early Christians all play a part in the rise and fall of the city that stood "at the conjunction of the whole world". Sparkling with fresh insights into science, philosophy, culture, and invention, this is an irresistible, edifying delight.

©2006 Justin Pollard and Howard Reid (P)2006 Tantor Media, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A nourishing account." (Publishers Weekly)
"Classical history buffs will savor this survey." (Booklist)

A history of Alexandria of the highest order

If you are someone who treasures knowledge, wisdom, and the freedom to pursue those endeavors, this book will find you at times delighted with joy, and brimming with anger and sadness. It is hard to believe that our predecessors of 2000+ years ago had a dream creating a city of knowledge for the sake of knowledge, only to see it crushed by brutes, tyrants, and religious zealots.

The first 3/4th of the book provides a breathtakingly and painstakingly thorough view of the most amazing city ever conceived. But of course, since we all know how the story ends, there is a lingering sadness throughout, when you come to term with how much has been lost.

It is also eerie to read about how very similar the early Christian practitioners (in conjunction with the Roman Empire) were to current day ISIS followers, in their wanton destruction of anything that went against their teachings. If you are a modern day Christian, who has turned a blind eye to your own faith’s dark history, this book will beautifully crack the veneer and show that idolatry and blind faith have been the enemy of scholarship, wisdom, and philosophy for millennia, and that acts of despicable cruelty and intellectual suppression are not exclusive to adherents of the Muslim faith.

#Provocative #antiquity #ancientegypt #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

Unexpectedly Fascinating

Any additional comments?

I bought this cheap during one of Audible's sales, and then it just sat while I chose everything else I had to listen to first. Then I started listening and couldn't stop. This book incorporates much of the history of the classical world and how it all affected the truly worldly city of Alexandria. Anyone who enjoys classical history will enjoy this book.

Good collection of biographies on Alexandrians

What made the experience of listening to The Rise and Fall of Alexandria the most enjoyable?

The lives of so many wonderful geniuses living in a city which for al practical purposes was a gigantic university campus; and the first one at that.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Rise and Fall of Alexandria?

The overall plan Ptolemy I Soter had for his city and the wonderful but sad life of Hypatia.

Would you be willing to try another one of Simon Vance’s performances?

I've already heard some. He is a skilled reader, albeit quite at a loss when it comes to pronouncing certain household ancient names like Archimedes. He should have been thoroughly coached on this.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Hypatia's death and the rule of Ptolemy IV. It was painful to see such an extraordinary project go to waste because of mere sloth and ineptitude.

Any additional comments?

Mr Vance needs coaching when it comes to pronouncing standard ancient Greek names.

Wonderful and refreshing! 5 stars

Puts the pieces together of how an enlightened society plummeted into the dark ages setting mankind back a millennia. The narrator Simon Vance turns what could have been just history into an exciting adventure that takes you far away from where you are.

A wonderfull walk

Highly recommend to anyone interested in history, any history. I throw my hat in with the other reviewers, this book is how history should be written. It ties facts with what you know so that you find yourself nodding and wondering why you had not figured that one out. They weave their narrative with events, people and places so well that you feel you know where they are taking you but lighting up sights you have never seen. For ancient history buffs it is a must read.

Nothing helps a good book like a good narrator. Simon Vance has been and continues to be at the top of this profession. With 152 narrations on audible I have a lot of listening to do.

Birthplace Of Knowledge

Some might feel that Alexandria was not the start of the modern thinking mind. I differ on that feeling. This book points out the reasons for that sentiment. This was the place where all the original thinkers came from. Yes, Greece started it, but Alexandria completes it. This book is excellent and covers everything a person would want to know about ancient Alexandria and more. This book also serves as a good lead-in to any history of the Roman Empire as well. The narration is good. The book never lags in its coverage of this magnificent city and all the treasures it holds for the listener. I say enjoy. Worth the listen!

A rare topic

This is a gratifying read on a fascinating place and time. I had always wondered about the great library in Alexandria and always greatly mourned its demise. The great library's destruction is one of mankind's greatest losses! This read actually covers quite a bit on the time period putting context on this amazing city's rise and fall. An enriching read. Recommended.

What a sad and tragic tale.

The story of Alexandria is far larger and richer than I had imagined. This book could have gone on for 22 hours and still not felt too long or too detailed. Well told, complete with the back stories and sidebars, the personalities and history.

It is interesting to hear how even in 177AD was talking about how low brow (intellectually) Christianity was. How it seemed to seek out those least disposed to reasoning, something we see today with the Republican party and the religious "Right".

If we could only learn from history, maybe we wouldn't have to destroy our country like the Romans and Christians destroyed Alexandria.

Very well written

Keeps the listener entertained.Fast paced knowledge that'll keep you in front of the learning curve!

Enjoyable if you like history.

An interesting well written and read piece on Egypt and the region, however it is not a significant work, such as Gibbons Decline and Fall, it is more a missing addendum to that work. What it portrays is that the Alexandrian effect whilst important was time based over a relatively short span, vis a vis the Roman Empire which left a lasting mark on our civilization.