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Hero of Two Worlds

The Marquis de Lafayette in the Age of Revolution

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Hero of Two Worlds

By: Mike Duncan
Narrated by: Mike Duncan
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About this listen

 From the bestselling author of The Storm Before the Storm and host of the Revolutions podcast comes the thrilling story of the Marquis de Lafayette’s lifelong quest to defend the principles of liberty and equality

Few in history can match the revolutionary career of the Marquis de Lafayette. Over fifty incredible years at the heart of the Age of Revolution, he fought courageously on both sides of the Atlantic. He was a soldier, statesman, idealist, philanthropist, and abolitionist.

As a teenager, Lafayette ran away from France to join the American Revolution. Returning home a national hero, he helped launch the French Revolution, eventually spending five years locked in dungeon prisons. After his release, Lafayette sparred with Napoleon, joined an underground conspiracy to overthrow King Louis XVIII, and became an international symbol of liberty. Finally, as a revered elder statesman, he was instrumental in the overthrow of the Bourbon Dynasty in the Revolution of 1830.

From enthusiastic youth to world-weary old age, from the pinnacle of glory to the depths of despair, Lafayette never stopped fighting for the rights of all mankind. His remarkable life is the story of where we come from, and an inspiration to defend the ideals he held dear. Americas Europe France Historical Revolution & Founding United States French Revolution Military War Thought-Provoking Royalty Inspiring

Critic reviews

“Comprehensive and accessible…. Duncan marshals a wealth of information into a crisp and readable narrative. This sympathetic portrait illuminates the complexities of Lafayette and his revolutionary era.”—Publishers Weekly
"All listeners of The History of Rome and Revolutions – as well as readers of The Storm Before The Storm -- know the joy of Mike Duncan guiding them through epic, operatic moments in western history. Now Duncan has zeroed in on his perfect subject, a towering figure through whom Duncan can explore and even upend the birth of political liberalism. Duncan has reintroduced the Marquis de Lafayette for a whole new generation, bringing him to life with all his passions, contradictions and hypocrisies. Never mind the Broadway musicals, here's the Hero of Two Worlds." —Spencer Ackerman, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of Reign of Terror: How The 9/11 Era Destabilized America and Produced Trump
"Mike Duncan's ability to weave a rich and compelling story is on full display in Hero of Two Worlds. He takes the reader on a gripping roller-coaster ride that follows the Marquis de Lafayette's fortunes through decades of victory, defeat, and revolution on two continents… Duncan has an exceptional eye for both human potential and human fallibility, grasping the qualities that make figures like Lafayette real, three-dimensional people, simultaneously victims of circumstance and active participants driving forward the course of history. Hero of Two Worlds is biography and narrative at its best, an informative page-turner crafted by a master of historical storytelling."—Patrick Wyman, creator of Tides of History and author of The Verge: Reformation, Renaissance, and Forty Years that Shook the World
"I first learned of Mike Duncan's work when a prominent politician told me he'd been addicted to his podcast on the French Revolution, and found it startlingly relevant in 2021. Duncan's work is a reminder that history can also be a gripping yarn full of compelling characters, and in Hero of Two Worlds he brings alive one of the great characters of American history."—Ben Smith, New York Times
“Mike Duncan has dug deep into the world of revolutions, and the richness of detail in this book is beguiling. But Mike’s superpower is his storytelling skill. Hero Of Two Worlds hooks you from page one with humor, a sly perspective and a page turning narrative drive worthy of a life like Lafayette’s.”—Rian Johnson, award-winning filmmaker
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Revolutions podcaster Mike Duncan does what he does so well in his podcast in bookformat! very recommended if you either like 18-19th century history or if you enjoyed Duncans podcasts

Great listening!

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Mike Duncan is always a joy to listen to. He writes his material in an easily digested way. This book is truly a great tribute to the subject.

I have only one tiny suggestion. When the book talks of the June 1832 failed revolution it may be worthwhile noting that this was the action captured in the book La miserables by Victor Hugo who was a young man when it occurred. in this way, it would anchor the time in the mind of the reader.

A great story well composed and well read.

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I would have like an added pdf with charts and photos of portrets and letters of which Mike talks

The story of two revolutions in one life!

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I've enjoyed Duncan's various podcasts and I'm pleased he chose Lafayette for this book as he often mentioned the contrast of his role and fortunes in the American and French revolutions podcasts. Here multiple events and key figures pass through and interact with Lafayette's adventures but the focus remains very much on Lafayette which is admirable but sometimes frustrating when the likes of Napoleon "guest star" in the narrative and their role seems diminished (Napoleon features for about 1 hour in the book). But this is a biography about Lafayette so it's overall a good thing that events he's not so strongly mixed up in are left out.
I think I found his role in the French revolution, and the events following, the most interesting as I'm least familiar with them.
I was also unaware of how easily Lafayette could have seized power for himself on a couple of occasions and while it seems he's criticised for not doing so, I'd argue it was his greatest act (even if it lead to others seizing such power).
For those worried this may add nothing new to those who've listened to Duncan's "revolutions" podcast, I'd tell you not to worry. This is a completely novel look at events covered in the podcast with much more detail surrounding Lafayette's life from birth to death and as I've mentioned, the focus/viewpoint is always from that which Lafayette experienced/was involved in.
Hopefully the author will continue to write histories in this style now his podcast has ended.

not a remix of his podcast but new and interesting

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Listened to this because I’m a fan of Mike Duncan’s Revolutions Podcast. This book is fascinating and covers so many historical events. Would highly recommend.

Great for history enthusiasts

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