Listen free for 30 days

Listen with offer

  • The Light Ages

  • A Medieval Journey of Discovery
  • By: Seb Falk
  • Narrated by: Seb Falk
  • Length: 11 hrs and 3 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (36 ratings)
Offer ends May 1st, 2024 11:59PM GMT. Terms and conditions apply.
£7.99/month after 3 months. Renews automatically.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, celeb exclusives, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, celeb exclusives, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
The Light Ages cover art

The Light Ages

By: Seb Falk
Narrated by: Seb Falk
Get this deal Try for £0.00

Pay £99p/month. After 3 months pay £7.99/month. Renews automatically. See terms for eligibility.

£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Buy Now for £12.99

Buy Now for £12.99

Pay using card ending in
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and authorise Audible to charge your designated card or any other card on file. Please see our Privacy Notice, Cookies Notice and Interest-based Ads Notice.

Listeners also enjoyed...

The Bright Ages cover art
Scientific Revolution cover art
In Search of the Dark Ages cover art
Buried cover art
Mortal Monarchs cover art
Children of Ash and Elm cover art
Galileo Galilei cover art
Black Flags, Blue Waters cover art
The Scientific Revolution: A Captivating Guide to the Emergence of Modern Science During the Early Modern Period, Including Stories of Thinkers Such as Isaac Newton and René Descartes cover art
Sophie's World cover art
The Adventure of English cover art
The Greater Journey cover art
A Little History of the World cover art
The Clockwork Universe cover art
The House of Wisdom cover art
The Roman Empire cover art

Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

The Middle Ages were a time of wonder. They gave us the first universities, the first eyeglasses and the first mechanical clocks as medieval thinkers sought to understand the world around them, from the passing of the seasons to the stars in the sky.

In this book, we walk the path of medieval science with a real-life guide, a 14th-century monk named John of Westwyk - inventor, astrologer, crusader - who was educated in England's grandest monastery and exiled to a clifftop priory. Following the traces of his life, we learn to see the natural world through Brother John's eyes: navigating by the stars, multiplying Roman numerals, curing disease and telling the time with an astrolabe. 

We travel the length and breadth of England, from Saint Albans to Tynemouth, and venture far beyond the shores of Britain. On our way, we encounter a remarkable cast of characters: the clock-building English abbot with leprosy, the French craftsman-turned-spy and the Persian polymath who founded the world's most advanced observatory. 

An enthralling story of the struggles and successes of an ordinary man and an extraordinary time, The Light Ages conjures up a vivid picture of the medieval world as we have never seen it before.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.  

©2020 Seb Falk (P)2020 Penguin Audio
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

More from the same

Narrator

What listeners say about The Light Ages

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    22
  • 4 Stars
    10
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    26
  • 4 Stars
    5
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    20
  • 4 Stars
    8
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Convincing argument.

The history parts and invstigation into reconstructing the life of the monk was impresive, Not being strong on the maths meant I found the explination of the science that they knew hard going but this underlined the level of intelect some of the indeviduals had. so good that it changed my view and understanding of the period

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating and immersive — an important history of science in the Middle Ages

This book brilliantly tells the story of science in the Middle Ages through the life and work of one monk and his astronomical work, but it also touches on medicine, alchemy, theology, and the many other ways people sought to make sense of the world around them. By showing how science was enmeshed in culture and everyday life, the book demonstrates that the medieval period was indeed far from a dark age, but rather a time of intense and complex inquiry into heavens and earth.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent narration by the actual author!

The author's narration made an interesting topic very engaging; like having a knowledgeable, well-spoken guide.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

An Exciting Read

A superb book read brilliantly by the author, Seb Falk. There’s an enormous amount of detail in this book and huge amount of information to digest. However finding out about the life and times of John of Westwyk was fascinating and I learnt so much of this fascinating time period. So pleased I found this book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating and enjoyable

I took a punt with this book after a recommendation from the 'Your dead to me' podcast, and I'm so glad I did. I'm also pleased that I listen rather than read as I think the copious maths would have confused me otherwise. The authors clarity in writing, skill in presentation and enjoyable voice make for a wonderful experience.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

enlightening!

very interesting - so well written and it made this unfamiliar topic accessible to me. What a treat to have it read by the author himself! I would love to hear him narrate other books.
Great book to widen your horizon!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it!

What an absolutely wonderful book. Truly enlightening. I was fascinated by the science and to be immersed in the story of John of Westwyk tied it all together. A masterpiece!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Very interesting, but hard to follow in places.

Enjoyable and interesting, but it gets a bit technical which is hard to follow as an audiobook.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!