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Turning Points in Modern History
This lecture series takes you on a far-reaching journey around the globe - from China to the Americas to New Zealand - to shed light on how two dozen of the top discoveries, inventions, political upheavals, and ideas since 1400 have shaped the modern world. In just 24 thought-provoking lectures, you'll get the amazing story of how life as we know it developed. Starting in the early 15th century and culminating in the age of social media, you'll encounter astounding threads that weave through the centuries, joining these turning points in ways that may come as a revelation. You'll also witness turning points with repercussions we can only speculate about because they are still very much in the process of turning. Professor Liulevicius doesn't merely recount the greatest events of history, but rather has selected true catalysts in provoking changes in worldview. Some of the events you'll investigate, including the discovery of the New World and the fall of the Berlin Wall, will immediately resonate as watershed moments. The global significance of other pivotal events may only become apparent through the detailed analysis contained in these lectures, such as the publication of the Enlightenment-era Encyclopédie and the Russo-Japanese War - which has been historically overshadowed by the two world wars that followed. As you discover how turning points such as the discovery of penicillin and the opening of East Berlin hinged on chance, accident, and, in some cases, sheer luck, you'll realize how easily history might have played out differently.
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First published January 1, 2013
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About the author
Vejas Gabriel Liulevicius
23 books85 followersDistinguished Professor in the Humanities in the College of Arts and Sciences
Biography
Professor Liulevicius specializes in modern German history, with a particular focus on German relations with Eastern Europe. He completed his Ph.D. at the University of Pennsylvania in 1994 and was a postdoctoral research fellow at the Hoover Institution on War, Peace, and Revolution from 1994-95. He has taught at the University of Tennessee since 1995. From 2008 to 2021, he served as the director of the Center for the Study of War and Society.
Biography
Professor Liulevicius specializes in modern German history, with a particular focus on German relations with Eastern Europe. He completed his Ph.D. at the University of Pennsylvania in 1994 and was a postdoctoral research fellow at the Hoover Institution on War, Peace, and Revolution from 1994-95. He has taught at the University of Tennessee since 1995. From 2008 to 2021, he served as the director of the Center for the Study of War and Society.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
February 12, 2023
Not the worst lecture you're ever going to listen to, and if you are an uncritical fan of all accomplishments U.S.A. you'll probably thrill at the biases of Dr. Vejas Gabriel Liuleviciuson being on full display, but as a primer for the world's turning points and an inspiration for further reading Dr. Liulevicius Turning Points in Modern History is successful enough, regardless of your perspective on the world.
I do wonder, however, how Dr. Liulevicius feels now about Social Media, a full decade after recording this lecture. He was decidedly positive about the potential of the internet, and he was a big fan of Mark Zuckerberg, but I doubt he could have held on to that enthusiasm after what we've seen over the last ten years, you never know, though. Dr. Liulevicius is an uncritical fan of all things entrepreneurial, all things Western, all things capitalist, so he may very well still feel that the pros outweigh the cons in our virtual world.
For me, there were two standout chapters in Dr. Liulevicius's lectures: Leeuwenhoek's microscope and the Treaty of Westphalia. There was a thrilling amount of connections that sprang from these turning points and still seem to reverberate through our present. Plus, Dr. Liulevicius seemed particularly jazzed by these moments, and that made them even more fun.
There some lectures I plan to go back to and brush up on in the future. This isn't one of them. But Treaty of Westphalia here I come.
I do wonder, however, how Dr. Liulevicius feels now about Social Media, a full decade after recording this lecture. He was decidedly positive about the potential of the internet, and he was a big fan of Mark Zuckerberg, but I doubt he could have held on to that enthusiasm after what we've seen over the last ten years, you never know, though. Dr. Liulevicius is an uncritical fan of all things entrepreneurial, all things Western, all things capitalist, so he may very well still feel that the pros outweigh the cons in our virtual world.
For me, there were two standout chapters in Dr. Liulevicius's lectures: Leeuwenhoek's microscope and the Treaty of Westphalia. There was a thrilling amount of connections that sprang from these turning points and still seem to reverberate through our present. Plus, Dr. Liulevicius seemed particularly jazzed by these moments, and that made them even more fun.
There some lectures I plan to go back to and brush up on in the future. This isn't one of them. But Treaty of Westphalia here I come.
February 7, 2018
There are several ways to evaluate this set of lectures.
One way, is to ascribe them to a type of 'edutainment', best exemplified by a script from a history channel in which the 'professor's' opinions of historic turning points are summarized in a 24-part series...oh, wait...that's what it was!
Another way to examine these lectures is to place the events described (i.e. turning points) into the real, and complex context of that particular historic event (e.g the Gutenberg bible, literacy, and the reformation; or the advent of global exploration and commerce, inciting the growth of technology; or, maybe, the advent of instruments of mass destruction and the revelation that it hasn't happened...yet) that just might be important to us now.
Or, perhaps another way might be that the good professor just suggests that, in his opinion, (the)facebook (sic) simply is the voyage that Zheng He never took...or Paine’s 'Common Sense' was never translated into French; or, in John Lennon's phrase "...Imagine there's no countries..." are important to the face we look at in the mirror .
Good course...not great. Worthwhile, since it makes you think (much like the companion course about medieval turning points by Dorsey Armstrong), and well-presented in a good, strong voice by Dr Liulevicius. I recommend this course as part of a well-rounded look, not only of history, but as a way of analyzing historic events. Coupon and sale only, if you please.
One way, is to ascribe them to a type of 'edutainment', best exemplified by a script from a history channel in which the 'professor's' opinions of historic turning points are summarized in a 24-part series...oh, wait...that's what it was!
Another way to examine these lectures is to place the events described (i.e. turning points) into the real, and complex context of that particular historic event (e.g the Gutenberg bible, literacy, and the reformation; or the advent of global exploration and commerce, inciting the growth of technology; or, maybe, the advent of instruments of mass destruction and the revelation that it hasn't happened...yet) that just might be important to us now.
Or, perhaps another way might be that the good professor just suggests that, in his opinion, (the)facebook (sic) simply is the voyage that Zheng He never took...or Paine’s 'Common Sense' was never translated into French; or, in John Lennon's phrase "...Imagine there's no countries..." are important to the face we look at in the mirror .
Good course...not great. Worthwhile, since it makes you think (much like the companion course about medieval turning points by Dorsey Armstrong), and well-presented in a good, strong voice by Dr Liulevicius. I recommend this course as part of a well-rounded look, not only of history, but as a way of analyzing historic events. Coupon and sale only, if you please.
November 9, 2019
24 turning points that created the Modern World. Actually Liulevicius picked events that changed the way that humans saw the world around them. Some seemed obvious like the Fall of Constantinople, Gutenberg's Print Revolution, the British East India Company, the American Experiment and walking on the Moon. While others like the First Woman Voters in New Zealand, Van Leeuwenhoek's Microscope, and Diderot's Enlightenment Encyclopedia were less obvious but ultimately just as world changing.
Why I started this book: I needed a pure hit of information without the contempt or controversy of the current news cycle.
Why I finished it: Great book to take on vacation, as each lecture contains it's own stopping point and was easy to pick up and put down, as I changed planes, cars and hotels. Several other reviewers have used the description "edutainment" and I wholeheartedly agree and recommend it. So fun to "attend" another college course without having any papers due or a final.
Why I started this book: I needed a pure hit of information without the contempt or controversy of the current news cycle.
Why I finished it: Great book to take on vacation, as each lecture contains it's own stopping point and was easy to pick up and put down, as I changed planes, cars and hotels. Several other reviewers have used the description "edutainment" and I wholeheartedly agree and recommend it. So fun to "attend" another college course without having any papers due or a final.
November 10, 2020
This was a very well put-together course. Professor Dr. Vejas Gabriel Liulevicius is Lindsay Young Professor of History and Director of the Center for the Study of War and Society at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. At the university, he teaches courses on modern German history, Western civilization, European diplomatic history, Nazi Germany, World War I, war and culture, 20th-century Europe, nationalism, and utopian thought, according to his Professor bio on the Great Courses page.
Professor Liulevicius is one of the better lecturers over at The Great Courses, in my opinion. This is my second course from him, after his 2006 offering World War I: The "Great War", which I also enjoyed.
Liulevicius delivers these 24 lectures, each ~30mins, in an engaging and interesting manner, which makes them easy to absorb. He has a great teaching style as well; he speaks clearly and concisely and presents the content in a very watchable format. A welcome change from some of his contemporaries at "The Great Courses", who often ramble on in monotonous diatribes that quickly find the student lost in the weeds...
The topics covered in this course :
1) 1433-The Great Voyages of Admiral Zheng He
2) 1453-The Fall of Constantinople
3) 1455-Gutenberg's Print Revolution
4) 1492-The Columbian Exchange
5) 1600-The British East India Company
6) 1648-The Treaty of Westphalia
7) 1676-Van Leeuwenhoek's Microscope
8) 1751-Diderot's Enlightenment Encyclopedia
9) 1787-The American Experiment
10) 1789-The French Revolution
11) 1838-The British Slavery Abolition Act
12) 1839-The Opium War in China
13) 1859-Darwin and the Origin of Species
14) 1869-Binding Continents
15) 1893-First Women Voters in New Zealand
16) 1896-The Invention of Motion Pictures
17) 1903-Kitty Hawk and Powered Flight
18) 1904-The Russo-Japanese War
19) 1928-The Discovery of Penicillin
20) 1942-The Dawn of the Atom
21) 1969-Walking on the Moon
22) 1972-China Enters the World Balance
23) 1989-The Fall of the Berlin Wall
24) 2004-The Rise of Social Media
Turning Points in Modern History is one of the better offerings from "The Great Courses". Their lectures have really come a long way from their humble beginnings. They have improved quite a lot recently; now featuring many pictures as well as different camera angles, and no longer have the professor stuck behind a podium reading from his notes. Good stuff!
This was a really well researched, written, and delivered course. I would recommend it to fans of "The Great Courses", or anyone else interested.
5 stars.
Professor Liulevicius is one of the better lecturers over at The Great Courses, in my opinion. This is my second course from him, after his 2006 offering World War I: The "Great War", which I also enjoyed.
Liulevicius delivers these 24 lectures, each ~30mins, in an engaging and interesting manner, which makes them easy to absorb. He has a great teaching style as well; he speaks clearly and concisely and presents the content in a very watchable format. A welcome change from some of his contemporaries at "The Great Courses", who often ramble on in monotonous diatribes that quickly find the student lost in the weeds...
The topics covered in this course :
1) 1433-The Great Voyages of Admiral Zheng He
2) 1453-The Fall of Constantinople
3) 1455-Gutenberg's Print Revolution
4) 1492-The Columbian Exchange
5) 1600-The British East India Company
6) 1648-The Treaty of Westphalia
7) 1676-Van Leeuwenhoek's Microscope
8) 1751-Diderot's Enlightenment Encyclopedia
9) 1787-The American Experiment
10) 1789-The French Revolution
11) 1838-The British Slavery Abolition Act
12) 1839-The Opium War in China
13) 1859-Darwin and the Origin of Species
14) 1869-Binding Continents
15) 1893-First Women Voters in New Zealand
16) 1896-The Invention of Motion Pictures
17) 1903-Kitty Hawk and Powered Flight
18) 1904-The Russo-Japanese War
19) 1928-The Discovery of Penicillin
20) 1942-The Dawn of the Atom
21) 1969-Walking on the Moon
22) 1972-China Enters the World Balance
23) 1989-The Fall of the Berlin Wall
24) 2004-The Rise of Social Media
Turning Points in Modern History is one of the better offerings from "The Great Courses". Their lectures have really come a long way from their humble beginnings. They have improved quite a lot recently; now featuring many pictures as well as different camera angles, and no longer have the professor stuck behind a podium reading from his notes. Good stuff!
This was a really well researched, written, and delivered course. I would recommend it to fans of "The Great Courses", or anyone else interested.
5 stars.
October 17, 2022
Does this count as a book? Maybe not.
However, it was my sort of history - short and snappy overviews, chockablock with super interesting snippets and human stories.
From Gutenbergs printing press to the birth of the nuclear age, Liulevicius guides the listener through 24 moments that were a crucial turning point in the development of contemporary society. It would make David Graeber turn in his grave, but the historical determinism kept me gripped.
However, it was my sort of history - short and snappy overviews, chockablock with super interesting snippets and human stories.
From Gutenbergs printing press to the birth of the nuclear age, Liulevicius guides the listener through 24 moments that were a crucial turning point in the development of contemporary society. It would make David Graeber turn in his grave, but the historical determinism kept me gripped.
December 14, 2021
This is a "pop-history" course that recaps some of the major events that we might have read about in specific histories. Everyone will have their own lists and I felt Prof. Liulevicius missed some important ones. In the initial lectures, he had a nice framework to explain why he considers some events to be turning points. I especially liked his point about "the event changing the world view of the people". But in later lectures, he seems to have forsaken this objective in favor of "what makes us modern". This I believe, is analyzing events in retrospect. I would've preferred him to stick to his original framework.
But this is a good course to mull things over. For instance, one of the things I've bemoaned against lately is how "world turning point" events are construed mostly from a western point of view. But in this course, the significance and impact of many of the events was undoubtedly global and profound. The last 5 centuries for the entire world have been shaped by Europeans, for better AND for worse. But there's no denying that the turning points in the history of the West have been pivotal for the rest of the world as well.
But this is a good course to mull things over. For instance, one of the things I've bemoaned against lately is how "world turning point" events are construed mostly from a western point of view. But in this course, the significance and impact of many of the events was undoubtedly global and profound. The last 5 centuries for the entire world have been shaped by Europeans, for better AND for worse. But there's no denying that the turning points in the history of the West have been pivotal for the rest of the world as well.
July 23, 2023
eurocentric af.
April 1, 2025
So interesting!
May 27, 2025
Very entertaining audiobook for those who don't read much history. Theses lectures do a great job at placing historical moments in the larger context of their occurrence and circling back to their impact in later discussions. My two nits about this series is as follows:
1.) History is presented too factually without acknowledging the subjective lens through which it is written.
2.) A little too much focus on scientific and technological breakthroughs IMO
List of turning points:
1. Zheng He almost allowing china to discover america first
2. The fall of constantinople
3. Gutenberg's printing press (this had a lot of references in later discussions
4. Christopher columbus discovering america
5. East india company; the first company
6. Treaty of Westphalia: new world order to end religious warfare (very important IMO)
7. Van Leeuwenhoek
8. Diderots encyclopedia
9. Americas constitution
10. french revolution
11. British slavery abolition
12. chinese opium war
13. Darwin's evolution
14. Suez canal and american railroad
15. Women's suffrage in NZ
16. Motion pictures
17. First flight
18. Russo-japanese war
19. Penicillion
20. Atom Bomb
21. Walking on the moon (IMO this is overrated and should not be a turning point)
22. China opens doors to the world
23. Fall of the berlin wall
24. Social Media
Also, HG Wells and Jules Verne were very prescient in their science fiction writing...
1.) History is presented too factually without acknowledging the subjective lens through which it is written.
2.) A little too much focus on scientific and technological breakthroughs IMO
List of turning points:
1. Zheng He almost allowing china to discover america first
2. The fall of constantinople
3. Gutenberg's printing press (this had a lot of references in later discussions
4. Christopher columbus discovering america
5. East india company; the first company
6. Treaty of Westphalia: new world order to end religious warfare (very important IMO)
7. Van Leeuwenhoek
8. Diderots encyclopedia
9. Americas constitution
10. french revolution
11. British slavery abolition
12. chinese opium war
13. Darwin's evolution
14. Suez canal and american railroad
15. Women's suffrage in NZ
16. Motion pictures
17. First flight
18. Russo-japanese war
19. Penicillion
20. Atom Bomb
21. Walking on the moon (IMO this is overrated and should not be a turning point)
22. China opens doors to the world
23. Fall of the berlin wall
24. Social Media
Also, HG Wells and Jules Verne were very prescient in their science fiction writing...
June 26, 2018
A decent lecture series providing a sort of overview of history from the 1400's to the present day. It is structured around the idea of "turning points" but that is a particularly subjective term, especially when some of the "turning points" are times when things didn't happen. Even accepting the authority of the turning points, the dates given for them feel a bit arbitrary, since the lectures explore the years, decades, or even centuries of development that gave rise to the highlighted event, and then further explores the how the event played out, often over years or decades, and how it relates to other events covered in the course, and its lasting impact to the modern day.
I admit that my somewhat lackluster response to this may be in part because I interrupted my progress on this course at about a third to half way through to listen to a completely different book and had somewhat lost the thread of things when I returned to it. But another issue is that I found relatively little novelty in the content; I was at least passingly familiar with all but a few of the turning points, exactly because they are turning points and had an impact on world history, and so the distinctiveness lies in the details of the lectures' narratives, exactly the part that can be hardest to retain.
I admit that my somewhat lackluster response to this may be in part because I interrupted my progress on this course at about a third to half way through to listen to a completely different book and had somewhat lost the thread of things when I returned to it. But another issue is that I found relatively little novelty in the content; I was at least passingly familiar with all but a few of the turning points, exactly because they are turning points and had an impact on world history, and so the distinctiveness lies in the details of the lectures' narratives, exactly the part that can be hardest to retain.
April 6, 2020
(NOTE: I'm stingy with stars. For me 2 stars means a good book or a B. 3 stars means a very good book or a B+. 4 stars means an outstanding book or an A {only about 5% of the books I read merit 4 stars}. 5 stars means an all time favorite or an A+ {Only one of 400 or 500 books rates this!).
The great news is that I can listen to a book a day at work. The bad news is that I can’t keep up with decent reviews. So I’m going to give up for now and just rate them. I hope to come back to some of the most significant things I listen to and read them and then post a review.
The great news is that I can listen to a book a day at work. The bad news is that I can’t keep up with decent reviews. So I’m going to give up for now and just rate them. I hope to come back to some of the most significant things I listen to and read them and then post a review.
March 5, 2024
Professor Liulevicius did an excellent job in his selection of subjects. He then proceeds to put each of the events into a big-picture perspective (in addition to the basics of each event). To help us understand the big-picture perspective he gives us good background of the current state of affairs at the time of the event, adding to our ability to understand its place as a turning point.
The lectures are well-spoken, at an easily absorbable pace. His speech is very clear, and the volume is consistent. Thus, all important aspects of quality audio are met.
The lectures are well-spoken, at an easily absorbable pace. His speech is very clear, and the volume is consistent. Thus, all important aspects of quality audio are met.
August 18, 2018
Turning Points in Modern History was some inspiring and interesting edutainment. Dr. Liulevicius is by far my favorite lecturer, and I hope he produces more courses! Especially longer ones! I recognize I'm probably out of the Teaching Company's main audience for preferring the 20+ hour hours, but I could easily listen to Dr. L for twice that long. He's remarkably well-spoken, erudite, and entertaining.
February 6, 2021
A brief zoom through the last 600 years of world history told as a series of major turning points. It is quick and easy to consume. I would probably have chosen some different turning points and I think the last one is premature - too early. Don't expect much depth to each one but rather use them as a stepping stone to deeper study if they interest you enough. However, it is entertaining and worth your time.
October 24, 2021
This wasn't bad. It's always interesting to look at individual moments and choices that history turns on, but this wasn't that. This was more looking at major events, like the creation of the internet, or the creation of film and moving pictures and how those things changed history. Don't get me wrong they did, however I personally am more interested in singular moments that had huge impacts on history. Just a personal preference of mine.
June 9, 2022
Another excellent course by Liulevicius, covering turning points across the centuries from 1400 to the present and the wideranging influence each of these had on the subsequent course of history. The events and development he discusses from wars and conquests to groundbreaking inventions, scientific and geographical discoveries, new technologies, political changes, and more. Engaging, highly interesting and well presented.
January 25, 2019
Most of the turning points are somewhat obvious, which is to be expected, but Professor Liulevicius does a great job of elaborating on the impact each of these turning points had on the world around it, and drawing throughlines in the historical narrative between the points. Good course, but nothing earth-shattering.
April 4, 2019
Surface info on a great variety of events. Edutainment, but told clearly and enthusiastically. Maybe after this survey one can now follow up on some of these events in more rigorous detail. Not the best ever, but it was a challenge to cover this much ground, and that structure may have dictated the tone of the book.
April 25, 2020
This kind of history course should be taught in every high school and university.
One funny note is that after wars, invention, scientific advancement ... the course ends with Facebook, the biggest network of gossips, fake news, hate speeches in the world. I read somewhere that the human brain is what it is because of the need for gossip. What a coincidence.
One funny note is that after wars, invention, scientific advancement ... the course ends with Facebook, the biggest network of gossips, fake news, hate speeches in the world. I read somewhere that the human brain is what it is because of the need for gossip. What a coincidence.
September 21, 2020
These lectures touch on not only the historical events, but what happened that lead to these events and those that followed. It gives a much better insight to these events themselves and the initial circumstance or development that happened, even if it seems insignificant to the event, that lead to history unfolding as it did.
July 16, 2023
I love great courses and there are many I have enjoyed, but this one is one of my favourites. It is an amazing source of information that would increase your understanding of modern history. Professor Vejas Gabriel Liulevicius made an extraordinary job with these 24 lectures and I really appreciate it.
October 8, 2025
Basic concept, good execution. A course with 24 lectures each of which details an important point in modern history and gives some context. You get out of this course having learned quite a few interesting historical facts.
October 25, 2017
Exciting, inspiring, insightful, educational!
January 22, 2018
Interesting and educational
February 20, 2021
Another outstanding entry in the Great Courses library. Entertaining, affecting, completely absorbing.
December 7, 2021
A fascinating collection detailing the great moments in history. Very well described and spotlighting why each historical event had a major impact on humanity.
March 9, 2022
Excellent all around, scope, reading, exuberance, detail, and seriousness. Will certainly check out more by this professor.
October 23, 2022
A very good contextual explanations of several unrelated historical moments. I liked this series and the lecturer.
July 27, 2023
Professor Liulevicius is a wonderful teacher! I've really enjoyed these Great Courses.
August 8, 2023
Selection of events is good but prose is meh
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews