Cover of The Awakening of Europe by Margaret Bertha Synge, Volume III of the The Story of the World Series
The Story of the World Series · Volume III

The Awakening of Europe

by Margaret Bertha Synge

5h 48m
Duration
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About This Audiobook

The Awakening of Europe, Volume III in M. B. Synge’s Story of the World series, covers the transformative period from roughly the early 1500s to the mid-1700s, focusing on the intellectual, religious, and political rebirth of the continent. It opens with the Protestant Reformation, detailing the stories of Martin Luther in Germany, the courageous resistance of the Netherlands against Spanish rule, and the spread of reformist ideas to France and England. Synge brings to life key figures and events such as the Dutch struggle for independence, the reign of Elizabeth I, the defeat of the Spanish Armada, and the broader impacts of religious upheaval, including conflicts and the quest for freedom of conscience.

The book also explores the rise of European sea powers, with special attention to England and the Netherlands challenging Spanish dominance, the establishment of colonies in America, and the emergence of new nations and alliances. It addresses the growth of Russia under leaders like Peter the Great, the development of Prussia and Austria, and the shifting balance of power across Europe. Written in Synge’s characteristic engaging narrative style, the volume highlights themes of discovery (both geographical and intellectual), bravery, faith, and the awakening of modern Europe from the shadows of the Middle Ages, making complex historical developments accessible and compelling for younger readers.

Meet the Author
Margaret Bertha SyngeBritish historian, biographer, and author · 1861 – 1939

Margaret Bertha Synge was a British historian, biographer, and author of popular educational books for children and young readers. Born into a clerical family as the daughter of Reverend Francis Synge and Margaret Harkness, she grew up in an environment steeped in learning and faith. She never married and dedicated much of her life to scholarship and education, eventually earning recognition as a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, an honor that reflected her contributions to historical studies.

Synge is best remembered for her engaging, accessible histories that brought the past to life for young audiences. Her most acclaimed work, A Book of Discovery: The History of the World's Exploration from the Earliest Times to the Finding of the South Pole, remains a classic. She also authored the multi-volume Story of the World series (including titles like On the Shores of the Great Sea, The Awakening of Europe, The Struggle for Sea Power, and The Growth of the British Empire), along with A Short History of Social Life in England, Great Englishwomen, and other instructional volumes. Many of these were illustrated by her brother, the etcher Edward Millington Synge, blending narrative flair with careful scholarship.

As a director of various schools and a prolific writer, Synge excelled at making complex historical topics compelling and straightforward for children. Her works emphasized exploration, British history, and social life, aligning with the educational ideals of her era. Though no known photograph of her survives, her legacy endures through the enduring popularity of her books in public domain collections, libraries, and homeschool curricula focused on living history. She died unmarried in 1939, leaving behind a substantial body of work that continues to inspire curiosity about the past.

In This Volume
  1. Paideia Introduction3:31
  2. Story of the Netherlands5:41
  3. Brave Little Holland5:39
  4. A Wealth of Herrings5:37
  5. A Dutch Reformer5:38
  6. The Story of Martin Luther6:06
  7. The Diet of Worms7:46
  8. An Historic Scene5:47
  9. How the Trouble Began5:13
  10. The Storm Bursts4:53
  11. Beggars of the Sea5:35
  12. The Massacre of St Bartholomew6:54
  13. The Siege of Leyden7:29
  14. William the Silent7:42
  15. England5:49
  16. Elizabeth's Sailors6:18
  17. Drake's Voyage Round the World6:23
  18. The Great Armada6:45
  19. Among the Icebergs6:51
  20. Sir Humphrey Gilbert5:20
  21. Virginia5:55
  22. Story of the Revenge5:22
  23. Sir Walter Raleigh6:19
  24. The Fairy Queen7:09
  25. A Great Dramatist6:34
  26. The Golden Days of Good Queen Bess5:56
  27. First Voyage of the East India Company5:21
  28. The Story of Henry Hudson7:46
  29. Captain John Smith7:38
  30. The Founding of Quebec7:10
  31. The Pilgrim Fathers6:50
  32. Thirty Years of War7:06
  33. The Dutch at Sea5:21
  34. The Great South Land6:22
  35. Van Riebeek's Colony5:57
  36. In the Days of Oliver Cromwell6:25
  37. Two Famous Admirals6:00
  38. De Ruyter6:43
  39. The Founder of Pennsylvania6:07
  40. The 'Pilgrim's Progress '6:48
  41. The House of Orange5:56
  42. William's Invitation5:29
  43. The Struggle in Ireland7:04
  44. The Siege of Vienna by the Turks7:50
  45. The Greatness of France6:50
  46. The Story of the Huguenots6:47
  47. The Greatest General of His Age5:52
  48. The Battle of Blenheim6:23
  49. How Peter the Great Learned Shipbuilding5:49
  50. Charles the twelfth of Sweden8:09
  51. The Boyhood of Frederick the Great6:20
  52. Anson's Voyage Round the World8:36
  53. Maria Theresa8:30
  54. The Story of Scotland9:28

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