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The World Was Never the Same: Events That Changed History  By  cover art

The World Was Never the Same: Events That Changed History

By: J. Rufus Fears, The Great Courses
Narrated by: J. Rufus Fears
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Publisher's summary

History is made and defined by landmark events - moments that irrevocably changed the course of human civilization. They have given us

  • spiritual and political ideas;
  • catastrophic battles and wars;
  • scientific and technological advances;
  • world leaders both influential and monstrous; and
  • cultural works of unparalleled beauty.

Now a series of 36 captivating lectures explores some of the most important and definitive events in the history of the world - events after which our world would never be the same.

Taught by a remarkably gifted teacher with more than 25 teaching awards to his credit, these lectures form an intriguing and engaging tour of thousands of years of human history, from the creation of the Code of Hammurabi to the Battle of Lexington to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech and beyond. It's a chance for you to gain new insights about world history from a truly riveting historian.

Using his expert knowledge and impressive ability to draw out invaluable lessons from the past, Professor Fears has chosen the events he discusses based on three criteria: how the event in itself fundamentally changed history, how the aftermath of the event changed history, and how the event and its impact still resonate with us today.

The result is a comprehensive and authoritative selection of subjects, each of which played a crucial role in transforming human civilization. Whether the event is an obvious or not-so-obvious choice, Professor Fears takes great care to tie each to the 21st century, pointing out just how influential these and other moments were in shaping who we are and how we live.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2010 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2010 The Great Courses

What listeners say about The World Was Never the Same: Events That Changed History

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Favorite Fulcrums in History

One man’s selection of history’s seismic trajectory shifts. Engagingly and enthusiastically presented. A well thought out conceptual approach to events and people that still have relevance today.

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Only for Americans

I guess if you're a patriotic American you would enjoy this course, but since I'm not I found myself skipping many lectures and eventually the whole course. The lecturer, I don't think, even tries to make this course appealing to non-Americans as he keeps referring to 'us', 'we' and 'our' when referring to anything US. Maybe he doesn't realise the rest of the world can also listen to his course.....

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Great review of history

I majored in history 40 years ago and this was a great review, thank you so much.

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Are we educated beyond our intelligence? YES

I am SCHOCKED at the things that were NOT in this course! Mr. Fears decided a artist was more world changing than the development of printing! Mr. Fears thinks the assignation of John Kennedy was more important than the rise of the Internet! Once again I am reminded of a old Paul Harvey quote..... Are we educated beyond our intelligence? Yes Paul many of us are!

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Mistitled Book

This book should have been titled: "America was never the same: Events that changed American History " This book which proports to be about world history takes an American slant on all events. It's not what I expected from the title of the book. This is the worst Great Courses book that I have read.

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A great walk through History

The context of every event is a great lesson and the way professor Rufus tells them is inspiring.

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Excellent course

This Professor makes you think and keeps you interested with his presentation skills. I’m gonna have to listen again to absorb everything but anything worth learning is worth poring over at least 3 times.

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Great teacher.

well this is one of the best teacher ive had, thank you ive learned so much.

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Very Worthwhile

This series is a great review of major historical markers, both near and far. It’s an enjoyable series to listen to and follow.

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Great content if he didn’t yell

Ok, enjoyed it all, but sometimes he yells and acts things out. It makes listening at night just impossible.

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