Download the Popular Authors Audiobooks in History, American

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Title: Fool's Paradise

Subtitle: Players, Poseurs, and the Culture of Excess in South Beach

Author: Steven Gaines

Narrator: Dean Sluyter

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 12 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-19-12

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 8 votes

Genres: History, American

Publisher's Summary:

From the acclaimed best-selling author of Philistines at the Hedgerow comes a remarkably revealing profile of the Miami Beach no one knows, a tale of fabulous excess, thwarted power, and rekindled lives that will take its place among the decade's best works of social portraiture.

Created from a mix of swampland and dredged-up barrier reef, Miami Beach has always been one part drifter-mecca and one part fantasyland, simultaneously a catch basin for con men, fast-talk artists, and shameless self-promoters, and a Shangri-La for sun worshippers and hardcore hedonists. In Miami Beach it's often said that "if you're not indicted you're not invited." But the city's mad, fascinating complexity resists easy stereotyping.

Fool's Paradise is more than just a present-day profile of a dark Eden. Gaines journeys back into the city's social and cultural history, unearthing stories of the resort's past that are every bit as absorbing - and jaw-dropping - as those of its present. The book begins with a snapshot of the city's current excess (this is, after all, a sun-washed hamlet that boasts, on a per capita basis, more bars - and breast implants - than any other place in America), then plunges into the Beach's origins, chronicling the audacious rise of such hoteliers as the Fontainebleau's Ben Novack and the Eden Roc's Harry Mufson, the sharp-elbowed tactics of Al Capone and Frank Sinatra, and the Mac-10 shooting sprees of the Marielito and Colombian drug lords.

From there, the narrative shifts to two wildly eccentric souls who gave their lives to preserving the city's architectural dazzle and creating its color palette, introduces us to "the Most Powerful Man in Miami Beach", and arrives finally in the modern day, where we meet, among others, a kinky German playboy who once owned a quarter of South Beach and publicly flaunts his sexual escapades; a fabulously successful nightclub promoter whose addictive past seems to have given him a portal into the night world's id; and a gaggle of young sexy models, dreamers, and schemers on a mission to achieve significance.

Evoking the Beach's surreal blend of flashy Vegas and old Hollywood glamour, as well as its manic desperation and reckless wealth, Gaines persuasively demonstrates that though the Beach is, in the words of its most famous drag queen, "an island of broken toys . . . a place where people get away with things they'd never get away with anyplace else," it casts an irresistible spell.

Members Reviews:

Fascinating, funny, dishy social history

I found "Fool's Paradise" to be a rich, fascinating listen. Gaines is a terrific storyteller, with a gift for remembering that "history" is yesterday's juicy gossip.

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Title: Three Months in the Southern States

Subtitle: April-June, 1863

Author: Arthur James Lyon Fremantle

Narrator: Michael Page

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 6 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-30-12

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 10 votes

Genres: History, American

Publisher's Summary:

The author of this book, Arthur James Lyon Fremantle, has, perhaps, achieved more renown in recent years than at any time since the publication of his literary efforts. Those familiar with the film Gettysburg will recall the unusual figure of a British Guards officer attired (inaccurately) in his full dress Guardsman's scarlet uniform among the ranks of the Virginians at the famous and pivotal battle. The cinema may have taken its usual liberties, but the character was firmly based in fact and was none other than the Fremantle himself. The British Empire felt no need to come down strongly on either side of the conflict between the States, but its support for the Confederacy was both implicit and occasionally obvious. Fremantle wanted to see the war at first hand and so he traveled to America and accompanied the Confederate forces-actually unglamorously in mufti-in the field. His experiences brought him to the collision of Gettysburg, and history is indebted to Fremantle for the observations of a comparatively impartial military man on these monumental times and events.

Members Reviews:

Great subject matter and excellent narration

If you could sum up Three Months in the Southern States in three words, what would they be?

Just great history

What was one of the most memorable moments of Three Months in the Southern States?

Fremantle's arrival in Texas.

What about Michael Pages performance did you like?

Clean and smooth. Great narration.The

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The memorable characters in Texas.

Any additional comments?

I have long been familiar with the memoirs of Arthur Fremantle of his time observing the Confederate army in 1863. I have used various parts for research, but had not read the whole thing, so when I ran across this audio version, I jumped on it and wasnt disappointed.

The narration by Michael Page is smooth and clean; British accent, but quite easily understood by American listeners.

The Fremantle diary is most commonly referenced for the Gettysburg portion, but that is only a scant part of the narrative. I many ways the most interesting and vivid parts come earlier in the book. Fremantles entry into the Confederate States of America through Texas and his observations of matters with its border with Mexico are fascinating. The authors talent for understatement provides a great amount of amusement along with the detailed description of the state of affairs in that remote corner of the newly founded country.

To have just shown up unannounced with little more to speak for him than his pedigree in the British army, Fremantle manages to witness several events of great historical significance and meet many notables in both the South and the north. Like most British, Fremantle was avidly anti-slavery, but like many Europeans who found themselves in the South, he quickly decided that the situation was not nearly as two-dimensional as he was led to believe. His observations are startling.

Three Months in the Southern States is a valuable resource and an eye-opening read. Pages wonderful narration makes the visualization all the more powerful.

fastastic

fantastic 1st hand account of the state of dixie and het people during their war for independence! I recommend it!

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Title: Blood on the Tracks

Author: Cecelia Holland

Narrator: Lisa Baney

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs and 59 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-27-12

Publisher: Starving Artists, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 9 votes

Genres: History, American

Publisher's Summary:

The explosive conflict between workers and capital in 19th century America first erupted nation-wide in 1877 when rapid industrialization led to spontaneous grassroots strikes and riot in many cities around the country. The violence and passion of 1877 would change America fundamentally. This account is drawn from eye-witness accounts and newspaper reporting of the day.

Members Reviews:

Great 3 hours spent learning

I am glad I picked up this little bite sized history. Worth the few hours.

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Title: Pocahontas

Subtitle: The Life and the Legend

Author: Frances Mossiker

Narrator: Flo Gibson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 15 hrs and 33 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-28-11

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 11 votes

Genres: History, American

Publisher's Summary:

Pocahontas: a story about a sweet little Indian girl who dramatically saved an Englishmans life? Hardly. This book covers the remarkable life of Americas First Lady and depicts the fascinating times of the early 17th century, when a new age was awakening and the brave were seizing it.

Members Reviews:

Very long and detailed

This is clearly a book for the student mind. Not for the masses. There is way too much detail on surrounding events. On the other ships that brought John Smith to Virginia, on the anthropological aspect of Jamestown, on psychological events that may or may not happen to Pocahontas. I couldn't read more than a chapter a day as there was no life to this book only hard facts. And the paragraphs where the author shows the writing of the time gave me a headache. I understand they had not yet learned to spell correctly but after 300 pages of deciphering through words I was exhausted. I would not recommend this book to anyone who wanted to learn about Pocahontas.

Separates the life from the legend....

The author carefully examines all the evidence of the life of Pocahontas - through anthopological, psychological, sociological analysis as well as the historical record. Of course much of what is commonly known is taken from the extensive and self-serving journals of John Smith, which the author takes with an appropriate grain of salt.

This is an excellent antidote to the Disney version and a must-read for students of pre-colonial U.S. history.

This book provide a fantastic glimpse of what life was really like in Jamestown in the very early days, as well as what sort of political milieu was present in tidewater Virginia at the time of settlers' arrival.

Pocahontas: The Life and Legend

I have read another biography of Pocahontas which I much prefer. This book elaborates on every piece of written information,and it is spare, and every literary mention of Pocahontas. It is mostly invented conjecture.

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Title: These Honored Dead

Subtitle: How the Story of Gettysburg Shaped American Memory

Author: Thomas A. Desjardin

Narrator: Lewis Grenville

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 15 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-01-10

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: History, American

Publisher's Summary:

Ever since the guns fell silent in July 1863, the Battle of Gettysburg has emerged as the defining conflict in our nation's history. American memory has established Gettysburg as the most important, most heroic, most savage battle this nation has ever fought. It has become our Waterloo, our battle of Marathon, our siege of Troy. In this riveting historical reappraisal, esteemed Civil War historian, Thomas A. Desjardin, sets out to examine the truth behind the myth by probing how this battle became legend in American hearts and minds. What emerges from Desjardin's research is a fascinating biography of a story--the story of Gettysburg--as he highlights how flawed our knowledge of this enormous event is, and how Americans have fashioned the Battle as a reflection of, and testimony to, our culture and our nation.

Members Reviews:

This was a struggle.

I really want to like this book. I like refreshing looks at history. The author is extremely knowledgeable, but his writing style comes off very pompous. He forgets that works of fiction are often the catalyst for people to start the journey to learn more about history. His non stop mentioning of the Killer Angels was annoying. He could have covered this in a much shorter manner. Like many of the battles experts, he acts like everyone on the battlefield should already be a well versed expert. Ultimately I feel that this was not worth the cost and feel cheated by the author.

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Title: The Story of a Cannoneer Under Stonewall Jackson

Author: Edward A. Moore

Narrator: Ivan Martinovic

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 43 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-26-10

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 7 votes

Genres: History, American

Publisher's Summary:

"The title of this book at once rivets attention and invites perusal, and that perusal does not disappoint expectation. The author was a cannoneer in the historic Rockbridge (Va.) Artillery, which made for itself, from Manassas to Appomattox, a reputation second to none in the Confederate service. No more vivid picture has been presented of the private soldier in camp, on the march, or in action. It was written evidently not with any commercial view, but was an undertaking from a conviction that its performance was a question of duty to his comrades. Its unlabored and spontaneous character adds to its value. Its detail is evidence of a living presence, intent only upon truth. It is not only carefully planned, but minutely finished. The duty has been performed faithfully and entertainingly.

We are glad these delightful pages have not been marred by discussion of the causes or conduct of the great struggle between the States. There is no theorizing or special pleading to distract our attention from the unvarnished story of the Confederate soldier.

The writer is simple, impressive, and sincere. And his memory is not less faithful. It is a striking and truthful portrayal of the times under the standard of one of the greatest generals of ancient or modern times. It is from such books that data will be gathered by the future historian for a true story of the great conflict between the States.For nearly a year (from March to November, 1862) I served in the battery with this cannoneer, and for a time we were in the same mess. Since the war I have known him intimately, and it gives me great pleasure to be able to say that there is no one who could give a more honest and truthful account of the events of our struggle from the standpoint of a private soldier. He had exceptional opportunities for observing men and events, and has taken full advantage of them."

-Robert E. Lee

Editorial Reviews:

The Story of a Cannoneer Under Stonewall Jackson is the most sincere type of book, written by someone focused on recording a key experience within a pivotal and heartbreaking moment in history. The drama here is unvarnished; the truth itself is poignant enough. A young confederate soldier bears testament to what he and his comrades experience during the Civil War. Stillwell is part of the rank and file, and his experience is at ground level. He does not have the safe remove of an officer. Narrator Ivan Martinovic employs a mild and believable Midwestern accent. His straightforward recitation matches Stillwells detailed report. Martinovic alters his pace according to mood and action, giving listeners the feeling of watching Stillwell in his fraught environment.

Members Reviews:

Classic Look at the life of the common CW union soldier

I give this work 5-stars, not only because it has a well-written feel more than a century after it was penned but because it is valuable as another look into how the ordinary volunteer of this great conflict lived and died.

The author makes no claim to great military honor or ability, makes no excuses for the faults of his commanders or the operations he was on.

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Title: Long, Obstinate, and Bloody

Author: Lawrence Babits, Joshua Howard

Narrator: Rene Ruiz

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-08-10

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 27 votes

Genres: History, American

Publisher's Summary:

On 15 March 1781, the armies of Nathanael Greene and Lord Charles Cornwallis fought one of the bloodiest and most intense engagements of the American Revolution at the Guilford Courthouse in piedmont North Carolina. Although victorious, Cornwallis declared the conquest of the Carolinas impossible. He made the fateful decision to march into Virginia, eventually leading his army to the Yorktown surrender and clearing the way for American independence.

In the first book-length examination of the Guilford Courthouse engagement, Lawrence Babits and Joshua Howard - drawing from hundreds of previously underutilized pension documents, muster rolls, and personal accounts - piece together what really happened on the wooded plateau in what is today Greensboro, North Carolina. They painstakingly identify where individuals stood on the battlefield, when they were there, and what they could have seen, thus producing a bottom-up story of the engagement. The authors explain or discount several myths surrounding this battle while giving proper place to long-forgotten heroic actions. They elucidate the actions of the Continentals, British regulars, North Carolina and Virginia militiamen, and the role of American cavalry. Their detailed and comprehensive narrative extends into individual combatants' lives before and after the Revolution.

Members Reviews:

Long, Confusing, and Boring

What disappointed you about Long, Obstinate, and Bloody?

I lived in the Carolinas for decades and love both Civil War and Revolutionary War history. Having been to the Guilford Courthouse battlefield, I found the descriptions of the battle confusing. This book starts by making the claims that it would clear up many of the confusing stories regarding the battle.

It does not.

Too much time is spend itemizing every small detail of the armies. The attempts to bring to life the individuals involved in the battle get tangled by the jumping from person to person. There seems to be no flow in the narrative and the listener is required to spend too much trying to keep track of too many people.

I was really disappointed.

I would have preferred the author focusing on a few key people in the battle and following their efforts across the battle. Getting information in depth on a few key people would have been more interesting than reading about a score of people who are just mentioned in passing.

Reading as many historical books as people like myself do, we are all overly familiar with the soldiers and officers who receive the premonition that they would die in the battle. I don't care that they received that premonition. What I care about is how they handled themselves during the battle. True courage is doing your duty to the best of your ability in the face of your death. This book tries to do that, but fails.

What didnt you like about Rene Ruizs performance?

Boring, monotonous, and without passion. I found my mind wandering off during his narration.That truly upset me because I came to this book with reasonable expectations that the reader would add to the story. He does not.

Any additional comments?

I will trade this book in for something more interesting, like the phone book.

Horrible reader

I got this book to learn more about the Carolina's during the Revolutionary War as I've recently found out I had relatives that fought in some of the battles this book covers.

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Title: The Bagel

Subtitle: The Surprising History of a Modest Bread

Author: Maria Balinksa

Narrator: Jo Anna Perrin

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 12 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-10-10

Publisher: Caravan

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 11 votes

Genres: History, American

Publisher's Summary:

This charming book recounts the remarkable journey of the bagel from the tables of 17th-century Poland to the freezers of middle America today. The story is one of surprising connections between an unassuming ring-shaped roll and centuries of Polish, Jewish, and American history.

Critic Reviews:

"The book, thought-provoking and fact-filled, is one that also uses the bagel as a way of viewing Polish-Jewish history." (The New York Times)

Members Reviews:

Bagel Story

A short book for bagel lovers and those interested in understanding how Jewish history and the bagel are intertwined. My bagel consumption has increased with my knowledge of both my people's history and my families staple brunch food. Not a wonderful book in terms of scale, sweep, or narrative alacrity. But the best bagel book I know about - which makes it worth reading for that reason alone.

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Title: Patrick Henry: Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!

Author: Patrick Henry

Narrator: David Ian Davies

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-08-10

Publisher: One Voice Recordings

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 13 votes

Genres: History, American

Publisher's Summary:

The year is 1775. The colonies are reaching the boiling point. Dissention and anxiety fill the air of St. John's Church. The day is March 28 as the delegates search for a focus in their unhappy state of affairs with the British Commonwealth. Then a man raises his voice to speak, and as he speaks, his words begin to etch the course of American history.

Editorial Reviews:

Against ambient crowd noise suggesting the dissension, anxiety, and passion of the time, Colonial patriot Patrick Henrys history-altering speech, delivered March 23, 1775 to the delegates of the Second Virginia Convention, is performed with conviction and fury. Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and other founding fathers were among the original audience who listened as farmer, attorney, and politician Henry proposed that the grievances were too great; that caution and patience with England be put aside; and that every Virginia county begin to raise volunteer cavalry and infantry companies to defend their rights.

Members Reviews:

and set an example of virtue and principles that sure seems like to my humble self

Get ready to have your mind blown. Patrick henry may very well be all that stood in the way of tyranny on a few occasions.

He definitely influenced a myriad of people, thinking, understanding, and set an example of virtue and principles that sure seems like to my humble self, saved America.

Adoring Account

Governor Henry's papers and various other source material have become available for the first time in 1887 and the author sets about to correct the record as it stands in the few written accounts and only [at the time] biography available of Patrick Henry. The author, Moses Coit Tyler, explains his motivations in his Preface.

This is a long-since, out-of-print book that is certainly very much worth your read. Be aware at the onset, however, that history from this period can be saccharine, sometimes to the point of outlandishness. You will be pleasantly impressed with the detail and insight in the early chapters and maybe nonplussed with the author's hyper-adoration in his latter chapters.

This author has a point to prove - that being that Governor Patrick Henry is one of the MOST laudable of the Founders. Most 21st century readers are willing to accept their heros bearing the blemishes of humanity: in the 19th century, heros were apparently acceptable only in saintly perfection. Tyler is probably correct in his high esteem for Governor Henry; but, the historian who begins his research with a point to prove, often ends as an author who has sacrificed impartiality, leaving readers unsure of where facts begin and end, or how to refine fact from hyperbole.

Much of the appeal of the book is viewing history from a different chronological perspective, but as good as it is...don't let this be your only biography of Henry. You will find a very appealing Patrick Henry with a less mawkish delivery in Thomas S. Kidd's:Patrick Henry: First Among Patriots.

-----kindle edition-----

Well done, given the analogue to digital transfer process and the editing that goes with it. Page numbers are awkwardly left within the text and while there is a Table of Contents - it does NOT transfer to the kindle's menu choices. Notes are found at the end of each chapter and are properly hyperlinked to the text. There is an extensive bibliography and a very well done, hyperlinked index. At the price ($0) you can't go wrong.

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Title: Bond of Union

Subtitle: Building the Erie Canal and the American Empire

Author: Gerard Koeppel

Narrator: Dennis Stone

Format: Unabridged

Length: 17 hrs and 25 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-22-10

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 30 votes

Genres: History, American

Publisher's Summary:

Conceived in the early 1800s and completed in 1825, the Erie Canal was the boldest and biggest American engineering project of its century, with enduring political, social, and economic effects. It was the Erie Canal that first opened up the West to American enterprise and imagination, bringing vast riches and a far-reaching vision to a rapidly expanding nation. In this compelling narrative, author Gerard Koeppel tells the complete, sweeping story of the creation of the canal, and of the memorable characters who turned a visionary plan into a successful venture.

Koeppels extensive research includes major new findings about the construction of the canal as well as its enormous impact. Bond of Union provides a unique perspective on Manifest Destiny and the beginning of Americas self-perception as an empire destined to expand to the Pacific.

Members Reviews:

Perhaps the Hardcopy would be better

The book as written by Gerard Koeppel is excellent. I am a history buff who has lived 2 score in upstate New York, and as a 10 year old kid I learned most of NY geography from navigation charts more than a few times going up and down the NYS Barge Canal System. Although may only be to those ears are used to the idiosyncratic pronunciations of the Algonquin, Iroquois, Dutch, and German vocabulary that form the bulk of the names in the New York Gazetteer, I really wish they had found a narrator indigenous to area, at the very least someone who knows how to properly pronounce the word "CANAL !" We use a hard "C" and either emphasize each syllable equally or the first stronger Can as in Can-ale, and not "Gun-nail" with a hard "G"

Boring!

Long, real long string of bio after bio after bio. Seemed to have very little content about the actual canal, but everthing you would want to know about all the obscure personalities involved, year after year after year, person after person after person. Bored me to absolute tears! Can't finish. Gives no feel of the period or effort of a monumental task.