Cover of The Discovery of New Worlds by Margaret Bertha Synge, Volume II of the The Story of the World Series
The Story of the World Series · Volume II

The Discovery of New Worlds

by Margaret Bertha Synge

5h 20m
Duration
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About This Audiobook

The Discovery of New Worlds, volume II in M. B. Synge’s Story of the World series, continues the historical narrative by chronicling the transition from the ancient world into the Middle Ages and the dawn of the Age of Exploration. It begins with the height of the Roman Empire, covering events such as the Great Fire of Rome, the destruction of Pompeii, the spread of Christianity, and the empire’s eventual decline under pressures from barbarian invasions. The book then explores the conversion of Germanic tribes, the legends of King Arthur, the Viking (Northmen) conquests including the Norman invasion of England, and the rise of powerful city-states like Venice. It also introduces readers to figures such as Marco Polo and the early stirrings of European curiosity about distant lands.

The latter half of the book turns to the great age of discovery, highlighting technological and cultural developments like the invention of printing, Prince Henry the Navigator’s sponsorship of Portuguese voyages, and the daring expeditions of explorers such as Vasco da Gama, Columbus, Magellan, and the Spanish conquerors of Mexico and Peru. Synge vividly recounts the motivations, hardships, and world-changing consequences of these journeys, which opened new trade routes to the East and revealed the Americas. Written in the same engaging, story-driven style as the first volume, this book emphasizes courage, faith, innovation, and the expanding horizons of the known world, making it an excellent bridge between ancient and early modern history for young 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 Introduction2:21
  2. The Roman World5:24
  3. A Great World Power5:46
  4. Voyage and Shipwreck7:00
  5. The Tragedy of Nero5:26
  6. The Great Fire in Rome6:39
  7. The Destruction of Pompeii8:03
  8. Marcus Aurelius6:32
  9. Decline of the Roman Empire6:05
  10. Christians to the Lions7:18
  11. A New Rome5:34
  12. The Armies of the North6:49
  13. The Dark Ages4:49
  14. King Arthur and His Knights7:37
  15. The Hero of Two Nations7:30
  16. The Hardy Northmen5:47
  17. Northmen Conquered England7:06
  18. A Spanish Hero7:37
  19. The First Crusade7:26
  20. Frederick Barbarossa6:33
  21. The Third Crusade5:32
  22. The Days of Chivalry4:56
  23. Queen of the Adriatic6:52
  24. The Story of Marco Polo7:55
  25. Dante's Great Poem5:50
  26. The Maid of Orleans7:23
  27. The Sea of Darkness5:46
  28. Prince Henry, the Sailor5:22
  29. A Famous Voyage5:37
  30. The Invention of Printing5:59
  31. The Stormy Cape6:02
  32. Da Gama's Great Voyage6:09
  33. India at Last5:50
  34. The New Trade Route5:46
  35. Golden Goa6:23
  36. Christopher Columbus5:36
  37. The Last of the Moors6:28
  38. Discovery of the New World5:54
  39. The West Indies6:03
  40. Columbus in Chains6:16
  41. A Great Mistake6:42
  42. Follow the Leader6:52
  43. Discovery of the Pacific6:28
  44. Magellan's Great Plan5:24
  45. Magellan's Straits6:05
  46. Round the World6:51
  47. The Finding of Mexico5:52
  48. Montezuma8:00
  49. Siege and Fall of Mexico5:42
  50. Conquest of Peru8:33
  51. A Great Awakening5:24

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