Biography & Memoir Audiobooks

The Only Woman In the Photo: Frances Perkins & Her New Deal for America

Most people know about President FDR, but do you know the woman who created his groundbreaking New Deal? As a young girl, Frances Perkins was very shy and quiet. But her grandmother encouraged Frances to always challenge herself. When somebody opens a door to you, go forward. And so she did. Frances realized she had to make her voice heard, even when speaking made her uncomfortable, in order to fight injustice and build programs to protect people across the nation. So when newly-elected President Franklin Delano Roosevelt finally asked Frances to be the first female Secretary of Labor and help pull the nation out of the Great Depression, she knew she had to walk through that open door and forward into history. In this empowering, inspirational biography, discover how the first woman to serve in a presidential cabinet led the charge to create the safety net that protects American workers and their families to this day.

Kathleen Krull (Author), Madeleine Maby (Narrator)

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Anna Strong: A Spy During the American Revolution

Anna Smith Strong (1790-1812) was a fearless woman who acted as a spy for George Washington during the Revolutionary War. Recruited by Washington's spymaster Major Benjamin Tallmadge, she joined the Culper Ring, a group of American spies. General Washington placed a huge amount of trust in his spies, and Anna helped pass him important messages at great risk to herself and her family. One of her cleverer devices was to hang laundry on the line in a planned fashion so that other spies could read the "message." Had she been discovered by the British, she would have faced jail or execution. Thrilling and dramatic, Anna Strong tells the story of how one brave woman helped change the course of American history.

Sarah Glenn Marsh (Author), Heather Lind (Narrator)

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Pirate Queen: A Story of Zheng Yi Sao

The most powerful pirate in history was a woman who was born into poverty in Guangzhou, China, in the late eighteenth century. When pirates attacked Zheng Yi Saos town and the captain took a liking to her, she saw a way out. She agreed to marry him only if she got an equal share of his business. When her husband died, she took command of the fleet. On land and sea, Zheng Yi Saos power rivaled that of the emperor himself. Over the next decade, the pirate queen built a fleet of more than 1,800 ships and 70,000 men. Time and again, her ships triumphed over the emperors ships. When she was ready to retire, the pirate queen surrendered on her own terms, of course. Zheng Yi Saos story is told in lyrical prose by award-winning author Helaine Becker. Liz Wongs colorful, engaging illustrations capture the courage and grit of this remarkable woman. An authors note provides historical context and outlines the challenges of researching a figure about whom little is known.

Helaine Becker (Author), Catherine Ho (Narrator)

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To Fly Among the Stars:A True Story of the Women and Men Who Tested to Become America's First Astro

A searing look at the birth of America's space program, and the men and women aviators who set its course. In the 1960s, locked in a heated race to launch the first human into space, the United States selected seven superstar test pilots and former military air fighters to NASA's astronaut class--the Mercury 7. The men endured grueling training and constant media attention for the honor of becoming America's first space heroes. But a group of 13 women--accomplished air racers, test pilots, and flight instructors--were enduring those same astronaut tests in secret, hoping to defy social norms and earn a spot among the stars. With thrilling stories of aviation feats, frustrating tales of the fight against sexism, and historical photos, To Fly Among the Stars recounts an incredible era of US innovation, and the audacious hope of the women who took their fight for spaceflight all the way to Washington, DC.

Rebecca Siegel (Author), Saskia Maarleveld (Narrator)

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Isaac Newton

Kathleen Krull’s biographies for young readers have received accolades from publications such as Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal, and here she profiles Sir Isaac Newton—the father of calculus and the man who pioneered studies of gravity What was Isaac Newton like? Secretive, vindictive, withdrawn, obsessive, and, oh, yes, brilliant. His imagination was so large that, just “by thinking on it,” he invented calculus and figured out the scientific explanation of gravity. Yet Newton was so small-minded that he set out to destroy other scientists who dared question his findings. This compelling portrait of Newton, contradictions and all, places him against the backdrop of 17th-century England, a time of plague, the Great Fire of London, and two revolutions. Krull details Newton’s lonely childhood, his education, and his sometimes tumultuous relationship with contemporaries in this captivating and concise look at one of history’s greatest geniuses.

Kathleen Krull (Author), Tavia Gilbert (Narrator)

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I am Sacagawea

Sacagawea, the only Native American included in Lewis and Clark's historic expedition, joins the inspiring list of heroes whose stories are told in this New York Times Bestselling biography series.   Sacagawea was the only girl, and the only Native American, to join Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery, which explored the United States from the Mississippi River all the way to the Pacific Ocean in the early 1800s. As a translator, she helped the team communicate with members of the Shoshone tribe across the continent, carrying her child on her back the whole way. By the time the expedition arrived at the west coast, Sacagawea had proved that she truly was a trailblazer.   This friendly, fun biography series focuses on the traits that made our heroes great-the traits that kids can aspire to in order to live heroically themselves. Each entry tells the story of one of America's icons in a lively, conversational way that works well for the youngest children and that always includes the hero's childhood influences.

, Brad Meltzer, Various (Author), Tanis Parenteau (Narrator)

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Grandma's Gardens

From mother-daughter team Hillary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton comes a celebration of family, tradition and discovery, and an ode to mothers, grandmothers and the children they love. Grandma Dorothy shared her love of gardens with her daughter, Hillary, and her granddaughter, Chelsea. She taught them that gardens are magical places to learn, exciting spaces for discovery, quiet spots to spend time with family and beautiful areas to share stories and celebrate special occasions. But most of all, she taught them that in her gardens, her love grew and blossomed. In this inspiring and heartwarming mother-daughter story, Hillary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton team up to show readers how sharing the things we love with the people we love can create powerful, everlasting bonds between generations. Praise for Grandma's Gardens: 'A deeply affectionate tribute to the bounty of nature and the love of gardening.' --Publishers Weekly 'Filled with mindfulness, the story inspires children to reflect on family and keep memories alive.' --Booklist

Chelsea Clinton, Hillary Clinton (Author), Chelsea Clinton, Hillary Clinton (Narrator)

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I Am Leonardo da Vinci

The famous Renaissance artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci is the twentieth hero in the New York Times bestselling biography series. This friendly, fun biography series focuses on the traits that made our heroes great--the traits that kids can aspire to in order to live heroically themselves. Each book tells the story of an icon in a lively, conversational way that works well for the youngest nonfiction readers and that always includes the hero's childhood influences. AThis book features Leonardo da Vinci, the Renaissance artist and inventor.

Brad Meltzer (Author), Bailey Carr, Danny Campbell, Edoardo Ballerini, Johnny Heller, Oliver Wyman (Narrator)

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Habemus Papam - Von Johannes Paul II. zu Benedikt XVI. (gekürzte Lesung)

Siebzehn Tage nach dem Tod von Johannes Paul II. wurde unerwartet rasch und mit offenbar großer Stimmenzahl der deutsche Kardinal Joseph Ratzinger zu dessen Nachfolger gewählt und die Freude in aller Welt war übergroß, als der Papst auf den Balkon über dem Petersplatz trat, um sein Amt zu beginnen als einfacher Arbeiter im Weinberg des Herrn, wie er sich selbst beschreibt. Hinter ihm liegen schwere Wochen: vor den Augen der Welt hielt er für seinen Vorgänger den Trauergottesdienst. Das nahezu öffentliche Sterben von Johannes Paul II. hat zahllose Menschen tief bewegt und die Fernsehbilder von der Trauerfeier im Vatikan waren überwältigend: Staatsoberhäupter, Kirchen- und Religionsführer aus allen Erdteilen verneigten sich gemeinsam mit einer riesigen Menge einfacher Gläubiger vor dem schlichten Sarg des Papstes. Eines der längsten und wohl bedeutendsten Pontifikate war zu Ende gegangen. Andreas Englisch, Jahrgang 1963, hat Johannes Paul II. rund um den Erdball begleitet; auch das Hörbuch seines Bestsellers 'Johannes Paul II.' erschien bei Audiobuch. Er lebt seit 1987 als Journalist in Rom und berichtet regelmäßig aus dem Vatikan. In 'Habemus Papam' berichtet Englisch über die Entwicklungen im Vatikan am Lebensende des schwerkranken Johannes Paul II.; er schildert im Detail die Umstände des Konklaves, zeichnet ein lebendiges Portrait des neuen Papstes und erklärt, warum Insider genau wussten, dass er zu den aussichtsreichsten Papabile zählte.

Andreas Englisch (Author), Johannes Steck (Narrator)

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Johannes Paul II. - Das Geheimnis des Karol Wojtyla (gekürzte Lesung)

Über achtzehn Jahre hat Andreas Englisch Papst Johannes Paul II. als Journalist im Vatikan und auf seinen Reisen rund um die Welt begleitet. Durch ihn bekommt der Zuhörer Einblicke in das Geschehen hinter den Kulissen des Kirchenstaats. Durch ihn lernt man Karol Wojtyla aus nächster Nähe kennen und verstehen. Woher bezog dieser ebenso umstrittene wie hochverehrte Papst seine Glaubensstärke? Andreas Englisch skizziert mit großem Insiderwissen eine ebenso einfühlsame wie humorvolle Biographie.

Andreas Englisch (Author), Wolf Frass (Narrator)

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Climate Rebels

Brought to you by Puffin. On the outskirts of the Milky Way, floating slowly through space, there hangs a planet unlike any other. It has oceans, deserts, jungles and mountains. It has life that swims, life that soars and life that swings through the trees. It is a place of dazzling variety and infinite wonder - and it's the only world we've got. Climate change is happening, now. But it's not too late to change the story. Meet the humans, from around the world, who are fighting to save our planet. This is your call to arms. Featuring 25 hopeful stories including Greta Thunberg, David Attenborough, Jane Goodall, Wangari Maathai - as well as lesser-known heroes, such as turtle-protector Len Peters, the guardians of the Amazon rainforest, and the poacher patrollers The Black Mambas. This book will transport you from the poles, to the oceans, to the rainforests, with iconic illustration. These are true stories to make you think, make you cry, make you hope - and these are stories to make us all stand together and protect our home. These stories are the proof that one person's small changes can grow into something big, and powerful, and world-changing. So read on to be inspired, as we take our future in our own hands, and together save Planet Earth - for all the living things that call it their home. © Ben Lerwill 2020 (P) Penguin Audio 2020

Ben Lerwill (Author), Maya Saroya, Prasanna Puwanarajah (Narrator)

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Thurgood Marshall

When Thurgood Marshall-the great-grandson of a slave-was born, African Americans were denied equal rights in America. Segregation was legal. Lynching was common. In some places, African Americans were entirely excluded from public life; they were forbidden to enter public parks and museums or use public swimming pools and restrooms.After being denied admission to the University of Maryland Law School because of his race, Marshall enrolled at Howard University. He graduated first in his class and set out as a young lawyer determined to achieve equality for all Americans. Here is the story of how he did it-how he devised his legal strategy for expanding "we the people" to include all people.Thurgood Marshall explores his life, from his childhood in Baltimore to his trailblazing career as a civil-rights lawyer and, finally, to his years as a United States Supreme Court justice.

Teri Kanefield (Author), David Sadzin (Narrator)

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