The Americas Audiobooks | History

The History of Venezuela: Economic Troubles

"Venezuela’s economic history is deeply intertwined with its political and social landscape, shaped by cycles of prosperity and crisis. While the country has vast natural resources, particularly oil, mismanagement, external pressures, and political instability have contributed to its economic troubles. Understanding the roots of these challenges requires examining Venezuela’s early economic foundations, the role of oil in its development, and the influence of political decisions on its financial stability. In its early history, Venezuela’s economy was primarily based on agriculture and trade. Before the discovery of oil in the early 20th century, the country relied on exports of coffee, cocoa, and other agricultural products. While these industries provided some level of economic growth, wealth distribution remained highly uneven, favoring a small elite class while the majority of the population struggled with poverty. The transition from an agrarian economy to an oil-driven one dramatically altered Venezuela’s financial structure, offering immense opportunities but also creating long-term vulnerabilities. The discovery of vast oil reserves in the early 20th century transformed Venezuela into one of the world’s leading oil producers. By the mid-20th century, petroleum had become the backbone of the national economy, contributing to rapid industrialization, urbanization, and infrastructure development. The influx of oil wealth led to economic booms and improved social programs, but it also fostered dependence on a single commodity. This overreliance on oil made Venezuela’s economy highly sensitive to fluctuations in global oil prices. Whenever oil prices soared, the government expanded public spending and welfare programs, but during downturns, the country faced severe financial instability. "

Anya Solace (Author), Sienna Ellsworth (Narrator)

Audiobook

Venezuela: Economic Crises and Historical Shifts

"Venezuela’s history is one of dramatic shifts, from its early days as a Spanish colony to its emergence as one of the world’s largest oil producers. The country’s vast natural resources positioned it as a regional economic powerhouse, yet mismanagement, political instability, and external pressures have contributed to repeated cycles of crisis. Today, Venezuela stands as a cautionary tale of how wealth, when poorly managed, can lead to economic collapse and social turmoil. Understanding the nation’s historical trajectory is essential to grasping its current struggles and the possibilities for recovery. Venezuela’s path to independence followed the broader wave of Latin American liberation movements. Gaining independence from Spain in 1821 under the leadership of Simón Bolívar, the country initially experienced political turbulence as it transitioned from colonial rule. The 19th and early 20th centuries were marked by military dictatorships and internal conflicts, preventing the establishment of a stable government. However, the discovery of vast oil reserves in the early 20th century would drastically reshape Venezuela’s economic and political landscape. With the discovery of oil in the 1910s, Venezuela saw rapid economic expansion, attracting foreign investment and transforming Caracas into one of the most modern cities in Latin America. By the mid-20th century, the nation was one of the wealthiest in the region, boasting a growing middle class and infrastructure that rivaled its neighbors. Yet, with prosperity came vulnerability. The economy became overwhelmingly dependent on oil revenues, leaving it exposed to fluctuations in global energy markets. Instead of using its wealth to diversify industries and strengthen institutions, successive governments spent recklessly, often prioritizing short-term political gains over long-term stability. "

Anya Solace (Author), Sienna Ellsworth (Narrator)

Audiobook

Original Sins: The (Mis)education of Black and Native Children and the Construction of AmericanRacis

"Why don't our schools work? Eve L. Ewing tackles this question from a new angle: What if they're actually doing what they were built to do? She argues that instead of being the great equalizer, America's classrooms were designed to do the opposite: to maintain the nation's inequalities. It's a task at which they excel. "This book will transform the way you see this country."-Michelle Alexander, author of The New Jim Crow If all children could just get an education, the logic goes, they would have the same opportunities later in life. But this historical tour de force makes it clear that the opposite is true: The U.S. school system has played an instrumental role in creating and upholding racial hierarchies, preparing children to expect unequal treatment throughout their lives. In Original Sins, Ewing demonstrates that our schools were designed to propagate the idea of white intellectual superiority, to "civilize" Native students and to prepare Black students for menial labor. Education was not an afterthought for the Founding Fathers; it was envisioned by Thomas Jefferson as an institution that would fortify the country's racial hierarchy. Ewing argues that these dynamics persist in a curriculum that continues to minimize the horrors of American history. The most insidious aspects of this system fall below the radar in the forms of standardized testing, academic tracking, disciplinary policies, and uneven access to resources. By demonstrating that it's in the DNA of American schools to serve as an effective and underacknowledged mechanism maintaining inequality in this country today, Ewing makes the case that we need a profound reevaluation of what schools are supposed to do, and for whom. This book will change the way people understand the place we send our children for eight hours a day. *Includes a downloadable PDF containing a bibliography, notes, and images described in the book."

Eve L. Ewing (Author), Eve L. Ewing, Robin Miles (Narrator)

Audiobook

Counterculture: The Story of America from Bohemia to Hip-Hop

"A political and intellectual history of American counterculture and the historical figures who redefined mainstream understandings of freedom, culture, art, and politics-from The Beat Generation to Basquiat This entertaining, intellectual history fulfills the growing appetite for marginalized narratives. Counterculture brilliantly interrogates the diversity of counterculture and the interwoven relationship between each individual legacy. From Anarchism to the Harlem Renaissance, Alex Zamalin unveils the humanity behind these romanticized figures and popularized movements to capture revolutionary freedom in action. American counterculture, defined as a movement whose values are outside and oppositional to mainstream norms and whose practices fundamentally reject what is socially respectable, ultimately transformed the 20th century. With key players: - Emma Goldman - Billie Holiday - Allen Ginsberg - Amiri Baraka - Jean-Michel Basquiat And key movements: - Anarchism - Black Bohemia - The Harlem Renaissance - The Beat Generation - The Black Arts Movement - Hip-Hop Counterculture reaches new depths, tackling a wide range of historical, social, and political topics, and expanding contemporary understandings of American cultural tradition. At a time when counterculture was on the outskirts of American society, Alex Zamalin explores the reason why."

Alex Zamalin (Author), Dan Levy (Narrator)

Audiobook

Presidents at War: How World War II Shaped a Generation of Presidents, from Eisenhower and JFK throu

"Steven M. Gillon, historian and New York Times bestselling author, is back with the story of how WWII shaped the characters and politics of seven American presidents. World War II loomed over the latter half of the twentieth century, transforming every level of American society and international relationships and searing itself onto the psyche of an entire generation, including that of seven American presidents: Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and George H. W. Bush. The lessons of World War II, more than party affiliation or ideology, defined the presidencies of these seven men. They returned home determined to confront any force that threatened to undermine the war's hard-won ideals, each with their own unique understanding of patriotism, sacrifice, and America's role in global politics. In Presidents at War, Gillon examines what these men took away from the war and how they then applied it to Cold War policies that proceeded to change America, and the world, forever. A nuanced and deeply researched exploration of the lives, philosophies, and legacies of seven remarkable men, Presidents at War deftly argues that the lessons learned by these postwar presidents continue to shape the landscape upon which current and future presidents stand today."

Steven M. Gillon (Author), Fred Sanders (Narrator)

Audiobook

Spooks: The Haunting of America—The Private Use of Secret Agents

"'Probably the most eye-opening and engrossing exposé to date of the bizarre 'power games' played by multinational corporations and tycoons.' —Publishers Weekly A classic of investigative reporting, Spooks is a treasure trove of who-shot-who research on the metastasis of the United States intelligence community, whose practices and personnel have engulfed the larger society. Teeming with tales of wiremen, hitmen, and mobsters; crooked politicians and corrupt cops going about their business of regime-change, union-busting, wiretapping, money laundering, and industrial espionage, learn about: Richard Nixon's 'Mission Impossible' war on Aristotle Onassis; not-so-deep-fake porno films starring the CIA's enemies; the Robert Vesco heist, targeting billions in numbered Swiss accounts; Robert Maheu and the kidnapping of billionaire Howard Hughes; the murder-for-hire of a Columbia University professor; Bobby Kennedy's archipelago of private intelligence agencies—Intertel and the 'Five I's'; and 'The Friendly Ghost' and Nixon's secret account in the offshore Castle Bank & Trust."

Jim Hougan (Author), William Sarris (Narrator)

Audiobook

U.S. History 101: Historic Events, Key People, Important Locations, and More!

"Perfect for readers of all ages, U.S. History 101 is a fact-filled and riveting introduction to the most important political events and figures from the last 300 years of our nation's history. The stories of politicos and historic events are often turned into snooze-worthy lectures that even Benjamin Franklin would reject. This guide cuts out all the boring details and instead provides you with a thrilling lesson in U.S. history. From Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence to Barack H. Obama and the Great Recession, each page takes you on an unforgettable journey through the moments that completely changed this country. You'll also uncover hundreds of entertaining historical facts and stories that you won't be able to find anywhere else. So whether you're looking to unravel the mysteries of America's past or just want to learn more about our country's presidents, U.S. History 101 has all the answers--even the ones you didn't know you were looking for."

Kathleen Sears (Author), Kevin R. Free (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Alice Crimmins Case

"New York, Summer of 1965. One hot summer, two young children disappeared from their first-floor apartment in the Kew Gardens neighborhood of Queens, New York. Their mother, Alice Crimmins, reported them missing to the police. Later that day, the body of four-year-old Missy was found in a vacant lot, showing signs of having been strangled. The body of five-year-old Eddie, Jr., was found several days later. Police were immediately suspicious of the mother. Recently divorced, with teased red hair and heavy makeup, Alice Crimmins did not fit the maternal ideal held by the predominantly Catholic police detectives on the case. Her every action was scrutinized: Was she behaving like a grief-stricken mother or like a coldhearted killer? After three years of police surveillance, Alice was charged with the murder of her children in 1968 in a highly publicized trial. Ultimately found guilty of manslaughter, Alice spent a decade in prison before being released on parole in 1977. But was she truly guilty, or just the victim of police bias and misogynistic judgment? Journalist Anaïs Renevier revisits the case, exploring one of the most famous and divisive trials in recent American history."

Anais Renevier (Author), Lisa S. Ware (Narrator)

Audiobook

Welcome to Capitol Hill: Fifty Years of Scandal in Tennessee Politics

"Although Tennessee has a rich history of political scandals dating back to the founding of the state, the last fifty years have been a confusing, confounding, and sometimes ludicrous period of ne'er-do-welling. Welcome to Capitol Hill is a guide to the state's modern history of corruption. From Governor Ray Blanton's pardon scandals to the FBI investigation that started with now lieutenant governor Randy McNally wearing a wire in the late 1980s to the sexual misconduct that plagues Tennessee politics, this book chronicles it all. Veteran political reporters Joel Ebert and Erik Schelzig draw from interviews, archival documents, and never-before-seen federal investigative files to provide listeners with a handy resource about the wrongdoings of our elected officials."

Erik Schelzig, Joel Ebert (Author), Chris Abernathy (Narrator)

Audiobook

President McKinley: Architect of the American Century

"Republican President William McKinley transformed America during his two terms as president. Although he does not register large in either public memory or in historians' rankings, in this revealing account, Robert W. Merry offers 'a fresh twist on the old tale . . . a valuable education on where America has been and, possibly, where it is going' (The National Review). McKinley settled decades of monetary controversy by taking the country to a strict gold standard; in the Spanish-American war he kicked Spain out of the Caribbean and liberated Cuba from Spain; in the Pacific he acquired Hawaii and the Philippines; he developed the doctrine of 'fair trade'; forced the 'Open Door' to China; forged our 'special relationship' with Great Britain. He expanded executive power and managed public opinion through his quiet manipulation of the press. McKinley paved the way for the bold and flamboyant leadership of his famous successor, Teddy Roosevelt, who built on his accomplishments (and got credit for them). Merry writes movingly about McKinley's admirable personal life, from his simple Midwestern upbringing to his Civil War heroism to his brave comportment just moments before his death by assassination. Lively, definitive, and eye-opening, President McKinley resurrects this overlooked president and places him squarely on the list of one of the most important."

Robert W. Merry (Author), Tom Perkins (Narrator)

Audiobook

MeatEater's American History: The Mountain Men (1806-1840)

"From the creators of the New York Times bestselling audio series Campfire Stories and MeatEater's American History comes a new audiobook original that plunges listeners into the untamed world of a celebrated and misunderstood group of nineteenth-century outdoorsmen: the Mountain Men. Steven Rinella (The MeatEater Podcast) brings to life the legendary wilderness exploits of men such as Jim Bridger, Jedidiah Smith, and Hugh Glass, who headed out to the Rocky Mountains to trap beavers in the decades following the Louisiana Purchase. Living off the land and dodging grizzly bears, these colorful characters carved out an existence defined by their relationships with Native people, their capacity to endure the most trying conditions, and their intimate knowledge of the western landscape. This small fraternity of backwoodsmen-numbering only a few hundred at any point in time, and perhaps 3,000 total over the course of the era-not only lived in dramatic fashion, they died the same way: one in ten would suffer some sort of violent death in the wilds of the Rockies. Their extraordinary feats-some heroic, others horrifying-helped define an era when the West represented not just unmapped territory, but untapped opportunity. And when a combination of economic and ecological factors caused their world to collapse, the mountain men left behind more than just tracks in the wilderness; they established an enduring archetype of independence, resilience, and an untamed spirit that still resonates through American culture today."

Steven Rinella (Author), Steven Rinella (Narrator)

Audiobook

Little Vic and the Great Mafia War

"June 20, 1991. A five-man hit team waited in a car outside the Long Island home of Victor Orena, the acting crime boss of the Colombo crime family. Orena recognized the vehicle—and managed to escape with his life. Over the next year, more shots would be fired in what would become the last major mob war in New York's crime-soaked history—and one of the bloodiest. The war ended with Orena's 1992 arrest and conviction for racketeering. With shocking new revelations from Orena's son Andrew, this eye-opening account takes listeners inside the criminal underworld of New York's infamous 'Five Families' from the point of view of one of its rising stars. The grandson of Sicilian immigrants, Victor Orena ingratiated himself with the local Mafiosi during his teens. Ascending the ranks, he eventually became acting boss of the family when its don Carmine 'The Snake' Persico was sentenced to prison. But as Persico struggled to maintain control from behind bars, Orena decided to seize that power for himself—launching a ruthless mob war the city would never forget. Featuring a rogues gallery of legendary mobsters—from the Gallo brothers to the Gambinos and John Gotti—this riveting account sheds new light on one of the most fascinating chapters in American crime."

Larry McShane (Author), Brandon Pollock (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Americas Audiobooks in History