The Verge

Reformation, Renaissance, and Forty Years that Shook the World

By: Patrick Wyman

Narrated by: Patrick Wyman

The creator of the hit podcast series Tides of History and Fall of Rome explores the four explosive decades between 1490 and 1530, bringing to life the dramatic and deeply human story of how the West was reborn.

In the bestselling tradition of The Swerve and A Distant Mirror, The Verge tells the story of a period that marked a decisive turning point for both European and world history. Here, author Patrick Wyman examines two complementary and contradictory sides of the same historical coin: the world-altering implications of the developments of printed mass media, extreme taxation, exploitative globalization, humanistic learning, gunpowder warfare, and mass religious conflict in the long term, and their intensely disruptive consequences in the short-term.

As told through the lives of ten real people—from famous figures like Christopher Columbus and wealthy banker Jakob Fugger to a ruthless small-time merchant and a one-armed mercenary captain—The Verge illustrates how their lives, and the times in which they lived, set the stage for an unprecedented globalized future.

Over an intense forty-year period, the seeds for the so-called "Great Divergence" between Western Europe and the rest of the globe would be planted. From Columbus's voyage across the Atlantic to Martin Luther's sparking the Protestant Reformation, the foundations of our own, recognizably modern world came into being.

For the past 500 years, historians, economists, and the policy-oriented have argued which of these individual developments best explains the West's rise from backwater periphery to global dominance. As The Verge presents it, however, the answer is far more nuanced.

Really wonderful.

A lovely overview (with some fantastic details sprinkled throughout) of a fascinating era. Worth the time, in every sense.

Good history

Truly enjoyed this book. Had very good detail of a period I had little knowledge of.

Fantastic into Early Modern History!

I was told by a friend about the Tides of History podcast and instantly got hooked. Patrick takes his amazing story telling ability and crafts it into a book that was not only deeply educational, but entertaining as well, just like the podcast. I can't wait to see what he writes next as I'm sure I'd enjoy those to come as well. Not only that, he has a writing style that I aspire to. So it's without saying that his presentation is inspirational to me.

excellent book

As per usual Mr. Wyman is informative, and brings an entertaining narrative to real history.

A Refreshing Take on a Pivotal Period of History

As a long time listener to the author's Tides of History podcast, I've been excited about this book for some time. I'm pleased to report that it does not disappoint! Listening to The Verge is both fascinating and enjoyable.

Patrick has a way of making the past come alive by interspersing historical facts and details into a captivating narrative format. While this book goes deeper than most of the podcast episodes, it is every bit as entertaining. The audiobook version is also a great way to consume this content, as Patrick has a very clear and engaging voice.

It's rare to find a work like this that is as creative and fun to listen to as it is well-researched and nuanced. I can't wait to read and listen to whatever Patrick produces next. If you're on the fence about this book, don't think twice - you won't regret it.