Charlemagne: Father of the Franks, Leader of the Lombards, and Premier Holy Roman Emperor

by in60Learning

Smarter in sixty minutes. Get smarter in just 60 minutes with in60Learning. Concise and elegantly written non-fiction books and audiobooks help you learn the core subject matter in 20% of the time that it takes to read a typical book. Life is short, so explore a multitude of fascinating historical, biographical, scientific, political, and financial topics in only an hour each. Charlemagne’s name means “Charles the Great,” a title he earned after an impressive life filled with military conquests. After the fall of the Roman Empire, invaders came from all sides, and Charlemagne fought out of loyalty to his people and the Catholic church. While he led many campaigns that helped to reunite Europe during the “Migratory Period,” Charlemagne primarily aimed just to claim land where he and his people—the Franks—could live in peace. His life inspired countless tales, including the legends that he was twenty feet tall, that he slept under the guard of 100 armed knights, and that he rose from the dead to aid in the Crusades. While these fantastical tales are false, the truth is equally by the end of his life, Charlemagne had been king of the Franks, king of the Lombards, and the first emperor of the newly formed Holy Roman Empire.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

42 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 3, 2018

Reviews

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlemagne: Father of the Franks, Leader of the Lombards, and Premier Holy Roman Emperor
By: in60Learning
Narrated by: William Kenny
This is an audible book I requested and the review is voluntary.
My father's side of the family is French so I have always been fascinated by Charlemagne and his history but it is sometimes daunting to sift through all the history to find what I really want to know. This book had exactly what I was looking for! There is a lot out there on him since he is so famous but this narrowed it down and and gave me the points I wanted. I was so happy and learned so much in such a short time. I love these books!
The narrator has a nice clear voice and adds feeling to it just enough but not enough to make it sound like a fiction story.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

We’re all busy people and it can be difficult to find the time – and sometimes a little daunting – to read a detailed biography or non-fiction book. This is where new publishing brand in60Learning comes in. They’ve launched a range of biographical and historical works that can be read or listened to in less than 60 minutes. As someone who often bypasses non-fiction for precisely the reasons mentioned above, when Tyler from in60Learning approached me about reviewing one of their titles, I was happy to accept. From their range of historical titles I chose Charlemagne, hoping to learn more about this influential figure in European history.

The subtitle of the book – Father of the Franks, Leader of the Lombards and Premier Holy Roman Empire – gives you an idea of the magnitude of the life the authors are seeking to cover. The book was certainly packed with historical fact and the authors were careful to point out where there is conflict between historical sources. I think a list of sources/references would be a useful addition to the book, adding to the credibility of the information contained in it.

I’ll confess that I did find the structure of the book not entirely logical with information about Charlemagne’s birth, marriages and so on placed towards the end of the book. I felt it would have fitted better earlier in the book, perhaps in the form of a chronology. (However, to be fair, the Wikipedia entry follows a similar structure.) Some of the sections could have had a little less detail for me – for example, those covering the Saxon Wars seemed very long – and I wasn’t completely sure if, in such a short book, a summary section was needed at the end.

Having said that, I certainly learned some things about Charlemagne I didn’t know, such as his contribution to the development of writing and education. I was also intrigued to learn that he barred his daughters from marrying in case their husbands might become political rivals but turned a blind eye to their illicit affairs. There were also some interesting nuggets of information that will definitely stick in my mind. For example, that Charlemagne may have been six feet four inches tall and enjoyed sharing a hot tub with friends and family!

The concept of non-fiction books and audiobooks that can be read or listened to in less than 60 minutes is a fantastic one. I think that a few tweaks to the format, such as the addition of references and suggestions for further reading, would enhance the value of these interesting little books to potential readers.

I’d like to thank Tyler at in60Learning for my review copy in return for an honest and unbiased review. To see the full range of titles available from in60Learning visit their website. If you sign up to their LearningList you’ll be kept up-to-date with new releases and you’ll also receive the first two chapters of Alexander the Great: Student of Aristotle, Descendant of Heroes as a thank you.

[Patrick S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been wanting to read a book about Charlemagne for a while and the only thing I know about him is what I have learned from learning about church history. So I wasn't sure if it'd be worth the time. I was able to get a copy of this primer to Charlemagne that boils down the basic details of Charlemagne's life. The book is structured as to cover the main points of his life in a topical format rather than chronologically. Charlemagne's birth and death topic was placed at the end which seemed an odd way to structure it. There are details of Charlemagne that I never knew about such as his desire to educate his populace. The one main detail that I'm surprised the book skipped was Charlemagne's conversion to Christianity and the possible apocryphal story of his heavenly vision. I would recommend this book and probably others in the series if you want to test the waters on reading further on the subject of the book. I would have also liked a "For further reading see the following books" suggestion at the end. Final Grade - B+

[Mv · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read/listened to by this author and I would listen to another. I enjoyed the way the book was written as a narrative by the Grand Duchess. It starts essentially with her first learning of her betrothal and ends with her death. I’d love to know how much of the content came from the true letters by the Grand Duchess Maria Luisa. I get the feel there was quite a lot. I really enjoy Alison Weir, and Carolyn Erickson. Now I will add Maria Pia Oelker to the list.

This is the first book I’ve listened to by this narrator ( Anneliese Rennie ) and I would listen to another. I think she did wonderful job choosing the tone and cadence to the voices. Her Grand Duchess’ voice is perfect.

There are no explicit sex scenes, excessive violence or swearing.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this unbiased review.
Please feel free to comment on whether you found my review helpful.
Story 5/5
Narration 5/5

[Reeca Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlemagne was a great leader and advocate for education. He is the reason we have common writing and a basis for the educational system. He was also a good soldier and expanded his empire tremendously. He also believed in equality. He did not hold someone’s beliefs against them. He helped to maintain their rights to their own beliefs.
I am loving this in60learning. I read this last night before I went to sleep. It was quick, informative, and interesting.

[Aurora · Rating 4 out of 5]

This particular offering seems a bit more light-weight than some of the other in-60 books. As usual it covers Charlemagne's military exploits and his reforms to government and social norms fairly well but at a high level. As usual, it's a great overview and starting point for someone wanting to gain a little more knowledge about the great leader and to place him in world history. Recommended as a place to start for someone interested in European history.

[Ashley Hedden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlemagne: Father of the Franks, Leader of the Lombards, and Premier Holy Roman Emperor by in60Learning was a good read. Charlemagne earned the name "Charles the Great" with his military conquests. This was a great informative read about Charlemagne.

[Felicity Terry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Intrigued by an email sent to me by the co-creator of new publishing brand in60learning who produce concise historical and biographical works (science and technology titles are on the way) that can be read or listened to in 60 minutes I jumped at the chance to read/review this paper copy from an impressive selection.

Read within 60 minutes (less if, like me, you happen to be a fast reader). Easy to digest, ideal as revision notes, a superb introduction to the subject.

A bit repetitive in places, its 'Conclusion And Summary' adequately summing things up in just over a page, and I came away feeling I knew as much about the times in which he lived as about the man himself. But still, in just over 30 pages, and with everything from the 'Facts and Fiction in the Early Wars' through to 'Charlemagne's Accomplishments and His Death' by way of his role as 'Holy Roman Emperor and Educator', this provided a useful insight.

Copyright: Tracy Terry @ Pen and Paper (Please note my blog version does vary slightly)
Disclaimer: Read and reviewed on behalf of the publisher, no financial compensation was asked for nor given