Audiobooks narrated by Charles Armstrong

The Spy and the Devil: The untold story of the MI6 agent who penetrated Hitler’s inner circle

"The forgotten tale of MI6's top spy in Nazi Germany and his bid to stop the Second World War. In the world of espionage, where the accounts of renowned spies often dominate the narrative, this is a rare gem - an untold story of a completely unknown spy. Baron William de Ropp, a Baltic German aristocrat, wasn't just any ordinary spy; he was MI6's top secret agent in Nazi Germany from 1931 to 1939, managing to escape Berlin just before war broke out. This unsung hero had direct access to Adolf Hitler and an inside track on the Nazi regime. His reports, shrouded in secrecy, had the power to shape British policy toward Germany in a pivotal period of history. The Spy and the Devil is a riveting tale of espionage, intrigue, and the untold impact of one man's secret mission on the course of history. A journey into the shadows of Nazi Germany, where a forgotten British spy worked tirelessly to avert catastrophe, and discover the secrets that history almost left behind. Bill de Ropp's story has never been published in full before, adding an extra dimension to what is, by any standard, the account of a very remarkable man. Drawing on his years of service in the Foreign Office, Tim Willasey-Wilsey offers an insider's view of this outstandingly effective but enigmatic British spy."

Tim Willasey-Wilsey (Author), Charles Armstrong (Narrator)

Audiobook

Monsterland

"Monsters, in all their terrifying glory, have preoccupied humans since we began telling stories. But where did these stories come from? In Monsterland, award-winning author Nicholas Jubber goes on a journey to discover more about the monsters we’ve invented, lurking in the dark and the wild places of the earth ? giants, dragons, ogres, zombies, ghosts, demons ? all with one thing in common: their ability to terrify. His far-ranging adventure takes him across the world. He sits on the thrones of giants in Cornwall, visits the shrine of a beheaded ogre near Kyoto, travels to an eighteenth-century Balkan vampire’s forest dwelling, and paddles among the shapeshifters of the Louisiana bayous. On his travels, he discovers that the stories of the people and places that birthed them are just as fascinating as the creatures themselves. Artfully written, Monsterland is a spellbinding interrogation into why we need these monsters and what they can tell us about ourselves ? how they bind communities together as much as they cruelly cast away outsiders."

Nicholas Jubber (Author), Charles Armstrong (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Military History Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained

"Discover the key themes and big ideas behind the major events and milestones in the history of warfare – from the dawn of civilization to the 21st century. Tracing the epic 5,000-year story of warfare from the earliest battles to the War on Terror, The Military History Book explores and explains the causes and consequences of each, offering a new angle on military history. Individual entries analyse the key social and political driving forces, the arms and armaments, and the technologies and tactics of war over the last 7,000 years – from the tactics of early infantry and siegecraft to the rise of naval combat steel, steam, and shellfire, and from trench warfare and aerial dogfights to chemical weapons and cyber warfare. Making each episode accessible and easy to understand, and bringing military history to life like never before, The Military History Book is the perfect listen for military enthusiasts of all ages. ©2025 Dorling Kindersley Ltd. (P)2025 DK Audio"

Dk Audio (Author), Charles Armstrong (Narrator)

Audiobook

Meltdown: Scandal, Sleaze and the Collapse of Credit Suisse

"'This is more than a richly detailed story about the hubris, corruption and incompetence that doomed Credit Suisse; it's a stark warning to all of us about what happens when we let bankers do what they like' - Oliver Bullough, bestselling author of Butler to the World For centuries, Swiss banks have served the globe's wealthiest individuals, employing a strict culture of anonymity and gaining massive wealth in the process. But when Credit Suisse collapsed, the veil of secrecy came down and the world was suddenly privy to the corruption, scandal and empty hubris that keep our biggest banks alive. It was a 166-year-old bastion of Swiss banking, amongst the most important and influential financial institutions in the world - but a veneer of high-class service disguised a darker, dirtier reality. From its sterile Zurich headquarters, the bank catered to a clientele that included dictators, drug dealers and former Nazi officers, and helped fleece its own clients out of billions of dollars. This continued for decades, even as Credit Suisse continued to expand, acquiring smaller banks and granting its own executives lucrative bonus contracts. Meltdown is the story of how the house of cards fell apart. Bloomberg investigative journalist and bestselling author of Pyramid of Lies Duncan Mavin takes readers inside the bank's hushed marble corridors, detailing its secretive culture and the series of increasingly selfish decisions, made by a handful of men at the top, which ultimately led to disaster. This is the fascinating history of one of the biggest financial institutions of our times - and a thrilling exposé of the wider financial services sector - which promises to give readers a shocking and brutally honest look into a previously-unknown world of greed, lies and unrelenting human ambition. "A riveting autopsy of how one of banking's titans gradually, then suddenly, crumbled under the weight of its own misdeeds" - Bradley Hope, New York Times bestselling author of Billion Dollar Whale and Blood and Oil "This financial thriller of a book offers a tantalising glimpse into the rot at the heart of one of the world's most powerful banks" - Parmy Olson, bestselling author of We Are Anonymous and Supremacy "We're used by now to bankers behaving badly, but Duncan Mavin takes it to another shocking, anger-inducing level. Credit Suisse stood for propriety, but he shows this to be a total fabrication" - Chris Blackhurst, former editor of The Independent and bestselling author of Too Big to Jail "A gripping story of power, greed and panic, and a humbling reminder of the enormous cost of capitalism going awry" - Josie Cox, author of Women, Money and Power"

Duncan Mavin (Author), Charles Armstrong (Narrator)

Audiobook

Going to the Wars

"Including an introduction read by the author, Max Hastings. 'A superb account of journalists, soldiers and the experience of modern battle, written by one of the greatest war reporters of our time' - Robert Harris, author of An Officer and a Spy 'Gripping and compulsively readable' - Saul David, Sunday Telegraph Max Hastings grew up with romantic dreams of a life amongst warriors. But after a painful false start with the Parachute Regiment, he became a journalist instead. Going to the Wars is his vivid, insightful account of his years as a foreign correspondent. His first taste of danger came at the start of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, followed by the Biafra and Vietnam Wars. He left Saigon by helicopter from the American Embassy as the city fell to the Khmer Rouge, masqueraded as a game hunter to seek out the secrets of the Rhodesian civil war and was almost shot by marauding Turkish soldiers during the invasion of Cyprus. His greatest moment came at the end of the Falklands War, when he walked alone into Port Stanley, ahead of the British landing force, in determined pursuit of a scoop. 'His memoirs have . . . honesty, pace and readability' - Jeremy Paxman"

Max Hastings (Author), Charles Armstrong, Max Hastings (Narrator)

Audiobook

Editor: A decade's strife with PMs, proprietors and royals while resurrecting The Daily Telegraph

"Including an introduction read by the author, Max Hastings. 'Much excellent gossip, some of it wildly indiscreet . . . Hastings is a brilliant reporter' - Sunday Telegraph 'The acuity of his insights make this book a wholly compelling read' - Observer In February 2002 Max Hastings retired from his position as a 'Fleet Street' editor. His is an enormously illustrious career, starting in 1985 when he was offered the Editorship of a national institution - the Daily Telegraph - in a surprise move by its owners. This candid memoir tells the story of what happened to him, and to a great newspaper, over the next decade. It is all here: the rows with prime ministers, the coverage of such world-changing events including the end of the Cold War, the fall of Thatcher, the rise of New Labour and Tony Blair, the Gulf War, and the tribulations of the Royal Family. Max Hastings describes his complex relationship with his proprietor, Conrad Black and offers an extraordinary perspective on the difficulties of dealing with lawyers and celebrities, statesmen and stars. Editor is above all the story of the excitement and exhilaration of almost ten years at the helm of one of the greatest newspapers in the world."

Max Hastings (Author), Charles Armstrong, Max Hastings (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Food Book: The Stories, Science, and History of What We Eat

"Discover the origins, traditions, and use of the everyday foods served up on our plates, from salt to sushi and rice to ravioli. A true celebration of food in all its forms, The Food Book follows the human quest for sustenance through the stories of individual ingredients, and examines our millenia-long relationship with nearly 200 foods - from nuts and seeds to noodles and meat - with the help of tales from all over the world. Food is the cornerstone of daily life, culture, and even religion. Staples like bread, beans, and cereal crops are part of our culinary history, and used in many different ways around the world. This fascinating reference covers all food groups, including nuts and grains, fruit and vegetables, meat and fish, and herbs and spices, providing information on every aspect of their history, and their place in world cuisine. Packed with glorious stories that surprise and enthral, this is the ultimate feast for foodies, a global smorgasbord packed with unforgettable tales and eye-opening facts. © 2024 Dorling Kindersley Ltd © 2024 DK Audio"

Tbd (Author), Charles Armstrong (Narrator)

Audiobook

Hedgelands: A wild wander around Britain's greatest habitat

"In this joyous journey around the wild edges of Britain, Christopher Hart takes us through the life, ecology and history of the humble British hedge, showing us how this much-loved (but somewhat overlooked) feature is inextricably woven into our language, history and culture. Hedges – or hedgerows – have long been an integral part of the British landscape; a bastion of privacy for our gardens, a protective presence on winding country lanes and a vital hiding place for birds and beasts on farmland. This man-made marvel is finally getting its time in the sun. Recognised as an environmental hero and a powerful climate ally, hedgerow is now considered the greatest edge habitat on earth, offering thorny scrub, mature woodland, grassland and even wetland. It plays a critical role in carbon sequestration and provides essential protection against the elements. Hedgelands highlights the hawthorn and hazel of ancient hedges; the abundance of wildlife, from the elusive dunnock to the striking nightingale, the industrious hedgehog to the little harvest mouse; and the free pickings that the hedgerow offers, making it an essential – and delicious – element of any countryside ramble. Hedgelands will tell you everything you never thought you needed to know about this wild, diverse and rich habitat – and you might even look at your humble hedge in a whole new way."

Christopher Hart (Author), Charles Armstrong (Narrator)

Audiobook

The World War I Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained

"Discover the key battles, tactics, technologies and turning points of the First World War - the epic conflict that was supposed to be 'the war to end all wars'. With authoritative, exciting text, The World War I Book explores the historical background to the war, its causes, all of key events across the major theatres of conflict, and its aftermath. Using the original approach of the series, entries profile more than 90 of the key events during and surrounding the conflict - from the growing tensions between Europe's major powers to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the German invasion of Belgium, the endless slaughter in the trenches, the American entry into the war, the Russian Revolution, the Armistice, and the creation of the League of Nations. Offering a uniquely compelling, accessible, and immediate history of the war, The World War I Book shows how certain key battles, individual leaders, political and economic forces, and technological advances influenced the course of the conflict, and the decades that followed. © 2024 Dorling Kindersley Ltd © 2024 DK Audio"

Tbd (Author), Charles Armstrong (Narrator)

Audiobook

Belly of the Beast: Sorce Book 1

"- 2024 IBPA BENJAMIN FRANKLIN AWARDS - SILVER WINNER, AUDIOBOOK FICTION - 2024 INDEPENDENT PUBLISHER BOOK AWARDS - GOLD WINNER, SCI-FI/FANTASY - 2024 FOREWORD INDIES FINALIST - FANTASY (AWARD STATUS TBD) - AMAZON BESTSELLER - COMING OF AGE FANTASY - FREE FOR A LIMITED TIME In Sera’s guarded, imaginative core, fauns have rejected the Royal Coven, their magick, and the questionable trades made for it. One day, her quest for answers unearths a dark family secret. With the help of a shapeshifting deadringer and a cavalier classmate, Sera embarks on a journey that will change her world forever. This 6.5-hour adventure is an auditory feast led by sharp, spirited performances from Tammie Armstrong (Sera and Nixie) and Uriah Roots (Enry and Wilford). Supporting characters are voiced by Sabrina Bee (Mother and Maeve) and Steve Bernard (Father and Roald), while the story is narrated by Charles Armstrong. Behind the performances, a moody musical backdrop and rich ensemble of sound effects complete the vivid retelling, resulting in an experience that’s more like a movie than a traditional audiobook. On supported platforms, a supplemental 48-page pdf complements the experience with twisted illustrations from famed artist Kira Night."

Charles Armstrong (Author), Charles Armstrong, Sabrina Bee, Steve Bernard, Tammie Armstrong, Uriah Roots (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Practice and Theory of Individual Psychology

"Though psychologist Alfred Adler (1870-1937) does not have the wider recognition accorded Freud and Jung, his work and ideas had an enduring effect on the practice and development of psychotherapy in the 20th century. This collection of 28 lectures and essays, published under the title The Practice and Theory of Individual Psychology (published in 1924), brings together many of his main ideas. Adler was initially best known for his interest in the inferiority complex and its effect on the personality and subsequent behaviour of individuals. But his focus became increasingly concerned with the particular observation that it was the social environment of individuals that had a more fundamental influence on behavioural patterns than over-arching theories on sex, symbolism, archetypes and the like. He has been described as the first ‘community psychologist.’ This contributed considerably to the growth of schools of psychotherapy in the second half of the 20th century and their proliferation in the 21st. In fact, one historian has commented, “It would not be easy to find another author from which so much has been borrowed on all sides without acknowledgement than Alfred Adler.’ The topics covered in this collection are varied and date from the pre- and post World War I period. It opens with Individual Psychology, its Assumptions and its Results (1914) and includes Individual-Psychological Treatment of Neuroses (1913), The Study of Child Psychology and Neurosis (1913), Nervous Insomnia (1914), Compulsion Neurosis (1918), Dreams and Dream-Interpretation (1912), and Demoralized Children (1920). His range is wide: Among them are essays such as Neurotic Hunger Strike and New Viewpoint of War Neuroses, both concerns that regularly feature in newspapers and public discussion today. As a contrast, he offers interesting observations on the writing of Dostoyevsky, and one particular case of the suicide of a prominent 19th century Austrian politician. This recording also contains (Chapter XIV) the 1918 lecture Homo-sexuality which Adler gave to the Jurististisch-Medizinische Gesellschaft of Zurich. It represents views widely held by the society of the time, which are now unacceptable. The chapter is nevertheless included here for historical purposes."

Alfred Adler (Author), Charles Armstrong (Narrator)

Audiobook

Assad: The Triumph of Tyranny

"'Engrossing . . . has the vice-like grip of a thriller' - The Telegraph 'Fascinating, timely and sharp' - Simon Sebag Montefiore In Assad: The Triumph of Tyranny, Con Coughlin, veteran commentator on war in the Middle East and author of Saddam: The Secret Life, examines how a mild-mannered ophthalmic surgeon transformed himself into the tyrannical ruler of a once flourishing country. Until the Arab Spring of 2011, the world's view of Bashar al-Assad was largely benign. He and his wife, a former British banker, were viewed as philanthropic individuals doing their best to keep their country at peace. So much so that a profile of Mrs Assad in American Vogue was headlined 'The Rose in the Desert'. Shortly after it appeared, Syria descended into the horrific civil war that has seen its cities reduced to rubble and thousands murdered and displaced, a civil war that is still raging over a decade later. In this vivid and authoritative account Con Coughlin draws together all the strands of Assad's remarkable story, revealing precisely how a young doctor ensured not only that he inherited the presidency from his father, but held on to power to preside over one of the most brutal regimes of modern times."

Con Coughlin (Author), Charles Armstrong (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by Charles Armstrong