Audiobooks narrated by David Stifel

The United States of Anonymous: How the First Amendment Shaped Online Speech

In The United States of Anonymous, Jeff Kosseff explores how the right to anonymity has shaped American values, politics, business, security, and discourse, particularly as technology has enabled people to separate their identities from their communications. Legal and political debates surrounding online privacy often focus on the Fourth Amendment's protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, overlooking the history and future of an equally powerful privacy right: the First Amendment's protection of anonymity. The United States of Anonymous features extensive and engaging interviews with people involved in the highest profile anonymity cases, as well as with those who have benefited from, and been harmed by, anonymous communications. Through these interviews, Kosseff explores how courts have protected anonymity for decades and, likewise, how law and technology have allowed individuals to control how much, if any, identifying information is associated with their communications. From blocking laws that prevent Ku Klux Klan members from wearing masks to restraining Alabama officials from forcing the NAACP to disclose its membership lists, and to refusing companies' requests to unmask online critics, courts have recognized that anonymity is a vital part of our free speech protections. The United States of Anonymous weighs the tradeoffs between the right to hide identity and the harms of anonymity, concluding that we must maintain a strong, if not absolute, right to anonymous speech.

Jeff Kosseff (Author), David Stifel (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Definitive FDR: Roosevelt: The Lion and the Fox (1882-1940) and Roosevelt: The Soldier of Freedo

Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the longest serving president in US history, reshaping the country during the crises of the Great Depression and World War II. James MacGregor Burns's magisterial two-volume biography tells the complete life story of the fascinating political figure who instituted the New Deal. Roosevelt: The Lion and the Fox (1882-1940): Before his ascension to the presidency, FDR laid the groundwork for his unprecedented run with decades of canny political maneuvering and steady consolidation of power. Hailed by the New York Times as 'a sensitive, shrewd, and challenging book' and by Newsweek as 'a case study unmatched in American political writings,' The Lion and the Fox details Roosevelt's youth and education, his rise to national prominence, all the way through his first two terms as president. Roosevelt: The Soldier of Freedom (1940-1945): The Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award-winning history of FDR's final years examines the president's skillful wartime leadership as well as his vision for postwar peace. Acclaimed by William Shirer as 'the definitive book on Roosevelt in the war years,' and by bestselling author Barbara Tuchman as 'engrossing, informative, endlessly readable,' The Soldier of Freedom is a moving profile of a leader gifted with rare political talent in an era of extraordinary challenges.

James MacGregor Burns (Author), David Stifel (Narrator)

Audiobook

Empire of the Romans: From Julius Caesar to Justinian: Six Hundred Years of Peace and War, Volume II

A wide-ranging survey of the history of the Roman Empire-from its establishment to decline and beyond Empire of the Romans, from Julius Caesar to Justinian provides a sweeping historical survey of the Roman empire. Uncommonly expansive in its chronological scope, this unique two-volume text explores the time period encompassing Julius Caesar's death in 44 BCE to the end of Justinian's reign six centuries later. Internationally-recognized author and scholar of Roman history John Matthews balances broad historical narrative with discussions of important occurrences in their thematic contexts. This integrative approach helps listeners learn the timeline of events, understand their significance, and consider their historical sources. Defining the time period in a clear, yet not overly restrictive manner, the text reflects contemporary trends in the study of social, cultural, and literary themes. Discussions of the Justinianic Age, the emergence of Byzantium, and the post-Roman West help listeners understand the later Roman world and its impact on the subsequent history of Europe.

John Matthews (Author), David Stifel (Narrator)

Audiobook

Quantum Universe

Strange and probabilistic, physics at the smallest scales is driving innovation and research into the nature of reality. In this audiobook, we examine the latest mind-bending studies in quantum mechanics, including theoretical mysteries such as entanglement, real-world applications, innovations in communications and computing, and more.

Scientific American (Author), Alex Boyles, David Stifel, Kevin Kenerly, Mia Gaskin (Narrator)

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Angel of Armageddon

It all comes down to one final fight for the future of the Federation. Even without the Morgana in her head, Stephanie's attitude has become dark indeed. Now, she has decided the best way to stop a war, is attack. Unfortunately, the Telorans have not arrived, and will likely miss this battle. Stephanie considers the cost in lives of those in cryo-storage and is willing to gamble the whole effort to save those who are still sleeping. Is it the best decision militarily? Probably not. But if she didn't, she wouldn't be the Witch of the Federation. It's the final book, strap yourself in and let's get started.

Michael Anderle (Author), David Stifel (Narrator)

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The Most Southern Place on Earth: The Mississippi Delta and the Roots of Regional Identity

'Cotton obsessed, Negro obsessed,' Rupert Vance called it in 1935. 'Nowhere but in the Mississippi Delta,' he said, 'are antebellum conditions so nearly preserved.' This crescent of bottomlands between Memphis and Vicksburg, lined by the Yazoo and Mississippi rivers, remains in some ways what it was in 1860: a land of rich soil, wealthy planters, and desperate poverty-the blackest and poorest counties in all the South. And yet it is a cultural treasure house as well-the home of Muddy Waters, B. B. King, Charley Pride, Walker Percy, Elizabeth Spencer, and Shelby Foote. Painting a fascinating portrait of the development and survival of the Mississippi Delta, a society and economy that is often seen as the most extreme in all the South, James C. Cobb offers a comprehensive history of the Delta, from its first white settlement in the 1820s to the present. Exploring the rich black culture of the Delta, Cobb explains how it survived and evolved in the midst of poverty and oppression, beginning with the first settlers in the overgrown, disease-ridden Delta before the Civil War to the bitter battles and incomplete triumphs of the civil rights era. In this comprehensive account, Cobb offers new insight into 'the most southern place on earth,' untangling the enigma of grindingly poor but prolifically creative Mississippi Delta.

James C. Cobb (Author), David Stifel (Narrator)

Audiobook

Heidi

Heidi By Johanna Spyri Presented by Voices of Today First published in 1881, the subtitle of the book reads 'It was written as a book 'for children and those who love children.' Heidi as a 5 year old orphan has been handed off by her young aunt, Dete, to live with her grandfather in the Swiss Alps. The story follows her life as she falls in love with grandfather and he with her and the life of goat-herding that they share. Grandfather refuses to allow her to attend school in the small village below and quarrels ensue. Her young aunt returns to remove her from grandfather to live as a hired lady's companion to wealthy Clara, a wheelchair bound child, in Frankfurt. She is loved by Clara, but not by the other's within Clara's home where she is considered ill-mannered. Heidi becomes severely homesick and the wealthy family's doctor recommends her return to the mountains. Clara misses Heidi and comes to visit. Cast Narrator: Susan Iannucci Heidi: Trisha Rose Grandfather: Ben Stevens Brigitta: Jennifer Fournier Clara: Sarah Bacaller Also featuring the voices of Ron Altman, David Stifel, Al Gibson, Lee Ann Howlett, Joan Dukore and Susan Marlowe. Production copyright 2021 Voices of Today

Johanna Spyri (Author), Adam Skousen, Alan Gibson, Ben Stevens, David Stifel, Jennifer Fournier, Joan Dukore, Lee Ann Howlett, Ron Altman, Sarah Bacaller, Susan Iannucci, Susan Marlowe, Trisha Rose (Narrator)

Audiobook

Hope But First War

Michael Anderle (Author), David Stifel (Narrator)

Audiobook

Flashes of Creation: George Gamow, Fred Hoyle, and the Great Big Bang Debate

A respected physics professor and author breaks down the great debate over the Big Bang and the continuing quest to understand the fate of the universe. Today, the Big Bang is so entrenched in our understanding of the cosmos that to doubt it would seem crazy. But as Paul Halpern shows in Flashes of Creation, just decades ago its mere mention caused sparks to fly. At the center of the debate were Russian American physicist George Gamow and British astrophysicist Fred Hoyle. Gamow insisted that a fiery explosion explained how the elements of the universe were created. Attacking the idea as half-baked, Hoyle countered that the universe was engaged in a never-ending process of creation. The battle was fierce. In the end, Gamow turned out to be right -- mostly -- and Hoyle, along with his many achievements, is remembered for giving the theory the silliest possible name: "The Big Bang." Halpern captures the brilliance of both thinkers and reminds us that even those proved wrong have much to teach us about boldness, imagination, and the universe itself.

Paul Halpern (Author), David Stifel (Narrator)

Audiobook

Empire of the Romans: From Julius Caesar to Justinian: Six Hundred Years of Peace and War, Volume 1

A wide-ranging survey of the history of the Roman Empire-from its establishment to decline and beyond Empire of the Romans, from Julius Caesar to Justinian provides a sweeping historical survey of the Roman empire. Uncommonly expansive in its chronological scope, this unique two-volume text explores the time period encompassing Julius Caesar's death in 44 BCE to the end of Justinian's reign six centuries later. Internationally-recognized author and scholar of Roman history John Matthews balances broad historical narrative with discussions of important occurrences in their thematic contexts. This integrative approach helps listeners learn the timeline of events, understand their significance, and consider their historical sources. Defining the time period in a clear, yet not overly restrictive manner, the narrative reflects contemporary trends in the study of social, cultural, and literary themes. Chapters examine key points in the development of the Roman Empire, including the establishment of empire under Augustus, Pax Romana and the Antonine Age, the reforms of Diocletian and Constantine, and the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Discussions of the Justinianic Age, the emergence of Byzantium, and the post-Roman West help listeners understand the later Roman world and its impact on the subsequent history of Europe.

John Matthews (Author), David Stifel (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Beauty and the Sorrow: An Intimate History of the First World War

An intimate narrative history of World War I told through the stories of twenty men and women from around the globe-a powerful, illuminating, heart-rending picture of what the war was really like. In this masterful book, renowned historian Peter Englund describes this epoch-defining event by weaving together accounts of the average man or woman who experienced it. Drawing on the diaries, journals, and letters of twenty individuals from Belgium, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Venezuela, and the United States, Englund's collection of these varied perspectives describes not a course of events but 'a world of feeling.' Composed in short chapters that move between the home front and the front lines, The Beauty and Sorrow brings to life these twenty particular people and lets them speak for all who were shaped in some way by the War, but whose voices have remained unheard.

Peter Englund (Author), David Stifel (Narrator)

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Battle Tested

Michael Anderle (Author), David Stifel (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by David Stifel