Hero of Two Worlds

The Marquis de Lafayette in the Age of Revolution

By: Mike Duncan

Narrated by: Mike Duncan

Length: 17 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's Summary

From the best-selling author of The Storm Before the Storm and host of the Revolutions podcast comes the thrilling story of the Marquis de Lafayette’s lifelong quest to defend the principles of liberty and equality.

Few in history can match the revolutionary career of the Marquis de Lafayette. Over 50 incredible years at the heart of the Age of Revolution, he fought courageously on both sides of the Atlantic. He was a soldier, statesman, idealist, philanthropist, and abolitionist.

As a teenager, Lafayette ran away from France to join the American Revolution. Returning home a national hero, he helped launch the French Revolution, eventually spending five years locked in dungeon prisons. After his release, Lafayette sparred with Napoleon, joined an underground conspiracy to overthrow King Louis XVIII, and became an international symbol of liberty. Finally, as a revered elder statesman, he was instrumental in the overthrow of the Bourbon Dynasty in the Revolution of 1830.

From enthusiastic youth to world-weary old age, from the pinnacle of glory to the depths of despair, Lafayette never stopped fighting for the rights of all mankind. His remarkable life is the story of where we come from and an inspiration to defend the ideals he held dear. 

©2021 Mike Duncan (P)2021 PublicAffairs

I’m a big Mike Duncan Podcast Fan, but…

…maybe this one he should have someone else narrate. I know he has tried hard to learn french pronunciations, but he would have been better to use the American pronunciations. He mangles the characters’ names so badly that I can’t even decipher them. I had no idea who he was talking about. I am a person who speaks both french and english. Unfortunately, Mike’s pronunciation is neither and I found it unlistenable. I returned the book without finishing it.

Thrillingly storytelling — brilliant narration

This is just great. Mike Duncan really knows how to assemble a compelling story and with Lafayette he has an amazing subject with which to work. All listeners of The History of Rome and Revolutions podcasts — as well as readers of The Storm Before The Storm — know the joy of Mike Duncan guiding them through epic, operatic moments in western history. Mike Duncan has reintroduced the Marquis de Lafayette for a whole new generation, bringing him to life with all his passions, contradictions and hypocrisies as the implacable Hero of Two Worlds.

Simply outstanding

One of the best nonfiction audiobooks I’ve listened to in years. No surprise to me since I’ve been listening to the author’s outstanding podcast for years. This is laser focused on Lafayette narrative history with great narrative drive. It would help the reader to have some context about French political & economic history, but that is not necessary to enjoy & to learn much from this book.

Brillian Analysis. Brilliant Performance

Mike Duncan is the best there is at what he does. Nobody writes better history. Nobody reads that history out loud better.

Hearing an author who can perform their own book so well is a rare treat. If this is your first Mike Duncan book, you are in for a great time!

This time, Duncan focuses his talents on the Marquis de Lafayette (yes, the same guy from the Broadway show, Hamilton). Lafayette was a pivotal figure in the American AND French Revolutions, not to mention several later revolutions. Lafayette had one of the most storied lives in history, being close friends with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamton, James Madison, nearly every king and Queen of France in his lifetime, and most leaders of the French Revolution. His personal relationship with so many historical figures makes this book a sweeping history lesson, as well as an exciting adventure. He is also notable for being so ahead of his time in his worldviews, a man born to an aristocratic family, under a king and queen, who devoted his life to freedom, pushing both to advance democracy AND to end slavery, putting him well ahead of even his American friends.

Great man. Great Book. Fun to listen to.

Buy it! Buy it now!
You won't regret it.

Duncan is Duncan

Duncan is a great narrator and mostly a good storyteller. His constant need to moralize and place a 2021 world view on a man living 200-250 years ago says a lot about him.

An Intricate and Personal Story Set Within an Often Simplified and Grandiose Era

Duncan’s “Hero of Two Worlds” succeeds on a variety of fronts, but the most notable of these is the novel’s ability to simultaneously exist as an enthralling account of both the American and French revolutions, and the story of a simple man’s life; flaws, failures and shortcoming notwithstanding. Duncan’s skill as a veteran podcaster shines through here, with his witty commentary and perfectly tuned inflection never once allowing the listener to become disengaged with the story. An excellent listen, an excellent book, and nothing less than what long-time fans expect from Mr. The History of Rome.

Fantastic

Mike Duncan tells an amazing story about one of the most important people in American and French history. The story is well written and keep you listening. Amazingly, it isn't romanticized. It shows that Lafayette's life and choices were not all prefect by modern standards. But his character is extremely strong and regrets difficult choices he would rather have not made. Highly recommend.

Excellent

A very well-told account of a fascinating life, near unreal in its grand scope

Fantastically told story packed with good info

An entertaining biography from history that I found myself constantly finding time and reasons to listen more to. The writing isn't at all bogged down by stuffy detail or dry fact listing, instead weaves the historical accounts into a narrative that is easily followed along and the important details more memorable in the mind.

Very nice book

This was a great read. Anyone who’s a fan of Mike’s podcast will enjoy reading/listening to this book.

Just a great account of a truly great man.

Just a great account of a truly great man. Being a big Mike Duncan, I didn't expect anything less and probably got more than I expected.
Listen and enjoy.

Entertaining & informative, a must

Mike Duncan wrote an absolutely interesting book about a household name for me since visiting Paris as a child and later of course visiting the USA... Not an easy challenge, but big thanks for bringing this book to the light

Great biography of great men

Impresive lifestory of historical celebrity. Concise, interesting and well produced audiobook. Recommended to all lovers of history

Mike Duncan does it again

If you like Revolutions and History of Rome, this is for you. It’s like a special season of his podcasts, but focused on a single person. Fascinating, in depth and easy to digest. I learned a lot. Brilliant work

A Hero of Two Mediums

Mike is probably best known for his work as a history podcaster, with his very popular The History of Rome and ongoing Revolutions podcasts. But he has very successfully navigated the path from telling a half hour weekly synopsis of a historical time period to writing a compelling and coherent story about a fascinating historical figure, whilst keeping many of the aspects that make his podcasts so compelling: so well-paced, often quite funny, and with a constant eye on effectively drawing out the historical parallels with our current situation. An excellent job Mike - and of course - perfectly read!

Great listen

He truly is incredible, a man who truly gives all to the people. 👍
This Lafayette chap isn't that bad either 🤣

On a serious note the book is beautifully scripted by Mike Duncan, the way the story is told is like something out of fiction.
Well done 👏

Mike Duncan delivers.

If you enjoy his Revolutions podcast, you're in for a treat. I think I only now can fully appreciate the remarkable person that Lafayette was and the role he played in the development of the modern tradition of liberty.

Excellent audio-listening

Mike Duncan is a thoughtful and compassionate historian who takes the time to explain the background of each major point he makes. His true power is in his calm and mellow voice- it makes for very easy listening and explains why his great History of Rome and Revolutions podcast is so popular. Having listened to both, this feels like a return to some of the greatest hits of the Revolutions podcast, but the excellent throughline on Lafayette gives it context and clarity. Recommended.

Mike Duncan at his best

A great person in history's life told in an interesting and captivating way. I highly recommend.

Fantastic

I absolutely loved it. Both the story and overall performance of the book was fantastic. It did not take me long to finish as I was so enthralled.