Charlemagne

From the Hammer to the Cross

By: Richard Winston

Narrated by: Charlton Griffin

Length: 15 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

Charlemagne, who was born around 747, was the first recognized emperor to rule from western Europe since the fall of the Western Roman Empire. The expanded Frankish state that Charlemagne founded is called the Carolingian Empire. More than anyone else, it was the great Frankish ruler who provided the basis for the civilization which we today call “Western European” as opposed to the classical European civilization that had preceded it. 

Charlemagne is referred to as the "Father of Europe" because he united most of Western Europe for the first time since the classical era. He even united parts of Europe that had never been under Frankish or Roman rule. And his reign spurred the Carolingian Renaissance, a period of energetic, cultural, and intellectual activity within the Western Church. His pursuit of reforms in myriad institutions is legendary: administrative, military, economic, monetary, educational, religious, writing, and political. He kept amazingly accurate accounts of his estates, some of which still survive. 

Charlemagne died in 814 and was laid to rest in Aachen Cathedral in his imperial capital city of Aachen, located in present-day Germany. Listen as this great history by Richard Winston, considered the finest in the English language, takes you back to the exciting 8th century and the dynamic adventures of one of history’s greatest men. This recording also includes a brief introduction on the social and religious structure of the 8th century.

©1954 Estate of Richard Winston (P)2021 Audio Connoisseur

Best biography of Charlemagne in existence

I have never heard a more informative, entertaining, and even emotionally driven narrative as this. Winston’s work matches with Griffin’s unparalleled performance truly bring the character of Charles the Great and all his contemporaries to life. You don’t just come from this book feeling like you know a lot about Charlemagne, you feel like you know the man who was Charles, King of the Franks. The nuanced and educated presentation of the world in the eighth and ninth centuries is astounding. This is the only history book that I listened to and actually cried at the end, both times!

Good Historical Analysis

I shuttered to read bad reviews of OTHER books on Charlemagne, and was happy to find this one excellent. Exactly what I look for in a biography, a good, summarized analysis of history.

Amazing

Loved this life story. so strengthening! amazing life of historical importance that transfomed humanity. I feel like he was a true creator, visionary.