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The Age of Genius
- The Seventeenth Century and the Birth of the Modern Mind
- Narrated by: Ric Jerrom
- Length: 14 hrs and 38 mins
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The Age of Genius
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Summary
The Age of Genius explores the eventful intertwining of outward event and inner intellectual life to tell, in all its richness and depth, the story of the 17th century in Europe. It was a time of creativity unparalleled in history before or since, from science to the arts, from philosophy to politics.
Acclaimed philosopher and historian A. C. Grayling points to three primary factors that led to the rise of vernacular (popular) languages in philosophy, theology, science, and literature; the rise of the individual as a general and not merely an aristocratic type; and the invention and application of instruments and measurement in the study of the natural world.
Grayling vividly reconstructs this unprecedented era and breathes new life into the major figures of the 17th century intelligentsia who spanned literature, music, science, art, and philosophy - Shakespeare, Monteverdi, Galileo, Rembrandt, Locke, Newton, Descartes, Vermeer, Hobbes, Milton, and Cervantes, among many more. During this century, a fundamentally new way of perceiving the world emerged as reason rose to prominence over tradition, and the rights of the individual took center stage in philosophy and politics - a paradigmatic shift that would define Western thought for centuries to come.
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What listeners say about The Age of Genius
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
- "edwalt2001"
- 19-07-16
Wide ranging and engrossing
Grayling balances on one hand a compelling depth of detail, specific examples and a convincing argument with dry wit, humour and above all a skill for fomenting the story from the base history.
Organised by theme rather than chronology, a wide range of threads are followed sequentially through the 16th and 17th Century, each one shedding light on the former theme and the next. Looking back at the sum of these threads, a strong tapestry has been crafted by Grayling to illustrate his key point: the significance of this epoch on modern life.
Excellent delivery by Jerrom with careful pacing on complex sections and an excellent balance of inflection to keep meaning yet reflect the humour of Grayling.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Greg Gauthier
- 17-06-17
Impeccable research, choppy narrative
Grayling is the go-to resource, in my view, for a careful and nuanced understanding of any subject. This book is no exception. But I would recommend reading it rather than listening to it, because at times, you will get lost in a maze of complex character interactions and philosophical musings, that would be easier to cope with, if one could stop on certain passages to reflect.
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5 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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- Anthony Christie
- 28-04-16
Enlightening and inspiring.
Thoroughly satisfying. If you enjoy history, philosophy and/or science this book will be a joy for you. Can be quite "dense" in places, but persevere. The narration grew on me as I progressed through the book.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Anonimo Nonlodico
- 29-04-16
Interesting but ultimately disappointing
The book covers an important and interesting subject, is well written and quite easy to listen to. Unfortunately it's also somewhat one sided, shallow and superficial, even factually incorrect at times. I have an impression the author wanted to tell a good story, facts be damned.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Stuart Sorensen
- 03-10-17
fascinating book
I really enjoyed this. Interesting topic, beautifully written and really well read too. Marvellous stuff.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- nine8nine
- 22-10-20
Well performed. Subject matter broad but enjoyable
Well acted
Gray is a bit florid and taken with himself in this one
Needs to be tied together a bit better
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Pasi Ahonen
- 05-08-20
Very odd amateur history
It is safe to say that Grayling is not a historian. That of course is fine, but when the book poses as a history, it becomes a problem. After about eleven chapters of tedious amateur history of the 30 Years War the book is still to make any connections with its purported aims. From chapter sixteen onwards there is finally some traction, but by that time lost the will. There is nothing of interest here, and certainly nothing that has not been said by others better before.
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4 people found this helpful