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The Black Death: The World's Most Devastating Plague

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

Many of us know the Black Death as a catastrophic event of the medieval world. But the Black Death was arguably the most significant event in Western history, profoundly affecting every aspect of human life, from the economic and social to the political, religious, and cultural. In its wake the plague left a world that was utterly changed, forever altering the traditional structure of European societies and forcing a rethinking of every single system of Western civilization: food production and trade, the church, political institutions, law, art, and more. In large measure, by the profundity of the changes it brought, the Black Death produced the modern world we live in today.

While the story of the Black Death is one of destruction and loss, its breathtaking scope and effects make it one of the most compelling and deeply intriguing episodes in human history. Understanding the remarkable unfolding of the plague and its aftermath provides a highly revealing window not only on the medieval world but also on the forces that brought about the Renaissance, the Protestant Reformation, and modernity itself.

Speaking to the full magnitude of this world-changing historical moment, The Black Death: The World's Most Devastating Plague, taught by celebrated medievalist Dorsey Armstrong of Purdue University, takes you on an unforgettable excursion into the time period of the plague, its full human repercussions, and its transformative effects on European civilization. In 24 richly absorbing lectures, you'll follow the path of the epidemic in its complete trajectory across medieval Europe. Majestic in scope and remarkable in detail, this course goes to the heart of one of Western history's most catalytic and galvanizing moments, the effects of which gave us the modern world.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2016 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2016 The Great Courses

What listeners say about The Black Death: The World's Most Devastating Plague

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Morish and interesting

Dorsey covers many aspects of the black death and makes it all interesting. Her content and delivery style is more like listening to someone tell stories from personal experience. I think she will be able to make anything interesting and informative. I'll be sure to see out her other works.

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Brilliant discussion

A fascinating and extremely well presented treatise on all aspects of the Black Death. Highly recommended!

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highly recommend!

this course was clever, insightful but easy to engage with. I loved every lecture and could easily listen to another thirty on this subject.

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Brilliant

have been sharing the info, facts and ideas from this series with everyone I know. can't wait to listen to more of the great courses audio books!

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Great storytelling and very informative.

Dorsey Armstrong injects some real passion into her lectures. Thoroughly enjoyable. I'll skip living through the Great Mortality, thanks.

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Fascinating & gripping

Professor Dorsey Armstrong is one of those rare teachers & speakers who has an enormous wealth of valuable and interesting information and share it with her audience with humour, compassion and cadence. She really brought the period alive. Outstanding! I will definitely search for her other courses.

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well presented

I really loved it. I found it a wonderful work, capturing a critical event of history.

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Fascinating

The subject nis horrendous but this series of lectures was enthralling. Well presented and easy to listen to, I can't imagine a more thorough course. I'll be looking for more by this lecturer.

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Dorsey Armstrong does a marvelous job again!

Loved this, wish it was longer! Dorcey Armstrong is a wonderful lecturer and narrator. Highly reccomend this lecture.

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Horrifying yet hopeful

This lecture series offers a fascinating examination of the Black Death and the multitude of social reactions which accompanied it.

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