Understanding the Inventions That Changed the World

By: W. Bernard Carlson, The Great Courses

Narrated by: W. Bernard Carlson

Length: 17 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

We’re surrounded by inventions. Clocks, appliances, cars, televisions, cell phones...the list goes on and on. Where did all these inventions come from? How do they work? And how do they reflect - even define - the values of our culture?

Now, you can learn the remarkable stories surrounding monumental inventions - and how consequential these inventions were to history. Taught by Professor W. Bernard Carlson of the University of Virginia, who is an expert on the role of innovation in history, these 36 enlightening lectures give you a broad survey of material history, from the ancient pottery wheel to the Internet and social media. Along with recounting the famous inventions you might expect, such as the steam engine, the airplane, and the atomic bomb, this course explores a number of surprising innovations, including beer, pagodas, and the operating room.

From ancient China to 21st-century America, from the English coal mines to the high-tech companies of Silicon Valley, this course takes you around the world and across the ages to introduce you to some of the most innovative moments in human civilization. This unique approach to history will boost your technology literacy and give you a completely new appreciation for the everyday objects around you.

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

©2013 The Great Courses (P)2013 The Teaching Company, LLC

Ultimately Engaging, with Shortcomings

Others note the key challenges with this title: 1) frequent references to models and photographs which cannot be seen by the audiobook listener 2) Less than professional delivery which includes mispronunciations, missed words and sometimes wrong words. These both annoy, but ultimately you can get past them when the content becomes engaging. Which it does. Eventually.

One of my biggest criticisms comes in the use of the word "Inventions" in the title. Ultimately this is NOT a series of stories about individual developments. Rather it is an economic history of humankind. Most of the items discussed had no inventor and no breakthrough moment. What they do share is that they evolved to become important aspects of how humans interact and exchange value. Some of these are quite mundane (Shopping malls), others, ultimately, hew closer to popular imagination: computers, the Internet, etc.

If my experience of the book stopped there, I would certainly have rated it higher. However, one relatively early chapter happened to deal with a subject which I have studied professionally most of my life. In that chapter, statements are made which are utterly incorrect and grossly misleading. (Some I have never heard from any source, ever.) After listening to that chapter I really considered returning the book for a refund. And from then on, I viewed the book as far less authoritative. But after setting it aside for awhile and listening to another chapter that was of interest, I came around to this presentation of "economic history as entertainment" approach. It became more of a title to fall asleep to rather than one for prime-time listening (and learning).

A little bit lacking

Fun ideas, but the historical details are off. Not gonna finish this one because some of his facts and perspectives are just too much askew for me.

Worthwhile interesting listen

I enjoyed this book quite a bit. It takes the listener through many different inventions that made impacts on our lives. While I felt it was a good book, it didn't quite hold my attention well enough to give it 5 stars. It is a worthwhile listen however and I do put my recommendation as to a listen. It is perfect for those road trips.

Excellent

Narrator / author makes it both exciting and educational. If you want to be competent in science or history, you need to get this.

Great Subject, Poor Performance

The subject matter is fascinating but the presenter makes so many mistakes that it makes the presentation difficult to listen. If there could be just redo the audio so it has a better flow, I would give it 5 stars.

Informative

great book to learn and understand the tech that has changed the world to the way we know it today

Value of a good reader

The reader regularly stumbled over words and phrases; there were long pauses that were not for thoughts or ideas; he spoke of diagrams and examples that were not visible in an audio format;

Very Interesting and Informative.

Well structured in classroom lecture form. I it was more than just the facts of the origins of inventions, but the bigger picture of the common theme among humanity.

Informative and interesting

Informative and interesting. Had me googling topics to see pictures and to verify. Instructor spoke well and kept me interested. Piqued my curiosity.

Interesting and well performed, lacking visual support

I gave the story and performance five stars and would have given the overall five stars as well except that the PDF that comes along with the Audible file is highly lacking. What is needed is accompanying visuals, the illustrations alluded to in the lectures.