The Great Upheaval

America and the Birth of the Modern World, 1788-1800

De: Jay Winik

Narrado por: Jonathan Davis

It is an era that redefined history. As the 1790s began, a fragile America teetered on the brink of oblivion, Russia towered as a vast imperial power, and France plunged into revolution. But in contrast to the way conventional histories tell it, none of these remarkable events occurred in isolation.

Now, for the first time, acclaimed historian Jay Winik masterfully illuminates how their fates combined in one extraordinary moment to change the course of civilization. A sweeping, magisterial drama featuring the richest cast of characters ever to walk upon the world stage, including Washington, Jefferson, Louis XVI, Robespierre, and Catherine the Great, The Great Upheaval is a gripping, epic portrait of this tumultuous decade that will forever transform the way we see America's beginnings and our world

A history buff, but fortunately not a connoisseur

Reading some of the one star print reviews I find Winik's writing criticized for all manner of journalistic shortcomings. Fortunately, the audible experience did not communicate these flagrancies. I thoroughly enjoyed the interweaving of this critical period in world history. The history professor may be aghast at some of the "simplistic" conclusions the author presents, but I feel the non professional history buff will thoroughly enjoy Winik's passionate presentation. Expressing a little justifiable pride in the wisdom of this country’s founders is refreshing in this day of nationalistic cynicism.

I was crazy addicted to this book.

the French Revolution parts of this book were amazing. I listened to it almost everyday for 2 months. I got the unabridged version and still wanted more. I bought the Great Courses on the French Revolution afterwards. I never knew much about the French Revolution, other than what's world-famous and what everybody knows. This was a great introduction, for anyone wanting a deeper study than cursory knowledge

Worth the time.

I must admit, though I enjoy learning about the founding of America, when I first looked at the length of this book, I was a little nervous.
Could I possibly spend that much time in a book without being bored by the subject? Winik did not disappoint. He weaves together a relatively short history of three countries (The US, France, & Russia) into a marvelous, fascinating tale.
The narration was excellent. Outstanding book!

Best Revolutionary History book I’ve read. Truly unique.

Read the book twice. It has a special spot on my bookshelf.

I believe there was an earlier audiobook which was abridged (and terrible).

So glad this came out.

A new view on history

I really liked the concept of how intertwined the people and events of this time period were. we teand to be taught it all happened more independent of each other than we learn in this book. I was never aware how so many of our American revolutionary heroes in turn played roles in France, Russia and even Poland after they leave the scene here.
My only complaint is that the author was a little too granular with th details all the way through. I would have been happier with a shorter book with more of a broader stroke to all of it.
The narrator was quite good.