Hourly History has 240 audiobooks on Listento.it, narrated by 38 narrators, with an average listener rating of 4★ across 45 ratings. The most-rated is American Civil War: A History from Beginning to End.
Ivan the Terrible: A Life From Beginning to End
Summary
Just what was so terrible about Ivan the Terrible? Most of us are familiar with this infamous nickname, but most fall short of being able to describe how he received such an ominous moniker. Maybe you’ve heard the stories of how Ivan killed his own son, poisoned his wives, and waged war on his neighbors, but these anecdotes are just minor details in the scheme of this man’s complicated life. Inside you will read about... Ivan, the Neglected Orphan Ivan’s Liberation of Slaves War in the Baltic Intrigue and Diplomacy Ivan’s Final Redemption Ivan’s Last Days And much more! Ivan IV, otherwise known as Ivan the Terrible, was born with a heavy burden on his shoulders. He was thrust into the seat of what the Russians considered the Third Rome, granting him all the rights and privileges of the official steward of Orthodox Christian civilization in the east. In order to hold on to that right, he did indeed do some pretty terrible things.
©2017 Hourly History (P)2017 Hourly History
Julius Caesar: A Life from Beginning to End
Summary
A little over 2000 years ago a man named Julius Caesar changed the world. Even if you have never heard of him his lasting legacy has no doubt had an impact on your life. No doubt, even the very calendar that you use is based upon the system he created, with the month of July bearing his name. So who was this man that single-handedly changed the course of history? Inside you will hear about.... The underpinnings of a republic The real struggle begins When in Rome The Ides of March This audiobook follows the life and legacy of the man whose life stood as a footnote between Republic and Empire. The man who has inspired playwrights, governments, and the very days of the week, the life of Julius Caesar is an incredible journey to behold.
©2016 Hourly History (P)2018 Hourly History
American Civil War: A History from Beginning to End
Summary
Beginning with the birth of the nation, slavery divided and caused conflict for the United States of America, worsening during the country's early decades as the practice became more economically vital. Finally, in 1861, the American Civil War erupted after the election of President Abraham Lincoln. Never acknowledging the South’s right to secede, Lincoln and the North fought the South through four long, bloody, destructive years; much longer than anyone thought the war would last. Inside you will hear about.... America in the Antebellum Era Secession and the first shots Early battles and the turning point: April 1861-July 1863 The United States and the Confederacy Women and blacks in the war Military events, 1863-1865: The war ends Reconstruction The Legacy of the Civil War By 1865, more than 700,000 American soldiers and civilians were dead (including Lincoln himself), a race of people had been freed from bondage, and an entire country needed to rebuild. The Civil War is of such crucial importance to the history of the United States not just because of these factors, but also because its legacy still lives on.
©2016 Hourly History (P)2017 Hourly History
French Revolution: A History from Beginning to End
Summary
During the late years of the 18th century, the spirit of Enlightenment thinking and revolution were in the air. The world was changing, moving away from ingrained beliefs about religion, reason, society, and the rights of the individual and turning more toward the laws of nature as interpreted by the scientific method. Nowhere was the influence of this radical new way of thinking more apparent than in France, and the upheaval this caused would come to bloody fruition in the form of revolution. You will learn about: An environment of revolution Rise of the Third Estate The rights of man Vive la revolution! Reign of Terror The last revolutionaries And more! Explore the triumph and terror that existed in France during the French Revolution. Review the causes and the lasting effects brought about during this tumultuous time period when the common people of France struggled to remake their world upon the cornerstone of liberty.
©2016 Hourly History (P)2018 Hourly History
World War I: A History from Beginning to End
Summary
World War I, or the Great War, was believed to be "the war to end all wars". Because of the incredible extent of destruction and the staggering number of wounded and dead, even those who lived through it could scarcely comprehend its horror. Beginning in 1914, alliances between powerful nations soon plunged the world into a global conflict. Fighting - including miserable trench warfare - broke out in practically every corner of Europe and spread around the world to Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Inside you will hear about.... The Causes of World War I The War in Europe: The Western Front The War in the Balkans and the Ottoman Empire The United States Russia and the War in Eastern Europe The Impact of World War I And much more! Even the peace treaty in 1919, which occurred during a deadly worldwide influenza pandemic, brought no relief; another world war, intricately connected to the first, would break out in only two short decades.
©2017 Hourly History (P)2018 Hourly History
Peaky Blinders: A History from Beginning to End
Summary
Discover the remarkable history of the Peaky Blinders.... Peaky Blinders is a popular BBC television series about an organized crime family in post-World War I Birmingham, England, but does this series depict the factual history of Birmingham? As it turns out, there were Peaky Blinders in Birmingham, and they terrorized those streets long before World War I. The Peaky Blinders rose to prominence in the overcrowded and unsanitary conditions of late Victorian Birmingham in the 1870s. Their ranks were composed of the working poor — trade union members who were fiercely loyal to each other — children who had no place else to go, and career criminals. Just how organized they became and the exact extent of their involvement in crimes other than street fighting and assault is a subject of some debate, but they did build a fierce reputation as violent criminals that plagued the citizens of this industrial city for a little over a decade. The Peaky Blinders were well-known for both their stylish clothing and their violent nature. No man, woman, or child was safe when they were on the prowl. The Peaky Blinders left a profound impression on the city they terrorized, and over 150 years later, their legend lives on in film and song. This book tells their story, from the early days of the slogging gangs to the end of the Peaky Blinder era in the lead up to World War I. Discover a plethora of topics such as Birmingham, the birthplace of the Peaky Blinders Rise of the Peaky Blinders Mob rule The law strikes back The end of an era The world moves on: World War I And much more! So if you want a concise and informative book on the Peaky Blinders, simply scroll up and click the "Buy Now" button for instant access!
©2020 Hourly History (P)2020 Hourly History
Ancient Greece: A History from Beginning to End
Summary
Ancient Greece was the birthplace of advances in government, art, philosophy, science, and architecture - all of which continue to influence the world today. Warriors and diplomats, scientists, artists, and the first comedians: The achievements of this ancient society have formed a strong foundation to be built upon by later cultures. Inside you will hear about.... Mount Olympus Polis Athens and Sparta Literature Philosophy Art and architecture Science And much more! From the ancient origins of the Olympic Games through to art, architecture, language, and even the very way we view and investigate the world around us, the legacy of the culture and civilization of ancient Greece still burns brightly in the modern world.
©2017 Hourly History Limited (P)2017 Hourly History Limited
King George VI: A Life from Beginning to End
Summary
King George VI In Britain The phrase "an heir and a spare" refers to the imperative for members of the royal family to provide both an heir to take on their title and a spare. In this equation King George VI was the spare - the second son of King George V and Mary, and never expected to sit on the throne. King George VI, or Albert as he was known prior to his kingship, had a career in the Royal Navy and served during the First World War before King Edward VIII’s decision to abdicate his throne. Determined to restore the British royal family in the eyes of the people, King George VI played a pivotal role in the victory of the allied nations in the Second World War. In this audiobook you will hear about... Early Years Prince Albert in the navy The Great War The Reign and Abdication of King Edward VIII Becoming King George VI The Second World War Postwar Years And much more! King George VI ruled long enough to oversee the tumultuous postwar years in Britain, the collapse of the British Empire, and the emergence of the Commonwealth. Succeeded by his daughter Elizabeth at just 55 years old, King George VI had a deep sense of honor and duty and was completely dedicated to his turbulent role as king.
©2017 Hourly History (P)2017 Hourly History
Cyrus the Great: A Life from Beginning to End
Summary
Cyrus II of Persia was one of the greatest leaders that the world had ever known, he was the one in whose footsteps other empire builders would follow. From Alexander the Great to countless Roman emperors and Ottoman sultans - it was the mighty shoes of Cyrus that they all attempted to fill. Inside you will read about: Early life and legend The Persian Empire is born Love and marriage Cyrus’ last stand Aftermath and succession And much more! More than merely a successful conqueror, Cyrus the Great is known just as much for being a great liberator as he is known for his conquests. He was even credited in the Bible as the one who freed the Jews from their long-held Babylonian exile. By the time of his death, Cyrus controlled more land and people than anyone before him. Under his dominion were countless principalities, nationalities, ethnicities, and religions of all kinds. In contrast to many other powerful rulers, Cyrus did not seek to oppress his subjects or interfere with their way of life, religions, or local customs. It is for this reason that, as great as his temporal conquests may have been, the benevolence of Cyrus the Great’s leadership stands as his greatest attribute of all. The life of Cyrus the Great remains as an unparalleled testament in the annals of history.
©2019 Hourly History (P)2019 Hourly History
Suleiman the Magnificent: A Life from Beginning to End
Summary
Suleiman the Magnificent, the 10th sultan of the Ottoman Empire, may be an unfamiliar figure to many today. But in the 16th century, his military campaigns played a huge role in the shifting face of European politics. He was a man in search of power. His quest carried him not only to daring military exploits in Europe and Asia, but also through the intricate web of the Ottoman court, where deceit, scheming, and treachery abounded. From this audiobook, you'll learn about: The makings of a sultan A rising power The besieged island Court life, consorts, and counsellors King Ferdinand and Vienna To the edges of the map The end of an Era And much more This audiobook describes his life, from his rivalry with the Hapsburg brothers, Charles and Ferdinand, to his doomed friendship with his grand vizier, Ibrahim, and his relationship with the indomitable Roxelana. Here you will find accounts of the battles he fought, the heroics and blunders of his enemies, and his relentless progress toward his colossal ambitions.
©2017 Hourly History (P)2018 Hourly History
Tsar Nicholas II: A Life From Beginning to End
Summary
Reigning from 1894 to 1917, Nicholas II was the last emperor of Russia. His rule served as the bookends between what were essentially two Russian empires; the one that his forefathers carved out through imperial ambition and the one dictated by the zealous communists of the Soviet Union bent on socialist expansion. Nicholas was by most accounts a conflicted ruler; a man viewed as kind and generous in his mannerisms, yet alleged to be greatly disconnected and apathetic toward the subjects he was supposed to rule over. From this audiobook you will learn about: Nicholas and the Funeral Bride The Coronation Tragedy Bloody Sunday Nicholas’ Reluctant Reforms Three Hundred Years of Romanov Rule The Tsar and World War I The Last Russian Tsar And much more Find out how this last Russian tsar rose to power and oversaw the end of a 300-year family dynasty as it teetered, tottered, and finally fell over the edge of oblivion. This is the story of Tsar Nicholas II.
©2017 Hourly History (P)2018 Hourly History
The Middle Ages: A History From Beginning to End
Summary
What do you think of when you consider the Middle Ages? Knights in armor and damsels in distress? Vikings plundering monasteries? Religious dissenters burning at the stake? The dead bodies piling up as war, famine, and plague devastated Europe? Think again. While all these are part of the tapestry of the medieval era, the threads of politics, personality and war, culture, religion, education and the arts are vastly more intricate and fascinating. Think Charlemagne, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Joan of Arc, Peter Abelard, Geoffrey Chaucer and a riveting cast of thousands. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Western Europe had to reinvent itself and redefine its philosophical parentage. Inside you will hear about... The Early Middle Ages Advancing to Empire with Charlemagne The High Middle Ages The Flowering of the Church Times of Change The Late Middle Ages The End and the Beginning As the Christian Church filled the void left by the loss of Roman authority, nations would emerge out of blurred geographical boundaries and dynastic kings would evolve from warlords. Rome gets the glory, and the Renaissance gets the glamor, but they are bookends for the dynamic centuries that are known as the Middle Ages.
©2016 Hourly History (P)2017 Hourly History
Native American History
Summary
Until surprisingly recently, most history books noted that America was discovered in 1492 by Christopher Columbus. The truth was that by the time that Columbus arrived in America, people had been living there for more than 12,000 years. During this time, the indigenous people of North America lived without contact with other continents. Different groups developed separate and distinct ways of life, cultures, and societies but all shared one common characteristic: They relied on the land to provide them with food, and they developed a series of religions that, while separate, shared a respect for nature and imbued many animals and natural features with spiritual characteristics. These beliefs, combined with the fact that most of these societies were relatively primitive compared to those emerging in other parts of the world, meant that the Native Americans were able to live in harmony with the natural world. These people had sophisticated and complex belief systems, but they built no cities, no wheeled vehicles, and developed nothing beyond the most basic written language. Although many millions of people lived in North America, their impact on the landscape and the natural systems was minimal. Then, abruptly, white settlers arrived, bringing with them new technologies and weapons, new religions, and an indifference towards nature. They also brought with them diseases to which the Native Americans had never before been exposed. Within 200 years, the Native American population dwindled to a fraction of what it had been; the survivors were herded onto reservations on which they could not follow their traditional ways of life and where they were denied the most basic human rights. Inside you will hear about... The emergence of Native American peoples and cultures Life before the white men European settlers arrive Early wars in America American expansion Ghost dancing and the Wounded Knee Massacre And much more! Only in the 20th century did the population of Native American people begin to recover, and only then did the general population of America begin to regard these cultured and sophisticated people as anything but savages. This is the story of the gradual rise, sudden destruction, and slow recovery of the native people of North America.
©2019 Hourly History (P)2019 Hourly History
Nikola Tesla: A Life from Beginning to End
Summary
Nikola Tesla was a major figure in the world in which he lived. As the 19th century gave way to the 20th, it was Tesla who would contribute to some of the world's most amazing inventions. It was Tesla's theories, patents, and experiments that would pave the way for the digital, wireless world we are so familiar with today. Tesla didn't enjoy the high honors bestowed on so many of his contemporaries, yet he enjoyed the power of knowing that it was his inventions that were powering the world, literally. Inside you will learn about.... Early Life Alternating Current and the Induction Motor Patents, Radio and X-rays Wardenclyffe Years Personal Life Later Years 10 Things You Never Knew About Nikola Tesla And much more! This book will take you through the life of Nikola Tesla. From his humble beginnings in Croatia to all he would accomplish as a citizen of the United States, Tesla shows how his imagination fueled his creativity and brought his inventions to life. See Nikola Tesla for what he truly was; an extraordinary visionary who sparked the world.
©2017 Hourly History (P)2017 Hourly History
Pocahontas
Summary
Discover the remarkable life of Pocahontas... The name Pocahontas is one of the most recognized in the world, and many think they know the story of how she met and fell in love with a European colonist meddling in her Native American affairs. But is this really what happened? It certainly has been a popular theme, and whole Disney movies have been made celebrating this narrative, but besides these conveniently glossed-over tales, what is the real story? In this book, we will brush aside artistic license and get to the true-life story of who Pocahontas was, what she did, and the legacy that she left behind. Discover a plethora of topics such as: The Arrival of John Smith The Abduction of Pocahontas Meeting John Rolfe The Peace of Pocahontas Journey to England Late Life and Death And much more! So, if you want a concise and informative book on Pocahontas, simply scroll up and click the "buy now" button for instant access!
©2020 Hourly History (P)2020 Hourly History
Oscar Wilde: A Life from Beginning to End
Summary
Who was Oscar Wilde? Was he just an author of witty but meaningless plays, only out to get a laugh or two? The answer is a resounding no. Oscar Wilde was an Irish poet and playwright in the late 19th century. His controversial plays were riddled with mockery of social status, cleverly covered by the use of comedy. Inside you will hear about: Blue china and long hair Marriage and men The Picture of Dorian Gray The sodomy trials Life after prison Death and posthumous pardon And much more Wilde may have paved the way for people living a little off the center line. He was full of flash and flare, and he wrote some of those colorful traits into his literature. Take a journey into the world of Oscar Wilde, and find out just how individualistic he was.
©2018 Hourly History (P)2018 Hourly History
Wars of the Roses: A History from Beginning to End
Summary
The Wars of the Roses were a series of civil wars in England fought between the House of Lancaster and the House of York between 1455 and 1485. Over a 30-year period, England had five rulers, three of whom were killed or executed. Power changed hands on even more occasions as an ineffective king, Henry VI, was subject to mental breakdowns. Protectors of the realm were regularly appointed to rule during these episodes, thereby disaffecting Henry’s ambitious queen, Margaret of Anjou. Though the battles fought were limited in scope, one of these, the Battle of Towton, is considered the bloodiest battle ever fought on English soil. The nearby river was described as running red with the blood of some 38,000 soldiers who lost their lives that day. You will hear about.... Prelude to war: a house divided A mad monarch and his quarrelsome relatives The ultimate family feud The final battle The Tudor dynasty And much more! By the end of the Wars, a new dynasty - the Tudor dynasty - was born, the powers of the nobility were significantly diminished, and the system of feudalism was all but eradicated. The monarchy was strengthened, and the royal line of succession was secured for the Tudor line. As family feuds go, the Wars of the Roses were historically significant in changing the trajectory of power in England. This audiobook tells the compelling story of this tumultuous period in English history in succinct yet informative detail that is both educational and entertaining.
©2017 Hourly History (P)2017 Hourly History
Akkadian Empire - A History from Beginning to End
Summary
The Akkadian Empire was one of the first empires in human history and certainly the first to involve the central government of a large, multi-ethnic populace. It also introduced things like the very first postal system and facilitated advances in science, art, and medicine. The heart of the empire, the city of Akkad, became the most important trading center in the ancient world and one of the largest cities in the world. Then, in a relatively short time, the empire disintegrated, and the city itself was abandoned. Now, we don’t even know where the city of Akkad was located. How is this possible? How could an empire that controlled most of the civilized world suddenly fall apart? Successors of the Akkadians thought that they had the answer. Many texts from the Babylonians and others talk of the Curse of Akkad, a curse placed on the empire after its king offended the gods, which led to its destruction. For thousands of years, historians assumed that the story of the curse was nothing more than a quaint legend. However, modern research shows that the Akkadian Empire was most likely destroyed by a cataclysmic change as a result of sudden and unprecedented climate change.
©2018 Hourly History (P)2019 Hourly History
Richard the Lionheart: A Life from Beginning to End
Summary
You might have heard of King Richard the Lionhearted, the “good king” in the tales of Robin Hood. But what do you really know about this 12th-century ruler of England? Do you know why he left England, or why he was taken prisoner by another sovereign as he tried to return? Did you know Richard had other brothers besides the famed scoundrel, Prince John? Have you heard tales of Richard not only as a missing king but as a leader who rode boldly into battle alongside his knights? You will learn about.... From Aquitaine to King of England Beginnings of a crusade The way to Palestine Sea battles and sieges A captive king The last five years And much more! In this audiobook, you’ll learn the actual story of King Richard, a king who may not have been exactly "good", but was certainly brave, charismatic, and dashing - a historical character with a story to remember.
©2017 Hourly History (P)2017 Hourly History
Spanish-American War
Summary
“A splendid little war" - that’s how one contemporary observer described the Spanish-American War, a war that is arguably one of the most important wars ever fought. The duration was short and the victory decisive, thus little and splendid, the latter at least from the victor’s point of view. The impacts of the war, however, were anything but little. In fact, the aftermath of the Spanish-American War is still affecting global affairs today. The dominant superpowers of 1898 watched as a new player on the international scene, the US, shifted its ideology from isolationism to expansionism and emerged as a force to reckoned with, a true superpower. You will hear about: Prelude to war First blood The Pacific theatre The Caribbean theatre War’s end And much more! The result was a series of bloody battles fought in both the Caribbean and the Pacific over Spanish territorial holdings. This audiobook takes the listener on a journey from what set the stage for war to the aftermaths that continue to impact each of the players in the present day. From the explosion that sank the USS Maine to the recent détente in Cuban-American relations, this audiobook describes the events and their consequences in a thorough yet concise manner that is enjoyable to listen to and packed with historical information.
©2016 Hourly History (P)2018 Hourly History