The Europe category has 561 audiobooks on Listento.it, with an average listener rating of 4.3★ across 1,762 ratings. The most-rated is Clanlands.
The Other 1492: Ferdinand, Isabella, and the Making of an Empire
Summary
Ask anyone about the significance of the year 1492, and you're almost certain to hear something about Christopher Columbus and the discovery of the New World. But there is also a perspective on 1492 far different than the one most of us know - one that is more complete and complex. A 1492 when there was no country called Spain and no language called Spanish. A 1492 whose biggest event - in the region that would eventually become Spain - was the surrender of the last Muslim stronghold, Granada, with the subsequent Edict of Expulsion that gave Jews three months to either convert to Christianity or leave the Kingdom of Castile and the Crown of Aragon. This 12-lecture series uses the year 1492 to examine the events that made Spain a country and an empire. It examines the centuries of developments that led up to that pivotal year in Spanish history and the consequences that followed for both Spain and the New World, presenting Spanish history from the perspective of both the victors and the defeated: the Muslims, Jews, and New World natives for whom 1492 was not a time of wonder but of terror and despair.
©2002 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2002 The Great Courses
The Moors in Spain
Summary
The Alhambra in Granada, the Mosque in Cordova - these are some of the magnificent physical remnants of Moorish rule in Spain. Their influence on culture, engineering, and civilization has also remained in ways often unacknowledged. Lane-Poole was the first to publish a scholarly history in English about a non-Christian civilization, making this a ground-breaking work. Written with extensive knowledge, wit, and admiration, Lane-Poole’s The Moors in Spain is not to be missed.
Public Domain (P)2018 Audio Sommelier
The Queen: History in an Hour
Summary
History for busy people. Listen to a succinct account of the life and reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in just one hour. Elizabeth II is the longest lived and, after Queen Victoria, second longest reigning monarch of the United Kingdom. From her coronation in 1953 to her Diamond Jubilee in 2012, Queen Elizabeth II has stood on the world stage as the figurehead for Britain. The Queen: History in an Hour tells the story of the Queen Elizabeth II’s life and long reign, her royal duties, service during the Second World War, public perception, and the transformation of the British Empire into the Commonwealth of Nations under her rule. In the Diamond Jubilee year, this is essential listening for Royalists and Republicans alike. Love your history? Find out about the world with History in an Hour….
©2012 Sinead Fitzgibbon (P)2012 HarperCollins Publishers Limited
Spain
Summary
The Golden Age of the Spanish Empire would establish five centuries of Western supremacy across the globe and usher in an era of transatlantic exploration that eventually gave rise to the modern world. It was a time of discovery and adventure, of great political and social change - it was a time when Spain learned to rule the world. Assembling a spectacular cast of legendary characters like the Duke of Alba, El Greco, Miguel de Cervantes, and Diego Velázquez, Robert Goodwin brings the Spanish Golden Age to life with the vivid clarity and gripping narrative of an epic novel. From scholars and playwrights, to poets and soldiers, Goodwin is in complete command of the history of this tumultuous and exciting period. But the superstars alone will not tell the whole tale - Goodwin delves deep to find previously unrecorded sources and accounts of how Spain's Golden Age would unfold, and ultimately, unravel. Spain is a sweeping and revealing portrait of Spain at the height of its power and a world at the dawn of the modern age.
©2015 Robert Goodwin (P)2015 Audible, Inc.
The City of Falling Angels
Summary
It was seven years ago that Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil achieved a record-breaking four-year run on The New York Times best seller list. John Berendt's inimitable brand of nonfiction brought the dark mystique of Savannah so startlingly to life for millions of people that tourism to Savannah increased by 46 percent. It is Berendt and only Berendt who can capture Venice, a city of masks, a city of riddles, where the narrow, meandering passageways form a giant maze, confounding all who have not grown up wandering into its depths. Venice, a city steeped in a thousand years of history, art, and architecture, teeters in precarious balance between endurance and decay. Its architectural treasures crumble, foundations shift, marble ornaments fall, even as efforts to preserve them are underway. The City of Falling Angels opens on the evening of January 29, 1996, when a dramatic fire destroys the historic Venice opera house. The loss of the Fenice, where five of Verdi's operas premiered, is a catastrophe for Venetians. Arriving in Venice three days after the fire, Berendt becomes a kind of detective, inquiring into the nature of life in this remarkable museum-city-while gradually revealing the truth about the fire.
©2005 High Water Incorporated (P)2005 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.
Sicilian Splendors
Summary
From Palermo to Castiglione di Sicilia to Alimena, Sicily holds great secrets from the past and unspoken promises. Tradition, in the form of festivals, the written word, photographs, and song, reverberates through village walls. Now, slowly shaking itself free of the Mafia, Sicily is opening itself up to visitors in ways it never has before. Sicilian Splendors explores the history, politics, food, Mafia, and people which John Keahey encounters throughout his travels during his return to Sicily. Through conversing with natives and immersing himself in culture, Keahey illustrates a brand new Sicily no one has ever talked about before. Villagers, eager to welcome tourism and impart awareness of their cultural background, greet Keahey for meals and drink and walk him through their winding streets. They share stories of well-known writers, such as Maria Messina, who have found inspiration in Sicily's villages. Keahey's never-ending curiosity as a traveler shines light on Sicily's mythical mysteries and portrays the island not only through his eyes but also through Sicily's heart.
©2018 John Keahey (P)2018 Tantor
1066: History in an Hour
Summary
Love history? Know your stuff with History in an Hour. During the year 1066, England had three different kings and fought three huge battles in defence of the realm, including the bloody Battle of Hastings. The result was the Norman Conquest which defined England during the Middle Ages. 1066 in an Hour will guide you through the politics and personalities of the Norman invasion. It will help you understand why William the Conqueror was victorious and introduce you to the new king and subsequent ancestor to the Plantagenets and Tudors.
©2013 Kaye Jones (P)2013 HarperCollins Publishers Limited
Stalin
Summary
Paul Johnson, the most celebrated popular historian of our time, takes a scalpel to Stalin, whom he considers "one of the outstanding monsters of history." Johnson sets forth the essence of Stalin’s life, character, and career. "It has been a hateful task, which has caused me much pain and disgust," he writes with characteristic candor. "But it has been a duty I have performed not without a certain grim satisfaction." "Stalin poses a particular challenge to a biographer: How does one render such a monster human? While Johnson doesn't flinch from chronicling Stalin's rise to absolute power - the remorseless vendetta against Leon Trotsky, the development of the Gulag, the extermination of millions of peasants - he also shows Stalin playing billiards, listening to his adored Mozart, and annotating Marx’s Capital in the margins. It is, in concise form, the story of Russia in the twentieth century: dark and murderous, a stage on which to display humanity's infinite capacity for self-destruction.
©2014 Paul Johnson (P)2014 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.
The Tunnels
Summary
A thrilling Cold War narrative of superpower showdowns, media suppression, and two escape tunnels beneath the Berlin Wall. In the summer of 1962, the year after the rise of the Berlin Wall, a group of young West Germans risked prison, Stasi torture, and even death to liberate friends, lovers, and strangers in East Berlin by digging tunnels under the wall. Then, two US television networks heard about the secret projects and raced to be first to document them from the inside. NBC and CBS funded two separate tunnels in return for the right to film the escapes, planning spectacular prime-time specials. President John F. Kennedy, however, was wary of anything that might spark a confrontation with the Soviets, having said, “A wall is better than a war” and even confessing to Secretary of State Dean Rusk, “We don’t care about East Berlin.” JFK approved unprecedented maneuvers to quash both documentaries, testing the limits of a free press in an era of escalating nuclear tensions. As Greg Mitchell’s riveting narrative unfolds, we meet extraordinary characters: the legendary cyclist who became East Germany’s top target for arrest; the Stasi informer who betrays the “CBS tunnel”; the American student who aided the escapes; an engineer who would later help build the tunnel under the English channel; and the young East Berliner who fled with her baby, then married one of the tunnelers. The Tunnels captures the chilling reach of the Stasi secret police as US networks prepared to “pay for play” but were willing to cave to official pressure, the White House was eager to suppress historic coverage, and ordinary people in dire circumstances became subversive. The Tunnels is breaking history, a propulsive listen whose themes still reverberate.
©2016 Greg Mitchell (P)2016 Random House Audio
Germany
Summary
Here, from New York Times best-selling historian Francis Russell, is the dramatic story of Germany - from the rise of Charlemagne to the age of Martin Luther, from the 30 Years' War to the iron rule of Otto von Bismarck, and from the formation of the Weimar Republic to the fighting of two world wars.
©2016 American Heritage (P)2017 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books
History of Scotland: A Captivating Guide to Scottish History, the Wars of Scottish Independence and William Wallace
Summary
Three captivating manuscripts in one audiobook: Scottish History: A Captivating Guide to the History of Scotland Wars of Scottish Independence: A Captivating Guide to the Battles Between the Kingdom of Scotland and the Kingdom of England, Including the Impact Made by King Robert the Bruce William Wallace: A Captivating Guide to a Freedom Fighter and Martyr Who Impacted Scottish History and Scotland’s Independence from England In part one of this audiobook, you will discover topics such as Medieval strife The emergence of the Scottish Nation-State The Golden Age The Wars of Independence The Black Death Mary, Queen of Scots: “The Daughter of Debate” The King of Great Britain The union and the Scottish Enlightenment The Industrial Revolution Scottish feminism The Loch Ness Monster And much, much more In part two of this audiobook, you will discover: Good fences; Good neighbors Crisis Defiance The martyr Power struggles Inner strife The Battle of Bannockburn A worthy King The Son of the Bruce & the Second War for Independence And much, much more Some of the topics covered in part three of this audiobook include: Mysterious origins Coming of age in crisis Defiance and compliance The prophecy Uprising Love in a time of war The Battle of Stirling Bridge Invading England The Guardian of Scotland Defeat at Falkirk An outlaw once more The execution And much more So if you want to learn more about the history of Scotland, buy this audiobook now!
©2018 Captivating History (P)2018 Captivating History
A Concise History of Germany
Summary
This audiobook provides a clear and informative guide to the twists and turns of German history from the early Middle Ages to the present day. The multifaceted, problematic history of the German lands has furnished a wide range of debates and differences of interpretation. Mary Fulbrook provides a crisp synthesis of a vast array of historical material and explores the interrelationships between social, political, and cultural factors in the light of scholarly controversies. First published in 1990, A Concise History of Germany is the only single-volume history of Germany in English that offers broad, general coverage. It has become standard reading for English-speaking students of German, European studies, and history, and it is a useful guide to general learners, members of the business community, and travelers to Germany. PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©1991 Cambridge University Press (P)2019 Naxos AudioBooks
Benito Mussolini
Summary
Benito Mussolini è stato una delle figure centrali del '900: è innegabile infatti che il ventennio fascista abbia segnato uno spartiacque nella storia italiana e in quella europea, se è vero che perfino Adolf Hitler quando si trattò di fondare il terzo Reich ed il suo delirante sogno di dominio mondiale si ispirò al regime fascista. Ancora più profondo è il solco tracciato nella storia e nella società italiana che ancora oggi, a più di 60 anni dalla scomparsa del Duce, sembra non essere in grado di chiudere i conti con una figura così ingombrante. Con questa biografia Andersen fa il punto sulla vita di Benito Mussolini, il dittatore che venne acclamato dagli italiani come "l'uomo della provvidenza" e finì appeso per i piedi ed esposto agli oltraggi bestiali della folla in Piazzale Loreto.
©2010 Good Mood (P)2010 Good Mood
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
My (Part-Time) Paris Life
Summary
Lisa Anselmo wraps her entire life around her mother, a strong woman who is a defining force in Lisa's life - maybe too defining. When her mother dies from breast cancer, Lisa realizes she hasn't built a life of her own and struggles to find her purpose. Who is she without her mother - and her mother's expectations? Desperate for answers, she turns to her favorite city - Paris - and impulsively buys a small apartment, refusing to play it safe for the first time. What starts out as an act of survival sets Lisa on a course that reshapes her life in ways she never could have imagined. Suddenly she's living like a local in a city she thought she knew, but her high school French, while fine for buying bread at the corner boulangerie, goes only so far when Paris gives her a strong dose of real life. From dating to homeownership in a foreign country, Lisa quickly learns it's not all picnics on the Seine and starts to doubt herself - and her love of the city. But she came to Paris to be happy, and she can't give up now. Isn't happiness worth fighting for? In the vein of Eat, Pray, Love and Wild, My (Part-time) Paris Life is a story for anyone who's ever felt lost or hopeless but still dreams of something more. This candid memoir explores one woman's search for peace and meaning and how the ups and downs of expat life in Paris taught her to let go of fear, find self-worth, and create real, lasting happiness in the City of Light.
©2016 Lisa Anselmo (P)2016 Macmillan Audio
Against All Odds
Summary
From the number one best-selling author of Travelers and Explorers That Pushed the Boundaries of the Known World comes an exciting new look at historical figures that overcame unimaginable adversity and the inspirational stories they have left behind for us. Whether it is household names like John Rockefeller (who became the world's first billionaire despite growing up in a log cabin with a bigamist father), Winston Churchill (a has-been politician with a stutter who became England's salvation in World War Two), William the Conqueror (the bastard child of a peasant who conquered England in 1066), or lesser-known people like James Holman (a 19th-century explorer who traveled a distance as far as the Earth to the moon despite being completely blind), each of these people achieved greatness despite the universe putting every obstacle in their way. This audiobook looks at 10 people throughout history who rose to greatness against all odds. Some had to overcome physical challenges, such as Demosthenes, an orphaned boy in ancient Greece with a crippling speech impediment who became the greatest orator of his age. Others overcame mental challenges, such as Abraham Lincoln, whose depression was so great that in his 20s Lincoln's friends thought he would claim his own life...and continued to think so even after he became president. Still others overcame gender barriers, such as Joan of Arc, who engineered France's victory against England in the Hundred Years War despite no military experience, no powerful friends, and no ability to read. Whatever the challenges these incredible people faced, their stories still inspire us today to stop making excuses and discover how much we can really accomplish when we rise up against life's challenges.
©2017 Michael Rank (P)2018 Michael Rank
Rise and Fall of the Borgias
Summary
Since its rise to the highest ranks of power in Renaissance Europe, the Borgia family has developed a scandalous reputation. While they were indeed ostentatious, calculating, worldly, cruel—and even, occasionally, murderous—listeners may be surprised to find that the Borgias were not terribly different from other powerful and ambitious families of their day. So why has history set them apart as one of the most corrupt and reviled families in history? In the Rise and Fall of the Borgias, listeners will spend 10 revealing lectures untangling the web of rumors, speculation, and historical embellishment from what is actually known about the infamous Roman family. With Dr. William Landon, listeners will explore the historical context that helped the Borgias make their fortune and better understand how they could be both magnanimous and ruthless, pious and morally suspect. The story of the Borgias is rich with intrigue, even without the fictional enhancement it has received from the numerous films, novels, and television shows that have been created based on the family’s notoriety. Dr. Landon introduces listeners to the major players and lays bare their machinations to reach the highest offices of church and state. Were their exploits as salacious as listeners have been led to believe? Did they manipulate the papacy for their own gain? Are the rumors of incest, bribery, political assassinations, and other morally questionable behaviors true or the stuff of historical gossip? As listeners explore these and other rumors surrounding the Borgias, they will pull back the curtain on the historian’s craft and see how the story of this Renaissance dynasty has been shaped over time and how new research and a healthy dose of skepticism has allowed us to get a little closer to the truth—without losing any of the drama.
©2019 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC.
Greater Than a Tourist - Copenhagen Denmark
Summary
Are you excited about planning your next trip? Do you want to try something new while traveling? Would you like some guidance from a local? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this book is just for you. Greater Than a Tourist - Copenhagen Denmark by Maddie Ipsen offers the inside scope on Copenhagen, Denmark. Most travel books tell you how to travel like a tourist. Although there's nothing wrong with that, as a part of the Greater than a Tourist series, this book will give you travel tips from someone who lives at your travel destination. In this audiobook, you'll discover local advice that will help you throughout your stay. This book will not tell you exact addresses or store hours but instead will give you an excitement and knowledge from a local that you may not find in other smaller travel books. Travel like a local. Slow down, stay in one place, and get to know the people and the culture of a place. By the time you finish this book, you will be eager and prepared to travel to your destination. This book includes the full text plus bonus content of the book 50 Things to Know About Packing Light for Travel: Pack the Right Way Every Time by Manidipa Bhattacharyya.
©2017 CZYK Publishing (P)2018 CZYK Publishing
Victorious Century
Summary
To live in 19th-century Britain was to experience an astonishing series of changes, of a kind for which there was simply no precedent in the human experience. There were revolutions in transport, communication and work; cities grew vast; and scientific ideas made the intellectual landscape unrecognisable. This was an exhilarating time but also a horrifying one. In his dazzling new book, David Cannadine has created a bold, fascinating new interpretation of the British 19th century in all its energy and dynamism, darkness and vice. This was a country which saw itself at the summit of the world. And yet it was a society also convulsed by doubt, fear and introspection. Repeatedly, politicians and writers felt themselves to be staring into the abyss - and what is seen sometimes seen as an era of irritating self-belief was in practice obsessed by a sense of its own fragility, whether as a great power or as a moral force. Victorious Century is an extraordinarily enjoyable book - its author catches the relish, humour and theatricality of the age but also the dilemmas of a kind with which we remain familiar today. It reframes a time at once strangely familiar and yet wholly unlike our own.
©2017 David Cannadine (P)2017 Audible, Ltd
Louis XIII
Summary
Cette collection L'Histoire de France vivante nous faire revivre les grandes heures de l'histoire de France. Pour chaque époque, l'illustration sonore est faite avec des musiques de la période concernée. Les grands moments de chaque période sont reconstitués à la façon d'une pièce de théâtre, avec plusieurs comédiens et comédiennes qui interprètent les personnages historiques. Ces tableaux saisissants vous permettent de mieux vous représenter, d'une manière très vivante, les moments clefs de notre histoire, racontés comme une pièce historique. Les faits relatés sont rigoureusement exacts, les dialogues sont imaginaires.
©2017 Compagnie du Savoir (P)2017 Compagnie du Savoir