The Age of Anne


Read by Pamela Nagami

(3.8 stars; 2 reviews)

This short survey of the age of Queen Anne begins with the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714) and the career of the Duke of Marlborough, leader of the allied armies against Louis XIV. Scotland joins England to form the United Kingdom. Peter the Great wrests control of the Gulf of Finland from Charles XII of Sweden and builds St. Petersburg. Despite the Jacobite threat, the Whigs secure the Protestant Succession and George I ascends the throne. Pope writes a mock epic in couplets, Addison's "Spectator" enlivens coffee houses and tea tables, and Defoe creates the immortal "Robinson Crusoe." (Pamela Nagami, M.D.) (7 hr 44 min)

Chapters

Ch. 1: The Spanish Succession 21:55 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 2: Lewis XIV 1714 23:49 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 3: The New Dramatis Personae 16:16 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 4: ‘The Grand Alliance’ 17:05 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 5: Opening of the War 15:55 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 6: Rising in the Cevennes 15:56 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 7: Blenheim 16:19 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 8: Lord Peterborough 16:59 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 9: The Year of Victory—1706 23:56 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 10: The Year of Disaster—1707 12:01 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 11: Later Fighting in the Low Countries 26:46 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 12: Later Campaigns in Spain 20:11 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 13: The Fortunes of Parties 22:44 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 14: Fag-end of the War 11:22 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 15: Peace of Utrecht 12:02 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 16: The Union with Scotland 20:44 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 17: Peter the Great and Charles XII, Pt. 1 19:22 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 17: Peter the Great and Charles XII, Pt. 2 22:21 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 18: The Protestant Succession 22:55 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 19: End of Lewis XIV 8:32 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 20: The Fragments that Remain 6:24 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 21: Economic and Social, Pt. 1 23:52 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 21: Economic and Social, Pt. 2 22:49 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 22: Literature, Pt. 1 19:02 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 22: Literature, Pt. 2 25:00 Read by Pamela Nagami

Reviews

Lots of battles


(3.5 stars)

We Americans don't learn much about Queen Anne, other than all her children died young and a Victorian "cottage" style of architecture was named after her. There was a lot happening on the European continent, and the men around Anne had much influence. I don't think the author gives her enough credit for courage, resilience, and political ability. How is it possible to go through 17 pregnancies in as many years, to lose most of them in stillbirth or miscarriage, and to watch the remaining children die, and still perform your political duties and navigate the gossip and backbiting of a royal court? It was a pivotal time, and I thank the narrator for making it available.