Discover the Best Sellers Audiobooks in History, European

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Title: Victorians Undone: Tales of the Flesh in the Age of Decorum

Author: Kathryn Hughes

Narrator: Jenny Funnell

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 43 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-26-17

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

A groundbreaking account of what it was like to live in a Victorian body from one of our best historians, author of The Short Life and Long Times of Mrs Beeton and George Eliot: The Last Victorian.

Why did the great philosophical novelist George Eliot feel so self-conscious that her right hand was larger than her left?

Exactly what made Darwin grow that iconic beard in 1862, a good five years after his contemporaries had all retired their razors?

Who knew Queen Victoria had a personal hygiene problem as a young woman and the crisis that followed led to a hurried commitment to marry Albert?

What did John Sell Cotman, a handsome drawing room operator who painted some of the most exquisite watercolours the world has ever seen, feel about marrying a woman whose big nose made smart people snigger?

How did a working-class child called Fanny Adams disintegrate into pieces in 1867 before being reassembled into a popular joke, one we still reference today, but would stop, appalled, if we knew its origins?

Kathryn Hughes follows a thickened index finger or deep baritone voice into the realms of social history, medical discourse, aesthetic practice and religious observance - its language is one of admiring glances, cruel sniggers, and an implacably turned back. The result is an eye-opening, deeply intelligent, groundbreaking account that brings the Victorians back to life and helps us understand how they lived their lives.

Critic Reviews:

"This is a wonderful book, so masterful and scholarly and wise, there will never need to be another. Hughes is an elegant writer, and a capable digger; no stone, however small or inaccessible, is left unturned." (Rachel Cooke, Observer)

"This is a brilliant biography, which tells the absorbing, strange and sad story with great aplomb. Kathryn Hughes has seen quite rightly, that one of the most important parts of the story is what happened after Isabella's death and, indeed, Sam's, and the life of Mrs Beeton is continued to the present day. It is so magical a feat of imagination, of intricate learning lightly worn, that you know that Kathryn Hughes would write a wonderful novel. But this splendid book is as good as any." (Spectator)

"Seriously scholarly yet nonetheless accessible to the general listener...fascinating." (Margaret Forster, Sunday Telegraph)

Members Reviews:

Warts and All!

Katherine Hughes has definitely amassed a wealth of detailed research for this portrait of Victorians (genital) warts and all!

In five sections she details the cruel treatment of Lady Flora Hastings in the court of the young, vicious Queen Victoria (whose painfully prolapsed womb was found only after her death). Lady Flora was subjected to a humiliating internal examination to prove that her swollen stomach was not a pregnancy. A virgin, she died of a massive tumour not long afterwards. The section on George Eliot has a fascinating recreation of her fathers dairy farm and the role of women in cheese-making in fact, and in Eliots fiction. Charles Darwins appalling life-long vomiting with resultant rotten teeth (severe acid reflux?) and extreme socially unacceptable flatulence made his marriage something of a miracle, and its interesting that a hair from his beard could provide the answer to his condition.

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Title: Fairy Tales

Subtitle: The Origins, History, and Interpretations of the World's Most Famous Fairy Tales

Author: Gustavo Vazquez-Lozano

Narrator: Scott Clem

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 4 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-03-16

Publisher: Charles River Editors

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

Dense forests, evil stepmother, beautiful girl, dwarfs in mines, a prince and, eventually, poisoning (in that order). Sound familiar? Most will recognize the basic plot of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, one of the most popular fairy tales in history. Even if the passing of time (and Disney) embellished it with a thousand details, in particular the happy ending, this and other tales reflect the Sitz im Leben (or setting in life) in which fairy tales emerged. The stories, which were transmitted orally during the Middle Ages, are like fogged windows to the way of life, the kind of people, and social conditions of the regions where they took their final shape. In some instances, such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, they may be echoing historical facts. And the poisoned apple? Sander thinks that the lethal fruit was added later, during the stage of oral transmission, in remembrance of a man who really existed in Germany and was arrested for giving poisoned apples to children because he thought they were stealing from him. For centuries, beautifully illustrated fairy-tale volumes have rested innocently on kids' night tables around the world, long ago relegated to the dubious honor of being branded as "children's literature". But every story is a file packed with information, and Cinderella, Snow White, Puss in Boots, and Bluebeard have always intimated that perhaps they have more to tell besides "beautiful" stories, the same ones that animated the minds of several generations of children. Whether or not they had peaceful dreams is another matter, because even in their current versions, sterilized, and with their original contents doctored, classic fairy tales are far from innocent stories for five-year-old children.

Members Reviews:

All you ever wanted to know about fairytales including some things you might not want to know

I really like the e-book Fairy Tales: The Origins, History, and Interpretations of the Worldâs Most Famous Fairy Tales. I just considered fairytales to be stories that someone just thought up; I did not realize that many of them are folktales! Some of the fairytales are based on events that may have occurred with embellishments. The book covers the authors we normally associate with fairytales such as the Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Anderson. The book also covers a number of other authors that one might not associate with fairytales such as Charles Perrault. I read the fairytale about the Little Mermaid so I knew that some fairytales did not have Disney type endings. There is so much in this book that I recommend you read it. you'll get a kick out of some of the analysis of fairytales.

but it was surprisingly good. Instead of summarizing what happens in fairy tales ...

I didn't know what to make of this when I downloaded it, but it was surprisingly good. Instead of summarizing what happens in fairy tales like Cinderella, this book explains how the fairy tales evolved over time, how they were compiled, what the real life origins may have been, and even why fairy tales resonate among various age groups. I definitely suggest people read this book.

Three Stars

Very decent short intro to the history of western fairy tales and their collections.

Very interesting

Very informative book.

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Title: John Constable

Subtitle: Earth and Sky

Author: Janet Barber

Narrator: Sara Morsey

Format: Unabridged

Length: 37 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-01-16

Publisher: Cv Publications

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

This study explores the work of Britain's foremost national landscape painter John Constable (1776-1837). Based on her view of the Constable exhibition at Tate Britain 2006, author Janet Barber considers the development of the artist, placing his works in context of the cultural conditions of his time, and noting contemporary reactions to his public exhibitions at the Royal Academy; efforts which often met with a profound distaste for their powerfully expressive naturalism. A quality that countered accepted frameworks of pictorial representation.

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Title: Hunting Hitler's Nukes

Subtitle: The Secret Race to Stop the Nazi Bomb

Author: Damien Lewis

Narrator: Greg Wagland

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 26 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-20-16

Publisher: Quercus

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

From the best-selling author of true military classics Zero Six Bravo, The Nazi Hunters and Churchill's Secret Warriors.

In the Spring of 1940, as Britain reeled from defeats on all fronts and America seemed frozen in isolation, one fear united the British and American leaders like no other: the Nazis had stolen a march on the Allies towards building the atomic bomb. So began the hunt for Hitler's nuclear weapons - nothing else came close in terms of priorities. It was to be the most secret war of those wars fought amongst the shadows. The highest stakes. The greatest odds.

Prior to the outbreak of the war, the massive German chemicals conglomerate I. G. Farben - the future manufacturers of Zyklon B, the gas used in the Nazi concentration camps - had started producing bulk supplies of deuterium oxide - heavy water - at the remote Norwegian plant of Vemork.

This was the central target of three separate missions over the ensuing four years: Operations Grouse, Freshman and Gunnerside. As Churchill commented, 'The actual facts in many cases were equal to the most fantastic inventions of romance and melodrama. Tangle with tangle, plot and counterplot, ruse and treachery, cross and double-cross, true agent, false agent, double agent, gold and steel, the bomb, the dagger and the firing party were interwoven in a texture so intricate as to be incredible yet true.'

Damien Lewis' new best seller intercuts the hunt for the scientists, the raw materials and the plant with the cloak-and-dagger intelligence game being played in the shadows. This relied in part on Enigma intercepts to guide the SOE's hand. Lewis delves into some of the most extraordinarily inventive and Machiavellian innovations at the SOE and their related research and training schools, whereby the enemy were tricked, deceived, framed, blackmailed and double- and triple-crossed, all in the name of stopping the Reich from getting the bomb.

Critic Reviews:

"Suicidal bravery, untold moral courage and awe-inspiring survival. An utterly compelling read." (Bear Grylls)

Members Reviews:

Gripping story of an epic endeavour

Well constructed account of a remarkable feat of a band of extraordinary men. Having skied on the Vidda in Spring one can only marvel at how they managed to survive in such harsh conditions. Let's not forget the whole band from each of the operations. From the sappers to the SOE personnel they were all heroes. Well read if a little matter of fact at times the harshness of the environment was well described.

Superb

A gripping and thrilling account of this true ww2 story of real heroism excellently narrated

Telemark Heros

Where does Hunting Hitler's Nukes rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?

One of the best so far. Superb authorship with corresponding narration. Absolutely stunning story.

What did you like best about this story?

Having, like so many no doubt who have watched the Richard Harris and Kirk Douglas film "Hero's of Telemark" the book expands on many of those scenes albeit in different occurrence within the film; however, what the film lacked, the book more than outlines the sheer resolute and heroism of those that played so an important part in the prevention of the Nazi regime from acquiring the Atomic bomb before the conflict in Europe could be won for the allies.

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Title: British History in 50 Events

Subtitle: From First Immigration to Modern Empire

Author: James Weber

Narrator: Damien Connolly

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 59 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-13-16

Publisher: James Weber

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

Do you want to know how the small British Isles became one of the most important empires in world history? Read about the 50 most important events in British history, from the first immigration to the post-World War 2 era.

This book will give you a comprehensive overview of British history.

Author James Weber did the research and compiled this huge list of events that changed the course of this nation forever.

Some of them include:

This is the perfect resource for students and anyone wanting to broaden their knowledge in history. Get your copy now!

Members Reviews:

learned more than expected

narration was clear, topics were interesting. eager to learn more. enjoyed section on industrial revolution

Imagine the whole Beatles shown as 7 hit songs

Or imagine, perhaps, a tour of Asia in 2 weeks. Much would be left out, from the view of any aficionado. Of course, given the short length here, one could not expect otherwise. In my case, I was ramping up from shorter to longer British history books, and wanted a background sketch to refresh some general recollections and set a tone. So, this worked alright for that.

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Title: Our Hidden Lives

Subtitle: The Every Diaries of a Forgotten Britain

Author: Simon Garfield

Narrator: Amanda Carlton, Christopher Scott, Jeffrey Perry, Joan Walker, Moir Leslie, Simon Garfield

Format: Abridged

Length: 3 hrs and 9 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-06-16

Publisher: Random House AudioBooks

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

In 1936 anthropologist Tom Harrison, poet and journalist Charles Madge and documentary filmmaker Humphrey Jennings set up the Mass Observation Project.

The idea was simple: ordinary people would record, in diary form, the events of their everyday lives. An estimated one million pages eventually found their way to the archive - and it soon became clear this was more than anyone could digest. Today, the diaries are stored at the University of Sussex, where, remarkably, most remain unread.

In Our Hidden Lives, Simon Garfield has skilfully woven a tapestry of diary entries in the rarely discussed but pivotal period of 1945 to 1948. The result is a moving, intriguing, funny, at times heartbreaking audiobook - unashamedly populist in the spirit of Forgotten Voices or indeed Margaret Forster's Diary of an Ordinary Woman.

Critic Reviews:

"I love these diaries. They have the attraction of being stories, but real stories - Better than any novel." (Margaret Forster)

"'A lovely book. It will appeal to- anyone who appreciates the richness and diversity of human experience." (Tony Benn)

"Utterly engrossing, better than any kind of reality TV." (Gavin Esler)

"Funny, vivid, touching, angry, thoughtful - every page is a delight. This is definitely number one on my present list to give to everyone in the coming year." (Jenny Uglow, author of The Lunar Men)

Members Reviews:

Wish the author had chosen a better "balance" of contributors

Most of the diarists were anti-semitic and many of the comments were extremely disturbing. Wish the author had chosen a better "balance" of contributors. Am a UK citizen born after WW2 and feel the preface could have offered a summary of general feelings and attitudes so the reader might know if the diarists views were common at the time or not. The latter, I hope.

Toughing It Out in Postwar Britain

Living in the U.S. in the 21st Century, it is hard to imagine how grim life was for ordinary people in post WWII Britain: rationing of basic staples, wearing the same clothes for years, queues, dramatic political changes. All of these are recorded in the diaries of five Britons. Yes, there are numerous anti-Semitic remarks, and they are most certainly offensive. But the entries reflect the times when people were looking to blame somebody for their difficult lives. It was also the time when Jewish freedom fighters had captured and executed two British soldiers. What is important is that these diaries accurately reflect what those people felt 60 years ago and should be regarded as historical documents.

a slow read

The cultural gap is quite wide - the events of 70 years ago in England are difficult to really understand today by an American with little exposure to English life (except books and movies).

That said, this book has an excellent index, and once I realized that it was pretty slow going reading about weather and food (or lack of it) I saw that one could pick a topic of interest and read all the entries that pertained.

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Title: A History of Britain in 21 Women

Author: Jenni Murray

Narrator: Jenni Murray

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 28 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-06-16

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

Britain has been defined by its conflicts, its conquests, its men and its monarchs. To say that it's high time it was defined by its women is a severe understatement. Jenni Murray draws together the lives 21 women to shed light upon a variety of social, political, religious and cultural aspects of British history.

In lively prose Murray reinvigorates the stories behind the names we all know and reveals the fascinating tales behind those less familiar. From famous queens to forgotten visionaries and from great artists to our most influential political actors, A History of Britain in 21 Women is a veritable feast of history.

A History of Britain in 21 Women profiles Boadicea, Queen Elizabeth I, Aphra Behn, Caroline Herschel, Fanny Burney, Mary Wollstonecraft, Jane Austen, Mary Somerville, Mary Seacole, Ada Lovelace, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, Millicent Garrett Fawcett, Emmeline Pankhurst, Ethel Smyth, Constance Markievicz, Gwen John, Nancy Astor, Barbara Castle, Margaret Thatcher, Mary Quant and Nicola Sturgeon.

Critic Reviews:

"I can't think of any more seductive way of learning about the past than meeting its principals as if they were friends in a room. That's the gift that Jenni Murray gives us." (Gloria Steinem)

"Murray chooses 21 women who changed the world, and tells their remarkable stories with her own extraordinary wit, passion and piercing insight. She is the perfect guide." (Helen Castor)

Members Reviews:

Very enjoyable and interesting

Any additional comments?

Fascinating insights. This audible book was right down my alley as I enjoy hearing the biographies of famous people. For me this is a infinitely more interesting listening than Matthew Paris's Great Lives on Radio 4. I have now just purchased from Amazon Kindle the Complete Novels of Fanny Burney after listening about her and how Jane Austen used to be a fan of hers.

Good Book

I enjoyed this book. I gave performance 5 stars because I do enjoy when authors read their own works and I liked Jenni's reading style and intonation.

I had to admit I wasn't always 100% engaged, some parts grabbed my attention more than others, which is why I gave four stars overall. But I would definitely recommend it.

Outstanding narration and content

An amazing choice of women who made Britain. Makes me proud to be a woman. Inspires me to be strong, determined and never to accept misogyny and inequality. I particularly liked the second to last chapter.

Thank you Jenny Murray-,We love you xx

Brilliant

I enjoyed everything about this book. I felt moved by it, as much as I have by the best works of fiction as well as better informed about my country's history. I am left with a better understanding of feminism, the journey and the sacrifice of women, and the resounding importance of continuing to demand equality, in the UK and globally. Thanks to Jenni Murray for writing and reading this book, the narration of which was so easy to listen to and absorb.

Interesting, well written, and very well read

I got this book on a whim as I almost always read and listen to fiction. I loved it. Murray reads well and she obviously cares deeply about the women she discusses in this book. I would recommend this book to men and women.

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Title: Valiant Boys

Subtitle: True Stories from the Operators of the UK's First Four-Jet Bomber

Author: Tony Blackman, Anthony Wright

Narrator: Roger Davis

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 41 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-03-16

Publisher: Grub Street Publishing LTD

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

Following on from the success of Victor Boys and Vulcan Boys, Tony Blackman, in collaboration with Anthony Wright, brings you Valiant Boys to complete the V Force set. This is a fascinating collection of personal accounts of operating Britain's first V bomber by aircrew and ground crew. The book tells the story from the aircraft's birth taking off from Vickers' tiny airfield at Wisley near Brooklands to its premature death from fatigue. There are tales of testing atom bombs in the Australian desert, dropping hydrogen bombs in the middle of the Pacific and, as a complete contrast, attacking airfields with conventional bombs in Egypt during the very brief and abortive Suez campaign. We are reminded of how the Valiant provided the UK's first nuclear deterrent by always having some armed aircraft on stand-by 24 hours a day, supported by their air and ground crews, ready to be flown at a moment's notice on a one-way trip to launch an atomic war.

Some Valiants were given a photographic role providing accurate images from high altitude and were used not only to gather military intelligence but also to survey the UK and countries overseas. Others were developed into flight refueling tankers breaking point to point records before enabling Britain's fighter aircraft to be refueled and fly anywhere in the world.

This book completes Tony Blackman's trilogy of the three V bombers. As Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Michael Beetham makes it clear in his foreword: 'It is good to have a book written by aircrew and ground crew telling their stories and how they operated the aircraft so that all these things are recorded and not forgotten.' Not as well known as the Vulcan and Victor, the Valiant is often overlooked; this book will go a long way to redress the balance.

Members Reviews:

Raf marram

Just as it was 1955 to 1957 .

crew working in the A S F Saw and heard manny comments as it was narrated Thanks for the book have enjoyed listening to it

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Title: Vikings

Subtitle: The True and Surprising History of the Vikings

Author: Patrick Auerbach

Narrator: Steven Barnett

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 51 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-27-16

Publisher: Brendan Gallagher

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 11 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

The Vikings were a seafaring people from the late eighth to early 11th century who established a name for themselves as traders, explorers and warriors. They discovered the Americas long before Columbus and could be found as far east as the distant reaches of Russia. While these people are often described as savages raiding the more civilized nations for treasure and women, the motives and culture of the Viking people are much more diverse. These raiders also facilitated many changes throughout the lands from economics to warfare.

Many historians commonly associate the term "Viking" to the Scandinavian term vikingr, a word for "pirate". However, the term is meant to reference overseas expeditions, and was used as a verb by the Scandinavian people for when the men traditionally took time out of their summers to go "a Viking". While many would believe these expeditions entailed the raiding of monasteries and cities along the coast, many expeditions were actually with the goal of trade and enlisting as foreign mercenaries.

Many modern perceptions of Vikings had their origins in Catholic propaganda. Upon the sacking of multiple Christian facilities and the loss of countless relics and treasures, the Catholic ministry sought to dehumanize them. Until Queen Victoria's rule of Britain, the Vikings were still portrayed as a violent and barbaric people. During the 19th and 20th centuries, perceptions changed to the point where Vikings were glamorized as noble savages with horned helmets, a proud culture with feared prowess in battle.

Members Reviews:

Great

This book was excellent. Short and sweet. Didn't embellish on facts and packed a lot of information in a short time. I really enjoyed it.

Can't get enough Vikings and Norse Mythology...

This is one of the better reads. I have been a history buff all my life, but I admit I have bought into the Viking hype and I am having fun learning more about an era which was only touched on in high school and college.

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Title: History of Germany

Author: IntroBooks

Narrator: Andrea Giordani

Format: Unabridged

Length: 44 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-08-16

Publisher: IntroBooks

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

Located in the heart of Western Europe, Germany borders the Baltic, the Rhine and the Alps from the north, west and south directions respectively. The east of Germany however, has no natural border which has caused much confusion in the history of Europe. It is a sovereign state and has a federal parliamentary republic in the central-western Europe. The largest city and the capital of Germany is Berlin. Germany is also the second most famous human immigration destination after the United States.

The northern parts of Germany have been occupied by the Germanic tribes since the ancient times. A certain region called Germania was recognized to be from before AD 100. At the times of migration the Germanic tribes expanded towards the southern parts of Germany. In the advent of the 10th century the central territories of Germany had formed the Holy Roman Empire. Six centuries later the northern parts of Germany became the hub of the Protestant Reformation.

Later in the year 1871 many of the German states united with the Prussians to form the German Empire. It was only after the World War I and the German Revolution which took place from 1918-1919 that the German Empire was succeeded by the Weimar Republic. The institution of a dictatorship in the year 1933 was one of the causes of World War II and organized massacre. After a term of Allied occupation, two states, the German Democratic Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany, were founded. It was only in the year 1990 that the country was reunited.

Germany is a great power today, and has the world's fourth largest economy. It is a global leader in various technological and industrial sectors along with being the world's third largest importer and exporter of goods. Today Germany has a high standard of living and is known to be a developed country with a productive and skilled society.