This is the third in a regular weekly series (every Wednesday) of 4 Audible reviews, broken down into the categories, which I selected for my first Audible blog (Dan’s Top 5 Reasons to Start Listening to Audible.co.uk) and subdivided, where helpful.
So, this latest one is ‘Learn Something New’. Links to where you can purchase each of the titles for yourself (via Audible) are available by clicking the relevant title or photograph. Enjoy!
‘The History of Ancient Egypt’ By Professor Bob Brier
Read by the Author
The impetus for purchasing this Audible book was a planned trip to Egypt but, in truth, I’ve long been fascinated by Ancient Egypt, ever since I was first introduced to their history in a project, aged 6, on Ramesses the Great. However, was I really going to make it through 24 hours, 25 minutes (or 48 lectures) by Professor Bob Brier in ‘The Great Courses’ series?
I honestly need not have worried. Brier employs a conversational style and is both humorous and utterly captivating, so that the time spent in his company easily slips by. He does, however, cover an extraordinary number of years – it’s easy to see how even the Audible Editor gets things wrong in their summary of the book – ‘3 centuries of its reign’? Let’s try 3 millennia. As Brier eloquently points out, by the time Tutankhamen reigned, the Great pyramid was already a thousand years old. By the time Cleopatra reigned, Tutankhamen had been dead a thousand years. This, then, is the story of the greatest empire the world has ever seen.
The Professor is never less than entertaining, in discussing the Pharaohs and their achievements but it is, perhaps, the smaller details of everyday life, which most entertain. In addition, there are fascinating digressions into Egyptian medicine and mummification (Brier’s speciality), as well as mythology and archaeology. Even a personal interest in obelisks was satisfied – I knew something of Cleopatra’s Needle (London) but not the similarly exciting adventure story behind the erection of Cleopatra’s Needle (New York).
The lectures are a fascinating glimpse into an extraordinary period of history and well worth your time.
‘Dunkirk: The History Behind the Major Motion Picture’ By Joshua Levine
Read by Jonathan Keeble & Leighton Pugh
The ‘miracle’ of Dunkirk – the rescue of more than 300,000 Allied troops from Nazi obliteration – was the subject of the recent extraordinary, immersive film by Christopher Nolan. This book examines the historical facts behind the highest-grossing World War II film of all time.
I actually had quite a heated debate with my partner, Dan, the other day about Dunkirk – he insisted that films about historical events should maintain as truthful an account as possible, whilst I contended that entertaining the audience was, for a writer/director, a higher priority. Thus, with Dunkirk, there was predictable outrage that the historical character Kenneth Branagh was mostly based upon, James Campbell Clouston, did not receive the name-check due and instead became the composite character, ‘Commander Bolton’. My argument was that by creating ‘everyman’ characters, the film-makers are able to capture much more of the full ‘experience’ of Dunkirk. Thus, many people’s stories are told through the exploits of Fionn Whitehead’s ‘Tommy’, rather than having to honour a single soldier’s experience.
Having said that, I am always fascinated to read up on the real history, after enjoying a cinematic experience, in order to understand just how much was ‘real’ and how much was dramatic licence. In the case of this book, the answer is that the attention to detail was extremely high and that Nolan genuinely tried to be as accurate as possible. Minor quibbles, such as the enemy planes having yellow nose cones a few weeks too early, are often known to Nolan but altered for solid filmic reasons (in the nose cones’ case, it was simply to allow the audience to better identify them). Dunkirk veterans have expressed satisfaction with the overall realism, though Branagh related that some thought it, “was louder than the battle”.
If you enjoyed the film (the trailer is below) and are intrigued by the history, this book provides some intriguing insights.
‘Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear’ By Elizabeth Gilbert
Read by the Author
Big Magic was actually the first book I listened to on Audible, the recommendation of my friend and fellow shaman/writer, Susan Earl. I wasn’t sure about beginning with a book by the author of Eat. Pray. Love – would it really be my sort of thing?
I have to be honest, at first I did not warm to Gilbert’s narration or to much of the text. It all seemed a bit too sickly sweet and, well, American! However, as it progressed, I found that some of the ideas Gilbert expressed were quite intriguing. The notion that a creative concept might fade from you, if you did not nurture it, seems ludicrous and yet, from my own experience, I know that there’s a little grain of truth in the idea, it rings true. I can acknowledge too the reality of those deep fears which stifle creative expression, best expressed in the refrain of doubt – what if it’s not good enough?
So, not liking the book to start with, I suppose that I have to reluctantly admit that that there is some shadow work for me to do here. Whenever some resistance bubbles up, it’s always worth looking at the source of what rankles you. I probably did not want to hear that I can self-sabotage and become my own worst enemy. Maybe you too should put aside your reluctance and allow yourself to be inspired?
‘The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way To Live Well’ By Meik Wiking
Read by the Author
My first ever trip to Denmark led me to seek out something about the country’s culture and I stumbled upon this little book. I really enjoyed listening to the author read his book. Meik Wiking (see his talk, below) is the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen and his commitment to making people happy shines through this work.
Denmark regularly tops polls for being the happiest country in the world, so Wiking investigates why this should be the case and arrives at the conclusion that it is the Danes’ love of ‘hygge’, which best explains the mystery. ‘Hygge’ does not quite translate but it is sort of a sense of ‘cosiness’, in which, it transpires, candles are of the utmost importance (who knew?).
There are tips for how to increase your own sense of ‘hygge’ and how to enjoy the simple pleasures in life. I can certainly relate to the emphasis he places upon a crackling fire and candles (my flat is now heavily decorated with them!). Also, from my own experiences in shamanism, I had been surprised to find how many people are drawn to the simple camaraderie of sharing a bonfire, much as our ancestors did before us. Apart from Bonfire Night, we don’t often get the chance to gather together as a community and celebrate life – hygge is a reminder of the importance of sharing in the joy of finding warmth on a cold winter’s night.
The ideas might seem simple but they are a reminder to put the social media down, snuggle up by the fire and luxuriate in the cosiness of life.