The Time Traveller's Guide to Medieval England

A Handbook for Visitors to the Fourteenth Century

By: Ian Mortimer

Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble

Length: 11 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

Imagine you could travel back to the 14th century. What would you see? What would you smell? More to the point, where are you going to stay? And what are you going to eat?

Ian Mortimer shows us that the past is not just something to be studied; it is also something to be lived. He sets out to explain what life was like in the most immediate way, through taking you to the Middle Ages.

The result is the most astonishing social history book you are ever likely to read: evolutionary in its concept, informative and entertaining in its detail, and startling for its portrayal of humanity in an age of violence, exuberance and fear.

©2008 Ian Mortimer (P)2009 Isis Publishing Ltd

Critic reviews

"A jaunty journey through the 14th century, one that wriggles with the stuff of everyday life." ( Guardian)

Loved every second

Really fantastic narrative method Mortimer writes in. Was a joy from beginning to end. Worth the trip.

You won't know it's a history book.

one of the better history books I've heard in a long time. takes you on a journey through medieval England. The 1300s come alive as you walk through the village into their homes of the peasants and nobility.
a impulse by that I completely enjoyed. Definitely worth the credit

Full of anecdotes and stories

What did you love best about The Time Traveller's Guide to Medieval England?

I have been a teacher of history of England and France for over 40 years and found the flow and anecdotal information to be interesting, enlightening, and even more fun to listen.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Time Traveller's Guide to Medieval England?

EVERY Chapter

Informative, Entertaining

I’ve no real complaints. That’s rare - and perhaps a personal failing and something I ought to work on - but regardless, this book was a joy. Well written. Well narrated. Well researched. And I’m sure a long list of other well-done things. If you’re contemplating a listen, trust me, just go for it. Well worth it.

Travel 700 Years Into The Past - First Class!

What made the experience of listening to The Time Traveller's Guide to Medieval England the most enjoyable?

The narrator deftly balanced delicate humor with reflective amazement (to we 21st century dwellers) about this epochal century - plus his English accent made me feel he was talking about his ancestors!

What other book might you compare The Time Traveller's Guide to Medieval England to and why?

The "Time Traveller" concept is unique - but the historical treatments of other Audible.com selections of Constantine and the French Revolution and Isaac Newton's England come close.

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

No - but I would download any Audible.com selection he reads solely on this recitation.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Time Travel to the 14th Century

Any additional comments?

I want more "Time Traveller" books to different centuries!

The Perfect Fantasy Writer / Roleplayer's Book

Cannot recommend this enough. Deserves several awards both as a book and as an audiobook.

Geniusly written.
Wonderfully narrated.
Will be making heavy use of the knowledge I have learned with this book to become a better Roleplayer, GameMaster, Fantasy Writer, and Game Writer.

I cannot express how entertaining, informative, and intelligent the author is.

Narrator did a perfect job with the right tone and personality.

Thanks to Metatron on YouTube for referring me to this book. A must buy in both physical and audio formats.

What a trip!

I throughly enjoyed this book. As an American, the history of England (and Europe) feels a little overwhelming with so much to take in. Learning from the perspective of "living it", at least for me, was a great way to explore a world that seemed so foreign and bring it to life. A definite must in your library for your studies of English history.

Immersive and massively educational

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Covering every aspect of the prime era of Medieval England, this completely immersive book is amazing. Ian Mortimer puts you on the streets, describing everything from castles to commoners. If you're an Anglophile or a history fan, this one's for you.

Who was your favorite character and why?

As an informative book, there was no particular character. England herself was the character, and she's beautiful in any era.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

I've listened to both Mortimer's "Time Traveler's" books, and I prefer this reader to the one who did the Guide to Elizabethan England (but it was also brilliant)

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

Although everything is described in amazing detail, I still longed for a time machine so I could see it with my own eyes.

Everything you wanted to know about the 1300's

Exceptionally interesting and well presented monologue covering a period of interest for me. The author touches on the "why" as well as the "what".

A glorious look at where we come from

If you think times are hard now hahahaha
This book takes you on a stinking joyful perilous terrifying bittersweet journey into the past
I wish some things were still in practice but that is a different and darker story