The Birth of the Modern

World Society 1815–1830

De: Paul Johnson

Narrado por: Wanda McCaddon

This is an extraordinary chronicle of the fifteen years, 1815–1830, that laid the foundations of modern society. It is a history of people, ideas, politics, manners, morals, economics, art, science and technology, diplomacy, business and commerce, literature, and revolution.

From Wellington at Waterloo and Jackson at New Orleans to the surge of democratic power and reform, this tumultuous period saw the United States transform itself from an ex-colony into a formidable nation, Britain become the first industrial world power, Russia develop the fatal flaws that would engulf her in the twentieth century, and China and Japan set the stage for future development and catastrophe. Provocative, challenging, and listenable, this remarkable story is told through the lives and actions of its outstanding, curious, and ordinary people.

Paul Johnson is a historian whose work ranges over the millennia and the whole gamut of human activities. He regularly writes book reviews for several UK magazines and newspapers, such as the Literary Review and the Spectator, and he lectures around the world. He lives in London.

©1991 Paul Johnson (P)1991 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“A colossal effort of energy and imagination.” (Hugh Thomas, author of Rivers of Gold)

“Fascinating…A savory social history, spiced with lively gossip…It is never dull. In many ways a tour de force.” ( New York Times Book Review)

Amazing…Crowded with wonderful portraiture, heroic feats of intellect and imagination…Reads at times like one of the novels it describes so brilliantly.” ( Wall Street Journal)

Great!

Heavy stuff, but brilliant analysis. Leads one to wish to hear more and more history by Johnson.

the most interesting history book I've ever read

Any additional comments?

This book pretty much deals with just fifteen years in the history of (mostly) the English speaking world, but it's a most fascinating fifteen years. I found this read so satisfying, so full of "I never knew thats", so clear and thorough in its recounting of every facet of the history of this time: of its technical developments, its intellectual inventiveness, its social conceits, its political and geographic changes, its influence on the years that followed. The early nineteenth century transitioning into the industrial revolution has always been one of my favorite times in the history of the world, here so well told by a meticulous historian who is also a most talented storyteller, that I felt like a time-traveler being treated to a visit back to the years 1815 to 1830. I read this book with delight, then reread it once and then again because it's so rich in detail and because those few years made such a difference in the direction the world headed from there. I am neither historian nor particularly a history geek; but this is the way I think all history ought to be written. I enjoyed this history more than any other I have ever read. Please! More from this author.

The way all history books should be written

I had put this book in my wish list about a year and a half ago (based on an Audible suggestion), but had hesitated to purchase it because of its length. Other histories of this length that I have listened to seem to have long dreary parts that make listening painful. This is not the case with this book. The writing is lively and insightful and the narrator, a brit, has a crisp enjoyable voice with impeccable diction. I walk out of doors; so this is critical for me.
Johnson illustrates the fifteen years of his book with a clever weave of the arts, science, technology, politics, sex, war and revolution. He lets the protagonists speak for themselves and is not circumspect with his opinions or the opinions of contemporaries. Having finished this book, I feel that I have a solid sense of the period, what happened, what people thought and did and how society changed.

Recommend for serious history buffs

It's difficult for me to review this one because it took me so, so long to get through. When this book gripped me, it was great; but there were many times where I had difficulty keeping my attention focused. There's definitely a lot to learn from this book; great detail. But I wouldn't call this a page turner; again, with the exception of those times where it gets really interesting. This is a very long book and it will introduce you to many names. I would also suggest that the reader not "speed listen" to this one. If you truly want to get all of this book you'll need to listen at 1.0 speed when there's nothing else to focus on. In other words, this is a "laying down and listening to an audio book" type of book, versus a "listen to audio book while driving to work" type of book.

I really appreciated that the author was not stuck on being super PC or dividing up things equally between all possible places and groups. Much time is spent on Europe, and England in particular, but that makes sense when you consider the time period.

I adore this narrator. She's perfect for the genre.

interesting events... but not much...

... considering of God and His sovereignty Over the events of history. Many things could have gone in a very different way for Britain and America and other nations.