Historical Audiobooks

The Flying Leave

"Ethel Lina White was born on the 2nd April 1876 in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, in Wales.Her family were wealthy due to her father’s invention of a waterproofing material used, initially, for the London Underground.Ethel started writing when she was only a child and published essays and poems in children’s papers. She was also a talented artist.As an adult she began to write short stories and, some years later, she started writing novels. At the time she was working for the Ministry of Pensions in London but resigned in order to accept an advance of ten pounds and begin a career as a novelist. It was this determination that helped her become one of the best-known crime writers in the English-speaking world during the 1930’s and 40’s.Perhaps her best-known books are the ‘The Lady Vanishes’ and ‘The Spiral Staircase’ both of which were originally entitled differently but were republished with new names after being filmed. Whilst today she lacks attention, in her day she was as popular and as highly regarded as Agatha Christie.Ethel Lina White died in London on the 13th of August 1944 of ovarian cancer. She was 68.In her will she made a bizarre condition in order for her sister to receive her estate of £5737. It read: "I give and bequeath unto Annis Dora White all that I possess on condition she pays a qualified surgeon to plunge a knife into my heart after death." In life she had a fear of being buried alive."

Ethel Lina White (Author), Robert Maskell (Narrator)

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American Civil War Stories Not by Ambrose Bierce

"In this series we listen to short stories that are NOT by perhaps the most well-known author of this type. But the many other rich talents in the volume may have treated the subject matter a little differently, or were perhaps just overlooked in the stampede to applaud the winner, but these authors are of equal merit. Each of their works is laden with talent, has purpose, and is rich and textured in this gloried niche of literature.1 - American Civil War Stories Not by Ambrose Bierce - An Introduction2 - The Locket by Kate Chopin3 - The Brothers by Louisa May Alcott4 - The Namesake by Willa Cather5 - The Veteran by Stephen Crane6 - The Man Without a Country by Edward Everett Hale7 - My Red Cap by Louisa May Alcott8 - Christmas Eve in War Times by Edward Payson Roe9 - The Gray Man by Sarah Orne Jewett"

Edward Everett Hale, Edward Payson Roe, Kate Chopin, Louisa May Alcott, Sarah Orne Jewett, Stephen Crane, Willa Cather (Author), Christopher Ragland, Eric Meyers, Laurel Lefkow (Narrator)

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Paris Short Stories Not by Guy de Maupassant

"In this series we listen to short stories that are NOT by perhaps the most well-known author of this type. But the many other rich talents in the volume may have treated the subject matter a little differently, or were perhaps just overlooked in the stampede to applaud the winner, but these authors are of equal merit. Each of their works is laden with talent, has purpose, and is rich and textured in this gloried niche of literature.1 - Paris Short Stories Not by Guy de Maupassant - An Introduction2 - The Murders in the Rue Morgue - Part 1 by Edgar Allan Poe3 - The Murders in the Rue Morgue - Part 2 by Edgar Allan Poe4 - The Burial of the Rats by Bram Stoker5 - The Daughter of Lilith by Anatole France6 - The Namesake by Willa Cather7 - The Leather Funnel by Arthur Conan Doyle8 - A Terribly Strange Bed by Wilkie Collins9 - The Purloined Letter by Edgar Allan Poe10 - His Secret Sin by Aleister Crowley11 - The Mysterious Card by Cleveland Moffet12 - The Sixth Bench by Robert Barr13 - The Supreme Illusion by Arnold Bennett14 - The Mystery of Marie Rogêt - Part 1 by Edgar Allan Poe15 - The Mystery of Marie Rogêt - Part 2 by Edgar Allan Poe"

Aleister Crowley, Anatole France, Arnold Bennett, Bram Stoker, Cleveland Moffet, Edgar Allan Poe, Robert Barr, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Wilkie Collins, Willa Cather (Author), Christopher Ragland, David Shaw-Parker, Richard Mitchley (Narrator)

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Psychological Russian Stories Not by Dostoyevsky

"In this series we listen to short stories that are NOT by perhaps the most well-known author of this type. But the many other rich talents in the volume may have treated the subject matter a little differently, or were perhaps just overlooked in the stampede to applaud the winner, but these authors are of equal merit. Each of their works is laden with talent, has purpose, and is rich and textured in this gloried niche of literature.1 - Psychological Russian Stories Not by Dostoyevsky - An Introduction2 - Diary of a Madman by Nikolai Gogol3 - The Lie by Leonid Andreyev4 - Morphine by Mikhail Bulgakov5 - Her Lover by Maxim Gorky6 - The Signal by Vsevolod Garshin7 - The General's Will by Vera Jelihovsky8 - Dethroned by I N Potapenko9 - The Servant by S T Semyonov10 - The Revolutionist by Mikhail Petrovich Artzybashev11 - The City by Leonid Andreyev12 - In the Steppe by Maxim Gorky13 - Silence by Leonid Nikolaevich Andreyev14 - A Red Flower by Vsevolod Garshin"

I N Potapenko, Leonid Andreyev, Leonid Nikolaevich Andreyev, Maxim Gorky, Mikhail Bulgakov, Mikhail Petrovich Artzybashev, Nikolai Gogol, S T Semyonov, Vera Jelihovsky, Vsevolod Garshin (Author), David Shaw-Parker, Elliot Fitzpatrick, Richard Mitchley (Narrator)

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The Foundations of Fiction - French Realism

"In this series we turn the pages of classic short stories to put together the literary building blocks of how a particular genre or theme began, how it built its foundations to become the well-loved and well-worn genre that it is today.Do authors have the same ideas at more or less the same time? Or can they sniff out an opportunity as to which way the tastes of an audience are moving. Success undoubtedly builds success and in literary terms we can more politely say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and the surest way to reach a hungry readership is to build on the fortune and flair of your literary colleagues. The canon of French authors is both vast and incredibly talented. They have a way of creating characters and describing events to assemble stories with worlds that enthral us.One of the genres they do particularly well is French Realism and here, in this volume, we have many masters of the craft including Victor Hugo, Guy de Maupassant, Emile Zola and Honore de Balzac and a long roll-call of others.01 - Foundations of Fiction - French Realism - An Introduction2 - Two Little Soldiers by Guy de Maupassant3 - Claude Gueux by Victor Hugo4 - The Return of Martin Guerre by Alexandre Dumas5 - Suicides by Guy de Maupassant6 - Three Wars by Emile Zola7 - The Grave by Guy de Maupassant8 - The Atheist's Mass by Honore de Balzac9 - The Maison Tellier by Guy de Maupassant10 - The Siege of Berlin by Alphonse Daudet11 - The Kiss by Guy de Maupassant12 - Mateo Falcone by Prosper Merimee13 - The Piece of String by Guy de Maupassant14 - La Grande Breteche by Honore de Balzac15 - The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant"

Alexandre Dumas, Alphonse Daudet, Emile Zola, Guy De Maupassant, Honore de Balzac, Prosper Merimee, Victor Hugo (Author), David Shaw-Parker, Elliot Fitzpatrick, Richard Mitchley (Narrator)

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The Foundations of Fiction - Russian Realism

"In this series we turn the pages of classic short stories to put together the literary building blocks of how a particular genre or theme began, how it built its foundations to become the well-loved and well-worn genre that it is today.Do authors have the same ideas at more or less the same time? Or can they sniff out an opportunity as to which way the tastes of an audience are moving. Success undoubtedly builds success and in literary terms we can more politely say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and the surest way to reach a hungry readership is to build on the fortune and flair of your literary colleagues. Throughout literary history Russian writing has been both applauded and lauded as fiction of the first rank. It’s authors down the decades are many and each of them has consummate talents and knowledge that few, if any, can argue with. In this volume we present stories that explain and reveal Russian Realism, in ways that are absorbing, startling and capture a world with precise and literary verve.01 - Foundations of Fiction - Russian Realism - An Introduction2 - Diary of a Lunatic by Leo Tolstoy3 - Gooseberries by Anton Chekhov4 - An Honest Thief by Fyodor Dostoyevsky5 - Mumu by Ivan Turgenev6 - Old Fashioned Landowners by Nikolai Gogol7 - The City by Leonid Andreyev8 - Twenty-Six Men and a Girl by Maxim Gorky9 - Gentle Breathing by Ivan Bunin10 - The Signal by Vsevolod Garshin11 - The Revolutionist by Mikhail Petrovich Artzybashev12 - Dethroned by I N Potapenko13 - The General's Will by Vera Jelihovsky14 - Misery by Anton Chekhov15 - The Rendezvous by Ivan Turgenev16 - The Jew by Ivan Turgenev17 - The Bet by Anton Chekhov18 - The Murderer by Mikhail Bulgakov19 - Aloysha the Pot by Leo Tolstoy20 - The Peasant Marey by Fyodor Dostoyevsky21 - Her Lover by Maxim Gorky22 - About Love by Anton Chekhov23 - The District Doctor by Ivan Turgenev24 - Morphine by Mikhail Bulgakov25 - Silence by Leonid Andreyev"

Anton Chekhov, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, I N Potapenko, Ivan Bunin, Ivan Turgenev, Leo Tolstoy, Leonid Andreyev, Maxim Gorky, Mikhail Bulgakov, Mikhail Petrovich Artzybashev, Nikolai Gogol, Vera Jelihovsky, Vsevolod Garshin (Author), David Shaw-Parker, Mark Rice-Oxley, Richard Mitchley (Narrator)

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Death at Morning House

"An instant New York Times and Indie bestseller! From the bestselling author of the Truly Devious books, Maureen Johnson, comes a new stand-alone YA about a teen who uncovers a mystery while working as a tour guide on an island and must solve it before history repeats itself. The fire wasn’t Marlowe Wexler’s fault. Dates should be hot, but not hot enough to warrant literal firefighters. Akilah, the girl Marlowe has been in love with for years, will never go out with her again. No one dates an accidental arsonist. With her house-sitting career up in flames, it seems the universe owes Marlowe a new summer job, and that’s how she ends up at Morning House, a mansion built on an island in the 1920s and abandoned shortly thereafter. It’s easy enough, giving tours. Low risk of fire. High chance of getting bored talking about stained glass and nut cutlets and Prohibition. Oh, and the deaths. Did anyone mention the deaths? Maybe this job isn’t such a gift after all. Morning House has a horrific secret that’s been buried for decades, and now the person who brought her here is missing. All it takes is one clue to set off a catastrophic chain of events. One small detail, just like a spark, could burn it all down—if someone doesn’t bury Marlowe first. * Chicago Public Library Best Teen Fiction 2024 * Horn Book Fanfare 2024 Booklist * Children's Book Council Favorites Award List 2025 * Edgar Award Nominee *"

Maureen Johnson (Author), Katherine Littrell (Narrator)

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The New Camelot

"Sayeth it ain't so! The finale to the epic Emry Merlin trilogy is here, with all the sorcery, snark, and high stakes that made The Other Merlin one of Publishers Weekly's Best Books of the Year! Everything is finally going right for Emry Merlin. Now that Arthur is the king and her wayward magic is under control, she's enjoying life as Camelot's official court wizard-and as Arthur's girlfriend. But when an unexpected visitor arrives at court, Emry finds her hard-won position threatened. And Arthur is torn between listening to his advisors and following his heart. Even more troubling, war is on the horizon, with King Yurien's access to dark magic ensuring Camelot's doom. That is, unless Emry, Arthur, and Lance can find a way to defeat the evil sorceress Bellicent with magic from her own world. But undertaking a quest to Anwen is perilous business, and our young heroes will face many obstacles on their journey-from dangerous beasts to suspicious nobles to cursed maidens determined to find someone to marry. Can Emry and Arthur save their kingdom and fix their relationship, or will they have to choose between their future and Camelot's?"

Robyn Schneider (Author), Rosie Jones (Narrator)

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Bridge Across the Sky

"A "lyrical and introspective" (Publishers Weekly, starred review) historical novel in verse about a Chinese teen who immigrates to the United States with his family and endures mistreatment at the Angel Island Immigration Station while trying to navigate his own course in a new world. Tai Go and his family have crossed an ocean wider than a thousand rivers, joining countless other Chinese immigrants in search of a better life in the United States. Instead, they're met with hostility and racism. Empowered by the Chinese Exclusion Act, the government detains the immigrants on Angel Island in the San Francisco Bay while evaluating their claims. Held there indefinitely, Tai Go experiences the prison-like conditions, humiliating medical exams, and interrogations designed to trick detainees into failure. Yet amid the anger and sorrow, Tai Go also finds hope—in the poems carved into the walls of the barracks by others who have been detained there, in the actions of a group of fellow detainees who are ready to fight for their rights, in the friends he makes, and in a perceived enemy whose otherness he must come to terms with. Unhappy at first with his father's decision to come to the United States, Tai Go must overcome the racism he discovers in both others and himself and forge his own version of the American Dream."

Freeman Ng (Author), Eric Yang (Narrator)

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[German] - Agency for Scandal - Die 'Agency for Scandal'-Reihe, Band 1 (Ungekürzte Lesung)

"Brave Ladys folgen den Regeln - mutige schreiben ihre eigenen. Historical Romance mit feministischer Detektiv-Handlung: Das perfekte Wohlfühl-Hörbuch für alle Hörer*innen ab 13! Izzy Stanhope hat viele Geheimnisse: etwa, dass sie Hals über Kopf in einen Duke verliebt ist, der nicht einmal weiß, dass sie existiert. Oder dass ihre Familie hoch verschuldet ist, was niemand je erfahren darf. Und dann ist da noch die Tatsache, dass sie mühelos jedes Schloss knacken kann und sich regelmäßig als Straßenjunge verkleidet. Denn Izzy arbeitet in einer besonderen, rein weiblichen Detektei: Zusammen mit anderen Detektivinnen deckt sie Skandale in der High Society auf, bewahrt Frauen vor dem Verruf und zieht mächtige Männer zur Rechenschaft. Als Izzy in einen Juwelendiebstahl verwickelt wird, setzt sie nicht nur den Ruf ihrer Familie aufs Spiel, sondern auch ihr Herz. Denn ausgerechnet 'ihr' Duke ist tiefer in den Fall verstrickt, als Izzy lieb ist. Zudem besitzt er das nervtötende Talent, ihre sorgsam gehüteten Geheimnisse eines nach dem anderen ans Licht zu bringen ... Historical Romance mit einer cleveren Detektivin und jeder Menge Glamour, Intrigen und Feminismus: Das Cosy Crime-Buch für alle Hörer*innen ab 13! Zum Niederknien charmant, modern und überaus romantisch ... Jane Austen wäre entzückt!Der perfekte Hörstoff für Fans von Anatomy, Enola Holmes und den Bridgerton-Geschichten"

Laura Wood (Author), Nora Schulte (Narrator)

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Fort Sumter's Flame: How Secession and Lincoln's Election Lit the Civil War

"'Fort Sumter's Flame: How Secession and Lincoln's Election Lit the Civil War' delves deep into the turbulent months leading up to the American Civil War, when the nation teetered on the edge of destruction. This meticulously researched book traces the chain of events that began with Abraham Lincoln's election in 1860, which sent shockwaves through the Southern states, igniting their cries for secession. As tensions escalated, the focus of the nation's turmoil turned to Fort Sumter, a small federal outpost in Charleston Harbor. Here, the first shots of the Civil War were fired, sparking a conflict that would define the nation's future. Authoritative and compelling, 'Fort Sumter's Flame' explores the political and social factors that fueled the secessionist movement and brings to life the key figures whose decisions set the stage for war. The book vividly portrays a divided nation where compromise seemed impossible and conflict inevitable. From the bitter debates in Congress to the anxious uncertainty of everyday Americans, this book captures the passion, fear, and resolve that led to the Civil War. Through gripping narratives and insightful analysis, 'Fort Sumter's Flame' offers readers a front-row seat to the events that transformed the United States forever. It's an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the origins of America's most devastating conflict and the enduring legacy of the Civil War."

Davis Truman (Author), John Sullivan (Narrator)

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The Great Escapes of the American Civil War: The History of the Most Daring Prisoner Breakouts durin

"During the Civil War, armies took many soldiers captive, but they also captured some civilians as well, such as sutlers, nurses, teamsters, and other service personnel. In addition, both the Union and the Confederacy imprisoned deserters, sympathizers with the enemy, traitors, and draft dodgers. The numbers cited vary somewhat, and often, precise numbers should be regarded with caution because the official numbers do not account for everyone. One somewhat authoritative total is that Confederates confined 7,092 Union officers and 179,091 enlisted men in prison camps, along with 1,962 civilians, for a total of 188,145 (Stack 3). By comparison, the Union captured 35,782 officers, 426,852 enlisted men, and 13,535 Confederate civilians, but this total is misleading because it includes the troops that surrendered when the war ended, including the commands of Robert E. Lee, Joseph E. Johnston, Richard Taylor, and Edmund Kirby Smith. Almost all the troops who surrendered at the end of the war were immediately paroled and allowed to go home. A commonly cited estimate is that 215,000 Confederate and 195,000 Union soldiers were prisoners of war in one of the various prison camp facilities. There were 32 sizable Confederate camps during the war, half of them in South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. Of the Union prisoners, 2,696 escaped from prison, and 3,170 others joined the Confederate armies. Of the Confederates, 2,098 escaped, and 5,432 joined the Union forces. 94,000 Union troops were paroled, and 248,599 Confederates were also released on parole (Stack 4).That said, the number of escapees cited are best regarded as estimates rather than exact totals - record-keeping was accurate in some places and inaccurate in others, and as the Confederacy was in its last months, chaotic conditions prevailed."

Charles River Editors (Author), KC Wayman (Narrator)

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