Charlemagne

By: Johannes Fried, Peter Lewis

Narrated by: James Cameron Stewart

When the legendary Frankish king and emperor Charlemagne died in 814 he left behind a dominion and a legacy unlike anything seen in Western Europe since the fall of Rome. Johannes Fried paints a compelling portrait of a devout ruler, a violent time, and a unified kingdom that deepens our understanding of the man often called the father of Europe.

©2016 The President and Fellows of Harvard College (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"This is a magisterial study of the life and times of the Frankish king who became the first Holy Roman Emperor." ( Publishers Weekly)

Great scholarship

Great scholarship, but perhaps not exactly an enthralling book to listen to. If you are interested in Early Medieval Europe, it is a must.

Way too much detail

As a history buff, I came across Charlemagne’s name. I really didn’t know anything about the man and was looking for a book to enlighten me. I was inundated with a very comprehensive book of the world of years 700 - 800s CE . I learned much but had to skip parts so I could finally finish the middle age course. Very detailed book for someone looking for that kind of information.

Charlemagne; A barbarian grows a conscience.

The arch of the life of Charlemagne is well worth a modern look as provided by this well documented tome. The author takes pains to inform you how difficult it is to look at a historical figure so deep in history and lore without significant proof that the stories and historical accounts are not reinterpretation for the benefit of the time that they are written. Nonetheless it is a fascinating arc of life that clearly shows a powerful man coming to terms with his conscience In a time of barbarism.
It is impossible not to view at least the fable of Charlemagne as not being a man who came to the renaissance before the world was ready. I highly recommend spending the time required to get to know my relative Charlemagne!
As I like to read or should I say listen via Audible the cadence of the reader provides an odd cadence that becomes a touch annoying at times. I do listen at 2.5 speed and at normal speed you may not find this to be the case. Good listening.

Interesting historical perspectives

If you are looking for historical timeline along with detailed event descriptions befitting an academic dissertation, then this is not your book. It is, rather, a presentation of well researched historical perspectives sense making of a mythic historic figure.

I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Brilliant biography and narration!

Highly recommended and detailed biography of the most important ruler of the Early Middle Ages. The narration by James Cameron Stewart is simply superb. I really hope J. Fried's "The Middle Ages" becomes available as an audiobook soon also narrated by JCS.