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The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
- Narrated by: Bettany Hughes
- Length: 14 hrs and 7 mins
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The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
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Summary
'A wondrous wonderful achievement' STEPHEN FRY
The Seven Wonders of the World were staggeringly audacious impositions on our planet. They were also brilliant adventures of the mind, test cases for the reaches of human imagination.
Now only the great pyramid remains fully standing, yet the scale and majesty of these seven wonders still enthral us today. In a thrilling, colourful narrative enriched with the latest archaeological discoveries, bestselling historian Bettany Hughes walks through the landscapes of both ancient and modern time. This is a journey whose purpose is to ask why we wonder, why we create, why we choose to remember the wonder of others. She explores traces of the Wonders themselves, and the traces they have left in history. A magisterial work of historical storytelling, The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World reinforces the exciting and nourishing notion that humans can make the impossible happen.
'Fantastic...a joy from the outset' PETER FRANKOPAN
'Fascinating...all told with Bettany's natural sense of wonder and adventure' SIMON SEBAG MONTEFIORE
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
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What listeners say about The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
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- Martin McCluskey
- 05-09-24
Wonderful!
I am a fan of this era and enjoyed this very much. If you have an interest in this, I'd recommend it.
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- Daniela Barani
- 15-02-24
Fascinating!
Beautiful read, incredibly well-research, this book was a delight to listen to. A full five stars from me
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- paul sullivan
- 17-09-24
Author’s enthusiasm
In my youth I never understood why people studied the classics and classical history but with the help of people like the author I have come to understand that who we were is integral to who we are but also who we aspire to be. Really enjoyed this book.
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- Amazon Customer
- 03-03-24
Great story well narrated
It's an excellent book!
It is nice having someone who knows what she is talking about telling it in a great story AND being able to narrate herself. I also enjoyed those lovely little morsels of knowledge, for example, what 'past' means in the origin of different languages
Great listening experience and I followed her stories using Google and Google Earth on occasion. Great experience!
With her lovely, calm voice and speed of narration, Mrs Hughes has created an audiobook I will enjoy listening to more than once!
Thank you very much. Now on to Istanbul. :-)
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- Swords and Spectres
- 08-10-24
A Wonderful Book
For anyone with any kind of interest in the ancient world and the marvels that were achieved during the period, this book is definitely one to take a look at. The research, love and care that Bettany has put into this piece shows through clearly (even more so given her narration of the audio book)
Bettany goes into immense detail on each of the seven wonders. Not only on the creation itself, but the people who created them and the times they lived in. Not to mention just how much effort, manpower and resources went into the construction of such vast creations.
The sheer awesomeness of the seven wonders is awe-inspiring and a true testament to what the human race can achieve when sufficient needs/urges drive them. And, despite the Great Pyramid of Giza being the only wonder left in our modern times, that one show piece is enough to make the mind boggle at what other cultures created in a time before power tools and immense machines.
Whether it be for the burning to desire to be remembered, to glorify oneself, or to pay homage to a deity, this book shows just impressive the mind of mankind can be given the spark of inspiration and the drive to achieve the impossible.
I always enjoyed Bettany's tv shows (her one on Sparta was particularly good), so seeing her name listed as the narrator for the book made me choose the audio over the written without hesitation. She does a wonderful job, as would be expected
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- christopher burns
- 16-02-24
Thanks Bettany
Another great book and well delivered by Bettany. I was only disappointed when it finished! Keep them coming please
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- Andrew
- 08-03-24
A greater understanding of the 7 wonders of the ancient world
Bethany is very good at not only explaining each wonder, but also how attitudes, beliefs and culture of powerful civilisations. Thank you!
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- Chris Burchill
- 07-03-24
Bettany Hughes is a fantastic storyteller.
The 7 Wonders is like a cliche, but this book brings them to life. We see beyond the objects to learn about the people and cultures that created them.
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- tabitha russell
- 02-05-24
Bettany is always sublime.
Bettany has a beautiful voice. Fantastic at describing her subject. I would highly recommend this books if you're a hellenophile.
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- Philip
- 22-05-24
Bettany is the best
A wonderful book that captures the real meaning of the ancient wonders. No one captures the essence of a historical narrative like Bettany. A fan from the start of her writing and presenting career,in my opinion her own narration of the book is the key to making this work,I hope, the future definitive text on the Seven Wonders.
Whatever your next challenge is, if it is interesting, entertaining and inspirational as this book, good luck and can't wait.
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