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Start giftingThe Birth of the West
This audiobook uses AI narration.
We’re taking steps to make sure AI narration is transparent.
Learn moreThe tenth century dawned in violence and disorder. Charlemagne’s empire was in ruins, most of Spain had been claimed by Moorish invaders, and even the papacy in Rome was embroiled in petty, provincial conflicts. To many historians, it was a prime example of the ignorance and uncertainty of the Dark Ages. Yet according to historian Paul Collins, the story of the tenth century is the story of our culture’s birth, of the emergence of our civilization into the light of day.
The Birth of the West tells the story of a transformation from chaos to order, exploring the alien landscape of Europe in transition. It is a fascinating narrative that thoroughly renovates older conceptions of feudalism and what medieval life was actually like. The result is a wholly new vision of how civilization sprang from the unlikeliest of origins, and proof that our tenth-century ancestors are not as remote as we might think.
Paul Collins is a historian, broadcaster, and writer. He is the author of seventeen books and has wide experience in radio and TV where he often acts as a commentator on Catholicism and the papacy. He also has a strong interest in ethics, environmental, and population issues. www.paulcollinscatholicwriter.com.au
Grover Gardner has recorded more than 650 audiobooks since beginning his career in 1981. He's been named one of the "Best Voices of the Century" as well as a "Golden Voice" by AudioFile magazine. Gardner has garnered over 20 AudioFile Earphones Awards and is the recipient of an Audio Publishers Association Audie Award, as well as a three-time finalist. In 2005, Publishers Weekly deemed him "Audiobook Narrator of the Year."
Gardner has also narrated hundreds of audiobooks under the names Tom Parker and Alexander Adams. Among his many titles are Marcus Sakey's At the City's Edge, as well as Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Mark Twain's The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and John Irving's The Cider House Rules. Gardner studied Theater and Art History at Rollins College and received a Master's degree in Acting from George Washington University. He lives in Oregon with his significant other and daughter.
Reviews
“A lively, full-to-bursting history of the turbulent tenth century in Europe…Collins presents chaotic upheaval across Europe in an organized and riveting fashion.”
“Writing with a supple prose and an eye for colorful detail and vivid characters, Collins…sketches an illuminating interpretation.”
“A well-done study suitable for both scholars and general readers.”
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