The Swerve

How the World Became Modern

By: Stephen Greenblatt

Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini

Length: 9 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

Pulitzer Prize, General Nonfiction, 2012

National Book Award, Nonfiction, 2012

Renowned historian Stephen Greenblatt’s works shoot to the top of the New York Times best-seller list. With The Swerve, Greenblatt transports listeners to the dawn of the Renaissance and chronicles the life of an intrepid book lover who rescued the Roman philosophical text On the Nature of Things from certain oblivion.

Nearly six hundred years ago, a short, genial, cannily alert man in his late 30s took a very old manuscript off a library shelf, saw with excitement what he had discovered, and ordered that it be copied. That book was the last surviving manuscript of an ancient Roman philosophical epic by Lucretius—a beautiful poem containing the most dangerous ideas: that the universe functioned without the aid of gods, that religious fear was damaging to human life, and that matter was made up of very small particles in eternal motion, colliding and swerving in new directions.

The copying and translation of this ancient book—the greatest discovery of the greatest book-hunter of his age—fueled the Renaissance, inspiring artists such as Botticelli and thinkers such as Giordano Bruno; shaped the thought of Galileo and Freud, Darwin and Einstein; and had a revolutionary influence on writers such as Montaigne and Shakespeare, and even Thomas Jefferson.

©2011 Stephen Greenblatt (P)2011 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"More wonderfully illuminating Renaissance history from a master scholar and historian." ( Kirkus Reviews)

"In this gloriously learned page-turner, both biography and intellectual history, Harvard Shakespearean scholar Greenblatt turns his attention to the front end of the Renaissance as the origin of Western culture's foundation: the free questioning of truth." ( Publishers Weekly)

“Pleasure may or may not be the true end of life, but for book lovers, few experiences can match the intellectual-aesthetic enjoyment delivered by a well-wrought book. In the world of serious nonfiction, Stephen Greenblatt is a pleasure maker without peer.” ( Newsday)

A history of a philosophy

The background story revealing a an ancient poem of significance in human philosophy is quite interesting. However, the emphasis of the philosophy lacks perspective with other modes of thought as to our world.

Nevertheless, the book is valuable to explain something that most should learn from.

Wonderful history

A beautiful book. Instilled a desire to learn Latin. Kidding aside a great history giving a clear and sympathetic outline of epicureanism. A book that if you are interested in the history of ideas similar to what James Burke ( Connections ) presents then this is your book.

Worth reading multiple times!

The knowledge to be gained from the stories of this book is vast and, although from times long past, still very appropro to all humans today. It is among my favorite books. The performance is also impeccable and the reader's mastery of both English and Italian is superb.

Great story with powerful iimplications

Where does The Swerve rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One ot the most engaging non fiction audio books I have listened to. I listened to it twice this past weekend and will listen to it again.

Have you listened to any of Edoardo Ballerini’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No but Edoardo Ballerini"s natation here is perfect. I will be on the lookout for other audio books narrated by him.

Any additional comments?

It is amazing that it took 2,000 years for the west to get back to the level of intelectual and observational intelegence that the Greeks and Romans had attained. It is also amazing that Stephan Greenblatt can tell this story so engagingly.

A Treasure of Insights

An exceptionally eloquent journey back to the discovery of a long lost poem that contained the essential elements of modern thought— and how it changed the world. You will recognize your own world better when you return ...

Heavy Breathing Detracts from Great Book

Where does The Swerve rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of my favorite non-fiction books.

What other book might you compare The Swerve to and why?

Destiny Disrupted. Both presented historic facts like a dramatic story (in a good way).

What aspect of Edoardo Ballerini’s performance would you have changed?

Improve breathing, eliminate heavy breaths.

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

No.

A fascinating view of an interesting idea

An interesting history of a book and its impact very enjoyable. I found the interweave of history and idea fascinating

Brilliant Look at Modernism

A comprehensive look at how chance, courage and determination cause the re-publication of “On the Nature of Things” by Lucretius. Pair with “Cloud Cuckoo Land” by Doerr.

Thought provoking, entertaining, and well performed.

I enjoyed this title and its performance.
This audio book is worth the credit used and time spent listening.

Very good but didn't meet my high expectations

This book was very good, in parts excellent, but it wasn't as captivating as I had thought it would be based on the description. Somehow I was convinced it was going to be the greatest book ever! There were definitely sections that dragged and I wasn't always able to keep track of where we were in time. But the book did introduce me to Lucretius, which counts for a lot. I found the narrator's pace a bit slow at first, but I got used to it and he certainly has a beautiful voice.