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Centuries of Change

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Centuries of Change

By: Ian Mortimer
Narrated by: Mike Grady, Ian Mortimer, Various
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About this listen

In a contest of change, which century from the past millennium would come up trumps? Imagine the Black Death took on the female vote in a pub brawl, or the Industrial Revolution faced the Internet in a medieval joust - whose side would you be on?

In this hugely entertaining book, celebrated historian Ian Mortimer takes us on a whirlwind tour of Western history, pitting one century against another in his quest to measure change.

©2014 Ian Mortimer (P)2015 W.F. Howes Ltd Civilization Freedom & Security History History & Culture History & Philosophy Politics & Government Science World Thought-Provoking

Critic reviews

"His curiosity is boundless and his profound scholarship is leavened by a sense of fun." ( Daily Express)
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I’ve listened to the author’s Time Travellers’ Guides and so looked forward to enjoying the author’s stimulating approach to history. I was certainly made to think about what changes in society actually had noticeable impact on ordinary people during each century of the previous millennium and not just the discoveries, inventions, wars or plagues that with hindsight appear to have changed the course of history.

I was certainly made to reassess the impact of historical events, discoveries or inventions that I thought of as landmarks in human history and have to agree with the author that some of these, though eventually life changing, had little impact during the century in which they occurred.

The present book doesn’t use the intimate approach of the Time Travellers’ Guides in which the listener is imaginatively transported to the streets of, say 14th Century, England to experience what life was like. It more fact driven and dispassionate.

My only caveat but this book is the last 50 minutes or so in which the author speculates about the future. Much is sensible: the problems of over-population, depletion of resources and global warming, however it went on too long and didn’t acknowledge how predicting the future has so often been wrong. However, I forgive the author as I too am feeling pretty depressed about the legacy we are leaving for future generations.

Overall, I enjoyed this thought-provoking approach to history and the lively narration.

Though provoking approach to history

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. I learned a lot and feel I have missed out: I wish I had known some of this stuff years ago.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Centuries of Change?

Most of it.

Which character – as performed by Ian Mortimer and Mike Grady – was your favourite?

No characters as such, but both narrators were good.

I don't 'read' enough non fiction: this was great!

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An interesting concept in comparing periods of time to asses change. The conclusion is spot on and scary at the same time. If only some of world leaders would take the time to listen. Plenty new for me to learn here both in factual terms and in terms of analytical approaches. Would recommend.

Another fascinating and awe inspiring book

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I am already something of a "fan" of Ian Mortimer, so I found this book extremely enjoyable. It was very informative and insightful. Though mainly centred on the Western Perspective (horribly unfashionable on the Left, at the moment) it doesn't disappoint the listener. In fact, it is quite frank in its relation to racism, slavery and injustice. But it also points out, where so many do not, that the Western world brought about change by its own volition.

Interesting and thought provoking.

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I liked the approach of considering the over-arching factors that brought fundamental change to people’s lives and society. I was a bit depressed by the conclusions at the end regarding the future, but we shall see…..Well narrated.

Fresh perspective on the mega trends over time

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