"36 lectures from our extensive catalog of courses--a collection that offers piercing insights and great lessons on some of world history's most transformative figures. This Great Courses collection takes you across time and around the globe, and puts you in the presence of ancient kings, medieval poets, modern prime ministers--and even some figures you may not have considered to be as revolutionary as they are. Without the contributions of these remarkable people, the world as they knew it (and as we know it today) would never be the same" -- from publisher's web site.