Historical Audiobooks

Building a New Nation: The Federalist Era, 1789–1801

Building a New Nation chronicles the development of the new government following the signing of the Constitution. It explores the political views of the young nation’s leaders as they struggled to form a strong nation, despite the foreign and domestic dilemmas that they faced. The authors describe the beginnings of the two-party system, the administrations of the first three presidents, and key decisions by each branch of the government that shaped the future of the country. 

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

Audiobook

Creating the Constitution: 1787

Using a narrative format, Creating the Constitution details the events leading up to the writing of the US Constitution and what American leaders went through to create it. The authors describe the conflicts between the new states and the delegates each sent to the Constitutional Convention, as well as the work that was done to resolve the many issues at hand.

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

Audiobook

Pilgrims and Puritans: 1620–1676

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. In Pilgrims and Puritans, the authors begin in the year 1620 in England and end in New England in the year 1676. The book recounts the religious, political, and social history of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and its influence on our lives today. The narrative follows various groups of settlers from their departure from England through arrival in the New World and their often violent conflicts with the native peoples of the Americas. The authors examine a number of issues that arose in the new society that was founded and the rise and fall of the “city on a hill.” 

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

Audiobook

The American Revolution: 1763–1783

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 American Revolution examines the people and events involved in the significant war by which the thirteen original colonies broke away from England. The authors explain the many sources of conflict between the Americans and the British government, how each side approached the problems, and the results of the escalating violence. “From the initial social and political unrest until the signing of the peace treaty in Paris in 1783, this text gives very interesting accounts from both sides of the ocean. Any instructor can easily integrate this book into the curriculum at the intermediate level and above, thus making history come to life for these students.”—Children’s Literature

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

Audiobook

Seaman: The Dog Who Explored the West with Lewis and Clark

It is 1804—a historic year in America—the year that Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and the Corps of Discovery set out for their now-legendary exploration of the Louisiana Purchase, departing St. Louis to travel across the country to the Pacific Ocean and back.  In this fictionalized biography of the journey based upon the journals of Lewis, Clark, and other members of the team, an unheralded member of the Corps, Seaman, a 150-pound Newfoundland dog, is introduced to young historians. Seaman travels the long journey with the Corps, serving a key role in the expedition’s success, catching and retrieving game, and protecting the expedition team from wild animals and hostile Indians.  Come along with Lewis, Clark, the Corps of Discovery, and Seaman as they meet Sacagawea who joins the expedition, form friendships with several Indian tribes, survive near-death encounters, grizzly bear attacks, and buffalo bull stampedes through the camp, cross the Continental Divide, overcome the wounding of their seemingly fearless leader, Meriwether Lewis, and rejoice as they return to civilization in 1806. “Once young readers begin this fictional account of the dog’s role in the expedition, they will be caught up in the drama and action, and even reluctant readers will find it just too good to put down.”—School Library Journal

Gail Langer Karwoski (Author), Charles Carroll (Narrator)

Audiobook

Saturnalia

It is December 1681, and the words of Mr. Baggot, the tithingman, terrify young William. William is living a strange double life. By day he is a printer’s apprentice living in a white man’s house. By night, he is Weetasket of the Narraganset tribe who must risk Baggot’s wrath to search for his lost brother. Then comes the winter celebration of the Saturnalia—the ancient Roman holiday on which masters and slaves trade roles. Will William’s secrets be revealed? And what dark deeds of others will be brought to light on this fateful night? “Delightful…Fleischman’s entertaining caricatures of such colonists as the piggish wigmaker and his devious, brazen manservant will bring many chuckles as the plot moves seriously through one narrow escape from danger after another. Readers enjoying a challenge will read straight through this short book and learn of prejudice in colonial life as well as bravery and character.”—Children’s Literature

Paul Fleischman (Author), Charlie Thurston (Narrator)

Audiobook

Ties That Bind, Ties That Break

Third Sister in the Tao family, Ailin has watched her two older sisters go through the painful process of having their feet bound. In China in 1911, all the women of good families follow this ancient tradition. But Ailin loves to run away from her governess and play games with her male cousins. Knowing she will never run again once her feet are bound, Ailin rebels and refuses to follow this torturous tradition. As a result, however, the family of her intended husband breaks their marriage agreement. And as she enters adolescence, Ailin finds that her family is no longer willing to support her. Chinese society leaves few options for a single woman of good family, but with a bold conviction and an indomitable spirit, Ailin is determined to forge her own destiny. Her story is a tribute to all those women whose courage created new options for the generations who came after them. “With the force and intensity of a memoir, the novel chronicles a heroine who creates her own destiny through events as dramatic as they are credible, and weaves in just enough political history to help readers understand the turbulent climate.”—Publishers Weekly

Lensey Namioka (Author), Emily Woo Zeller (Narrator)

Audiobook

The French and Indian War: 1660–1763

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 French and Indian War: 1660-1763 covers much more than the few years during which the English and French fought over the division of the North American continent in one of the most neglected periods of American history. In this volume in The Drama of American History series, authors Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier trace how England’s other rivals for control of America were eliminated over this period until the only source of conflict left would be between the British and their own colonists. This series offers a fairly unique approach to American history by focusing on core content rather than a blizzard of names and dates, giving listeners a good sense of not only what happened, but why, as England eliminated its competition.

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

Audiobook

The Apprentices

Two years have passed since Janie Scott last saw Benjamin Burrows, the mysterious apothecary"s defiant son who stole her heart. On the other side of the world, Benjamin and his father are treating the sick and wounded in the war-torn jungles of Vietnam.But Benjamin has also been experimenting with a magical new formula that allows him to communicate with Janie across the globe. When Benjamin discovers that she's in trouble, he calls on their friend Pip for help. The three friends are thrown into a desperate chase around the world to find one another, while unraveling the mystery of what threatens them all. Acclaimed author Maile Meloy seamlessly weaves together magic and adventure in this breathtaking sequel with stunning illustrations by Ian Schoenherr.

Maile Meloy (Author), Cristin Milioti (Narrator)

Audiobook

Infinity Ring #4: Curse of the Ancients

THE END OF HISTORY Sera has a secret. She's seen the future, and it is terrifying. Unfortunately, she can't do anything to prevent the Cataclysm while stranded with Dak and Riq thousands of years in the past. Their only hope lies with the ancient Maya, a mysterious people who claim to know a great deal about the future. Is there more to these ancients than meets the eye?

Matt De La Peña, Matt De la Pena (Author), Dion Graham (Narrator)

Audiobook

Kennedy's Last Days: The Assassination That Defined a Generation

Kennedy's Last Days is a gripping account of the events leading up to the most notorious crime of the twentieth century. Adapted from Bill O'Reilly's bestselling historical thriller, Killing Kennedy, this audiobook will have young listenersand grown-ups toohooked on this fascinating and colorful period of history. In the first term of his presidency, as the Cold War escalates, John F. Kennedy struggles to contain the growth of Communism while dealing with the many other complexities facing him as president of the United States. In the midst of a 1963 campaign trip to Texas, Kennedy is gunned down by an erratic young drifter named Lee Harvey Oswald. The former Marine Corps sharpshooter escapes the scene, only to be caught and shot dead while in police custody. With an unforgettable cast of characters, non-stop action, and vivid detail, Kennedy's Last Days is history that reads like a thriller. This is a very special audiobook, irresistible on its own or as a compelling companion to Killing Kennedy.

Bill O'Reilly (Author), Edward Herrmann (Narrator)

Audiobook

Sugar

Ten-year-old Sugar lives on River Road Plantation along the banks of the Mississippi River. Slavery is over, but working in the sugarcane fields all day doesn't make her feel very free. Thankfully, Sugar knows how to make her own fun, telling stories, climbing trees, and playing with forbidden friend Billy, the plantation owner's son. Then a group of Chinese workers arrives to help harvest the cane. Sugar wants to know everything about them - she loves the way they dress, their unfamiliar language, and, best of all, the stories they tell of dragons and emperors. Unfortunately, other folks on the plantation feel differently - they're fearful of these new neighbors and threatened by their different customs. Sugar knows things will only get better if everyone works together, so she sets out to help the two communities realize they're not so different after all. Sugar is the inspiring story of a strong, spirited young girl who grows beyond her circumstances and helps others work toward a brighter future.

Jewell Parker Rhodes (Author), Bahni Turpin (Narrator)

Audiobook