World Audiobooks | History

Radical Sisters: Shirley Temple Black, Rose Kushner, Evelyn Lauder, and the Dawn of the Breast Cance

"“The doctor can make the incision, but I’ll make the decision.” — Shirley Temple Black “I have a streak of stubbornness and a loud voice.” — Rose Kushner “I believe that one must leave the world a better place than you found it.” — Evelyn Lauder There was a time when women’s health was repressed and breast cancer wasn’t discussed, but Shirley Temple Black, Rose Kushner, and Evelyn Lauder refused to be silenced. Their courage ignited a movement that changed the way society addresses breast cancer. When these “radical sisters” were diagnosed, they faced a medical world of myths, outdated protocols, and a shocking lack of research. Breast cancer awareness was absent, and treatment options were scarce. Yet, Shirley, Rose, and Evelyn—empowered by their diagnoses—became trailblazing advocates for breast cancer research, early detection, and women’s health. Their efforts opened the conversation and set the stage for a new era of breast cancer advocacy. Radical Sisters, researched by award-winning biographer Judith L. Pearson, chronicles their powerful journeys. Taking cues from the women’s health and AIDS movements, these inspirational women demanded a shift in how society viewed breast cancer: a cause worthy of public attention and action. More than 300,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. They stand on the shoulders of these brave women, whose legacy has empowered generations to advocate for better healthcare, increased research, and greater awareness."

Judith L. Pearson (Author), Maria McCann (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Gods of New York: The Tumultuous Eighties, from Donald Trump to the Tompkins Square Riots

"Brought to you by Penguin. New York City entered 1986 as a city reborn, with record profits on Wall Street sending waves of money splashing across Manhattan and bringing a once-bankrupt and reeling city back to life. But it also entered 1986 as a city divided. Nearly one-third of the city’s Black and Hispanic residents were living below the poverty line. Thousands of New Yorkers were sleeping in the streets – and in many cases addicted to drugs, dying of AIDS, or suffering from mental illness. The manufacturing jobs that had once sustained a thriving middle class had vanished. Long-simmering racial tensions were boiling over. Over the next four years, a singular confluence of events – involving a cast of outsized, unforgettable characters – would widen those divisions into chasms. Ed Koch. Donald Trump. Al Sharpton. The Central Park Five. Larry Kramer. Spike Lee. Rudy Giuliani. Howard Beach. Tawana Brawley. The Preppy Murder. The Tompkins Square Riots. Jimmy Breslin. Ivan Boesky. Do the Right Thing, Wall Street, crack, the AIDS epidemic, Black Monday and, of course, ready to pour gasoline on every fire – the tabloids. In The Gods of New York, bestselling author Jonathan Mahler tells the story of these outsized characters and of these convulsive, defining years. It’s an exuberant, kaleidoscopic, and deeply immersive portrait of a city in transformation, one whose long-held identity was suddenly up for grabs: Could it be both the great working-class city, drawing in and lifting up immigrants from around the world and the money-soaked capital of global finance? Could it retain a civic culture — a common idea of what it meant to be a New Yorker — when the rich were building a city of their own and vast swaths of its citizens were losing faith in the systems that were intended to protect them? New York was one thing at the dawn of 1986; it would be something very different as 1989 came to a close. This book is the story of how that happened. © Jonathan Mahler 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025"

Jonathan Mahler (Author), Robert Petkoff (Narrator)

Audiobook

Homo Criminalis: How crime organises the world

"Brought to you by Penguin. When does a bandit become a monarch? When does a gang become a government? And is organised crime at the heart of every modern state? On a thrilling whistle-stop tour of how the world's criminal underbelly has shaped state-making, capitalism, globalisation and all forms of so-called legitimate power, Homo Criminalis shows the emergence of modern society through the evolution of the underworld and its crimes. From Chinese banditry and eighteenth-century English tea smuggling to today's cocaine submarines and the high-tech crimes of tomorrow, this book shows us how the world's dark underbelly shapes us, no matter how we try to outpace it. Entertaining, engaging and packed full of fascinating stories, Homo Criminalis is a book for those who want to see our grand story of progress through the surprising and subversive new lens of organised crime. © Mark Galeotti 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025"

Mark Galeotti (Author), Mark Galeotti (Narrator)

Audiobook

Jews vs. Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion Against the World's Mightiest Empire

"A new history of two centuries of Jewish revolts against the Roman Empire, drawing on recent archeological discoveries and new scholarship by leading historian Barry Strauss. Jews vs. Rome is a gripping account of one of the most momentous eras in human history: the two hundred years of ancient Israel's battles against Rome that reshaped Judaism and gave rise to Christianity. Barry Strauss vividly captures the drama of this era, highlighting the courageous yet tragic uprisings, the geopolitical clash between the empires of Rome and Persia, and the internal conflicts among Jews. Between 63 BCE and 136 CE, the Jewish people launched several revolts driven by deep-seated religious beliefs and resentment towards Roman rule. Judea, a province on Rome's eastern fringe, became a focal point of tension and rebellion. Jews vs. Rome recounts the three major uprisings: the Great Revolt of 66–70 CE, which led to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, culminating in the Siege of Masada, where defenders chose mass suicide over surrender; the Diaspora Revolt, ignited by heavy taxes across the Empire; and the Bar Kokhba Revolt. We meet pivotal figures such as Simon Bar Kokhba but also some of those lesser-known women of the era like Berenice, a Jewish princess who played a major role in the politics of the Great Revolt and was improbably the love of Titus—Rome's future emperor and the man who destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple. Today, echoes of those battles resonate as the Jewish nation faces new challenges and conflicts. Jews vs. Rome offers a captivating narrative that connects the past with the present, appealing to anyone interested in Rome, Jewish history, or the compelling true tales of resilience and resistance."

Barry Strauss (Author), Jacques Roy (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Secret History of Gold: Myth, Money, Politics and Power

"Brought to you by Penguin. Gold (noun): A precious, yellow metal, prized for its beauty. Inert, immune to corrosion, highly malleable though with little utility. Seen as pure wealth. The definitive biography of the metal that has shaped our world – and may yet determine its fate. The Secret History of Gold tells the epic tale of the world’s oldest, and most treasured, currency. From its origins in the formation of the solar system to its pivotal role in both ancient myth and modern finance, Dominic Frisby explores, with wit and brevity, how gold has defined the entire course of human civilisation. Gold has inspired men to do the most brilliant – and terrible – things. The most stolen metal in history, it has lured explorers, conquerors and thieves. It has sparked wars, it has built empires, it has empowered leaders – from Alexander the Great to Adolf Hitler – good and bad. As nations today such as China and Russia mine and hoard gold at record rates, Frisby examines its enduring significance in the digital age and its potential to influence global peace and power. This is the untold story of gold: its past, its present and its future. © Dominic Frisby 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025"

Dominic Frisby (Author), Dominic Frisby (Narrator)

Audiobook

Women of the Fairy Tale Resistance: The Forgotten Founding Mothers of the Fairy Tale and the Stories

"Long before The Brothers Grimm, there was a sisterhood of writers who defied the patriarchy and launched a literary craze with their feminist fairy tales-these are their stories. In 17th century Paris, a group of women who called themselves conteuses (female storytellers) came together to weave the very first fairy tales. One of them, Marie-Catherine d'Aulnoy, coined the term 'fairy tale,' and some of these stories contain many familiar elements that appear in tales like Rapunzel and Beauty and the Beast. Unfortunately, these women and their tales have mostly been forgotten to history. Women of the Fairytale Resistance uncovers seven of these writer's biographies-which are just as compelling as their fairy tales-and retells 12 of their original stories. The women were mostly young noblewomen who were forced into undesirable marriages and did not have the freedom to give their opinions, travel, or choose who they wanted to love. They used their stories as a way of subtly complaining about their husbands and critiquing the oppressive reign of King Louis XIV. The female-empowering, gender-bending tales combine themes like romance, fantasy, escapism, and their protagonists control of their own destiny-something the writers deeply desired in their own lives. This unique and entertaining book will have you rethink everything you know about traditional fairy tales."

Jane Harrington (Author), Hope Newhouse (Narrator)

Audiobook

King of Kings: The Fall of the Shah, the 1979 Iranian Revolution and the Unmaking of the Modern Midd

"Brought to you by Penguin. Before the revolution, the Shah of Iran seemed invincible. The world watched in awe as he commanded a huge army and oversaw an economy awash with billions of dollars of oil revenues. The regime’s secret police had crushed communist opposition and the Shah appeared to have bought off the conservative Muslim clergy inside the country. On the international stage, Iran had become an invaluable ally to the West during the Cold War. But village streets spoke of a different country – people derided the Shah as an American lackey and blamed him for economic inequality, for spending recklessly on lavish parties and for ignoring the Muslim majority. When a volcanic religious revolution erupted, led by a fiery cleric named Ayatollah Khomeini, the Shah was forced off the throne and into exile. How did it all go so wrong? Brilliantly brought to life by the Sunday Times bestselling author Scott Anderson, this gripping behind-the-scenes narrative reveals how the Iranian Revolution was as world-shattering an event as the French and Russian revolutions, and how its repercussions are still felt around the world today. In the Middle East, in India, in Southeast Asia, and now in Europe and the United States, the hatred of economically-marginalized, religiously-fervent masses for a wealthy secular elite has led to violence and upheaval – and Iran was the template. 'The most compelling account yet of the revolution in Iran... Outstanding' Eugene Rogan 'Thrilling and fully authoritative' Azadeh Moaveni 'Important and riveting' Sebastian Junger © Scott Anderson 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025"

Scott Anderson (Author), Malcolm Hillgartner, Scott Anderson (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Indefatigable Asa Briggs

"Asa Briggs’s energy fuelled him to write more than fifty books, including five formidable volumes on the history of broadcasting. At the zenith of his fame he was one of the best-known historians of his generation, his name on a cover a guarantee of substantial sales. From humble beginnings in the back streets of Keighley, he rose to become a peer of the realm, one of the Great and the Good. He was Vice-Chancellor of Sussex, the most fashionable of the new universities, and Chancellor of the Open University, the largest. He became President of the Workers’ Educational Association, reflecting his deep commitment to a more equal society. His own life illustrated the power of education to overcome disadvantage. But for all his success, his was also a story of frustration and disappointment. He took on too much, and in later life was unable to juggle his commitments as once he could. Moreover, the world around him had changed. Once at the centre of things, he found himself on the periphery. The inner life of Asa Briggs was more turbulent than it appeared from the outside. Even those who thought they knew him well may be surprised by the revelations in this fascinating biography."

Adam Sisman (Author), Ric Jerrom (Narrator)

Audiobook

Blame Not the Wind: A tragedy at sea. A cover-up. One mother’s search for justice.

"'Very occasionally a tragedy turns into a triumph. This wonderful, searing book is such a moment. Rush to read it & be thankful.' – Miriam Margolyes Last night Ben phoned from Bermuda, collect as usual. I’d asked – though heaven knows why as we avoid soppy talk – if he still loved me. He had said, ‘Course I do.’ He would be home for a visit once the race was over. He could not say exactly when but would keep in touch. It is early June: the third day of June, to be precise, and a day I will never forget. Something feels wrong. Better get up. Shirley’s sixth sense was all too real: tragedy had struck Ben’s ship, Marques. The government announced that it was a ‘freak accident’. But something did not add up. On 2 June 1984 the British-registered tall ship Marques left Bermuda Harbour, cheered on by watching crowds. With other sailing vessels from across the world, the barque was heading for Halifax, Nova Scotia, having won the first leg of the internationally famous Tall Ships Race. As they sailed out to sea, there was not a cloud in the sky. But by midnight the weather had changed and the seas became violent. Just 80 miles from Bermuda, things took a turn for the worse – the ship lurched and water poured in through the wide-open hatches. In 40 seconds the Marques had vanished. Of the 28 people on board, 19 were lost: crew and passengers, hailing from Britain, Canada, the US and the Caribbean. Among the missing was Shirley Cooklin’s 18-year-old son Ben. Driven to seek answers, Shirley finds only dead ends and denials. She begins to wonder – what if this was not a freak accident caused by the wind? What if the tragedy was the result of a gross act of negligence? And why is the Thatcher government so interested in the incident? This is the riveting true story of one mother’s lifelong search for justice."

Shirley Cooklin (Author), Phyllida Nash (Narrator)

Audiobook

Woven Roots: Recovering the Healing Plant Traditions of Jews and Their Neighbors in Eastern Europe

"A comprehensive guide to the medicinal plants and folk healers of Eastern Europe's Pale of Settlement-mapping ancestral folkways, herbal traditions, and shared legacies of Ashkenazi Jews and their neighbors Includes a materia medica of healing plants and their traditional applications A companion guide to Ashkenazi Herbalism, Woven Roots explores the rich history of plant-based medicine and folk healing traditions of Eastern Europe from 1600 through the present. Authors Deatra Cohen and Adam Siegel map the interwoven histories of the peoples of the Pale of Settlement, revealing untold stories of cooperation, shared knowledge, and mutual aid. The book shares how the people in this region-so often associated with conflict-often thrived in deep and reciprocal relationships with the land and each other. Tending and relying on the natural world, caring for their communities, and transmitting medicinal legacies from generation to generation, the healers of the Pale served as profound points of connection, interdependence, and life-sustaining knowledge. The authors offer illuminating-and surprising-original research on: - The pivotal but historically overlooked contributions of women folk healers - Deep, ancestrally rooted traditions of care for land and nature among Ashkenazi Jews - The rich cultural exchanges among Jews, Muslims, and Christians that allowed life in the Pale to flourish - Newly discovered recipes - Enduring legacies of mutual aid and community interdependence - How long-lost links between Eastern and Western folk knowledge can shed new light on your heritage and ancestral connections - Traditional magical practices of the Ashkenazim This book includes an illustrated materia medica with plant names in Yiddish, Lithuanian, Ukrainian, and more. Informed by years of field and academic research, Woven Roots recovers the legacies of Jewish healers beyond myth, offering insights into the healing wisdom and interethnic cultural exchanges among marginalized groups in Eastern Europe and Eurasia."

Adam Siegel, Deatra Cohen (Author), Adam Siegel (Narrator)

Audiobook

Milena and Margarete: A Love Story in Ravensbrück: The Nazi's Concentration Camp for Women

"A profoundly moving celebration of love under the darkest of circumstances from the author of The Nine From the moment they met in 1940 in Ravensbrück concentration camp, Milena Jesenska and Margarete Buber-Neumann were inseparable. Czech Milena was Kafka's first translator and epistolary lover, and a journalist opposed to fascism. A non-conformist, bi-sexual feminist, she was way ahead of her time. With the German occupation of Czechoslovakia, her home became a central meeting place for Jewish refugees. German Margarete, born to a middle-class family, married the son of the Jewish philosopher Martin Buber. But soon swept up in the fervor of the Bolshevik Revolution, she met her second partner, the Communist Heinz Neumann. Called to Moscow for his 'political deviations,' he fell victim to Stalin's purges while Margarete was exiled to the hell of the Soviet gulag. Two years later, traded by Stalin to Hitler, she ended up outside Berlin in Ravensbrück, the only concentration camp built for women. Milena and Margarete loved each other at the risk of their lives. But in the post-war survivors' accounts, lesbians were stigmatized, and survivors kept silent. This book explores those silences, and finally celebrates two strong women who never gave up and continue to inspire. As Margaret wrote: 'I was thankful for having been sent to Ravensbrück, because it was there I met Milena.'"

Gwen Strauss (Author), Julie Teal (Narrator)

Audiobook

Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York

"THE SUNDAY TIMES #1 BESTSELLER ‘Makes Prince Harry’s Spare look positively restrained’ SUNDAY TIMES ‘A jaw-dropping account of arrogance, financial incontinence, greed and, indeed, entitlement' DAILY EXPRESS 'This searing biography of Prince Andrew crackles with scandals' BBC NEWS The first joint biography of the Duke and Duchess of York and the first full biography of either of them, by renowned royal biographer and literary agent, Andrew Lownie. Drawing on four years of research, numerous FOI requests and interviews with over a hundred people who have never spoken before, the book traces the lives of the late Queen’s second son and his ex-wife through their childhoods, courtship, marriage, divorce, careers, and royal and charitable activities. Still living in the same house, they claim to be 'the happiest divorced couple in the world'. The book investigates the reality of their relationship and their love lives. It charts Andrew’s record in the Falklands, his business activities and reveals details of how the couple have been able financially to sustain their extravagant lifestyles. It also recounts the full story of the Yorks’ links with Jeffrey Epstein. Chronicling their lives in parallel, the picture that emerges is of a spoilt prince unable to connect and a duchess pushed by her insecurities into a desperate need to maintain the attention her ‘royal’ status brought. Rigorously researched and packed full of revelations, this is eye-watering biography at its best. ‘This isn't just a royal biography. It's a study in reputational collapse and the danger of unchecked power inside Britain's most protected institution' THE STANDARD"

Andrew Lownie (Author), Andrew Lownie (Narrator)

Audiobook

World Audiobooks in History