• 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
  • Length: 43 hrs and 59 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (426 ratings)

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The Age of Napoleon  By  cover art

The Age of Napoleon

By: Will Durant, Ariel Durant
Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki
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Publisher's summary

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.

What listeners say about The Age of Napoleon

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What a Story.

This is the 11th and last volume of “The Story of Civilization.”

I am proud to be finished, but I am sorry it is over.

Thanks for the opportunity Audible, it has been fascinating.

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3 people found this helpful

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The time that made our world

Makes the hours fly. An integral history of the age that made our world

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No more wisdom in human affairs

Would you consider the audio edition of The Age of Napoleon to be better than the print version?

The audio edition is more practical to go back and listen to bookmarked passages. However, in this case, maps were necessary to visualize the war.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Napoleon deminstrated amazing management skills.

Have you listened to any of Stefan Rudnicki’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

His performace is as the other narratives he gave in the Story of Civilization.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. The diversity of the stories represented in the chapters and books make it impossible to listen in one sotting, unlike a fiction novel.

Any additional comments?

Sad this was the last book.

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What a joureny

The performance is incredible. I loved the series! I went through it all. It was a difficult endeavor, but it was done.

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A Much More Accomplished Figure Than Commonly Unde

I knew Napoleon was an important historical figure as a military man but I had no idea about the depth and energy he had and aim to unify Europe in his time. What we learn in school is really inadequate. Especially so when you read works like this from Will and Ariel Durant. They are such wonderful researchers and story tellers of history. And they put events and personalities into perspective in relation to historical events and times.

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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.

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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).

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never too much...

information from Will Durant. This is possibly one of the most detailed accounts of the European world during the reign of Napoleon.

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Amazing journey

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

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Spectacular

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

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