Audiobooks Narrated by Shannon McDermott

A Librarian's War: The Man Who Fought World War II with Books and Brought the Joy of Reading to Millions

"Though unknown to most readers, no one made a greater contribution to reading habits in America than Ray Trautman. Growing up in the rural Midwest, Trautman looked to reading as a way of exploring the world and yet, discovered that with no community library and limited funds finding books was a challenge. This sparked in him a lifelong passion to build libraries and ensure free access to books for all. After working his way through college, Trautman became an independent bookseller, and then joined the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Depression, building libraries and teaching people how to read. In late 1940, after earning a degree in library studies from Columbia, he landed the job of a lifetime: Chief Librarian of the Army. Many military leaders believed books were an unnecessary distraction for troops, but Trautman relentlessly championed books, believing that they were key to the fight against totalitarianism and ultimately built the largest and most far-reaching library system in the world. He devised the 'Armed Services Editions,' wallet-sized paperbacks and printed miniature magazines for soldiers. He also created the most popular comic book in the Army, Overseas Comics. Along the way, Trautman fought book bans and book-resistant generals, was nearly killed in the Battle of the Bulge while on a special assignment for Dwight Eisenhower, and joined forces with librarians and publishers to spread access to reading. Trautman was credited with distributing nearly a half billion books, magazines, and comic books to troops. When the war ended in 1945, Trautman brought the fight for books home: advocating for rural libraries, building libraries in prisons, campaigning for more books for the visually impaired, and working to develop materials for adults with low reading proficiency so they could improve their literacy skills. A Librarian's War introduces a man who dedicated his life to instilling a passion for reading and unhindered access to books."

Molly Guptill Manning (Author), Shannon McDermott (Narrator)

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First Among Equals: U.S. Foreign Policy in a Multipolar World

"A fresh, concise roadmap for United States grand strategy in a multipolar world   For the past thirty years, post–Cold War triumphalism and a desire to reshape the world have defined United States foreign policy. But the failures of the global war on terror, the return of conflict to Europe, and growing tensions with China all suggest that this approach to the world is flawed. For the United States—the country that has ruled the international system largely alone since 1991—this moment is particularly perilous. Can policymakers adapt American foreign policy to better fit the twenty-first century, and in doing so avoid the pitfalls and excesses of the past three decades?   In this book, Emma Ashford proposes a return to a more pragmatic, realist set of strategic principles, ones better suited for the emerging multipolar world, that would pursue narrower United States interests, cultivate the capabilities of friendly states, and emphasize room for maneuver over rigid alliances. In this she provides a valuable counterpoint to today's liberal internationalist consensus, as well as a road map for policymakers who seek to change the course of United States foreign policy."

Emma Ashford (Author), Shannon McDermott (Narrator)

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Caitlin Clark: Raising the Game

"Follow the historic rise of basketball superstar Caitlin Clark Caitlin Clark has written her name all over the NCAA record books, captivated fans with her trademark long–range shots, and put women's basketball on the map in unprecedented ways. The best part? She's just getting started. With in–depth writing from The Athletic, Caitlin Clark: Raising the Game traces this incredible rise, from Clark's early days as a standout in Des Moines, to her dominance with the Iowa Hawkeyes that made her a household name, and the start of her professional career with the WNBA's Indiana Fever. Chapters will also spotlight her dynamic playing style and her impact on the world of women's sports."

The Athletic (Author), Shannon McDermott (Narrator)

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Coaching Power: Leading With Coaching to Create Individual, Team, and Organizational Outperformance

"In Coaching Power, a team of veteran executive coaches delivers a singularly insightful and original way of looking at leadership: as a form of coaching. The authors explain this new way of leading others and offer listeners a set of tools, frameworks, and mindsets to take with them in their professions. You'll discover how to succeed in a world that's evolving faster than ever, and how to navigate a workplace that can include as many as five unique generations, each of which demand a different style of leadership. Coaching Power shows you: ● The fundamentals of coaching, including listening, questioning, and intuition ● How to create and enhance high performance teams, and how to have courageous conversations ● When it's time to bring in an external coach and what to look for to ensure the right fit Perfect for managers, executives, directors, and other business leaders, Coaching Power is also a can't-miss resource for entrepreneurs and founders seeking a powerful new way to lead others through challenging circumstances."

Luciana Nunez, Tom Preston (Author), Shannon McDermott (Narrator)

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