Historical Audiobooks

Reconstruction and the Rise of Jim Crow: 1864–1896

Reconstruction and Rise of Jim Crow describes the fallout of the Civil War, whose aftermath left the United States South angry and poor. This book details the struggles to decide how to deal with the newly freed slaves, through the years of Reconstruction, Jim Crow, sharecropping, and segregation. The story line also sets the stage for the country’s next battle, which is between the Jim Crow laws and the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments.

Christopher Collier, James Lincoln Collier (Author), Jim Manchester (Narrator)

Audiobook

With a Mighty Hand

For thousands of years, the stories contained within the Torah — the first five books of the Hebrew Bible — have been passed down, revered, studied, and wondered at. From Adam and Eve, Noah and the Flood, and Abraham’s near-sacrifice of Isaac, through Jacob and his twelve sons, Joseph and his coat of many colors, and finally to Moses, who led his people out of slavery in Egypt and accepted God’s Ten Commandments, these stories tell the history of the Jewish people and their relationship with God. In this unique volume, author Amy Ehrlich adapts the five books of the Torah into a single narrative, focusing on the familiar stories and figures while retaining the complex beauty of the sacred text. Fine artist Daniel Nevins brings these stories to resonant life with his evocative and luminous paintings. The result is a gift for listeners and families to savor, share, and treasure.

Amy Ehrlich (Author), Francis J Spieler, Francis J. Spieler, Kate Udall (Narrator)

Audiobook

Listening for Lucca

I'm obsessed with abandoned things.' Siena's obsession began a year and a half ago, around the time her two-year-old brother Lucca stopped talking. Now Mom and Dad are moving the family from Brooklyn to Maine hoping that it will mean a whole new start for Lucca and Siena. She soon realizes that their wonderful old house on the beach holds secrets. When Siena writes in her diary with an old pen she found in her closet, the pen writes its own story, of Sarah and Joshua, a brother and sister who lived in the same house during World War II. As the two stories unfold, amazing parallels begin to appear, and Siena senses that Sarah and Joshua's story might contain the key to unlocking Lucca's voice.

Suzanne LaFleur (Author), Ariadne Meyers (Narrator)

Audiobook

Children of the Dust Bowl: The True Story of the School at Weedpatch Camp

This is the compelling story of the “Okie” migration to California and of the construction and life of a remarkable school at a farm workers’ camp. This memorable book provides a glimpse of a neglected period of American history and tells a story of prejudice being transformed into acceptance and despair into hope. “Stanley’s text is a compelling document…The story is inspiring and disturbing, and Stanley has recorded the details with passion and dignity.”—Booklist

Jerry Stanley (Author), Fred Sullivan (Narrator)

Audiobook

Al Capone Does My Homework

Alcatraz Island in the 1930s isn't the most normal place to grow up, but it's home for Moose Flanagan, his autistic sister, Natalie, and all the families of the guards. When Moose's dad gets promoted to Associate Warden, despite being an unlikely candidate, it's a big deal. But the cons have a point system for targeting prison employees, and his dad is now in serious danger. After a fire starts in the Flanagan's apartment, Natalie is blamed, and Moose bands with the other kids to track down the possible arsonist. Then Moose gets a cryptic note from the notorious Al Capone himself. Is Capone trying to protect Moose's dad too? If Moose can't figure out what Capone's note means, it may be too late. The last heart-pounding installment in the New York Times bestselling, Newbery Honor-winning Alcatraz trilogy is not to be missed! "Superlative historical fiction." --School Library Journal (starred review for Al Capone Shines My Shoes)

Gennifer Choldenko (Author), Kirby Heyborne (Narrator)

Audiobook

A Century of Immigration: 1820–1924

History is dramatic—and the renowned, award-winning authors Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier demonstrate this in a compelling series aimed at young readers. Covering American history from the founding of Jamestown through present day, these volumes explore far beyond the dates and events of a historical chronicle to present a moving illumination of the ideas, opinions, attitudes and tribulations that led to the birth of this great nation. A Century of Immigration reviews the century of 1820 through 1920, in which there were two waves of immigration to the United States. This book discusses the varied motivations and nationalities of these new Americans, as well as the effects of mass immigration on the country as a whole, and the rise of antiforeign sentiments among more recent immigrants. “Although many history books for children aim only at an objective presentation of the facts, the Colliers have opted for interpretational history…by focusing on broad themes, the Colliers are able to show cause and effect over several decades and to make the sweep of time ‘bite-sized’ and intelligible.”—School Library Journal

Christopher Collier, James Lincoln Collier (Author), Jim Manchester (Narrator)

Audiobook

Indians, Cowboys, and Farmers and the Battle for the Great Plains: 1865–1910

This is American history at its most basic. Believing that students get “lost in a swamp of factual information,” the Colliers survey the essential concepts of settling the Great Plains, without a great deal of detail. For example, in describing the sequence of events that led to the Grattan Massacre, there is no mention of date, location, or names of the people involved. Without prior knowledge, readers would not know it was the Grattan Massacre. Topics addressed include Native American history prior to contact with whites and conflicts with settlers and the military, ranching and cowboys, railroads, and reform movements that sought to help farmers and regulate big business. While the focus of this book is on political and institutional history, it does mention the contributions of women and minorities. The illustrative material-photographs, campaign posters, political cartoons, advertisements, graphs, maps, and reproductions of paintings by famous Western artists George Catlin, Charles Russell, and Frederic Remington-is outstanding. References to other books in the series that further explain a topic are scattered throughout the text.

Christopher Collier, James Lincoln Collier (Author), Jim Manchester (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Rise of Industry, 1860-1900

History is dramatic—and the renowned, award-winning authors Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier demonstrate this in a compelling series aimed at young readers. Covering American history from the founding of Jamestown through present day, these volumes explore far beyond the dates and events of a historical chronicle to present a moving illumination of the ideas, opinions, attitudes and tribulations that led to the birth of this great nation. The Rise of Industry gives a detailed account of the industrialization of America in the last decades of the nineteenth century. It includes descriptions of the technological advances of the late 1800s, poor working conditions, the rise of large corporations and labor unions, and eventual government regulation.

Christopher Collier, James Lincoln Collier (Author), Jim Manchester (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Rise of the Cities: 1820–1920

History is dramatic—and the renowned, award-winning authors Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier demonstrate this in a compelling series aimed at young readers. Covering American history from the founding of Jamestown through present day, these volumes explore far beyond the dates and events of a historical chronicle to present a moving illumination of the ideas, opinions, attitudes, and tribulations that led to the birth of this great nation.  The Rise of the Cities discusses the factors leading to the settlement and growth of cities in the United States and examines some of the social problems that are part of city life. The authors explore the role of technological advances, governing strategies, and social welfare. “Continuing the Colliers’ noteworthy series, The Drama of American History, these volumes concentrate on what the authors call ‘the basic themes of the American story’…Two highly readable and informative volumes.”—Booklist

Christopher Collier, James Lincoln Collier (Author), Jim Manchester (Narrator)

Audiobook

Ghost Hawk

On the winter day Little Hawk is sent into the woods alone, he can take only a bow and arrows, the tomahawk his father crafted, and the amazing metal knife that his father traded for with the new white settlers. If Little Hawk survives three moons by himself, he will be a man. But his triumphant return is crushed by the death of his entire village by disease. The rest of his life is shaped by interactions between his people and the new settlers. John Wakely is ten when his father dies, but he has already experienced the warmth and friendship of the native tribes. He is a minority in the settlements, though. When he is apprenticed to a barrel-maker, John sees how quickly the relationships between settlers and natives are deteriorating. Through his lifelong friendship with Little Hawk, John develops his beliefs in tolerance and acceptance. The intertwining stories of Little Hawk and John Wakely are a fascinating tale of friendship illuminating the history of our nation.

Susan Cooper (Author), Jim Dale (Narrator)

Audiobook

I Survived #09: I Survived the Nazi Invasion, 1944

In one of the darkest periods in history, one boy struggles to survive... In this gripping new addition to the bestselling I Survived series, a young Jewish boy joins the resistance "partisan" fighters outside the Warsaw ghetto. Does he have what it takes to survive the Nazis--and fight back?

Lauren Tarshis (Author), Johnathan McClain (Narrator)

Audiobook

Die Geheimnisse von Troja

Warum ist der Mythos Troja bis heute so faszinierend? Wolfgang Korn begibt sich auf eine Spurensuche, die quer durch die Ilias führt. Worum ging es den griechischen Helden und Göttern, die gegeneinander kämpften, intrigierten und ihr Leben aufs Spiel setzten? Und wie geriet Troja erst in Vergessenheit, um im 19. Jahrhundert neu entdeckt zu werden?

Wolfgang Korn (Author), Andrea Moos, Dominik Freiberger, Hartmut Stanke, Louis Friedemann Thiele (Narrator)

Audiobook