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The Foundations of Western Civilization
- Narrated by: Thomas F. X. Noble
- Length: 24 hrs and 51 mins
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The Foundations of Western Civilization
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Publisher's Summary
Within this series of 48 lectures, you'll discover the many ways in which Western civilization has addressed those questions, from its first stirrings in the great river valleys of Iraq and Egypt in 3000 B.C to the beginning of the 17th century and the dawn of the modern world. Your learning will cover vast amounts of territory and thousands of years, beginning in the ancient Near East and moving to Greece and then Rome. You'll explore ancient empires, including those of Persia, Alexander the Great, and Rome.
You'll watch as western Europe gradually expands, both physically and culturally. And you'll examine the globalizations of Western civilization with the Portuguese and Spanish voyages of exploration and discovery.
This broad and panoramic series, ripe with the telling detail on which history can turn, will help you pull an enormous sweep of history together into one coherent - though by no means closed - framework as you watch history develop under the influence of such critical factors as ecology and environment, geography, and climate; government and economics; technology; religion; work and leisure; philosophy; literature; art and architecture; and virtues, values, and aesthetics.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
What listeners say about The Foundations of Western Civilization
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 13-01-2019
Terrific
Professor Noble is engaging and enlightening. This was a great course and well worth the 24hours investment.
Steve B.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 22-01-2014
History for the Non-Historian
If you could sum up The Foundations of Western Civilization in three words, what would they be?
History for the Non-Historian
Who was your favorite character and why?
Not really applicable, but my favourite characters are all the players involved in the rise and fall of the Roman Republic.
What about Professor Thomas F. X. Noble’s performance did you like?
Wonderful, compelling speaker who is able to convey his knowledge and passion of all that he speaks about.
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
Not really laugh or cry, but definitely engaged. I listened mostly in the car, and would drive the long way to work and home to fit in more listening time.
Any additional comments?
The preparation of the material is to be commended - it would have been no small task to condense thousands of years into this course, and I think he struck the perfect balance between history/culture/people/wars. I really loved the emphasis on important philosophers and poets, of which I know very little.
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8 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- SW TUBBS
- 29-04-2023
A Broad Subject
A broad subject but the lectures I believe are in sufficient depth to whet the appetite for further reading. A marathon effort by Professor Noble.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mark Henwood
- 02-02-2020
Excellent lecture series
Thoroughly enjoyed the lectures, content and presentation. The course covers a significant period of history, and presents a general overview.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Joel Bernard
- 18-09-2020
Great knowledge!
For one, you will be taught by a very knowledgeable lecturer.
Secondly, this is great for someone who wants a overview of western history and how it flows from one stage of history to the next.
You learn about philosophy, politics, war, religion and there impacts on the people during their time.
It was able to point out parts of western history i wish to learn more about making myself buy more books on, such as the renaissance period.
Great for beginners and advanced historians in my opinion.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 26-06-2020
Well articulated
A little back and fourth, however beautifully constructed timeline and personal stories to fill in. Well spoken, articulates history well as a story and just enough to swollow or take notes for
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 09-01-2023
A rich pleasure
A masterful, insightful and balanced integration of many themes that has enhanced my understanding immensely.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 11-02-2024
How did we get here?
Brilliant explanation of each influential period of history and then how particular events impacted on each other to produce political, cultural and religious change. I have listened to many of the Great Courses and this was the most interesting for me. After listening to these lectures I have a better understanding of the world that we now live in.
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Marilyn
- 29-08-2024
interesting
learnt a bit but some ideas I disagree with sounds like a bit of bias going on
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