The Age of Napoleon

A History of European Civilization from 1789 to 1815: The Story of Civilization, Book 11

By: Will Durant, Ariel Durant

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

An engrossing volume on European civilization by Pulitzer Prize-winning historians Will and Ariel Durant.

The Age of Napoleon, the 11th and final volume of the Story of Civilization, surveys the amazing chain of events that wrenched Europe out of the Enlightenment and into the age of democracy. In this masterful work, listeners will encounter the French Revolution from the storming of the Bastille to the guillotining of the king; the revolution's leaders - Danton, Desmoulins, Robespierre, and Saint-Just - all cut down by the reign of terror they inaugurated; Napoleon's meteoric rise from provincial Corsican military student to emperor and commander of the largest army in history; Napoleon's fall - his army's destruction in the snows of Russia, his exile to Elba, his escape and reconquest of the throne, and his ultimate defeat at Waterloo by the combined forces of Europe; and the birth of Romanticism and the dawning of a new age of active democracy and a rising middle class, laying the foundation for a new era.

©1975 Will and Ariel Durant (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Amazing journey

It took 22 months to listen to all of Durant's volumes. I learned a lot and now have more to investigate...

Spectacular

Will Durant is exceptional at painting his interpretation of history in colourful and informative ways.

A masterful ending to the Durant's legacy.

Napoleon, the most powerful human force of modern history. The Durant's literary skill and wit, combined. I need say no more.

An Illustrious End to a Marvelous Series.

I had a fantastic time listening through since Volume 9;
I suspect I will reapproach the earlier volumes once I have again a taste for those periods. I would love to hear what the Durant's would have to say about these modern times! Despite a smattering of inaccuracies, the value of the narrative, in vivacious compelling voice, leads to engagement in so many elements of history that are nowadays neglected. Beautiful writing and I suspect I will return to listen again for comfort and pleasure in the following years.

despite the cliche, magisterial

as far ranging and brilliant as its subject. settle in and enjoy the writing of a well seasoned master (two of them, actually).