Walls

A History of Civilization in Blood and Brick

By: David Frye, David Frye - introduction

Narrated by: Arthur Morey

“A lively popular history of an oft-overlooked element in the development of human society” (Library Journal)—walls—and a haunting and eye-opening saga that reveals a startling link between what we build and how we live.

With esteemed historian David Frye as our raconteur-guide in Walls, which Publishers Weekly praises as “informative, relevant, and thought-provoking,” we journey back to a time before barriers of brick and stone even existed—to an era in which nomadic tribes vied for scarce resources, and each man was bred to a life of struggle. Ultimately, those same men would create edifices of mud, brick, and stone, and with them effectively divide humanity: on one side were those the walls protected; on the other, those the walls kept out.

The stars of this narrative are the walls themselves—rising up in places as ancient and exotic as Mesopotamia, Babylon, Greece, China, Rome, Mongolia, Afghanistan, the lower Mississippi, and even Central America. As we journey across time and place, we discover a hidden, thousand-mile-long wall in Asia's steppes; learn of bizarre Spartan rituals; watch Mongol chieftains lead their miles-long hordes; witness the epic siege of Constantinople; chill at the fate of French explorers; marvel at the folly of the Maginot Line; tense at the gathering crisis in Cold War Berlin; gape at Hollywood’s gated royalty; and contemplate the wall mania of our own era.

Hailed by Kirkus Reviews as “provocative, well-written, and—with walls rising everywhere on the planet—timely,” Walls gradually reveals the startling ways that barriers have affected our psyches. The questions this book summons are both intriguing and profound: Did walls make civilization possible? And can we live without them? Find out in this masterpiece of historical recovery and preeminent storytelling.

very interesting historical perspective

very interesting book. moved along and stayed alive, despite the broad expanse of information. really enjoyed it.

Grit and Wit

Very interesting and engaging book, full of grit and wit. I enjoyed the blending and integration of histories and stories from around the world and across time, always coming back to the grand theme of walls as symptom and cause.
This would make a great documentary series!

narrator sounds not optimal at 1.5x speed

a little hard to hear the narrator at 1.5x speed, compared to other books. i just added volume, will listen again.

A Face-First Dive into the Importance of Walls

An excuisite examination of a simple structure standing strong as a text written of, by, and for the ages.
David Frye wields military, social, and environmental history like brick, mortar, and some as he constructs a comprehensive overview of walls' role as defender, civilizer, and pacifier. His argument is that Walls put a literal barrier between two peoples, those who cilvilized within their high enclosures, and those who remained outside.
This work breaches the barrier between various fields of study and invites it's readers to charge through the gap.

The code for history

This is how I wish I had been taught history. It's not about dates or leaders or which culture was smarter. It's about who felt safe enough to farm and invent and dream. Wonderfully written, and narrated by the truly amazing Arthur Morey.