Audiobooks discussion

From the discussions so far, History probably needs its own area.

Is this more historical time periods, rather than biographies of historical figures?

Biographies of (specific) historical figures would go in the "famous" thread.

Ah, ok, I guess I thought that was one more for autobiographical memoirs.

I wasn't sure where to put a recommendation for Laura Hillenbrand's Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption.

Alana wrote: "Ah, ok, I guess I thought that was one more for autobiographical memoirs.

I wasn't sure where to put a recommendation for Laura Hillenbrand's [book:Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resi..."

One of the best!

Alana wrote: "Ah, ok, I guess I thought that was one more for autobiographical memoirs.

I wasn't sure where to put a recommendation for Laura Hillenbrand's [book:Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resi..."

That one belongs here. History, as a somewhat arbitrary definition, ends roughly 1990's. After that, it would go in regular nonfiction.

So here is a good one for this genre...

"The Great Decision: Jefferson, Adams, Marshall and the Battle for the Supreme Court" - Written by: Cliff Sloan, David McKean - Narrated by: Peter Jay Fernandez

This one of those audible sale items that I now cherish. It still is the basis for how our government operates even today.

I just finished listening to "An Officer and a Spy" by Robert Harris, narrated by David Rintoul. Great story that reads like fiction, yet is historically accurate (from what I know). It is about the Dreyfus affair, France in the 1890's.

For those that like history that reads like fiction, I really liked "The Devil in the White City"
written by Erik Larson. Scott Brick does a good narration.

Alas, the New York Times reported the death of Louis Zamperini of Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption today. One of the greatest of 'the greatest generation'.

A www, I was hoping L Zamperini would make it to the release of the movie. The book was sooo good! He has such an amazing story. I was on vacation reading this book, traveling(driving) with my husband. There were parts I would read to my husband as we went along. Kind of neat that we got to share it. I laughed and cried....

Georgiana: Duchess of Devonshire (sold as "The Duchess" in the US) by Amanda Foreman, Perdita: The Literary, Theatrical, Scandalous Life of Mary Robinson by Paula Byrne, England's Mistress: The Infamous Life of Emma Hamilton by Kate Williams and Henrietta Howard: King's Mistress, Queen's Servant. All really well read, entertaining looks into 18th and 19th century history.

I really liked One Summer: America, 1927 by Bill Bryson too.

Oh and A Venetian Affair: A True Tale of Forbidden Love in the 18th Century is another great piece of history that reads like fiction. The narrator isn't great, but it didn't stop me getting wrapped up in the amazing story.

"They Have Killed Papa Dead!": The Road to Ford's Theatre, Abraham Lincoln's Murder, and the Rage for Vengeance, don't let the title mislead you like it did me. This was filled with new information that I had not read elsewhere. I made the mistake of sitting on it for a long time thinking it would not be a "serious" book based upon the title. I want to ensure others don't do the same. Highly recommend.

I am listening to Thunderstruck by Eric Larson, narrated by Bob Balaban. I'm enjoying it, but think I would have gotten more out of it in print. It seems characters appear out of no where. (I blame it on my doing other things while listening.) The main stories hold together just fine; it is only side characters I wonder about and it is not enough of a problem to drop the audio. It does mean I will look for Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania in print.

I would highly recommend Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania on audio it was really interesting!

A couple of oldies for you young folks.

Thomas B. Costain wrote 3 or 4 books about the Plantagenets. The first is The Magnificent Century but my favorite (and my favorite comfort read in high school) is The Last Plantagenets. Does that say something about me, that my favorite comfort read was a history book?.... hmmmm....

I also like Winston Churchill's four book series History of the English Speaking Peoples Also excellent, and it used to be used by quite a few home schooling parents to help teach world history. <><

I really enjoyed, and learned a lot from, The First Congress: How James Madison, George Washington, and a Group of Extraordinary Men Invented the Government. It's brand new.

Briar Rose wrote: "Georgiana: Duchess of Devonshire (sold as "The Duchess" in the US) by Amanda Foreman, Perdita: The Literary, Theatrical, Scandalous Life of Mary Robinson by Paula Byrne,..."

I second these recs. Although I should say that I prefer to read history books in print rather than in audiobook -- I like to be able to flag bits I want to remember etc. with post-it notes.

MissSusie wrote: "I would highly recommend Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania on audio it was really interesting!"

I was reading about the Lusitania the other day. I don't know what this books concludes about this aspect, but it now seems pretty clear that the ship was carrying explosive material of some sort, probably munitions, and that is why there was a second explosion after a single torpedo hit her.

HJ, I have listened to rDead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania. Officially it was declared as a passenger ship, but it did carry explosives. This is stated in the book. The submarine (view spoiler)[that blew it up probably didn't know that it had explosives. The British probably did know that the submarine was in the area, and thus should have told the Lusitania's company. There is a strong suspicion that the British didn't want to do this so that the US would be pushed into joining the war (hide spoiler)].

The audiobook is narrated by Scott Brick. Everybody loves this guy, but I don’t. The tempo is slow, exaggeratedly slow. Why does Brick do this? To increase suspense, to keep the listener hanging. This is not to my taste, but many adore this.

Started with a book then misplaced it, then found it, then finally finished it today with an audiobook. Great read/listen with clearly a lot of behind the scene access the public missed.

Can recommend the audio edition of Dead Presidents: An American Adventure into the Strange Deaths and Surprising Afterlives of Our Nation's Leaders.

I’ve recently finished listening to Cuba: An American History by Ada Ferrer



The Bomber Mafia: A Dream, a Temptation, and the Longest Night of the Second World War by Malcolm Gladwell

The misandric When Women Ruled the World: Six Queens of Egypt by Kara Cooney

Set in Medieval Spain. Narrated by Tanya Eby

The Ornament of the World: How Muslims, Jews, and Christians Created a Culture of Tolerance in Medieval Spain by María Rosa Menocal

Christine wrote: "Set in Medieval Spain. Narrated by Tanya Eby

[book:The Ornament of ..."

For those who like a little historical fantasy to go along with historical non-fiction, The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay provides an alternative world wherein this blending of religions/cultures is played out to sublime effect. Even though a fantasy, there is very little magical or supernatural content... unless you count the author's magical prose style. ;)