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The Rise and Fall of Alexandria
- Birthplace of the Modern Mind
- Narrated by: Simon Vance
- Length: 11 hrs and 30 mins
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Publisher's summary
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.
Critic reviews
"A nourishing account." (Publishers Weekly)
"Classical history buffs will savor this survey." (Booklist)
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Mesopotamia: A Captivating Guide to Ancient Mesopotamian History and Civilizations, Including the Sumerians and Sumerian Mythology, Gilgamesh, Ur, Assyrians, Babylon, Hammurabi and the Persian Empire
- By: Captivating History
- Narrated by: Richard Savage, Desmond Manny, Duke Holm, and others
- Length: 21 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
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Taken together, the civilizations of Sumer, Assyria, and Persia have helped form the modern makeup of Mesopotamia, western Asia, and the world. However, to really understand why things are the way they are, it’s important to break up this historical timeline and spend some time learning about each society. Only by doing this will you be able to fully appreciate the powerful impact these ancient peoples had on our modern world.
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“Divulian”?
- By SBrown on 03-20-19
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The House of Wisdom
- How the Arabs Transformed Western Civilization
- By: Jonathan Lyons
- Narrated by: Jay Snyder
- Length: 9 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
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Here is the remarkable story of how medieval Arab scholars made dazzling advances in science and philosophy, and of the itinerant Europeans who brought this knowledge back to the West. For centuries following the fall of Rome, Western Europe was a benighted backwater, a world of subsistence farming, minimal literacy, and violent conflict. Meanwhile, Arab culture was thriving, dazzling those Europeans fortunate enough to catch even a glimpse.
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Missing history
- By Robert on 11-26-11
By: Jonathan Lyons
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Sailing from Byzantium
- How a Lost Empire Shaped the World
- By: Colin Wells
- Narrated by: Lloyd James
- Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins
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A gripping intellectual adventure story, Sailing from Byzantium sweeps you from the deserts of Arabia to the dark forests of northern Russia, from the colorful towns of Renaissance Italy to the final moments of a millennial city under siege.
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The Missing Years
- By Nikoli Gogol on 12-29-07
By: Colin Wells
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The Cave and the Light
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- Narrated by: Paul Hecht
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The Cave and the Light reveals how two Greek philosophers became the twin fountainheads of Western culture, and how their rivalry gave Western civilization its unique dynamism down to the present.
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All of Western Philosphy Leads to Ayn Rand?!?
- By Leslie on 06-22-15
By: Arthur Herman
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The Written World
- The Power of Stories to Shape People, History, Civilization
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- Narrated by: Arthur Morey
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Martin Puchner leads us on a remarkable journey through time and around the globe to reveal the powerful role stories and literature have played in creating the world we have today. Puchner introduces us to numerous visionaries as he explores 16 foundational texts selected from more than 4,000 years of world literature and reveals how writing has inspired the rise and fall of empires and nations, the spark of philosophical and political ideas, and the birth of religious beliefs. Indeed, literature has touched generations and changed the course of history.
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Powerful and illuminating!
- By Gloria J. Petit-Clair on 12-04-17
By: Martin Puchner
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Hadrian and the Triumph of Rome
- By: Anthony Everitt
- Narrated by: John Curless
- Length: 14 hrs and 23 mins
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Overall
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Performance
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Acclaimed British historian Anthony Everitt delivers a compelling account of the former orphan who became Roman emperor in A.D. 117 after the death of his guardian Trajan. Hadrian strengthened Rome by ending territorial expansion and fortifying existing borders. And - except for the uprising he triggered in Judea - his strength-based diplomacy brought peace to the realm after a century of warfare.
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A Biography "too tall for the height of the cella"
- By Darwin8u on 08-23-12
By: Anthony Everitt
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The Sign and the Seal
- The Quest for the Lost Ark of the Covenant
- By: Graham Hancock
- Narrated by: Steven Crossley
- Length: 21 hrs and 31 mins
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The fate of the Lost Ark of the Covenant is one of the great historical mysteries of all time. The Bible contains hundreds of references to the Ark's power, but the Ark itself mysteriously disappears from recorded history sometime after the building of the Temple of Solomon. After 10 years of searching through the dusty archives of Europe and the Middle East, Graham Hancock has succeeded where scores of others have failed. This intrepid journalist has tracked down the true story behind the myths and legends - revealing where the Ark is today, how it got there, and why it remains hidden.
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Ridiculous.
- By D. MacNair on 11-09-19
By: Graham Hancock
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Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea
- Why the Greeks Matter
- By: Thomas Cahill
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 7 hrs and 35 mins
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Best selling history writer Thomas Cahill continues his series on the roots of Western civilization with this volume about the contributions of ancient Greece to the development of contemporary culture. Tracing the origin of Greek culture in the migrations of armed Indo-European horsemen into Attica and the Peloponnesian peninsula, he follows their progress into the creation of the Greek city-states, the refinement of their machinery of war, and the flowering of intellectual and artistic culture.
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Super super
- By Richard on 12-28-03
By: Thomas Cahill
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Ibn Khaldun
- An Intellectual Biography
- By: Robert Irwin
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Ibn Khaldun (1332-1406) is generally regarded as the greatest intellectual ever to have appeared in the Arab world - a genius who ranks as one of the world's great minds. Yet the author of the Muqaddima, the most important study of history ever produced in the Islamic world, is not as well known as he should be, and his ideas are widely misunderstood. In this groundbreaking intellectual biography, Robert Irwin provides an engaging and authoritative account of Ibn Khaldun's extraordinary life, times, writings, and ideas.
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Issues with accuracy, pronounciation
- By Moh 3aly on 01-02-19
By: Robert Irwin
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What listeners say about The Rise and Fall of Alexandria
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall
- Leslie
- 10-17-07
entertaining
I loved this book. I learned so much about ancient history. And who knew that Reid and Pollard could make it so interesting. I was hooked from the moment it started and I was pleasantly suprised that it was such a intriguing and effortless read. But then, all history should be like that.
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18 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Wolfpacker
- 08-12-10
Packed Full of History, Science, Math, Philosophy
If you want to know more about this incredible place and time for all of the above subjects as well as an interesting interplay of Judaism, Christianity, and Paganism, this is a great one-stop source. I learned much about the great minds of the past and the context of their discoveries.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Kendra
- 03-17-11
Fantastic
This is a broad, sweeping history from the foundation of Alexandria, to the invasion of Islam. It gives a good picture of the thinking of the hellenized world. I did not realize how much like them we are.
That the ancient world could have known so much and then have it forgotton, not to be rediscovered for a thousand years, is a sad and uncomforting thought.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall
- George
- 05-18-09
Some of what was lost, is FOUND by the authors
This book tied together lots of history for me, including how Greece, Rome and Christianity fit together. I didn't realize how much of "Greek" history was Alexandrian and I was shocked by the number of great thinkers that came through this city.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall
- brett
- 04-29-07
Excellent
I really enjoyed this book. Its the kind of history writing that I find very appealing, its colorful, insightful and factual without becoming too dry and scholarly. The narration is superb. A very engrossing an entertaining book!
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40 people found this helpful
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- ebeth
- 11-29-17
Great tale
Well written history of Alexandria and the philosophers and thinkers who originated there. Covers from Alexander to Hepatia. The famous ancient library and schools feature prominantly.
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- Caedmon
- 12-08-21
enlightening, in spite of bias
Excellent storytelling. In spite of the authors' clear Secular bias, this book provides an informative chronological overview, pegs on which to hang many of the great names and events of the ancient world.
The narrator is perfect.
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- Sean Rockey
- 02-26-23
Alexandria is our history
It’s enlightening to learn how much knowledge has been lost because the religions of the world can not get along
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Overall
- Chidi Jenkins-Johnston
- 08-19-08
The Best Book I have read in a long time!!!
This book is fantastic!! Like all of us I am a lover of history but this book ranks in my top ten and I would advise everyone to read it.
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9 people found this helpful
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- Rickapolis
- 10-05-11
Absolute Winner
Any additional comments?
This is just a terrific listen. I'm afraid I'm only echoing the earlier reviews, but that's because I agree with them totally. If all books of history were written like this kids would be lining up to read (or listen to) them. Pollard and Reid make every chapter fascinating. I cussed out loud when my iPod died in the middle of it. I recommend this to anyone who likes history. Plus, Simon Vance reads in his irresistable manner. Five starts all the way down the line. Rick
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2 people found this helpful