The Black Death: The World's Most Devastating Plague

By: Dorsey Armstrong, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Dorsey Armstrong

Many of us know the Black Death as a catastrophic event of the medieval world. But the Black Death was arguably the most significant event in Western history, profoundly affecting every aspect of human life, from the economic and social to the political, religious, and cultural. In its wake the plague left a world that was utterly changed, forever altering the traditional structure of European societies and forcing a rethinking of every single system of Western civilization: food production and trade, the church, political institutions, law, art, and more. In large measure, by the profundity of the changes it brought, the Black Death produced the modern world we live in today.

While the story of the Black Death is one of destruction and loss, its breathtaking scope and effects make it one of the most compelling and deeply intriguing episodes in human history. Understanding the remarkable unfolding of the plague and its aftermath provides a highly revealing window not only on the medieval world but also on the forces that brought about the Renaissance, the Protestant Reformation, and modernity itself.

Speaking to the full magnitude of this world-changing historical moment, The Black Death: The World's Most Devastating Plague, taught by celebrated medievalist Dorsey Armstrong of Purdue University, takes you on an unforgettable excursion into the time period of the plague, its full human repercussions, and its transformative effects on European civilization. In 24 richly absorbing lectures, you'll follow the path of the epidemic in its complete trajectory across medieval Europe. Majestic in scope and remarkable in detail, this course goes to the heart of one of Western history's most catalytic and galvanizing moments, the effects of which gave us the modern world.

©2016 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2016 The Great Courses

Accesible and dare I say it - Fun !

What did you love best about The Black Death: The World's Most Devastating Plague?

I like that it traced the geographical progression where many books focus on just France and England.

There were some interesting titbits about the human sacrifice of children too that I wasn't aware of.

Have you listened to any of Professor Dorsey Armstrong’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I LOVE Prof Dorsey Armstrong ! I know this sounds absurd but she made a book on the black death really fun ! You have to be good to mange that. Of all the Great Courses lecturers she's my favourite and I wish she would do more books with them :)

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes.

Timely without a doubt.

I started this book in December as research for a novel set in the future. Little did I anticipate that the future was only a few weeks away.
There are two themes in this course. First is the unknown disease. It’s coming and can’t be stopped. The second is society’s reaction. Blame, self importance, misinformation are rampant. We are blessed today with electronic media to get the word out and evidence based policy to form plans.
In any complex and highly connected society it is imperative to understand that plagues are always at our physical and social borders. We can’t stop or defeat them, the best we can do is mitigate their impact.

I wish history had been this interesting when I was in school.

This story about the Black Plague was so interesting I kept replaying parts for friends snd my husband. I will definitely get more of Darcey Armstrong’s lectures. Her voice and inflection are wonderful.

History Repeats

This was so interesting. it's like listening to a story about Covid's effects on society hundreds of years ago. Unfortunately, humans tendency to strike out at " the other" has not ended.

Excellent!!

Beautifully taught. A nd the professor was very engaging. Everyone should listen to these lectures to get a good solid background of the The Black Death.