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E. R. Chamberlin
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The Emperor Charlemagne Kindle Edition

by E.R. Chamberlin (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 667 ratings
An authoritative biography of the greatest ruler of the medieval period.
The Emperor Charlemagne is an ideal book for readers of Tom Holland, Dan Jones and Helen Castor. On Christmas Day, 800, Charlemagne was crowned ‘Emperor of the Romans’ by Pope Leo III. Originally inheriting one half of his father’s Frankish kingdom, by the time of his death in 814 he had put down rebellions in his own provinces, conquered the Lombards, fought against Saxons, Avars and Slavs in the east, clashed with Muslims in Spain, negotiated with the papacy and the Byzantine Empire, and united much of western and central Europe for the first time since the classical era of the Roman Empire. Under his guidance the Carolingian Renaissance flourished, with his capital of Aachen becoming a centre of learning and artistic genius. The legacy of Charlemagne on European history and culture is monumental. Yet, within thirty years of his death, his empire had fragmented. Who was this legendary ruler? How had he managed to rule these vast domains? And why has his legacy continued to influence Europeans to this day? E. R. Chamberlin’s masterful biography of Charlemagne demonstrates the sheer force of will that this charismatic leader was able to command as he created a realm to rival the Byzantines in the east. Through the course of the book Chamberlin brings to life how Charlemagne forged his empire, and uncovers the people, the religious and political controversies, the social and agricultural conditions, and the changes in warfare that took place over one thousand years ago. The Emperor Charlemagne is an engrossing biography of one of the most legendary figures in history, and first embodiment of the ideal of European unity.
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  1. Print length
    318 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    August 16, 2020
  5. File size
    1.5 MB
  6. Page Flip
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  7. Word Wise
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  8. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

E. R. Chamberlin is the author of The Bad Popes and Loot!: The Heritage of Plunder.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08994S6SR
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sapere Books
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 16, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.5 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 318 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1913518806
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 667 ratings

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E. R. Chamberlin

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4.2 out of 5 stars
667 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book interesting and historically engaging, with one review noting it provides a more human approach to Charlemagne. The writing style receives mixed feedback, with some finding it readable while others say it's hard to follow.

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8 customers mention "Book content"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book very interesting, with one customer noting its detailed information.

"Very informative book and well written...." Read more

"...it doesn’t go in depth on any particular part of his life, it’s great overview...." Read more

"This book is very interesting. The author writes clearly, and I learned a lot about Charlemagne and the empire he created...." Read more

"...I found the book interesting and honest in covering the triumphs and tragedies of his life and times...." Read more

7 customers mention "History"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book historically interesting, with one customer noting it provides a well-rounded view of Charlemagne's life, while another appreciates its human approach to the subject.

"Great history book doing a good job of covering a man’s life. Though it doesn’t go in depth on any particular part of his life, it’s great overview...." Read more

"This book is readable and gives a more human approach to Charlemagne and his time and empire building...." Read more

"Fascinating history." Read more

"A summation of the founding of the Carolingians and at Charlemagne as a real man...." Read more

10 customers mention "Writing style"5 positive5 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing style of the book, with some finding it readable and well-written, while others mention it is hard to follow.

"This book is readable and gives a more human approach to Charlemagne and his time and empire building...." Read more

"Very informative book and well written. Can be a bit hard to follow as the author transitions in and out of historic backgrounds and explanations,..." Read more

"This book is very interesting. The author writes clearly, and I learned a lot about Charlemagne and the empire he created...." Read more

"Written in a formal, seemingly 'flowery', almost pretentious English, it appears the author tries to duplicate the ancient scholarly and or poetic..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good Read
    Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Very informative book and well written. Can be a bit hard to follow as the author transitions in and out of historic backgrounds and explanations, but if you pay attention you'll be okay. Get along, get along King Charlemagne...
    One person found this helpful
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  • Adam Foote
    4.0 out of 5 stars great book
    Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Great history book doing a good job of covering a man’s life. Though it doesn’t go in depth on any particular part of his life, it’s great overview. For someone who knows nothing about Charlemagne and wants to learn about him, this is a great book for you.
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  • Mohamed Mounir GAZAYERLI (MMG)
    5.0 out of 5 stars A MORE HUMAN APPROACH TO CHARLEMAGNE
    Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2024
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    This book is readable and gives a more human approach to Charlemagne and his time and empire building. His sorrow at the loss of members of his family makes him more relatable.
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  • DORIS LYNN WESTERMAN
    4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting read
    Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Fascinating history.
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  • Superior.Shores
    3.0 out of 5 stars Extensive Charlemagne History
    Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2021
    I purchased this book in order to find some link to my ancestor who served in one of Charlemagne’s castle. While i was never able to get an indication of which castle, I still learned more about Charlemagne, perhaps more than I really wanted to know. The history of Charlemagne was fascinating, allowing the reader to step back in times foreign to most.
    One person found this helpful
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  • L M Pistor
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating
    Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This book is very interesting. The author writes clearly, and I learned a lot about Charlemagne and the empire he created. More than a military leader, Charlemagne created a governmental system, feudalism. Much of his success was due to the people he selected to administer the areas under his rule. Men like Alcuin, Einhardt, and Eric of Friuli are interesting in their own way. The church is also relevant in this study. Faith was not as refined as it is today. Church and state separation came later. Without the church, Charlemagne probably would not have become emperor. In the same way, the church of Rome would not have become independent of Constantinople.
    11 people found this helpful
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  • Kate
    4.0 out of 5 stars Well rounded history of Charlemagne
    Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2021
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    Charlemagne turned up in my genealogy which sparked a desire to learn more about him. I found the book interesting and honest in covering the triumphs and tragedies of his life and times. At times I wasn't sure if I should be proud or ashamed to be a descendant. All things considered I came to admire his accomplishments while recognizing his humanity. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the life and times of Charlemagne.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating look at one of the founding fathers of western civilization
    Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Charlemagne not only was the most important figure in the founding of the French state. He is also the dominant figure in post Roman Europe. His legacy is felt throughout the world down to the present day.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • lucien c
    5.0 out of 5 stars Maravilhoso trabalho, panorama completo da época
    Reviewed in Brazil on September 14, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Chamberlin é um erudito que escreve de forma simples e elegante. Não se contenta em informar os fatos mais relevantes do período, mas se dedica a explicar por que as coisas aconteceram da forma que aconteceram! Já o conhecia de outra obra, mas não hesito em classificá-lo como um historiador excelente e recomendo este livro.
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  • BillBC
    4.0 out of 5 stars A fine book, except for one thing...
    Reviewed in Canada on March 8, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Fascinating book about a fascinating man. Well written book about a lesser known period of history. I would have given it five stars except astonishingly it does not have a single illustration, not even of Charlemagne himself. Possibly this is because I have the Kindle edition and the print version does have illustrations. I don't know. This is really too bad, because it's such an interesting subject that a few illustrations would have made the book excellent.
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  • glimbo123
    5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating history of Charles, King of the Franks
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 31, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Easily read history of the uniting of Frankish power that laid the groundwork for a nascent German Nation. Highly recommended.
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  • Kindler
    4.0 out of 5 stars ヨーロッパの礎を築いたカール大帝(シャルルマーニュ)の伝承記。
    Reviewed in Japan on May 20, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    アルブレヒト・デューラーの表紙絵に惹かれて読み始めました。
    古代ローマ時代のゲルマニア(現在のオーストリア、ドイツ、ポーランドなど)にはゲルマン人の諸部族が住み、エーゲ海や地中海の先進文明国からは、野蛮の民が住む地域と看做されていた。
    ８世紀になってそこを起源とするフランク人の王が今日のEUを彷彿とさせる一大帝国を築き上げた。
    Charlemagneの'Charle'は名前で 'magne'は「偉大な」を意味する尊称。
    カール大帝は、メロヴィング朝フランク王国のキルデリクから王位を簒奪したピピン(3世)の長男だが、誕生年や嫡子かどうかについては定かでない。
    この時代のヨーロッパが舞台の歴史書を読むときは、これでもかというほどの宗教史や宗教がらみの話は避けて通れないことを肝に銘じておく必要がある。当時すでに無宗教は野蛮人と看做されており、古代ローマの影響を受けた周辺諸国にキリスト教が広がって多数の教会が建立されていた。
    キリスト教やイスラム教に限らず、宗教は当時は自発的な意思による信仰ではなく、支配者の帰依を介して臣下や平民が強制されて信者となり国教となったのは歴史の真実。
    勇猛果敢で武人だったカール大帝は同時にキリスト教の守護者であり敬虔な信者でもあったが、法王庁などの教会権力は、王位・王権の神聖化や権威付けに欠かせない錦の御旗となっていた。
    古代ローマ時代の蛮族だったフランク人の一王侯は、やがて領土を西ヨーロッパ全域に広げ紀元800年にローマ教皇から帝冠を授けられて「神聖ローマ帝国」の「皇帝」となる。
    当時の広大なヨーロッパ大陸には、国名を持たない様々な部族や人種が入り乱れていたので最初の数章は馴染みのない英語表記の部族名や人種名や地政学の理解に時間がかかりました。
    英語の古語に加え、フランク人の固有語やラテン語が随所に出てくるのも悩ましい。
    この Kindle 版はイラストなどのビジュアルイメージが全くない本で、安価な購読料なので文句は言えないが、この時代の国や部族の大体の位置関係が読み取れるような地図イラストが欲しかった。
    私はインターネットの Wikipedia などでカール大帝時代の地図情報のお世話になりました。
    古い時代の人物伝にありがちな同時代人や後世人の創作による権威付けのための作り話も含まれるが、周辺国との戦役に偏らず、カール大帝の人物像やファミリーヒストリー、宮廷文化なども程よくミックスしたカール大帝伝としては評価できる読み物だと思います。
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  • Knowledge thru Books.
    4.0 out of 5 stars Emperor
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 8, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Charlemagne was a complex man . He changed Europe forever. He did a lot of good . He also did a lot of bad. This book explorers Charlemagne achievements and his relationship to those people of importance in his life.
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