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)

Cultural immersion in a long ago age.

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

I liked the perspective of the book. It is important to understand as much as possible from the periods point of view rather than judging it only from our current perspective.

Any additional comments?

On occasion, there was a bit of condescension in the narrators presentation which defeats the purpose of looking at the period through its own eyes.

Great Cultural History

This was a great review of how people dressed, learned, ate, travelled, interacted during this century. In short how they lived. I loved it.

Most excellent.

I have listened to it 2x now. I wish there were 10 more of them. If you are interested in the lives of the people of Medieval England this is for you. Excellent narration and vivid and colorful descriptions of everyday lives and customs of England in tthe 1300s.

I absolutely loved it.

wonderfully illustrated subject & well read

The tale was a great adventure theough 14th century England, and all aspects of life and society. Very informative, educating and entertaining - one definitely feels present throughout the tale. Mr Keeble delivers an authoritative and on point narration which complements the work greatly.

Great with a few minor problems

The narrator is great other than he takes loud breaths, which becomes very annoying.
I love all the specific details although sometimes it’s a little TOO specific and I found myself zoning out.

Great

I greatly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to look over my physical copy to review and look over my favorite parts.
And the narrator’s voice was a perfect fit and his tone matched the book and made it very enjoyable

Marvelous

what a great listen. wildly interesting for me. I was engaged throughout. Even topics I previously had no interest I found riveting. The narration is top notch.

Fascinating Account of Medieval Social History

Mortimer brings Medieval England to life with his time traveller's guide. This book is rich in fascinating details of medieval life, many of which I heard for the first time despite having a degree in European history. Mortimer's approach to writing this book as though a travel guide really made me rethink the way I read, understand and analyze history. The stories and details take place in familiar places and in a history we all know well but it was not until I listened to this book that I felt I began to have a real understanding of the culture of the past and the people who lived in it.
Chapters are divided into sections such as law, food, travel, entertainment, etc. and explains to the would be traveller what he/she would be likely to encounter in Medieval England and dangers to look out for along the way.
My only complaint is that, at times, in the interest of providing more scholarly detail, the book slips away from its travel guide style that is so enjoyable.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in British history.

Fascinating and Thorough

This book was so fascinating, I couldn't wait to get back to it each morning when I took my walk. It covers every aspect of life in medieval England, and I learned a great deal while being thoroughly entertained. I can't wait for Mortimer's next book (Guide to Elizabethan England) to become available. The narrator was exceptional.

Fun book with a couple presentation issues

A fun history of everyday life, often funny, revealing the kinds of practical questions many histories gloss over as unimportant. I love this kind of history. Be aware the chapters in the audiobook don't match the book chapters, which makes it hard to keep track of where you are. Also, you can hear the reader take breaths. I find that irritating.