Charlemagne Father of Europe

by Philip Daileader

In Charlemagne: Father of Europe, you will look back on Charlemagne’s rule and the way his dynasty and its influence would affect the world in the centuries that would follow. Join Professor Philip Daileader of William & Mary for this 12-lecture historical journey into the life, times, and complicated legacy of the ruler known as the pater Europae.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Biography, Medieval, World History, Biography Memoir

Audiobook

Published January 1, 2021

About the author

Ph.D., Harvard University,
The College of William and Mary

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_D...

Reviews

[Michael Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good, short course on this important leader in Medieval Christian Europe.

[Gilbert Stack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charlemagne gets mentioned in every Western Civilizations I course mostly because of the Carolingian Renaissance. This Great Courses text will show you that his impact was much broader than his important educational and administrative reforms. His military conquests are actually only a small part of the text. There’s a lot of emphasis on his administration, his diplomacy, his economy, and of course, his claiming of the imperial title. There’s also a couple of lectures on his impact and legacy. This book is well worthwhile for anyone interested in one of Europe’s greatest kings.

If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.

[Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastically researched bit of information about Charlemagne! He was a personality that could often seem bigger than he really was, though often that was because of how he was portrayed, misconstrued and misunderstood. Was he really the "All that and a bag of chips" type of leader? This book will hopefully help you to come to your mind about that. I choose to just see him as the human he was with whole lists of pros and cons. What he would have put is different from what, especially, anyone today would put in each category. Likewise, I tend to think that he wouldn't like being associated to most of the things he has been associated with since his death. Anyways, this is a good broad overview of Charlemagne's reign as emperor of his version of the Roman Empire.

[Aron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is exactly how history should be taught. Respect to the Professor for such a phenomenal course: respectful to the events and characters involved while not hiding the flaws of the protagonist. The presentation is witty and fascinating, comprehensive and compelling. He clearly clarifies the complexity of our sources of knowledge as well as the events/characters themselves. The cherry on the cake is he offers informed opinions on the subject at hand, while not beating students over our heads with his own value system. Highly recommended.

[Blair Hodgkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superb lecture series, this follows Charlemagne from prologue to epilogue, detailing his rise to king, then emperor, then legend and symbol. It explores the context of Charlemagne as well as the history. The use of primary sources is at the forefront and their limitations are explained. The lecturer also reviews how Charlemagne has been important in literature and nationalist propaganda. At no time does this study become a hero worship; his flaws are on display with his virtues. A well-balanced study, well worth the time.

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was extremely well done.
This offers history of the continent,briefly, in leading up to the reign of Charlemagne.
This also continues after his death with what happens and gives archeological info, as well as historical sources.
I was quite impressed with how this was handed.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid overview over Charlemagne's life and legacy, though I wasn't a fan of the way the course was structured.

[Hans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Score: 3/5 (worth listening once)
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Themes: history, Europe
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Charlemagne is a figure that people love to adopt, so separating the historical figure from whatever fanciful legend endears him to you can be tricky. I think the lecture series does a good job admitting where modern comparisons break down, while highlighting the actual achievements of a man who honestly did a lot with very little.

There are some issues with the lectures however. The organization did not always make sense to me, following a more typical chronology only for a few lectures in the middle. Mostly each lecture was more of a stand-alone essay about a singular topic, such as Charlemagne's mutualistic influence with religion. The other big problem (for me) was the voice of the lecturer. I suspect that they require corrective surgery for a sinus problem, regardless, it wasn't nice to listen to and I actually grimaced when the microphone picked up a loud swallowing sound. How much that bothers you will likely affect your own rating.

[Dennis Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlemagne: Father of Europe restored some of my faith in these smaller courses offered by the Teaching Company. Lately, The Great Courses have not held up too well in their more recent, shorter offerings. Fluffy, basic, and not all that informative, the best many of them have risen to is "good." Thank you Dr Daileader, this is an actual survey course. And a good one at that. The chronological portion of Charlemagne's life and rein is dealt with in a couple of lectures. What follows are a series of snapshots into the ways in which Charlemagne ruled, touching on his leadership in war, religion, administrator, preserver of knowledge, etc. There's a lecture on the world that Charlemagne inhabited as well. Also quite interesting, there are three courses on the memory of Charlemagne, including myth (or the things people made up about him), history, and in the contemporary period. Actual scholarship!

I missed this.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting history of Charlemagne. It speaks of his whole life, family, political, and more. I found it interesting that it was writing that he was punished before going to heaven for lechery. I liked that he questioned the world around him: wanting to know how old the moon was. I’m not sure why I didn’t realize that he was related to Louis of Aquitaine. I guess when I think of historical figures I think of them as separate entities. This was an interesting, quick history of Charlemagne and I enjoyed it.

[Deb W · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't really like the way these courses are done. Video of a guy sitting and talking with a few pictures to break the monotony puts me to sleep.

They really should update to use present day technology.

[John Waits · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devoured. I love history.

[Damien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and well researched. Daileader is outstanding at separating Charlemagne fact, fiction, and unknowns. Certainly worth a read or listen on audio book.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Very good overview of Charlemagne, his life and times, and his influence up to the present.

[Rik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. It's brief, only 12 lectures and after a few summing up the timeline it switches to topical lectures.

[Georgiana · Rating 1 out of 5]

Slogged my way through about half of it. Gave up because I just couldn't be bothered.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
Felt like a fairly balanced examination.

[John Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good review of Charlemagne the man ruler and emperor.

[Lee Radford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This set of lectures provides a foundation for the history or Charles the Great and his influence on Europe.

[Heather M Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting course, broad in scope and not afraid to critique the record when appropriate.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great lecture series by Daileader.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I kind of liked this more than Emperor Charlemagne due to its conciseness. Though Daileader sounds like he could use a decongestant.

[Amy Gideon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought his life would be more interesting than this, but it looks like I had just bought into all the propaganda surrounding him, which was discussed in one of the lectures.

[Moritz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice but short overview about the life of Charlemagne, and the influence his name has even today.

(I did however prefer the presentation style of the older books from Philip Daileader)

[Nicholas Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, but well sourced(and this is the most important thing). I don't think the work was well laid out, and I disagree with what it decided to cover and what it decided to leave out, but all in all worth my time. Felt hastily put together.