The Americas Audiobooks | History

In the Shadow of Quetzalcoatl: Zelia Nuttall and the Search for Mexico's Ancient Civilizations

"Where do human societies come from? The drive to answer this question took on a new urgency in the nineteenth century, when a generation of archaeologists began to look beyond the bible for the origins of different cultures and civilizations. Zelia Nuttall threw herself into the study of Aztec customs and cosmology, eager to use the tools of the emerging science of anthropology to prove that modern Mexico was built over the ruins of ancient civilizations. Zelia was the first person to accurately decode the Aztec calendar stone. She found pre-Columbian texts lost in European archives and was skilled at making sense of their pictographic histories. Her work on the terra-cotta heads of Teotihuacán captured the attention of Frederic Putnam, who offered her a job at Harvard's Peabody Museum. Divorced and juggling motherhood and career, Nuttall chose to follow her own star, publishing her discoveries and collecting artifacts for US museums to make ends meet. She became a vital bridge between Mexican and US anthropologists. In the Shadow of Quetzalcoatl captures the appeal and contradictions that riddled the life of this trailblazing woman, who contributed so much to the new field of anthropology until a newly professionalized generation overshadowed her remarkable achievements and she became an artifact in her own museum."

Merilee Grindle (Author), Cynthia Farrell (Narrator)

Audiobook

LBJ and McNamara: The Vietnam Partnership Destined to Fail

""In this book, I have sought to blend personal experience, journalism, and scholarship. It is history written by a journalist who was there." —Peter L.W. Osnos Discover untold insights of the critical Vietnam War decisions made by President Johnson and Robert McNamara, their struggles with policy reversals, and the lessons relevant to today's conflicts. Also featuring a unique audio bonus with exclusive, candid audio from McNamara's memoir creation. LBJ and McNamara: The Vietnam Partnership Destined to Fail details how President Lyndon B. Johnson and his secretary of defense, Robert McNamara, made choices central to US strategy in Vietnam, ending in defeat. The portrait emerges of men who knew that conventional victory was impossible but who could not or would not reverse the policies that they and the military pursued. In their own words, especially McNamara's, how and why this happened is a story never before told with such immediacy and insight. LBJ and McNamara reflects how decisions about policy and strategy were made in the Vietnam era—which in the aftermath of wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and those in Ukraine and Gaza is relevant to our times. The lessons for today's policy-makers are clear. The imperfections of decision-making are always much more apparent in retrospect. The audiobook also features unique bonus audio in which you will hear McNamara working with his editors as his controversial 1995 memoir In Retrospect: The Tragedy and Lessons of Vietnam was being written, dealing with astonishing frankness on major issues involving President Kennedy, President Johnson, and his own evolving views of the presidents, the Vietnam war, and himself."

Peter L.W. Osnos (Author), Stephen Graybill (Narrator)

Audiobook

New Prize for These Eyes: The Rise of America's Second Civil Rights Movement

"With "arresting prose and keen insights" (Donna Brazile, New York Times bestselling author of Hacks), bestselling author Juan Williams turns his attention to the rise of a new 21st-century civil rights movement in this highly anticipated follow-up to Eyes on the Prize. More than a century of civil rights activism reached a mountaintop with the arrival of a Black man in the Oval Office. But hopes for a unified, post-racial America were deflated when Barack Obama's presidency met with furious opposition. A white, right-wing backlash was brewing, and a volcanic new movement—a second civil rights movement—began to erupt. In New Prize for These Eyes, award-winning author Juan Williams shines a light on this historic, new movement. Who are its heroes? Where is it headed? What fires, furies, and frustrations distinguish it from its predecessor? In the 20th century, Black activists and their white allies called for equal rights and an end to segregation. They appealed to the Declaration of Independence's defiant assertion that "all men are created equal." They prioritized legal battles in the courtroom and legislative victories in Congress. Today's movement is dealing with new realities. Demographic changes have placed progressive whites in a new role among the largest, youngest population of Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians in the nation's history. The new generation is social media savvy, and they have an agenda fueled by discontent with systemic racism and the persistent scourge of police brutality. Today's activists are making history in a new economic and cultural landscape, and they are using a new set of tools and strategies to do so. Williams brilliantly traces the arc of this new civil rights era, from Obama to Charlottesville to January 6th and a Confederate flag in the Capitol. An essential read for activists, historians, and anyone passionate about America's future, New Prize for These Eyes is more than a recounting of history. It is a forward-looking call to action, urging Americans to get in touch with the progress made and hurdles yet to be overcome."

Juan Williams (Author), Juan Williams (Narrator)

Audiobook

[Spanish] - La contraofensiva: el final de montoneros

"A través del examen de múltiples fuentes Confino, muestra que la Contraofensiva no fue una excepcionalidad o una 'aventura mesiánica', sino una estrategia posible en la línea de desarrollo de Montoneros, inseparable de la situación de exilio, de la historia política del país y de la región."

Hernán Confino (Author), Alejandro Caprotta (Narrator)

Audiobook

Alaskan History: A Captivating Guide to Alaska's Past and the Story of Its Native Peoples

"Explore Alaska’s Bold Past, from Pioneers and Gold Rushes to the Lives of Alaska’s Native PeoplesTwo manuscripts in one book: - History of Alaska: A Captivating Guide to Historical Events and Facts You Should Know About Alaskan History - Alaska Natives: A Captivating Guide to the History of the Indigenous Peoples of Alaska In the first part, History of Alaska, you’ll learn about: - The First Alaskans: Who first lived in Alaska, and how did they shape the land? - Explorers and Adventures: Why did explorers risk their lives in Alaska’s freezing wilderness, and what did they find? - The Gold Rush: How did the hunt for gold change Alaska’s towns and economy forever? - War and Defense: Why was Alaska key in World War II and the Cold War? - The Alaska Pipeline: What challenges came with building one of the biggest oil pipelines, and how did it change the state? - Alaska Today: How is Alaska leading in protecting nature and Native rights? In the second part, Alaska Natives, you’ll discover: - Origins of Alaska Natives: Learn where they came from and their early connections with Europe. - Survival in Harsh Conditions: Discover how Alaska Natives thrived in tough lands. - Traditions and Land: See how Alaska’s landscapes shaped Native cultures. - The Russian Era: Explore how Native tribes resisted and survived Russian rule. - Alaska Natives under U.S. Rule: Find out what changed when the U.S. took control. Scroll up and click “Add to Cart” to learn more about Alaska’s history!"

Captivating History (Author), Colin Fluxman (Narrator)

Audiobook

Of Black Study

"An exploration of the ways that Black intellectuals arrived at a critique of Western knowledge 'This magnificent book is the best recent treatment we have of the great Black Radical Tradition.' —Cornel West Joshua Myers considers the work of thinkers who broke with the racial and colonial logic of academic disciplinarity and how the ideas of Black intellectuals created different ways of thinking and knowing in their pursuit of conceptual and epistemological freedom. Bookended by meditations with June Jordan and Toni Cade Bambara, Of Black Study focuses on how W.E.B. Du Bois, Sylvia Wynter, Jacob Carruthers, and Cedric Robinson contributed to Black Studies approaches to knowledge production within and beyond Western structures of knowledge. Especially geared toward understanding the contemporary evolution of Black Studies in the neoliberal university and allows us to consider the stakes of intellectual freedom and the path toward a new world."

Joshua Myers (Author), Amir Abdullah (Narrator)

Audiobook

Wounded for Life: Seven Union Veterans of the Civil War

"Most histories of wounded Civil War veterans construe them as feminized men whose manhood has suffered due to their inability to provide for and raise families or engage in business. Wounded for Life complicates this picture by examining how seven veterans—six soldiers and one physician—coped with their changed bodies in their postwar lives. Through these intimate stories, author Robert D. Hicks looks at the veteran's body as shaped by the trauma of the battlefield and hospital and the construction of a postwar identity in relation to that trauma. Through his research, he reveals the changing social circumstances of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries as they impacted the traumatized veteran's body. This engaging book is equal parts Civil War history, disability and gender history, and the history of the body that discloses the impact of war on a wounded warrior."

Robert D. Hicks (Author), Jim Denison (Narrator)

Audiobook

Unsung Heroes of the Civil Rights Movement

"This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice. While many figures of the Civil Rights Movement are well-known, countless others worked tirelessly behind the scenes to fight for justice and equality. This book highlights the stories of these unsung heroes—organizers, activists, and everyday people who made significant contributions to the movement. Discover the lives and legacies of these individuals, and gain a deeper understanding of the collective effort that drove one of the most pivotal movements in history."

Ahmed Musa (Author), Digital Voice Archie G (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Impact of WWII Technology on Modern Warfare

"This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice. World War II was a catalyst for some of the most groundbreaking technological advancements in military history. This book explores how innovations like radar, jet engines, and the first computers changed the nature of warfare and laid the foundation for modern military technology. Through detailed analysis and case studies, this book examines the legacy of WWII technologies and their continuing influence on the strategies and tools used in contemporary warfare. A must-read for history and technology enthusiasts alike."

Prisca J. Okatta (Author), Digital Voice Archie G (Narrator)

Audiobook

Hidden Figures of the Space Race

"This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice. While many iconic figures are celebrated for their roles in the Space Race, countless unsung heroes contributed to the success of the mission. This book shines a light on the individuals, particularly those behind the scenes—scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and astronauts—whose groundbreaking work helped propel humanity into space. Through untold stories of perseverance and innovation, this book offers a fresh perspective on the space race and celebrates the often-overlooked contributions of these pivotal figures who made history possible."

Prisca J. Okatta (Author), Digital Voice Archie G (Narrator)

Audiobook

[Spanish] - Historia de los nativos americanos: Un apasionante recorrido por las tribus Cherokee, Ch

"2 manuscritos completos en 1 libro: - Tribus nativas americanas: Una guía apasionante de los cheroquis, chickasaw, choctaw, creek y seminolas - El Sendero de Lágrimas: Una guía apasionante sobre la expulsión de los choctaw y chickasaw, las guerras seminolas, la disolución de los creek y la reubicación forzosa de la tribu cheroqui En la primera parte de este libro, aprenderá sobre: - Las Cinco Tribus Civilizadas: Cheroqui, Muscogui (Creek), Seminola, Choctaw y Chickasaw. - El papel de las enfermedades en la colonización europea de América. - Grandes luchadores nativos americanos como Tecumseh, Caballo Loco y Halcón Negro. - Grandes líderes nativos americanos como Pushmataha, el jefe John Ross y Chaqueta Azul. - Qué papel jugó Andrew Jackson en la Ley de Traslado Forzoso de Indios. - La realidad de los nativos americanos que poseían esclavos. - La verdadera historia detrás del Sendero de las Lágrimas. - Grandes batallas como Fallen Timbers (Árboles Caídos), Tippecanoe, Little Bighorn y la derrota de St. Clair. En la segunda parte de este libro, usted: - Por qué las tribus desarrollaron diversas formas de cristianismo. - Las razones que llevaron a los jefes a firmar tratados para ceder tierras de los nativos. - La opinión de George Washington sobre los nativos americanos. - Las Cinco Tribus Civilizadas y cómo se diferenciaban entre sí. - La opinión del ciudadano medio sobre los nativos americanos en el siglo XIX. - La opinión de Davy Crockett sobre la reubicación de los nativos americanos. - La Ley de Traslado Forzoso de Indios de 1830 y su impacto en el Sendero de Lágrimas. Desplácese hacia arriba y pulse el botón «añadir a la cesta» para empezar a aprender más sobre el Historia de los nativos americanos."

Billy Wellman (Author), Carlos Verne (Narrator)

Audiobook

Brazilian History and Mythology: An Enthralling Journey Through Brazil's Past and Legendary Myths

"Explore Brazil’s Amazing History and Magical Myths!Two manuscripts in one audiobook: - History of Brazil: An Enthralling Guide to Ancient Indigenous Civilizations, Portuguese Colonization, the Imperial Era, and Modern Times - Brazilian Mythology: Enthralling Folktales, Vibrant Folklore, Mythical Legends, and Deities of Brazil In part 1, you’ll learn how Brazil became the country it is today: - Meet the first people who lived in Brazil long ago. - Find out what happened when the Portuguese arrived. - Learn about the sugar farms and how slavery changed everything. - Discover how Brazil fought for freedom and became a republic. - See what life was like during important times like the military rule. In part 2, you’ll explore the magical stories from Brazil’s past: - Discover how Brazil’s rivers and jungles inspired its myths. - Hear how the world began, according to Brazil’s first people. - Meet Iara, the river spirit who sings to people. - Learn about Brazil’s mix of cultures and the legends they created. - Hear about the pink dolphin that can turn into a man. - Find out about the Brazilian werewolf and other spooky creatures. - Get to know Saci, the one-legged trickster who loves to cause trouble. Why This Audiobook? - Easy and perfect for anyone who wants to learn more about Brazil. - Discover the real history and fun stories behind Brazil’s culture. - Two manuscripts in one! Learn about both Brazil’s history and its magical myths. Scroll up and click the ' add to cart ' button to take a trip through Brazil’s past and explore its most exciting legends!"

Billy Wellman (Author), Jason Zenobia (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Americas Audiobooks in History