The Eighteenth Century (National History of France)


Read by Pamela Nagami

(4.5 stars; 4 reviews)

This panoramic history of the last days of Bourbon France opens with the death of Louis XIV in 1715 and the minority of the ill-educated, Louis XV. The financial genius, John Law, precipitates a market bubble, with speculators frantic to buy and sell shares. The King, indolent and sensual, is content to leave the government to his cardinals and his mistresses. Meanwhile, France loses India and North America in the Seven Years' War. In 1774, Louis XVI succeeds his grandfather. Well-intentioned, but ineffectual, he falls under the sway of Marie-Antoinette and her favorites, so that when at last competent ministers are found to confront France's problems, it is too late. (Summary by Pamela Nagami, M.D.) (13 hr 11 min)

Chapters

First Part: Regency of the Duc d'Orleans. Ch. 1: The Commencement of the Regency 19:00 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 2: The Education of Louis XV, 1715-1722 28:24 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 3: The System, 1715-1720 34:35 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 4: The Two Cardinals, 1719-1723, Pt. 1 15:58 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 4: The Two Cardinals, 1719-1723, Pt. 2 23:41 Read by Pamela Nagami
Second Part: The Duc de Bourbon and Cardinal Fleury. Ch. 5: The King's Marriage… 26:55 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 5: The King's Marriage, 1723-1725, Pt. 2 20:26 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 6: A Palace Revolution, 1725-1726 18:50 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 7: The Queen's Dowry, 1727-1737 34:32 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 8: The Royal Family 32:52 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 9: For the Prussian King, 1740-1743, Pt. 1 17:16 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 9: For the Prussian King, 1740-1743, Pt. 2 17:17 Read by Pamela Nagami
Third Part: Louis XV, Ch. 10: Louis the Well-Beloved, 1743-1744, Pt. 1 19:26 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 10: Louis the Well-Beloved, 1743-1744, Pt. 2 19:19 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 11: "As Stupid as the Peace," 1745-1749 21:04 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 12: Louis XV Becomes Unpopular, 1749-1757, Pt. 1 20:11 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 12: Louis XV Becomes Unpopular, 1749-1757, Pt. 2 21:00 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 13: The Seven Years' War, 1756-1763, Pt. 1 22:04 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 13: The Seven Years' War, 1756-1763, Pt. 2 21:16 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 14: Choiseul, 1764-1770 26:03 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 15: The Death of the King, 1770-1774 30:10 Read by Pamela Nagami
Fourth Part: Louis XVI, Ch. 16: The Coronation, 1774-June 11, 1775, Pt. 1 14:06 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 16: The Coronation, 1774-June 11, 1775, Pt. 2 21:45 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 17: The Queen's Surroundings, 1775-1776, Pt. 1 23:51 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 17: The Queen's Surroundings, 1775-1776, Pt. 2 17:00 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 18: The Emperor's Visit, 1777 24:49 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 19: Birth of Madame Royale 14:52 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 20: The End of the American War, 1779-1783 20:17 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 21: The Queen's First Calvary, 1785 31:15 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 22: Dawn of the Revolution, Pt. 1 14:19 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 22: Dawn of the Revolution, Pt. 2 17:39 Read by Pamela Nagami
Fifth Part: The Artistic and Literary Movement, Ch. 23, Pt. 1: The Arts 34:41 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 23, Pt. 2: The Sciences 12:27 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 23, Pt. 3: Literature, Pt. 1 18:04 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 23, Pt. 3: Literature, Pt. 2 21:22 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 23, Pt. 4: The Salons 14:33 Read by Pamela Nagami