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The Black Death: New Lessons from Recent Research

By: Dorsey Armstrong, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Dorsey Armstrong
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Publisher's Summary

The world has been fundamentally changed by the shock and devastation of a 21st century pandemic. COVID-19 has claimed six million lives; we process a daily deluge of often conflicting and/or overwhelming information; and humanity has no way of knowing when this collective trauma will finally end. Will our lives ever be the same again? It seems not.

Now, try to imagine the plague that devastated Europe in the Middle Ages and beyond: more than 25 million dead. Almost 400 years of outbreaks caused by a bacterium that would not be identified until the 19th century. The mortality rate was close to 85%, with as much as 70% of the population wiped out in some locations. Superstition was pervasive, and medical practices were frequently ineffective and harmful. What caused this tragedy, and what could have been done about it? For years, we thought we knew … but we often had it wrong.

In The Black Death: New Lessons from Recent Research, celebrated medievalist Dorsey Armstrong shares the fascinating new story of this old pandemic—revealed by dedicated researchers working with 21st-century technologies and a knowledge of language and history that now provide input from all geographic areas of the medieval world. In seven engaging lectures, Professor Armstrong corrects explanations of the pandemic that are now known to be inaccurate and offers a more robust description of plague biology than has ever been known. COVID-19 isn’t likely to be humanity’s last experience with a zoonotic disease, so what can we learn now from these two pandemics that could help us in the future?

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

©2022 The Great Courses (P)2022 The Teaching Company, LLC

What listeners say about The Black Death: New Lessons from Recent Research

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Topical

It tells a story which has lessons for now and the future. Knowing how history was affected by illnesses can maybe show a way that we can be more prepared for the future.

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Interesting for understanding Pandemics

Excellent reader. Easy to follow and understand. I was interested in links to understanding the Covid Pandemic by hearing about zoonomic disease and the latest information about this great historical event of the 1300s.

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A tad interested the Black Death? Listen here

I think this lecture series is great in giving updated research on the Black Death to lay people. Worth the listen.

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Enlightening facts enjoyably presented

New research on the transmission of this disease through evolution, cultural,commercial and military means. Presented in a clear manner easily understood by a untrained but inquiring mind.

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Super interesting

A great listen for those who have a fascination with the Black Death and it’s social ramifications. The new findings are very interesting and it was very well read by the author.

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Excellent update

Well researched, and beautifully presented. Prof. Armstrong does not disappoint with this interesting and wide ranging update.

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informative

Author managed to present a very educational summary of various things to do with the black death and make some comparisons to the current COVID-19. Clearly presented. I really enjoyed it.

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Fantastic adendum

This followup takes the ideas presented in the previous lectures and add in new insight to them with a post rona lens. It's a thought-provoking and emotional at times and I think just long enough to keep you engaged from start to finish. Again Dorsey does an amazing job presenting and I appreciated the way she skillfully weaved in well-worded amendments to the existing information.

I have always been so fascinated by the Black Plague so for me each lecture was a delightful journey of discovery, encouraging me reflect on the subject matter. I really really love the way Dorsey makes the topic both insightful and accessible. Can not recommend it more highly enough.

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Accessible, entertaining, expert learning

Prof. Armstrong is known as an expert in medieval studies, and rightly so, but it is this knowledge combined with her accessible, down-to-earth, and friendly lecturing style that makes her lectures such effective and entertaining listens.

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Brilliant

Only complaint would be I wish it was longer.
It’s an excellent follow up to the Black Death course with new information.
Also good for viewing covid through the lens of history.

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