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.
Joan of Arc: A Life from Beginning to End
Summary
No historical figure’s life story offers a more intriguing and insightful look at a specific moment in French - and European - history than that of Joan of Arc. Over the course of a life that sadly lasted just 19 years, Joan of Arc completely altered the course of the Hundred Year’s War. Acting on the counsel of divine voices, Joan left her small village behind, swapped her peasant dress for a suit of armor, and transformed herself into a revered military leader. From her first miracle, freeing the besieged city of Orléans, to her finest moment, leading King Charles VII to Reims for his coronation, the Maid of Orléans stunned the world with her courage, her goodness, and her faith. Inside you will read about.... A peasant girl The voices in Joan’s head The virgin and the dauphin Joan joins the battle The inevitable fall A prisoner of war The savior of France meets her end at the stake And much more! Ultimately, Joan of Arc was burned at the stake for her insistence that she received counsel from God, but what she achieved as a result of this guidance is a truly incredible story.
©2017 Hourly History (P)2017 Hourly History
Babylon: A History from Beginning to End
Summary
Of all the cities of ancient Mesopotamia, Babylon is virtually the only one still remembered today. The very word Babylon has entered the lexicon of popular understanding as a synonym for decadence and wealth. But what do we really know about the history of this once mighty city? Inside you will read about: King Hammurabi and the Babylonian Empire The Persian Conquest Alexander the Great Enters Babylon Babylon Falls Babylon in the Bible And much more! Babylon first became important in the 18th century BCE under the rule of King Hammurabi. However, it barely survived his death before it was conquered, first by the Hittites and then by the Assyrians. In the seventh century BCE, the city was completely destroyed after it rebelled against Assyrian rule, and it wasn’t until the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar II that it once again became the heart of a large empire. After that, it was conquered by the Persians and finally, in the fourth century BCE, by Alexander the Great. Alexander planned to make Babylon the capital of his mighty empire, but he died in the city under mysterious circumstances before this was done. After his death, Babylon entered a period of decline from which it never recovered, until by the seventh century CE, it was no more than a source of bricks for local builders. How did this happen? How did this city rise to great power and then fall to become nothing but a memory? Why do we remember the name of Babylon when the names of all the other great cities of ancient Mesopotamia have been forgotten? This is the story of Babylon.
©2018 Hourly History (P)2019 Hourly History
Napoleonic Wars: A History from Beginning to End
Summary
Discover the remarkable history of the Napoleonic Wars. The Napoleonic Wars were a series of conflicts fought between France and various coalitions in Europe between 1803 and 1815 (though some put the start date at 1799). The prelude to the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte and the Napoleonic Wars is the French Revolution, and the conflicts that continued after Napoleon seized power would radically affect Europe and indeed political philosophies not confined by artificial boundaries. When Napoleon rose to power, he had first to get his country on stable financial ground. After he did so, he created a professional, well-trained army that would go on to dominate Europe for years to come. And, it wasn’t only his army that changed the continent; it was also the liberal ideals - including democracy, the abolition of serfdom, and the reduction in power of the church - that would change the course of history and leave an enduring legacy. Discover a plethora of topics such as: Prelude to Revolution The Third Coalition: War Breaks Out The Invasion of Russia The Battle of Waterloo Military Legacy Napoleonic Innovations And much more! So if you want a concise and informative audiobook on the Napoleonic Wars, simply buy this audiobook now to begin listening!
©2020 Hourly History (P)2021 Hourly History
Glorious Revolution
Summary
Discover the remarkable history of the glorious revolution! On August 28, 2019, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked Queen Elizabeth II to prorogue Parliament. She approved the request. The elaborate ritual of the queen granting the prime minister permission to do what he intended to do anyway demonstrates how the legacy of the Glorious Revolution of 1688 made the British Parliament, not the monarch, the ultimate source of power in government. But it was not always so. Under the Stuart kings, battles between the Parliament and the throne were far from unusual, with no ceremonial rituals to preserve popular fictions regarding who was in power. King Charles I believed ardently in the divine right of kings and went to his execution firmly convinced that he was God’s anointed. His second son James II believed the same. However, James II was a Catholic, and his succession to the English throne following the death of his brother Charles II set in motion a series of cataclysmic events which culminated in a largely bloodless revolution to bring James’s daughter Mary and her husband William of Orange to the throne as Protestant sovereigns. Under the 11-year Interregnum following the execution of King Charles I, the Parliament got a taste of power, and ordinary men perceived that God might choose rulers from among their own class. The path to parliamentary supremacy over pedigreed royalty, although ultimately achieved without bloodshed, was strewn with religious intolerance, petty rivalries, titanic clashes of ideology, and a belief in the rights of Parliament to govern without royal interference. The evolution of parliamentary supremacy over royal birthright redefined human social evolution, laying the groundwork for a bold new experiment in government that would make democracy the crowning achievement of the modern age. Discover a plethora of topics, such as: The Roundheads Behead a King The Return of the Monarchy: Charles II James, the Catholic King The Dutch Invasion of England Mary and William: Joint Sovereigns, One Ruler And much more! So, if you want a concise and informative book on the Glorious Revolution, simply scroll up and click the "buy now" button for instant access!
©2020 Hourly History (P)2020 Hourly History
Mozart: A Life from Beginning to End
Summary
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is a figure that is cemented in the annals of history as one of the greatest composers of all time. A fascinating and enigmatic character, Mozart was hailed in his own lifetime as a child prodigy and a musical genius. His travels throughout Europe exposed him to art, music, and education, offering plentiful opportunities for his gifts as a composer and musician to evolve and thrive. Despite his preternatural talents, the artist struggled significantly throughout his life, and he died in his prime. Explore the life of one of history’s greatest classical composers as his ambitions and remarkable skills catapult him into the highest aristocratic courts of the Age of Enlightenment. Inside you will hear about.... Prodigious Bloodlines Early Compositions and Career Fame, Riches, and Opera The Man Behind the Music War Time, Hard Times The Death of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart And much more!
©2017 Hourly History (P)2018 Hourly History
Vietnam War: A History from Beginning to End
Summary
The Vietnam War remains one of the most iconic events of the 20th century. In the United States, it polarized public opinion and changed foreign policy. It destroyed the presidency of Lyndon Johnson and was the catalyst for a massively impactful protest movement. More importantly, in Vietnam, as well as surrounding areas, it caused untold destruction, death, and suffering. Inside you will haer about... Vietnam’s Past Exit the French The United States and Ngo Dinh Diem The Resistance War Against America Begins “Americanization” The American Home Front Vietnamization and President Nixon The End of the Vietnam War and Its Aftermath Millions of Vietnamese and Cambodian people were killed, and many - including Americans - remain missing. Its origins lie in Europe’s colonial conquests, and its legacies endure to this day. Listen to this comprehensive, concise history of the Vietnam War.
©2016 Hourly History (P)2018 Hourly History
Hedy Lamarr
Summary
Discover the remarkable life of Hedy Lamarr.... Free BONUS Inside! Hedy Lamarr was a rare kind of woman. She was not only a strikingly beautiful actress who took Hollywood by storm in the 1940s, but she was also an inventor - and not just any inventor. Hedy Lamarr’s work with radio frequencies is credited with paving the way for wi-fi. It seems that the greatest bomb that this bombshell dropped would only fully explode until the last years of her life because when Lamarr passed away in the year 2000, the computing world was just then mainstreaming many of her ideas. Sadly, as amazing as her early career was, in later life, Lamarr became reclusive and had very limited contact with the outside world. It is perhaps ironic that it was the ideas of this recluse that would bring so many people together in the modern world of interconnectedness. In this book, we delve deep into the full unvarnished life and legacy of the woman we know as Hedy Lamarr. Discover a plethora of topics such as: The Runaway Bride The Controversy of Lamarr’s Adopted Son Hedy During World War II Lamarr’s Last Film Arrested for Shoplifting Hedy’s Disappearing Act And much more! So if you want a concise and informative book on Hedy Lamarr, simply scroll up and click the "Buy" button for instant access!
©2021 Hourly History (P)2021 Hourly History
Silk Road
Summary
Discover the remarkable history of the Silk Road... Whether you approve or disapprove, globalization is an inescapable feature of the modern world. Trade between nations and continents is now commonplace, and this exchange of goods is inevitably accompanied by the exchange of ideas and cultures. This is not, as you might expect, a new phenomenon. A series of trade routes which were first established almost 2,000 years ago provided one of the first examples of intercontinental trade. Although these overland routes between Europe and Asia were not generally given a name during the period when they were in use, a 19th century German writer and traveler Ferdinand von Richthofen used the name by which they have become famous - he called them the Seidenstrasse (the Silk Road). Of course, it wasn’t just silk that was traded on these routes. Many other commodities traveled in both directions. For more than a thousand years, the Silk Road (or rather roads; there were actually several routes) provided the main trading link between the East and the West, which also enabled an exchange of philosophy, art, culture, and religion. It wasn’t until new maritime trade routes were established in the 15th century that the Silk Road finally began to decline in importance. It is difficult to overestimate the impact the Silk Road had on the development of civilization in both Europe and Asia. Without this trade route, the civilization of both continents would almost certainly have developed very differently. This is the story of the Silk Road. Discover a plethora of chapters such as: The Han Dynasty The War of the Heavenly Horses The Silk Trade A Route for New Ideas Marco Polo The Decline of the Silk Road And much more! So, if you want a concise and informative book on the Silk Road, simply scroll up and click the "Buy now" button for instant access!
©2020 Hourly History (P)2020 Hourly History
Reconstruction Era: A History from Beginning to End
Summary
The American Civil War, fought from 1861 to 1865, produced casualties and destruction on an unprecedented scale. Up to 800,000 soldiers were killed, and huge swathes of the American south were devastated. However, although the defeat of the Confederate States and the end of the war brought peace of a sort, it left many unresolved issues. The period following the end of the Civil War has become known as the Reconstruction Era, and during this time there were efforts to achieve two separate goals: to reintegrate the former rebel southern states fully into the Union and to achieve not only the abolition of slavery - which had been a war aim for the north - but also the emancipation and granting of civil rights to freed slaves. Inside you will listen about: The End of Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War Radical Reconstruction Carpetbaggers and Scalawags The Rise of the Ku Klux Klan Corruption and Recession And much more! The Reconstruction Era proved almost as divisive as the Civil War itself - the freeing of slaves threatened to undermine the very basis of society and many southerners resisted. For some in the north, the unwillingness of people in the south to adopt new laws and new ways of life seemed to negate the whole point of the war. After all, what was the point of fighting and winning a war if the very things that were fought for failed to happen? The Reconstruction Era was a period of turmoil and change in the United States, and it ended not with a complete victory for either side but with a compromise which satisfied no-one. However, this period did pave the way for important changes which came much later. This is the complex and sometimes confusing story of the Reconstruction Era.
©2019 Hourly History (P)2019 Hourly History
Maya Civilization: A History from Beginning to End
Summary
Discover the remarkable history of the Maya Civilization... For more than one thousand years, the Maya people dominated areas of Central America and modern-day Mexico and made important advances in architecture, astronomy, mathematics, and medicine. Then, after the Spanish occupation in the 16th century, Maya culture and thinking were deliberately suppressed. Only in the 20th century did scientists appreciate just how advanced these people had been and how important they were in the history of Mesoamerica. The excavation and investigation of several large Maya cities in the second half of the 20th century completely changed how we view these people. We now know that the Maya were capable of building vary large stone structures that were precisely aligned with astronomical features, though we do not know how this was done. We are still learning about Maya cities - as recently as 2018, the use of new technology uncovered more than 60,000 previously undiscovered Maya ruins in the jungles of Guatemala. Many scholars now believe that the Maya were one of the most important of all the ancient Mesoamerican cultures. There are still many mysteries about the Maya. At one point in their history, several major Maya cities were abandoned and left to the encroaching jungle while their people relocated to more inhospitable areas in the Yucatán. There are many theories, but no one is entirely certain why this happened. We also don’t know why the Maya made important advances in the fields of mathematics and medicine and yet failed to develop, for example, the wheel or metalworking. What we do know is that these people created a sophisticated culture which they recorded via one of the first complex writing systems. Unlike other contemporary Mesoamerican peoples, the Maya survived the Spanish occupation, and Maya language, religion, and culture continue to survive today in parts of Central America and Mexico. This is the story of the mysterious and frequently misunderstood Maya civilization. Discover a plethora of topics such as: Origins Maya Religion and Medicine The Classic Period Weapons and Warfare The Spanish Conquest Maya Writing And much more! So if you want a concise and informative audiobook on the Maya Civilization, simply get this audiobook now!
©2020 Hourly History (P)2020 Hourly History
Mary Todd Lincoln
Summary
Discover the remarkable life of Mary Todd Lincoln! It is no secret that Mary Todd Lincoln is one of the least popular first ladies in American history. She was considered a shrew, a spendthrift, and her own son had her declared insane. The truth behind Mary Todd Lincoln lies in the fact that she was unable to conform to the feminine expectations of her times. Well-educated and filled with opinions, she defied conventions and incurred the wrath of the public who hated her for it. Mary Todd Lincoln’s life ran the gamut from Southern aristocrat, first lady, to a lonely old woman who was shunned by those who knew her. Not for one moment, however, was it a dull life. Discover a plethora of topics such as: Early Life at the Western Frontier America’s First Lady The Assassination of Her Husband Exile in Europe Mary Todd Lincoln: Eccentric or Lunatic? Final Years and Death And much more! So, if you want a concise and informative book on Mary Todd Lincoln, simply scroll up and click the "buy now" button for instant access!
©2020 Hourly History (P)2020 Hourly History
The Ottoman Empire
Summary
Over the course of just 200 years, the Ottoman Empire grew from a small, obscure Anatolian state into the most powerful Muslim nation in the world, controlling vast swathes of the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and North Africa. Within the empire, science, medicine, technology, and art flourished, and the Ottoman army became one of the most feared and efficient fighting forces in existence. Then came a period of gradual decline. Beset by external enemies and torn apart by conflicting elements inside, over the next 350 years, the Ottoman Empire lost power, territory, and prestige until it became “the sick man of Europe”. Inside, you will hear about: Emergence of the Ottoman Dynasty The Fall of Constantinople Selim the Grim and Suleiman the Magnificent Sultanate of Women The Crimean War Decline until World War I And much more! This is the dramatic story of the rise, fall, and eventual disintegration of the Ottoman Empire, of its conquests and defeats, and of its sultans who ranged from the grandeur of Suleiman the Magnificent to the obsession and confusion of Mustafa the Mad. The story begins with the dream of the first Ottoman sultan, Osman I, in 1300, and ended with the nightmare of the last sultan, Abdulmejid II, in 1922. This is the story of the Ottoman Empire from beginning to end.
©2018 Hourly History (P)2019 Hourly History
Battle of Waterloo: A History from Beginning to End
Summary
The Battle of Waterloo has become synonymous with the word defeat, but who lost, and why was it important? In 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte left the island of Elba and, in a space of 100 days, took power and challenged the entire world to meet him on his terms. When that failed, he offered them a fight, one that would end at Waterloo, and left repercussions which can still be felt, even now, centuries later. Inside you will hear about.... Beginnings Discord and Discontent The World Rearranged The Prisoner The Journey to Waterloo Begins One Hundred Days Quatre Bras & Ligny And much more! Who was this man, and what happened on the battlefield that made this fight in particular so important? What was the lesson of Waterloo?
©2016 Hourly History (P)2018 Hourly History
Virginia Woolf
Summary
Discover the remarkable life of Virginia Woolf.... Virginia Woolf ranks among the most influential writers of the 20th century. Embracing the Post-Impressionist times in which she lived, her novels reflect the artistic shift from romanticism to abstract. Plot mattered very little to Woolf. Her writing was a stream of consciousness outside of time and place. Her novels, including her best-known work, Mrs. Dalloway, invariably dwell on gender roles and the concept of reality. Woolf suffered from mental illness throughout her life. Her inner torment formed the basis of much of her writing. Virginia made multiple suicide attempts and was institutionalized several times throughout her life as she feared a loss of control due to her increasing depression and manic episodes. Her husband, Leonard Woolf, with whom she had mainly a platonic relationship, remained supportive of her until her death. On March 28, 1941, Virginia Woolf walked into the River Ouse wearing a heavy coat with pockets filled with rocks. Her body was found three weeks later. Discover a plethora of topics such as: A dysfunctional home Woolf and the Bloomsbury Group The making of a modern woman Mrs.Dalloway Virginia and Vita’s love affair Woolf’s Suicide and beyond And much more! So if you want a concise and informative book on Virginia Woolf, simply buy now!
©2020 Hourly History (P)2020 Hourly History
The Olmecs
Summary
Many ancient civilizations are described as mysterious, but none provide as many puzzles and unanswered questions as the Olmecs. These people arrived in lands near the Gulf of Mexico around 1500 BCE and brought with them entirely new concepts in terms of engineering, agriculture, and religion. The problem is we have no idea where they came from or how they developed these new ideas. Then, around 400 BCE, the Olmecs vanished as suddenly and inexplicably as they appeared, leaving behind no written records but providing a legacy of beliefs and ideas which permeated virtually every Mesoamerican culture that followed. In this audiobook you will hear about: Origins The Olmec enigma The fall of San Lorenzo Were-jaguars and feathered serpents The rise of La Venta The disappearance of the Olmecs And much more! Respected scholars take very different views on the Olmec civilization. Some feel that the Olmecs must have come to Central America from somewhere else entirely, while others are adamant that they are indigenous people. Some historians believe that the Olmecs were simply one of several cultures that emerged at around the same time, while others are vehement that this is the mother culture from which all subsequent Mesoamerican cultures descended. Less than 100 years ago, there wasn’t even agreement on whether these people had existed at all. There are very few cultures as important as the Olmecs about which we know so little. This book attempts to convey the story of the mysterious Olmecs and their unique and fascinating artifacts.
©2019 Hourly History (P)2019 Hourly History
The East India Company: A History From Beginning to End
Summary
Founded at the dawn of the 17th century as European nations were establishing global empires, the English East India Company would become a vital part of burgeoning British supremacy. Begun as a joint-stock company for trade with the East Indies, this organization would evolve into one of the world's first capitalistic corporations. Inside you will hear about.... Founding of the East India Company Struggling, Building, and Growing with Violence The East India Company Enters the 18th Century The British Government Steps In China and the Opium Trade The 19th Century and Growing British Involvement The End of the East India Company Over the course of their 250+ years, they've built a global trading empire, raised an army and waged war, and conquered vast territory, including the entire subcontinent of India. Without their involvement, the British presence in India would look very different in the historical record. Though the company was dissolved by 1874, their influence on world history cannot be overstated.
©2016 Hourly History (P)2017 Hourly History
Hudson Taylor: A Life from Beginning to End
Summary
Discover the remarkable life of Hudson Taylor.... Hudson Taylor was a man always on the move. Born in Britain, he toured the world spreading the gospel, but it was in China in particular that Hudson would carve out his biggest legacy in Christ. It was here that he pushed the limits, going deeper and farther than any other Christian had gone before. Reaching the hearts and minds of the Chinese that lived there, he preached a gospel that they had not yet heard. Hudson Taylor was following the prime directive laid out in the Bible to preach the good news to every creature, great and small, and in doing so, he changed the world. Discover a plethora of topics such as: First journey to China Sick in Britain The Yangzhou Riot The loss of his wife and child From China to Sweden Late life and death And much more! So if you want a concise and informative book on Hudson Taylor, simply scroll up and click the "Buy Now" button for instant access!
©2020 Hourly History (P)2020 Hourly History
Paul Newman (A Life from Beginning to End)
Summary
Discover the remarkable life of Paul Newman.... Free bonus Inside! Paul Newman lived the life of a legend. He was not only a jack of all trades but in many cases a master of all trades. During his tenure on planet Earth, he was an award-winning actor, a philanthropist, a founder of a food company, a race car driver, and even an owner for the Indianapolis 500. Just about anything Newman put his hand on turned to gold. Even over a decade after his death, much of what he achieved is still being discovered. In this book, we bring to light the accomplishments of one of the greatest actors of all time, Paul Newman. Discover a plethora of topics such as: Serving in World War II Big breaks and a bad bust Life, love, and politics Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid The death of his son Late life and death And much more! So if you want a concise and informative book on Paul Newman, then buy now!
©2019 Hourly History (P)2020 Hourly History
Cleopatra
Summary
The last ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom and the last Pharaoh of Egypt, Cleopatra reigned over the end of an era. Cleopatra has been defined by her relationships with powerful Roman statesmen Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, both of whom fathered her children, but there is much more to Cleopatra’s story than romantic intrigue. Discover: The Ptolemaic Dynasty Cleopatra as queen Cleopatra and Julius Caesar Mark Antony and Cleopatra Propaganda wars The last Pharaoh of Egypt: Cleopatra's suicide And much more! One of the first independent female rulers of an ancient kingdom, Cleopatra was a gifted diplomat, efficient administrator, and accomplished linguist who ruled her kingdom with more courage than the majority of her male predecessors. Cleopatra’s death ended an era, but her life promised the dawn of a new age, one where women might dare to rule the world.
©2017 Hourly History (P)2018 Hourly History
John Wilkes Booth
Summary
Discover the remarkable life of John Wilkes Booth.... Free BONUS Inside! By the age of 26, John Wilkes Booth had achieved success on the stage. He had rugged good looks and the fame he craved. Yet that wasn’t enough for the fanatical actor. On April 14, 1865, just a few days following the end of the American Civil War, Booth stepped into the presidential box at Ford’s Theatre in Washington and shot Abraham Lincoln. He subsequently managed an incredible escape until he himself was killed. What would drive a man who had everything going for him to commit such a heinous act? What were his motives? This book unravels a tale of fanatical hate and deadly vengeance. John Wilkes Booth saw himself as a southern hero - the rest of the world will remember him as a stone-cold assassin. Discover a plethora of topics such as: Early Signs of Trouble Finding Fame as an Actor The Plot to Kidnap the President A Modern-Day Caesar The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln Legacy of an Assassin And much more! So if you want a concise and informative book on John Wilkes Booth, simply scroll up, and click the "Buy" button for instant access!
©2020 Hourly History (P)2021 Hourly History