Showing titles in Historical

This audiobook describes what life was like for the Vikings, with an in-depth account of all aspects of the people at the time and how they lived their daily lives. Narrator Jason Zenobia talks us through plenty of amazing facts about Viking voyages, invasions, ships and religion, including fascinating information about gods such as Odin, Thor and Loki.

Thomas Edison holds a unique legacy in the United States, but there's no denying that his inventions have benefited the world as a whole. Known as "The Wizard of Menlo Park", every American knows that their nation's most prolific inventor harnessed the power of electricity to create the first light bulb. But that was just one of over 1,000 patents Edison would establish during his life, as he not only dreamed up new devices but also revolutionized the way materials were mass produced.

Thomas Jonathan Jackson is one of the most famous generals of the Civil War, but many of the people he continues to fascinate probably don't remember his whole name. That's because Jackson earned his famous "Stonewall" moniker at the First Battle of Manassas or Bull Run, when Brigadier-General Bee told his brigade to rally behind Jackson, whose men were standing like a stone wall. Ironically, it's still unclear whether that was a compliment for standing strong or an insult for not moving his brigade, but the nickname stuck for the brigade and the general itself.

The name "Geronimo" evokes a number of different emotions. Those who believed in 19th-century America’s "Manifest Destiny" viewed Geronimo and all Native Americans as impediments to God's will for the nation. Descendants of people killed by "hostile" natives certainly considered warriors like Geronimo to be murderers and thieves, whose cultures and societies held no redeeming values. Even today, many Americans associate the name Geronimo with a war cry, and the name Geronimo itself only came about because of a battle he fought against the Mexicans. Over time, however, the historical perception of the relationship between America and native tribes changed drastically.

Crockett had the distinction of being a living legend in his own life. Known as a hardscrabble frontiersman who could spin a good yarn but who also took a no-nonsense approach that brought him from the backwoods of Tennessee to the halls of Congress. Though he served during the presidency of another Westerner, Andrew Jackson, Crockett was very much his own man, and he was distrustful of other politicians, a sentiment that has only endured him further to subsequent generations of Americans.

Of all the colorful characters that inhabited the West during the 19th century, the most famous of them all is Wyatt Earp (1848-1929), who has long been regarded as the embodiment of the Wild West. Considered the toughest and deadliest gunman of his day.

Possibly the most important man of antiquity, and even all of history, was Julius Caesar. Alexander Hamilton, the famous American patriot, once remarked that "the greatest man who ever lived was Julius Caesar". Such a tribute, coming from one of the Founding Fathers of the quintessential modern democracy in reference to a man who destroyed the Roman Republic, is testament to the enduring mark that Caesar left upon the world.

Possibly the most important man of antiquity, and even all of history, was Julius Caesar. Alexander Hamilton, the famous American patriot, once remarked that "the greatest man who ever lived was Julius Caesar". Such a tribute, coming from one of the Founding Fathers of the quintessential modern democracy in reference to a man who destroyed the Roman Republic, is testament to the enduring mark that Caesar left upon the world.

Throughout his life, Crazy Horse tried to live the life his people had enjoyed for centuries. He never signed a treaty with the US government and was never photographed, largely because he wanted to avoid contact with the settlers encroaching further west upon Native American lands. By staying away from white settlements and military forts, he thus avoided the places where a photographer might be lurking.

Over 1500 years before Leonardo Da Vinci became the Renaissance man, antiquity had its own in the form of Archimedes, one of the most famous ancient Greeks. An engineer, mathematician, physicist, scientist, and astronomer all rolled into one, Archimedes has been credited for making groundbreaking discoveries, some of which are undoubtedly fact and others that are almost certainly myth.

In Charles River Editors' History for Kids series, your children can learn about history's most important people and events in an easy, entertaining, and educational way. The concise but comprehensive book will keep your kid's attention all the way to the end. Over 1500 years before Leonardo Da Vinci became the Renaissance Man, antiquity had its own in the form of Archimedes, one of the most famous Ancient Greeks.

The Renaissance spawned the use of the label "Renaissance Man" to describe a person who is extremely talented in multiple fields, and no discussion of the Renaissance is complete without the original "Renaissance Man", Leonardo da Vinci. Indeed, if 100 people are asked to describe Leonardo in one word, they might give 100 answers. As the world's most famous polymath and genius, Leonardo found time to be a painter, sculptor, architect, musician, scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, geologist, and cartographer.

Paul Revere is one of the most famous Americans in history and one of the first that schoolchildren learn about. Although he is known almost entirely for his legendary midnight ride before the Battles of Lexington and Concord today, in colonial Boston he was praised for the quality of the silver he made, and he was known for being one of the patriotic Sons of Liberty and a militiaman. With 16 children, Paul Revere supported his large family by doing everything from dentistry to casting church bells and engraving the most popular image of the Boston Massacre.

Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the most famous Americans in history and one of the most important men children can learn about. The life and legend of Dr. King have been told to every American, many of whom come away equating King with the civil rights movement as a whole, but King's life was about far more than leading movements and having dreams. History for Kids: The Illustrated Life of Martin Luther King Jr. humanizes the leader who constantly sought to better himself and desperately wanted to follow in his father's footsteps.

Loyal subjects, watch out! Some of history's royal leaders were just as vicious as they were powerful. These kings and queens stole, tortured, and murdered. Listen to this audiobook to discover the gruesome ways these rulers terrorized their enemies, their own people, and even their own blood.

Avast! Are ye' ready to sail the high seas with some of the world's most feared pirates? These accounts will do more than shiver your timbers. Come aboard to witness the ruthless methods of history's most petrifying pirates.

James Bond may be one of the good guys, but the spies in this book definitely aren't - nor are the traitors and assassins! Listen to this audiobook to uncover more secrets about history's most terrible assassins, traitors, and spies.

Robbery, smuggling, gambling - gangsters did it all. Find out the true stories of the United States' most feared hoodlums and mob bosses. Learn how a two-bit car thief built a criminal empire - and how the mob's top man wound up in prison.

Hang on to your wallet - and watch your neck! The most notorious outlaws were known for their fearless drive, their quick shot with a pistol, their odd trademarks, and their way of escaping the law over and over again. Are you brave enough to listen?

Travel back to 1916 with Ruth Bancroft Law to learn more about the early days of aviation in America. A remarkable pioneer, Law was one of the most daring, courageous, and successful aviators of her time. She set several records and inspired the nation with a bold and historic flight. In the process, she showed the world that women could be influential leaders and superb pilots.