Paused

Living the French Revolution and the Age of Napoleon Audible Audiobook – Original recording

Suzanne M. Desan (Author, Narrator), The Great Courses (Author, Publisher)

12 ratings

See all formats and editions Hide other formats and editions

Price

New from

Used from

Audible Audiobook, Original recording

"Please retry"

$0.00

Free with your Audible trial

Audio CD

"Please retry"

$61.54

—

$61.54

The 25 years between the onset of the French Revolution in 1789 and the Bourbon Restoration after Napoleon in 1814 is an astonishing period in world history. This era shook the foundations of the old world and marked a permanent shift for politics, religion, and society - not just for France, but for all of Europe. An account of the events alone reads like something out of a thrilling novel:

France’s oppressed and hungry masses rise up against their government.
In Paris, crowds storm the Bastille looking for bread and weaponry.
Rumors, panic, and fear grip the nation as it faces an uncertain future.
The National Assembly adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man, the first bold step toward the invention of democratic politics and a republican state.
A young Corsican named Napoleon Bonaparte stuns Europe with his military strategy and political boldness.

Living the French Revolution and the Age of Napoleon is your opportunity to learn the full story of this captivating period. Taught by Dr. Suzanne M. Desan, these 48 exciting lectures give you a broad and comprehensive survey of one of the most important eras in modern history.

Enjoy a free audiobook + more

One credit a month to pick any title from our entire premium selection to keep (you’ll use your first credit now).
Unlimited listening on select audiobooks, Audible Originals, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel online anytime.

Learn more about Membership

List Price: ~~$52.95~~

You Save: $6.96 (13%)

By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible’s Conditions Of Use

Sold and delivered by Audible, an Amazon company

People who viewed this also viewed

Page 1 of 1Start OverPage 1 of 1

Listening Length	24 hours and 47 minutes
Author	Suzanne M. Desan, The Great Courses
Narrator	Suzanne M. Desan
Audible.com Release Date	July 08, 2013
Publisher	The Great Courses
Program Type	Audiobook
Version	Original recording
Language	English
ASIN	B00DTO5054
Best Sellers Rank	#16,137 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals) #81 in Political Science History & Theory #130 in European History (Audible Books & Originals) #284 in History & Theory of Politics

Customer reviews

5 star		74%
4 star		26%
3 star 0% (0%)		0%
2 star 0% (0%)		0%
1 star 0% (0%)		0%

How are ratings calculated?

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

El Presidente

Good lectures.

Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2019

Verified Purchase

Good lectures. This is a broad look at the French Revolution and specifically includes cultural elements that other examination may lack. My only complaint was the professor is incorrect usage of the word decimate. As she is a French revolution historian and not a Roman historian, this is forgivable though.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

JRiv

Awesome lecturer

Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2018

Verified Purchase

This is a wonderful course. Suzanne Desan is great at keeping you interested with anecdotes and stories of interest. Well worth the purchase.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

A Detailed Look Into the French Revolution and the Rise and Fall of Napoleon

Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2018

This was one of the longer Great Courses lecture series that I’ve taken, but also one of the more interesting and educational. While it took me a few episodes to get used to Suzanne Desan’s teaching style, once I did I really enjoyed the subject matter, and I certainly learned a lot. The lectures broken down approximately as two-thirds regarding the French Revolution, and one-third regarding the rise and fall of Napoleon Bonaparte. Of course, the two are entirely linked, which is also described in detail. At forty-eight lectures, this series is not for those who are only looking for a simple understanding of the events. This series goes deep, yet still leaves the fan of history wanting more. While the time frame focuses on the period between 1789 and 1815, it also does a fantastic job of describing ideologies and events leading up to the Revolution (such as the period of the Enlightenment), and the two-hundred-year aftermath upon the world. On the whole, it is a well-crafted and highly-detailed lecture series which any fan of history will truly enjoy. Highly recommended!

6 people found this helpful

Helpful

Everyone should listen to this easy to understand lectures simply to learn about this fascinating ...

Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2015

Few historic periods are as eventful, turbulent and consequential for human society as the 25-year period starting from 1889. Even avid history buffs are often at loss to explain how the revolution of all time for democracy ended up with the popular rise and then fall of Napolean in the double quick time.Everyone should listen to this easy to understand lectures simply to learn about this fascinating period if not for any other reason.

Ms Desan's lecture series covers the tumultuous period's events in the most understandable manner without turning overbearing. She has a new style that blends chronological progress with continuous analysis of themes. Or perhaps the other way around. Let me elaborate.

The professor does not simply state history with the implications and analysis of events. Rather, each session is built on a new theme or a subject which could range from the poverty, daily life, art or certain personalities and their key traits. To expand on the theme, the narrator would go back in time, elaborate on the relevant details and reach up to a new moment in the French history of the period, cover the moment and expand on its impact for the future. Still, in every lecture with those critical themes and events, the series would keep rolling forward chronologically. The style is beautiful and immensely creative because it allows the flow of the narrative to remain fresh and meaningful.

From Bastille to Napoleon's Corsican exile, the struggle between the Jacobins and Girondins that led to the internal civil war, the reign of terror and the guillotined end of the democracy itself, the Thermidorian provided first intermission and the spectacular rise of Napolean followed by the innumerable fables of the legend - the lectures have enough topics to support even a ten year soap opera!

7 people found this helpful

Helpful

vannalee

All You Need to Know About the French Revolution & Napoleon

Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2020

Before this course, I would have summed up this French time period as: Famine, Bastille, Guillotine, Napoleon.
I watched this lecture through the Great Courses add on in Amazon Prime Video ($7.99 per month for all on offer after a 7 day free trial). It was a total of 24 hours with 48 thirty-minute lectures. I was riveted. Even though Dr. Desan basically paces and talks with some on screen maps, pictures and bullet points, the subject matter and her enthusiasm for it kept me hanging on every word. Included are excerpts from diaries, letters, and publications of significant players of the revolution, republic, reign of terror, and empire, and some from every day common folk who just lived through these crazy times. Seeing how events unfolded day by day and learning about personalities of players I’d never heard of gave me a much better understanding, which also included background and aftermath. I finished in less than 7 days, but I’m keeping the channel, based on how good this first one was.

Helpful

Keith C.

A Complete Education

Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2017

You might think 24 hours of lectures ( 48 lectures about 30 minutes each) on the French Revolution a bit much, but I found the journey well worth the time as the professor ties together many facets of the Revolution and the Empire. The notes on the cultural changes taking place during these years were the most interesting.

4 people found this helpful

Helpful

lemeteq

Outstanding!

Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2017

Dr Desan has done a masterful job illuminating the period. Bringing so many people and facets of this historical period together as she does in a coherent, convincing and thoroughly entertaining way, it is impressive in its breadth and in the sense of understanding that emerges. There was not a dull passage in the story, which was punctuated on occasion by her sense of humor subtly slipping out. I can say I've learned a lot and have a somewhat different as well as much richer understanding of the entire period. I wish it was required listening for every high school student. (I am also glad I was able to listen to this through my library online lending services.)

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

Elaine M. Manneh

Living the French Revolution

Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2014

Superior presentation of the minds behind the actions of the French Revolution and the mind of Napoleon. Having been to France three times and having taught French history to high school this course enhanced my knowledge. Dr.Desan is so knowledgeable. She makes the characters very real as though one was observing the events.

10 people found this helpful

Helpful

Living the French Revolution and the Age of Napoleon Audible Audiobook – Original recording

Free with Audible Trial $0.00

Buy with 1-Click $45.99

Sorry, there was a problem.

Sorry, there was a problem.

People who viewed this also viewed

Product details

Customer reviews

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Free with Audible Trial

$0.00

Buy with 1-Click

$45.99