Maria Chester has narrated 6 audiobooks on Listento.it by 5 authors, with an average listener rating of 2.3★ across 3 ratings. The most-rated is Mary, Queen of Scots: The History and Legacy of Mary Stuart of Scotland.
Mary, Queen of Scots: The History and Legacy of Mary Stuart of Scotland
Summary
"Did I not tell you this would happen? I knew they would never allow me to live, I was too great an obstacle to their religion." - Mary, Queen of Scots The position in history of Mary Queen of Scots is a paradoxical one. Her fame as a monarch lies less in her personality or achievements than in her position within the dynastic maneuvers and political-religious upheavals taking place in northwest Europe in the 16th century. Most monarchs spend their early years learning in preparation to rule and then spend the latter part of their lives wielding power and status. Mary was thrust upon the throne when she was only a week old, and she ceased to be queen nearly 20 years before her death. Mary's was an unusual reign in a tumultuous period, and her tragedy was intertwined with her country's transformation. In Mary's case, she was a second cousin once removed of England's Queen Elizabeth I, which made her a rival for the throne. Mary was the granddaughter of Margaret Tudor, Henry VIII's sister, and her Catholicism made Mary the true and rightful Queen of England in the eyes of many Catholics and the Vatican. These facts, coupled with the realization that several English supported Mary, made Elizabeth I uneasy. Mary also did not help herself when she married James Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell, who was widely accused of raping her. The Scottish people rebelled, and Mary abdicated and fled southwards towards England. Elizabeth I was unsure at first what to do with Mary, so she kept Mary imprisoned in several castles and manor houses inside England (making escape difficult and thus unlikely). After 18 years in Elizabeth's custody, it became clear that the situation was becoming untenable.
©2012 Charles River Editors (P)2015 Charles River Editors
Letter Writing 101: How to Write Unique, Original, and Interesting Old School Snail Mail Letters to Lovers, Friends, Family, Penpals, and People All Over the World from A to Z
Summary
In this innovative how-to guide, you’ll get the best explanation and ideas on how to write old school letters. Among great examples and bonus chapters, you’ll find info on: Writing letters (easier said than done, but with our guidance, you’ll know exactly what to do) Realizing all the awesome benefits of writing old school letters Where to find a penpal (they’re all around you!) Who would be a best penpal for you (you’re allowed to be picky) How to write old school letters (the best part!) What to write (might seem a little intimidating at first, but we got your back) How to stay in touch once you’ve made first contact (just keep being your cool self and follow these easy steps) How to stay safe (keeping your personal info safe is crucial in truly enjoying the penpal experience) What to do if your penpal has stopped writing (it happens, but don’t fret) Famous penpals in history (you’ll be surprised at all the people who enjoyed writing letters!) And not only that. Bonus chapters include info on: Postcards: what are they and where to get your hands on some How to address postcards What to write What NOT to write Of course, this is all rounded up nicely with a full blown example of what a great letter to a penpal should look like and also, what a properly written postcard should look like. About the expert: When not reading yet another book and drinking a warm cup of coffee, Andrea Gencheva can be found at her desk, writing a letter to a dear friend or family member. Ever since she sent her first letter in elementary school, she hasn’t stopped writing. It’s been about 25 years now, and her drawers are always full of pretty stationery, all sorts of postcards and thousands of pens. With a MA in English Literature, she always knew she’d end up writing…something. Whether it’s stories, novels, or just letters, she doesn’t mind. She enjoys it all. And she hopes that she managed to give a magical glimpse into the world of writing old school letters to those who needed it. HowExpert publishes quick 'how to' guides on unique topics by everyday experts.
©2018 HowExpert (P)2018 HowExpert
How to Make Money Online with Apps
Summary
Creating apps can be the fastest way to create wealth in technology today. The growing business of app building is fun and exciting and has the potential to make you rich. All you need is a good idea and the determination to get it to the marketplace. If you are looking to make your app business popular and profitable, here is a process that will help you get started and see you through to your highest expectations. In this book you will learn: Why mobile apps can make you rich The players What app should I make? Things you need to know about starting an app business Hooking customers How to create a hit app How to find a great developer Traits of successful apps Let's go!
©2015 Bri (P)2015 Bri
The Eiffel Tower: The History of Paris' Most Famous Landmark
Summary
"Being the most striking manifestation of the art of metal structures by which our engineers have shown in Europe, it is one of the most striking of our modern national genius." - Gustave Eiffel It's the home of kings, emperors, and aristocrats, and the home of the Champs-Élysées, the Bastille, the Louvre and the salons that fueled the Enlightenment. For foreigners like Benjamin Franklin, it was the most beautiful city in the world, and millions of people still visit those same sites every year. Known as the "City of Light," Paris seamlessly blends its rich past with all the trappings of a modern city, and the city's features and qualities are taken for granted today, but Paris was not always that way. In fact, it took nearly half a century of redesigning the city during the 19th century to transform it into the city it is today. Though it may be hard to believe today, the Eiffel Tower was initially met with derision by many Frenchmen, some of whom compared it to the Tower of Babel and complained that the "useless and monstrous" structure would obscure treasures such as Notre Dame. In response to such criticisms, Eiffel himself pointed out, "Can one think that because we are engineers, beauty does not preoccupy us or that we do not try to build beautiful, as well as solid and long lasting structures? Aren't the genuine functions of strength always in keeping with unwritten conditions of harmony? Besides, there is an attraction, a special charm in the colossal to which ordinary theories of art do not apply." It's safe to say that Eiffel was correct. Each year, millions of people refute those original notions by riding to the top and making it the most visited paid monument in the entire world. Indeed, the Eiffel Tower has welcomed over 250 million visitors in less than 130 years. Eiffel had the good fortune of being vindicated in his lifetime, and as he once joked, "I ought to be jealous of the tower. She is more famous than I am."
©2012 Charles River Editors (P)2015 Charles River Editors
Stand-Up Paddleboarding 2.0
Summary
Stand-Up Paddleboarding 2.0 has every term, trick, and tip you’ll ever hear about the sport of SUP. As one of the fastest growing outdoor activities for beginners, stand-up paddleboarding is a great way to lose weight, enjoy nature, and improve your physique. Stand-Up Paddleboarding 2.0 has a full glossary of SUP-related terms along with 101 tips and lessons associated with the sport. Just like my first HowExpert guide Stand-Up Paddle Board Racing for Beginners, this is a good introductory guide to all things stand-up paddleboarding. In this version, you will find: The top three things you need to become a good stand-up paddleboarder Necessary equipment (and optional accessories) to have a fun time out on the water Proper paddling technique and safety tips How to turn on a SUP How to get back on your board Health benefits associated with stand-up paddleboarding Terms and definitions from A-Z about stand-up paddleboarding (every letter of the alphabet is covered!) 101 tips, tricks, and lessons about stand-up paddleboarding My SUP race training diary for the 2018 season and additional resources About the expert: Based in Lake Tahoe, California, Kayla Anderson loves to read, write, and play in the outdoors. In summer 2017, Kayla began working for one of the best paddleboard rental and coffee shops in America called Waterman’s Landing. There, she has access to some of the best paddleboards, the water, and advice from two elite paddle board racers. She fell in love with the sport of SUP because it allowed her to be out in the water more often. Kayla also writes for The Tahoe Weekly and Enjoy Northern California Living magazine. This is her second HowExpert book on stand-up paddleboarding. HowExpert publishes quick "how to" guides on unique topics by everyday experts.
©2018 HowExpert (P)2018 HowExpert
The Library of Alexandria: The History and Legacy of the Ancient World's Most Famous Library
Summary
"When I wrote 'The Alexandria Link,' I discovered that we are only aware of about 10 percent of the knowledge of the ancient world. In the ancient world, most of the knowledge was destroyed." (Steve Berry) In the modern world, libraries are taken for granted by most people, perhaps because their presence is ubiquitous. Every school has a library, large libraries can be found in every major city, and even most small towns have public libraries. However, the omnipresent nature of libraries is a fairly recent historical phenomenon because libraries were still few and far between before the 19th century. For centuries in the Western world, during what is known as the Middle Ages, written knowledge was guarded closely and hidden away in private repositories, usually by the religious classes. The lack of libraries in the West has helped contribute to the popular imagination of the ancient Library at Alexandria and all the myths and legends that have come to be associated with it, but the Library of Alexandria deserves its reputation. Before the Middle Ages, Greek scholars carefully collected and inventoried books and other written materials in the Library of Alexandria, which truly made it a sort of precursor to all modern libraries. In fact the Library of Alexandria proved to be one of the greatest institutions created in the ancient world because it influenced the minds of countless people in profound ways for centuries.
©2012 Charles River Editors (P)2015 Charles River Editors