Audiobooks narrated by David Bernard

Uluru: The History and Legacy of the Australian Landmark Considered Sacred by the Local Aborigines

"The magnificent monolith the locals call “Uluru,” situated in the heart of Australia, hovers over a patchy bed of desert poplars and spinifex grasslands. The pleasant, but otherwise unexceptional surroundings of the spellbinding sandstone landform only further accentuates its majesty, one that can be appreciated from a variety of angles. To lime-colored budgerigars, mighty brown falcons, passengers in planes and helicopters, and other creatures blessed with the gift of flight, the free-form rock is reminiscent of the fossil of a spiky fish, a misshapen arrowhead, or perhaps a peculiar, ocher-tinged seashell peeking out of the sand. To those gazing upon the natural gem on solid ground, the flat-topped, burnt sienna beauty, marked with character-forming dimples, ripples, and ridges, looks more like a sleeping, thousand-year-old turtle, particularly through squinted eyes. Its striking appearance aside, Uluru, also known as “Ayers Rock,” is far more than an unmissable landmark. Uluru represents an inimitable symbol of life and culture, and a place of worship sacred to the region's aboriginal inhabitants. Given the long and riveting history attached to this hallowed rock, the aura of mysticality and mystery that clings to Uluru should come as no surprise. Not only does the rock's flaky surface change color throughout the day – going from a deep violet with hints of gray to a light lilac, to a fiery orange-red during sunrise, and from its usual apricot-gold to a faded orange, to a dreamy purplish-pink at dusk – Uluru, they say, is an endless source of inexplicable happenings and paranormal occurrences. "

Charles River Editors (Author), David Bernard (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Sac and Fox: The History and Legacy of the Native American Tribe Forcibly Removed from the Midwe

"The development of North America as a series of British colonies prior to the end of the 18th century went ahead without any definitive policy in regards to the Native Americans who were impacted, displaced and not infrequently overwhelmed by the process. The vast majority of Native American people continued to live in a state of grace long after the formation of the colonies and did not begin to feel the impact until the expansion west. Likewise, there could never be a coordinated, pan-tribal unity to confront this gathering invasion, since the indigenous population of the land was heterogeneous, speaking some 300 separate languages, and thousands of regional dialects, and very often they were at war with one another. Some saw an advantage in collaboration with the forces of colonization, and some not. The fate of the former was usually some form of unequal assimilation, and of the latter, removal or extermination, and often both. On August 4, 1824, a treaty was signed between the Sac and Fox and the government of the United States whereby both relinquished all claim to land in Missouri lying between the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, in exchange for a mere $1,000 annuity running for 10 years and a provision by the government to provide a blacksmith and other laborers, farming implements, and cattle. Then, a year later, the federal government decided to deal once and for all with the ongoing inter-tribal warfare along the upper Mississippi by creating defined borders between the various tribal territories. In August 1825, a grand council was convened at Prairie du Chein, situated more or less at the confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers, where members of the Ojibwe, Dakota, Sauk, Fox, Winnebago, Menominee, Iowa, Ottawa, and Potawatomi attended, and it has often been remarked that the feat of gathering together a convention of so many mutually antagonistic groups was an achievement in itself. "

Charles River Editors (Author), David Bernard (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Mamluks: The History and Legacy of the Medieval Slave Soldiers Who Established a Dynasty in Egyp

"Egypt in the 14th century was a glorious kingdom to behold. Spice merchants from Europe, Asia and Africa sailed up the Nile River to the great port city of Alexandria, carrying riches such as silk, jewels and spices. Cairo, the capital of Egypt, was the greatest city in the Islamic world, with a larger population and more wealth and splendor than any city in Europe. Cairo was a shining pinnacle of cosmopolitan splendor in the medieval world, and besides being a major trading hub, Cairo was famous for its scholars and intellectual class, offering countless academic opportunities for scholars across the Islamic world. The culture of Cairo was dynamic and famous for its wide range of intellectual debates on Islamic sciences and other academic fields, all of which far surpassed any contemporary city at the time. From across the Islamic world, scholars from all the major schools of thought were represented in Cairo. Spirited lectures occurred frequently in public squares and madrasas were often packed with patrons eagerly listening to readings by famed scholars. Cairo was a city filled with art, trade and knowledge. However, there was another factor that made Cairo infamous. The city represented the last bastion of the Muslim world - a great Islamic caliphate, centered in Iraq, had once stretched from the edges of Central Asia to Spain, but invasions by outside enemies had mostly overrun this once mighty empire. The Mongol armies, pouring forth from their grasslands in Asia, had sacked Baghdad in 1258, destroying the caliphate and sending the Islamic world into a state of deep peril. Moreover, European crusaders had launched multiple invasions into Palestine and the Levant, threatening the very existence of the Muslim world. Ultimately these foreign invaders were all stopped by one group: the Mamluks of Egypt, a group of warriors, slaves, and kings. "

Charles River Editors (Author), David Bernard (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Fall of Saigon: The History of the Battle for South Vietnam's Capital and the End of the Vietnam

"The Vietnam War could have been called a comedy of errors if the consequences weren’t so deadly and tragic. In 1951, while war was raging in Korea, the United States began signing defense pacts with nations in the Pacific, intending to create alliances that would contain the spread of Communism. As the Korean War was winding down, America joined the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization, pledging to defend several nations in the region from Communist aggression. One of those nations was South Vietnam. Ripe for the plucking by North Vietnam, the country of South Vietnam found itself in an unenviable position in 1974. American forces rapidly withdrew, leaving only a few advisers and other personnel in place of the large forces deployed in the Southeast Asian theater until recently. President Gerald Ford and his staff, completely outmatched at the negotiations during the American retreat, parleyed from a position of weakness. The North Vietnamese gave essentially no useful concessions since they had no reason to, and they secured an American withdrawal without needing to remove their own advance units from South Vietnamese territory in return. This lopsided agreement found a sort of echo in the military sphere. While the Americans left the South Vietnamese many artillery pieces, trucks, vehicles, helicopters, boats, and even tanks, the supply of fuel, ammunition, and spare parts withered away. With practically no money available, South Vietnam could not even partially offset the loss of American support through purchases of materiel from abroad. North Vietnam, by contrast, enjoyed the still robust support of both the USSR and China. A steady stream of tanks, prime movers, trucks, combat aircraft, anti-aircraft artillery, Sa.m. launchers, artillery, and all types of ordnance and ammunition arrived to support the communists."

Charles River Editors (Author), David Bernard (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Battle of Nicopolis: The History and Legacy of the Decisive Siege that Ended One of the Last Med

"In terms of geopolitics, perhaps the most seminal event of the Middle Ages was the successful Ottoman siege of Constantinople in 1453. The city had been an imperial capital as far back as the 4th century, when Constantine the Great shifted the power center of the Roman Empire there, effectively establishing two almost equally powerful halves of antiquity’s greatest empire. Constantinople would continue to serve as the capital of the Byzantine Empire even after the Western half of the Roman Empire collapsed in the late 5th century. Naturally, the Ottoman Empire would also use Constantinople as the capital of its empire after their conquest effectively ended the Byzantine Empire, and thanks to its strategic location, it has been a trading center for years and remains one today under the Turkish name of Istanbul. Naturally, the Byzantines and Europeans didn’t take the Ottoman incursions laying down, and in the generations before the Ottoman victory at Constantinople, European alliances frequently tried to check Ottoman advances, couching their campaigns in the terms of crusading. One of them came near the end of the 14th century, and it presaged what was to come in the 15th century. The Ottoman campaigns of the 14th century would provide the context for the events that led to the Battle of Nicopolis. One of the last major crusades was launched in 1396 by Pope Boniface IX, and the timing was perfect for the European kingdoms to unite and form a strong threat to the Ottomans. The 100-year war between France and England was in a state of truce, and King Richard II had just married Princess Isabella of France. Thus, both the English and the Franks would be able to send forces to join in a crusade, and so would Hungary, Bulgaria, Venice, Genoa, Croatia, Wallachia, the Holy Roman Empire, and the Knights Hospitaller. It is estimated that both the Crusader forces and the Ottoman armies consisted of somewhere between 15,000–20 000 men each."

Charles River Editors (Author), David Bernard (Narrator)

Audiobook

Patrice Lumumba: The Life and Legacy of the Pan-African Politician Who Became Congo's First Prime Mi

"As was the case across Africa, the political mood in the Congo colony remained stable until the end of World War II, but in 1947, India achieved independence and triggered a domino effect that led to the rapid decolonization of Africa. The first sub-Saharan territory to win independence was Ghana, which was handed over in 1957, followed in quick succession by the French territories of Guinea, Cameroon, Senegal, Togo and Mali. As far as Belgium was concerned, the writing was on the wall. As civil unrest began to break out in the major cities, and as the countryside became increasingly less secure, the Belgian authorities began to sense the possibility of a civil war, and arrangements were made to quit the territory as quickly and cleanly as possible. It was in the nature of Belgium’s withdrawal from Africa that power was essentially handed over to the first in line to receive it. Very little of the careful preparation that characterized the British withdrawal from Africa was evident in Congo, in major part due to the fact that the Belgian system of administration allowed for no phased entry of Congolese employees into the executive level, so there was no one trained or experienced in running a government who was in a position to take over from the departing Belgians. The same, indeed, was true in the armed forces. As it turned out, the first in line to take power was a tall, stern-featured ideologue by the name of Patrice Lumumba. Though he was still just 35, his life story was already one full of ideology, politics, and chaos, and things would only get more turbulent once he became the Congo’s leader. Patrice Lumumba: The Life and Legacy of the Pan-African Politician Who Became Congo’s First Prime Minister looks at one of the most important African leaders of the 20th century. "

Charles River Editors (Author), David Bernard (Narrator)

Audiobook

Modern Balloons and Airships: The History and Legacy of Dirigibles during the 20th Century

"The Wright Brothers initially underestimated the difficulties involved in flying, and they were apparently surprised by the fact that so many others were working on solving the “problem of human flight” already. Decades before their own historic plane would end up in the National Air & Space Museum, Wilbur and Orville asked the Smithsonian for reading materials and brushed up on everything from the works of their contemporaries to Leonardo Da Vinci. Undeterred by the work, and the fact that several would-be pioneers died in crashes trying to control gliders, the Wright Brothers tested out gliding at Kitty Hawk in North Carolina for several years, working to perfect pilot control before trying powered flight. In December 1903, the brothers had done enough scientific work with concepts like lift to help their aeronautical designs, and they had the technical know-how to work with engines. On December 17, the brothers took turns making history’s first successful powered flights. The fourth and final flight lasted nearly a minute and covered nearly 900 feet. The Wright Flyer I had just made history, and minutes later it would be permanently damaged after wind gusts tipped it over; it would never fly again. A decade later, aircraft appeared in the skies over the battlefields of World War I, but they did not represent a complete novelty in warfare either, at least not during the early months of World War I. While airplanes had never before appeared above the field of war, other aerial vehicles had already been in use for decades, and balloons had carried soldiers above the landscape for centuries to provide a high observation point superior to most geological features. The French used a balloon for this purpose at the Battle of Fleurus in 1794, and by the American Civil War, military hydrogen balloons saw frequent use, filled from wagons generating hydrogen from iron filings and sulfuric acid."

Charles River Editors (Author), David Bernard (Narrator)

Audiobook

John Paul Jones: The Life and Legacy of the Revolutionary War Commander Dubbed the Father of the Ame

"When the American Revolution began, the Continental Army sported numerous volunteers from Ireland, Scotland, virtually every European nation between France and Russia, and men from the northern and southern borders of the European continent. There are good reasons America doesn’t possess a constitutionally-confirmed national language, despite an English-speaking majority; among the early proposals for such a common language, German and French served as contenders, with the latter going on to become Western Europe’s official diplomatic language. Plenty of unusual characters came to the colonies to participate in the war, with many sporting dubious titles such as the Baron de Kalb, but perhaps none arrived in a more unique way than John Paul Jones, a Scottish sailor who had plenty of experience with British ships before a controversial row on one ship compelled him to flee to the colonies in 1775. As it turned out, he was arriving in Virginia just in time for more fighting, this time against the British. Despite his lofty sobriquet, Jones constantly found himself frustrated by people and events beyond his control during the Revolution, and it would take years before the aggressive commander could take the fight to the British. Through a murky system involving French ships, and an even murkier chain of events, Jones engaged the British in battle around the British Isles, and his aggression became the stuff of legend. While the British accused him of being a pirate, he was feted by the Americans and French during the war before joining the Russian navy after the war. John Paul Jones: The Life and Legacy of the Revolutionary War Commander Dubbed the Father of the American Navy profiles one of the Revolutionary War’s most colorful figures. "

Charles River Editors (Author), David Bernard (Narrator)

Audiobook

Havana: The History and Legacy of Cuba's Capital

"“As far as cities go, Havana is a festering treasure chest, a primary color...” – Brin-Jonathan Butler, Cuban-Canadian author A trip to Havana, Cuba, otherwise known as the “City of Columns,” tops many bucket lists for good reason. The mere mention of this once-hidden gem of a city, situated on the western part of the largest Caribbean island nation, evokes the breathtaking imagery of sun-soaked streets and sprawling, golden-sand beaches surrounded by twinkling, almost impossibly crystalline waters, reminiscent of pastel sapphires. Nostalgic types are more likely to envision the time capsule-like qualities of Havana, namely the delightful rows of brightly-colored buildings painted in various shades of canary-yellow, watermelon-pink, and tangerine-orange, and the funky, non-ironic collection of vintage '50s cars cruising the streets. The stunning murals and mosaics, ranging from realistic and beautifully poignant black-and-white pieces to fantastical abstract works and uniquely traditional, stylized opuses, only add to the intoxicating vibrancy of the city. Even those who aren’t there can practically imagine the robust bouquet of classic Cuban cigars mingling with the mouthwatering aroma of freshly brewed, home-grown coffee. Havana: The History and Legacy of Cuba’s Capital chronicles the rise of the Cuban city, and the turbulent history that has made it one of the world’s most interesting locations. "

Charles River Editors (Author), David Bernard (Narrator)

Audiobook

Famous Dirigibles: The History and Legacy of Lighter than Air Vehicles from the Renaissance to Today

"Aircraft appeared in the skies over the battlefields of World War I, but they did not represent a complete novelty in warfare either, at least not during the early months of World War I. While airplanes had never before appeared above the field of war, other aerial vehicles had already been in use for decades, and balloons had carried soldiers above the landscape for centuries to provide a high observation point superior to most geological features. The French used a balloon for this purpose at the Battle of Fleurus in 1794, and by the American Civil War, military hydrogen balloons saw frequent use, filled from wagons generating hydrogen from iron filings and sulfuric acid. The balloonist Thaddeus Lowe persuaded President Abraham Lincoln to use the airships for observation, communicating troop movements to the ground with a telegraph wire. Indeed, with advances in dirigible technology, many military thinkers and even aeronautical enthusiasts believed that blimps would remain the chief military aerial asset more or less forever. These men thought airplanes would play a secondary role at best, and that they might even prove a uselessly expensive gimmick soon to fade back into obscurity, leaving the majestic bulk of the dirigible as sole master of the skies. While this obviously did not prove true, dirigibles proved popular in a variety of different ways throughout the 20th century, and they continued to be complements even as airplane technologies rapidly advanced. Famous Dirigibles: The History and Legacy of Lighter than Air Vehicles from the Renaissance to Today looks at the development of the balloons and airships, and how they were primarily used. "

Charles River Editors (Author), David Bernard (Narrator)

Audiobook

Early Balloons and Airships: The History and Legacy of Dirigibles Before the Invention of Airplanes

"The Wright Brothers initially underestimated the difficulties involved in flying, and they were apparently surprised by the fact that so many others were working on solving the “problem of human flight” already. Decades before their own historic plane would end up in the National Air & Space Museum, Wilbur and Orville asked the Smithsonian for reading materials and brushed up on everything from the works of their contemporaries to Leonardo Da Vinci. Undeterred by the work, and the fact that several would-be pioneers died in crashes trying to control gliders, the Wright Brothers tested out gliding at Kitty Hawk in North Carolina for several years, working to perfect pilot control before trying powered flight. A decade later, aircraft appeared in the skies over the battlefields of World War I, but they did not represent a complete novelty in warfare either, at least not during the early months of World War I. While airplanes had never before appeared above the field of war, other aerial vehicles had already been in use for decades, and balloons had carried soldiers above the landscape for centuries to provide a high observation point superior to most geological features. The French used a balloon for this purpose at the Battle of Fleurus in 1794, and by the American Civil War, military hydrogen balloons saw frequent use, filled from wagons generating hydrogen from iron filings and sulfuric acid. The balloonist Thaddeus Lowe persuaded President Abraham Lincoln to use the airships for observation, communicating troop movements to the ground with a telegraph wire. Indeed, with advances in dirigible technology, many military thinkers and even aeronautical enthusiasts believed that blimps would remain the chief military aerial asset more or less forever. These men thought airplanes would play a secondary role at best, and that they might even prove a uselessly expensive gimmick soon to fade back into obscurity."

Charles River Editors (Author), David Bernard (Narrator)

Audiobook

Crypto: Learning How to Invest and Estimate with Cryptocurrencies

"Cryptocurrencies are back! After the enormous rise of bitcoin and other coins at the end of 2017, we are looking at an industry that won’t go away. In the summer of 2019, bitcoin rose from 3,000 dollars to around 12,000 dollars. Since then, the other coins have equally risen and dropped, and fluctuating values are now hot and fascinatingly bullish. For those who want to learn more about this crazy, risky but worthy industry of coin trading or passive investing, there is this guide, filled with more information so you can understand what you’re getting yourself into. Doing some research before putting your hard-earned money into something, is mandatory for success in 99% of the cases. So do yourself a favor and get educated."

Johnnie Alberts (Author), David Bernard (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by David Bernard