Europe Audiobooks | History

The First Fascist: The Life and Legacy of the Marquis de Morès

"Brought to you by Penguin. Who was the first fascist? Decades before Mussolini, the Marquis de Morès was the first populist and openly antisemitic leader in the Western world. A key figure behind the Dreyfus affair, he took France by storm with his inflammatory media rhetoric and violent stunts. Morès invoked the fasces – the ancient Roman bundle of wooden rods – to symbolize the society he wished to create: a union of all social classes against their enemy, the Jews. Driven by personal ambition and the loss of aristocratic status in modern, democratic France, Morès embarked on an extraordinary career spanning four continents: from cattle ranching on the American frontier to building a railway in the jungles of Indochina. But his efforts were dogged by failure. Blaming Jewish machinations for his defeats, he returned to France, where he soon controlled a large, violent militia of disgruntled workers motivated to fight minorities on behalf of the white proletariat. His rapid political rise was torpedoed by a highly publicized financial scandal, but his shadow continued to loom. In Vichy France, as Jews were being deported to Auschwitz, officials would gather to celebrate Morès’s memory. In The First Fascist, award-winning historian Sergio Luzzatto explores the untold story of the rise and fall of the Marquis as well as his ominous legacy. Drawing on a wealth of original sources, Luzzatto shows how Morès both anticipated and propelled the fascist politics that erupted in the twentieth century, the reverberations of which are still felt powerfully today. © Sergio Luzzatto 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026"

Sergio Luzzatto (Author), TBD (Narrator)

Audiobook

Hotel Exile: Paris in the Shadow of War

"Brought to you by Penguin. The Hotel Lutetia is a Paris institution, the only ‘grand’ hotel on the city’s bohemian Left Bank. Ever since it opened, it has served as a meeting place for artists, musicians and politicians. André Gide took his lunch here, James Joyce lived in one of its rooms, Picasso and Matisse were regular guests. It has a darker history, too. During one short period, it became a focus for some of the most dramatic and terrible events in recent history. In the 1930s the Hotel Lutetia attracted intellectuals and political activists, forced to flee their homes when Hitler came to power, who met here with the hope of forming an alternative government. But when war came, Paris was occupied, and the hotel became the headquarters of the German military intelligence service – and the centre of their operation to root out enemies of the Reich. In 1945, the Lutetia was requisitioned once more, this time transformed into a reception centre for deportees returning from concentration camps. Hotel Exile is about what happens on the edges of a war. At its heart are three groups of people connected to a place, to one another, and to the dark ideology which dictates the course of their lives. A masterpiece of empathy and concision, Jane Rogoyska’s extraordinary new book offers us a vision of individual human beings desperately trying to find a path through some of the twentieth century’s most devastating events. © Jane Rogoyska 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026"

Jane Rogoyska (Author), TBD (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Highlands and Islands of Scotland: A New History

"A comprehensive and detailed look into the Scottish Highlands. Alistair Moffat tells the extraordinary story of the Highlands in the most detailed book ever written about this remarkable part of Scotland. This is the story of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland as it has never been told before. From the formation of the landscape millions of years ago to the twenty-first century, it brings to life the events and the people who have shaped Highland history, from saints, sinners, and outlaws to monarchs, clan chiefs, and warriors. Highly informative, it mines a wide range of sources, including medieval manuscripts and sagas, poetry, and popular culture. Picts, Romans, Irish missionaries, Vikings, Jacobites, and the flood of emigrants who left to forge new lives abroad are just some of the important players in the drama. As he paints the bigger picture, Alistair Moffat also introduces many key aspects of Highland culture and explores the experience of ordinary Highlanders and Islanders over thousands of years."

Alistair Moffat (Author), Dave Gillies (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Finnish Front Line: Kekkonen, Kennedy, and Khrushchev’s Cold War Showdown

"The Finnish Front Line is a historical biography of Urho Kekkonen, the eighth and longest-serving president of Finland. Gordon F. Sander focuses on Kekkonen's pivotal first term as president, which was bracketed by two crises that together formed the template for both Finland's relationship with the Soviet Union from 1956 through the fall of the USSR, and Kekkonen's own 'special' relationship with Moscow: the Night Frost crisis of 1957, which derived from the Kremlin's desire to exert greater influence on Finnish politics, and the Note Crisis of 1961, which coincided with the great Berlin crisis of 1961, and occurred when Moscow suddenly invoked the clause in the 1948 Finnish-Soviet treaty that entitled the Kremlin to call for mutual discussions between the Finnish and Soviet militaries and was perceived as a threat to Finnish independence. Thinking this might presage a Soviet invasion of Finland, a distressed Kekkonen was able to resolve the crisis by flying to Siberia to meet with his erstwhile friend Nikita Khrushchev—who may well have precipitated the crisis in order to insure Kekkonen's reelection. This book centers on an overlooked chapter of the Cold War as well as a revealing chapter of the presidency of John Kennedy and his secret offer to help Kekkonen, which he later rejected, ultimately to avoid making Finland into the next front of the Cold War."

Gordon F. Sander (Author), Rich Miller (Narrator)

Audiobook

Legenda: The Real Women Behind the Myths that Shaped Europe

"Brought to you by Penguin. From the bestselling author of FEMINA, a brilliant reappraisal of the medieval women whose lives have been exploited over centuries for political, nation-building ends. In LEGENDA, bestselling historian Professor Janina Ramirez peels back the layers of time to reveal how the identities of women have been co-opted by those intent on crafting national identities. Their names are well-known, and summaries of their achievements have been recited in classrooms for decades, but medieval women like Joan of Arc, Lady Godiva and Isabella of Castile have been misrepresented, their stories twisted and weaponised. Meanwhile, ground-breaking 18th and 19th-century women who blazed a trail through revolutionary Europe have been forgotten, their legacies too easily dismissed or ignored. Questioning established narratives and searching for the real women behind the legends, Ramirez interrogates what defines a nation and who gets to build it, shining a light on how history is so often hijacked to serve the ideological and political interests of the present. PRAISE FOR JANINA RAMIREZ: 'Ramirez blasts a powerful spotlight into the so-called Dark Ages and reveals a vibrant world, awash with colour and character' DAN SNOW 'Like the interlace stonework on an Anglo-Saxon cross, Janina Ramirez's themes are interwoven with a conssumate skill' TOM HOLLAND 'Passionate, provocative and brilliant' LUCY WORSLEY 'Janina Ramirez is a born storyteller . . . This is bravura narrative history underpinned by passionate advocacy for the women whom medieval history has too often ignored or overlooked' DAN JONES 'Skillfully brings out from the shadows the lives of women who ruled, fought, traded, created, and inspired' CAT JARMAN 'Absolutely brilliant and highly recommended' CAITLIN MORAN © Janina Ramirez 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025"

Janina Ramirez (Author), TBD (Narrator)

Audiobook

Dianarama: Deception, Entrapment, Cover-up: The Betrayal of Princess Diana

"Brought to you by Penguin. Revealed for the first time: the true story of the entrapment and deception of Princess Diana The death of Princess Diana in August 1997 was one of the most shocking events in recent history. Many events surrounding the tragedy have been shrouded in mystery, in particular the BBC Panorama interview Diana gave to journalist Martin Bashir less than two years before she died. However, the true extent of the deception the princess experienced as well as the elaborate cover-up which ensued has never before been revealed – until now. Dianarama: Entrapment, Deception, Cover-Up: The Betrayal of Princess Diana is the story of one of the biggest scandals in public life and broadcasting history, revealing a cover-up of staggering proportions, and around which questions persist to the present day. Andy Webb, the writer and award-winning filmmaker who obtained the secret files that first broke the story of Princess Diana's betrayal, offers unrivalled insider access to the key players in the drama in a thrilling first-hand narrative, putting the reader inside the room where each key decision was taken, from the moment BBC reporter Martin Bashir first contrived his dossier of forged bank statements in 1995 to the 2024 courtroom where Webb faced the BBC's elite legal squad to demand the publication of 10,000 pages of highly contested documents relating to the scandal. A story for the ages, the fate of Princess Diana will be debated by scholars and gossips centuries from now. This book, filled with revelations which have not yet entered the public record, will become a key part in the first draft of history. © Andy Webb 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025"

Andy Webb (Author), TBD (Narrator)

Audiobook

Turncoat: Roundhead to Royalist, the Double Life of Cromwell's Spy

"George Downing came of age as a Puritan pioneer in colonial Massachusetts, before crossing the Atlantic to sign up for the English Civil War. He fast became Oliver Cromwell's chief of military intelligence and was later a diplomat and an MP. However, Downing spectacularly switched sides, shamelessly betraying his friends. He prospered under Charles II, yet he remains one of the most elusive figures of his age. In Turncoat he emerges as the extraordinary - if troubling - anti-hero of his own life story. Judged by contemporaries to be 'a fearful gentleman' and a 'perfidious rogue', Downing was a double-dealer who bribed and blackmailed his way to diplomatic success across Europe; and, when it was expedient, betrayed friends to horrifically violent deaths. He pioneered the practice of judicial kidnapping known today as 'extraordinary rendition', was a booster of the Atlantic slave trade and had a hand in starting two major wars."

Dennis Sewell (Author), Jonathan Keeble (Narrator)

Audiobook

Eleanor: A 200-mile Walk in Search of England's Lost Queen

"An extraordinary journey that uncovers historical secrets about England's forgotten Queen. From Alice Loxton, author of the acclaimed bestseller Eighteen.'I loved this beautiful, elegaic, honest and compelling book - a modern-day pilgrimage walking in the footsteps of one of the great forgotten queens' - Kate Mosse, bestselling author of The Map of Bones In 1290, England mourned the death of a queen, Eleanor of Castile, beloved wife of King Edward I. Her body was carried on a 200-mile journey from Lincoln to London, a solemn procession that would become immortalized in stone. To mark the places where her cortege rested, a heartbroken Edward commissioned twelve magnificent Eleanor Crosses. More than seven centuries later, bestselling historian Alice Loxton set herself an epic challenge: following in history's footsteps by walking the entire 200-mile funeral route on the corresponding dates. As Alice journeys in search of England's forgotten Queen, over ancient paths and modern motorways, history comes alive in surprising ways. Lively and entertaining, Eleanor uncovers the extraordinary life and formidable character of this lesser-known royal, revealing her inspiring legacy and the hidden history of Britain. 'Loxton has the novelist's skill of seeing the world through her characters' eyes, and the historian's accuracy of vision' - Philippa Gregory, bestselling author of Normal Women 'Loxton is the leading historian of her generation' - Dan Jones, bestselling author of The Templars"

Alice Loxton (Author), Alice Loxton (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Eagles of Bastogne: The Untold Story of the Heroic Defense of a City Under Siege

"' . . . those wanting a deep dive into the specific role played by the 101st Airborne Division will find this book perfect for that purpose.” —The Journal of America's Military Past There are few names in the annals of military history that evoke such emotion, and in some cases controversy, as the small Belgian town of Bastogne. The 101st Airborne are the best known defenders of Bastogne, but they only constituted one third of the eventual force that saved the city from total annihilation. This book digs deeper into the defense of Bastogne, revealing more details about those indomitable 'Screaming Eagles' and the other units that stood with them during that punishingly bitter cold winter of 1944/45. It also presents the perspective of the German soldiers trying desperately to re-take Bastogne that desperate winter. It is a story of sacrifice, dedication to duty, and honor in the face of terrible adversity, but more importantly it’s a human story, one that encapsulates the finest attributes of humankind in the absolute direst of circumstances."

Martin King (Author), Martin King, Peter Noble (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Innocents of Florence: The Renaissance Discovery of Childhood

"How a Florentine orphanage rescued thousands of children and revolutionized childhood education amid the splendor of Renaissance art. The story begins with the abandonment of the newborn Agata Smeralda on February 5, 1445, in Florence’s Hospital of the Innocents, the first—but certainly not the last—child to be left at its doors. In an era when children were frequently abandoned, often trafficked or left to die on the streets, an orphanage devoted to their care and protection was a striking innovation. The Innocenti, as it has come to be called—the first orphanage in Europe devoted exclusively to unwanted children—would go on to care for nearly 400,000 young lives over the next five centuries. Built by the Silk Weavers Guild at a time when the wealthy were expected to contribute to civic life, the Innocenti featured glorious arches designed by Filippo Brunelleschi and housed works by some of the greatest artists of the Renaissance, from the painter Domenico Ghirlandaio to the sculptor Luca della Robbia. Meanwhile, the new orphanage also redefined the idea of “childhood” itself, particularly in education, as boys were often taught not just Latin and basic numeracy, but also a well-rounded curriculum that included art, literature, and music. Girls learned viable trades such as weaving and silk manufacturing, and the Innocenti assisted them in securing suitable marriages to protect them from poverty or a life of prostitution. Over the centuries, the orphanage oversaw groundbreaking scientific discoveries—it was a birthplace of modern pediatrics—while struggling against rampant disease, constant financial crises, and the dramatic ups and downs of Florentine politics in the Medici era Reflecting in a touching preface on the major caregivers in his own life, Joseph Luzzi narrates the fascinating history of this revolutionary orphanage, offering readers the first comprehensive “biography” of a groundbreaking humanitarian institution that recognized poor and abandoned children as worthy of nurture—and thereby shaped education and childcare for generations to come. "

Joseph Luzzi (Author), Joseph Luzzi (Narrator)

Audiobook

Vikings – Final Secrets Revealed

"In the past 50 years, significant progress has been made in mapping and understanding Scandinavia during the Viking Age. Archaeologists and historians have carefully studied various sources, such as ancient postholes and thousand-year-old grape seeds, in their efforts to uncover the truth about the Viking world. This work is crucial because the Vikings did not document their history, and what we know is based on exaggerated accounts from monks and sagas. However, with the help of patience and modern technology, researchers are slowly piecing together the puzzle. While considerable progress has been made, there are still unanswered questions. World History invites you on a fascinating journey to bygone eras, allowing you to explore the greatest events in history. Take a trip back in time - to the frontlines of World War 2, to the Viking raids, and to the religious rituals of ancient Egypt. World History is for everyone who would like to know more about the exciting and dramatic events of the past."

World History (Author), David Riley (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Devil's General: The Life of Hyazinth Strachwitz, 'The Panzer Graf'

"The most highly decorated German regimental commander of World War II, Hyazinth Graf Strachwitz first won the Iron Cross in the Great War. He was serving with the 1st Panzer Division when the Polish campaign inaugurated World War II. Strachwitz's exploits as commander of a panzer battalion during the French campaign earned him further decorations before he transferred to the newly formed 16th Panzer Division. There, he participated in the invasion of Yugoslavia and then Operation Barbarossa, where he earned the Knight's Cross. At Stalingrad, he reached the Volga and fought on the northern rim of Sixth Army's perimeter. Severely wounded during battle, he was flown out of the Stalingrad pocket and was thus spared the fate of the rest of Sixth Army. Upon recuperation, he was named commander of the Grossdeutschland Division's panzer regiment and won the Swords to the Knight's Cross during Manstein's counteroffensive at Kharkov. Wounded twelve times during the war, and barely surviving a lethal car crash, Strachwitz finally surrendered to the Americans in May 1945. Historian Raymond Bagdonas, though impaired by the disappearance of 16th Panzer Division's official records at Stalingrad, and the fact that many of the Panzer Graf's later battlegroups never kept them, has written a vividly detailed account of this combat leader's life."

Raymond Bagdonas (Author), David Stifel (Narrator)

Audiobook

Europe Audiobooks in History