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The History of Fear

By: Francis Nenik
Narrated by: Ellen Pompeo
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  • Summary

  • The history of mankind is riddled with fear. Fear of terrible forces of nature and dangerous new technology. Fear of revolutionary ideologies and supposedly ominous numbers. Inventors in the 19th century patented dozens of “safety coffins” with notification devices like bells and hollow tubes, so that anyone afraid of being buried alive could rest easy. In 1999, ordinary citizens went to great lengths to guard against an apocalypse they feared would strike at midnight on the new year. Some of these fears still exist today, while others have been lost to history.

    In The History of Fear, we go on a journey through time, through the collective fears of entire eras and countries, and trace the often terrifying and strange roots of those fears all the way to where they give us goosebumps today. Written by German author Francis Nenik and narrated by actress Ellen Pompeo, this series is sure to surprise you, intrigue you, and make your heart beat just a little bit faster.

    ©2023 Munck Studios (P)2023 Audible Originals, LLC
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Episodes
  • Trailer
    Oct 12 2023

    The history of mankind is riddled with fear. Fear of terrible forces of nature and dangerous new technology. Fear of revolutionary ideologies and supposedly ominous numbers. Inventors in the 19th century patented dozens of “safety coffins” with notification devices like bells and hollow tubes, so that anyone afraid of being buried alive could rest easy. In 1999, ordinary citizens went to great lengths to guard against an apocalypse they feared would strike at midnight on the new year. Some of these fears still exist today, while others have been lost to history.

    In The History of Fear, we go on a journey through time, through the collective fears of entire eras and countries, and trace the often terrifying and strange roots of those fears all the way to where they give us goosebumps today. Written by German author Francis Nenik and narrated by actress Ellen Pompeo, this series is sure to surprise you, intrigue you, and make your heart beat just a little bit faster.

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    1 min
  • Episode 1: The Fear of Bacteria
    Oct 12 2023
    At the turn of the 20th century, kissing loses its innocence. Germs are everywhere, especially the mouth. They have always been here, but with the rise of bacteriology, people must suddenly contend with a new world full of tiny, invisible enemies.
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    57 mins
  • Episode 2: The Fear of Friday the 13th
    Oct 12 2023
    Friday the 13th is statistically a day like any other. In the eyes of many people, however, it is the unluckiest day of the year. But where does this fear come from?
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    48 mins

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