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In the autumn of 1913 John Reed was sent to Mexico by the Metropolitan Magazine to report the Mexican Revolution. He shared the perils of Pancho Villa's army for four months, present with Villa's Constitutional Army when it defeated Federal forces at Torreón, opening the way for its advance on Mexico City. Reed's time with the Villistas resulted in a series of outstanding magazine articles that brought Jack a national reputation as a war correspondent. Reed deeply sympathized with the plight of the peons and vehemently opposed American intervention, which came shortly after he left. Jack adored Villa, while Carranza left him cold. Jack's Mexican reports were later republished in book form as Insurgent Mexico , which appeared in 1914. (Summary from Wikipedia)...

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History, War stories

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East by West: a Journey in the Recess is an account of British journalist Henry Lucy's travels across America and on to the Far East during the parliamentary recess in 1883. Lucy was one of the most influential journalists of his day and, as Toby M.P., a noted humorist in Punch magazine. His acute powers of observation and light touch make this a most engaging book. It is a fascinating insight into the Englishman's travels abroad within two decades of the American Civil War and the end of Japanese isolationism. This is the first of two volumes covering his journey with his wife. This first volume includes his travels in America and in Japan, including the Atlantic and Pacific crossings by steamer. Volume II, which I hope to record later, continues his experiences in Japan and India, returning home via Aden and the Suez Canal. (Introduction by Ruth Golding)...

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Travel, Memoirs, History

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National Geographic Magazine Volume 1 Number 2 published in 1889. Topics of articles are: Africa, its Past and Future Reports on: Geography of the Land Geography of the Sea Geography of the Air Geography of Life (Summary by Guero)...

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Memoirs, Nature, Science

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Mark Twain's work on Joan of Arc is titled in full Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc, by the Sieur Louis de Conte. De Conte is identified as Joan's page and secretary. For those who've always wanted to get behind the Joan of Arc story and to better understand just what happened, Twain's narrative makes the story personal and very accessible. The work is fictionally presented as a translation from the manuscript by Jean Francois Alden, or, in the words of the published book, Freely Translated out of the Ancient French into Modern English from the Original Unpublished Manuscript in the National Archives of France. It was originally published as a serialization in Harper's Magazine beginning in 1895 and later published in book form in 1896. However the Harper's editors decided to cut 12 chapters that describe much of Joan's Great Trial, saying the chapters were not suitable for serialization since, They will not bear mutilation or interruption, but must be read as a whole, as one reads a drama. This recording contains the complete text! De Conte is a fictionalized version of Joan of Arc's page Louis de Contes, and provides narrativ...

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Historical Fiction, History, Memoirs, War stories

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Phoebe Yates Pember served as a matron in the Confederate Chimborazo military hospital in Richmond, Virginia, during the Civil War, overseeing a dietary kitchen serving meals to 300 or more wounded soldiers daily. Reminiscences of a Southern Hospital is her vivid recounting of hospital life and of her tribulations (and personal growth) as a female administrator. To follow her from day one, when she is greeted with “ill-repressed disgust” that “one of them had come,” and she, herself, “could only understand that the position was one which dove-tailed the offices of housekeeper and cook” to the day when she as exerts control over the hospital’s “medicinal whiskey barrel” is to watch a woman find herself. Besides describing “daily scenes of pathos,” Pember gives a horrifying account of the prisoner exchange of November 1864 (“living and dead . . . not distinguishable”), and also of the evacuation and burning of Richmond in 1865. Her memoirs were serialized in Cosmopolite magazine in 1866, then reprinted in book form in 1879 under the title A Southern Woman’s Story. Pember was honored by the US Postal Service with a stamp in 1995. (Summ...

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Memoirs, History, War stories

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The Journal of Submarine Commander Von Forstner is a graphic account of WWI submarine warfare. Forstner was the commander of German U-boat U-28. His journal, first published 1916, gives a gritty picture of daily life inside a submarine and details several torpedo attacks on Allied shipping. The 1917 translation of Forstner’s journal into English was unquestionably intended to bolster the Allied war effort. In the foreword, the translator states: “Nothing at the present day has aroused such fear as this invisible enemy, nor has anything outraged the civilized world like the tragedies caused by the German submarines.” This audio read of Forstner’s journal was prompted by a tour of a captured WWII German U-505 submarine, which is a prime draw at Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry. The sub’s interior is not for claustrophobics--a hunkered maze of pipes and valves, banks of engines and batteries that leave very little room for humans. Particularly arresting are the sleeping quarters--bunks cozy’d up with the 15 foot long torpedoes. (Introduction by Sue Anderson)...

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Adventure, History, Memoirs, Sea stories, War stories

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The expedition of Messrs. Lewis and Clarke, for exploring the river Missouri, and the best communication from that to the Pacific Ocean, has had all the success which could be expected. They have traced the Missouri nearly to its source; descended the Columbia to the Pacific Ocean, ascertained with accuracy the Geography, of that interesting communication across the continent; learned the character of the country, its commerce and inhabitants; and it is but justice to say that Messrs. Lewis and Clarke, and their brave companions, have, by this arduous service, deserved well of their country. This volume is the 1840 edition with woodcut images and an Indian vocabulary. They may be viewed by clicking on the text URL. (Summary in quotes by President Thomas Jefferson)...

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History, Travel

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In this biography for young adults, Mary A. Hamilton gives a British person’s perspective on the 16th President of the United States. A glowing tribute to “Honest Abe”, the author traces Lincoln’s ancestral roots and recounts his birth in Kentucky, his youth in Indiana, his adult life in Illinois and his years in the White House. She also provides a good background on the causes and course of the American Civil War. Hamilton is not always historically precise. For example, she erroneously names Jefferson Davis as the Southern Democratic candidate for president running against Lincoln and Douglas in 1860 rather than John C. Breckinridge. However, overall “The Story of Abraham Lincoln” is a good summarization and interesting account of the life, values and politics of Lincoln. Cautions: Chapter 7 contains a single use of an epithet for African-Americans in a quotation from a British magazine. Chapter 8 ends with an example of a stereotypical Southern black dialect which many may find offensive. (Summary by John Lieder.)...

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History, Children, Biography

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East by West: a Journey in the Recess is an account of British journalist Henry Lucy's travels across America and on to the Far East in 1883, within two or three decades of the American Civil War, the Indian Mutiny and the end of Japan's isolation from the western world. Lucy was one of the most influential journalists of his day and, as Toby M.P., a noted humorist in Punch magazine. His acute powers of observation and light touch make this a most engaging book. This is the second of two volumes and covers his experiences in Japan, India and other parts of south-east Asia, returning home via Aden and the Suez Canal. The /east-by-west-vol-i-by-henry-w-lucy/ first volume included his travels in America and in Japan, including the Atlantic and Pacific crossings by steamer. Note: In Chapter 6, Lucy understandably, to a readership wholly unfamiliar with Japan, includes lengthy statistics about Japan's systems and economy. While the reader of the can glance at such tables and move swiftly on, this is not possible in an audiobook. Accordingly, I have made two versions of Chapter 6. The first version is completely unabridged. In the alterna...

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History, Memoirs, Travel

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Charles Beard was the most influential American historian of the early 20th century. He published hundreds of monographs, textbooks and interpretive studies in both history and political science. He graduated from DePauw University in 1898, where he met and eventually married Mary Ritter Beard, one of the founders of the first greek-letter society for women, Kappa Alpha Theta. Many of his books were written in collaboration with his wife, whose own interests lay in feminism and the labor union movement. In 1921, Charles and Mary Beard published their textbook: History of the United States. A contemporaneous review stated: The authors… assume enough maturity in…students to justify a topical rather than a chronological treatment. They have dealt with movements, have sketched large backgrounds, have traced causes, and have discussed the interrelation of social and economic forces and politics. All this has been directed to the large purpose of helping the student to understand American today in all its national characteristics and as part of world civilization as well...The literary style is exceptionally clear and crisp, and the whole...

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History

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Charles Beard was the most influential American historian of the early 20th century. He published hundreds of monographs, textbooks and interpretive studies in both history and political science. He graduated from DePauw University in 1898, where he met and eventually married Mary Ritter Beard, one of the founders of the first greek-letter society for women, Kappa Alpha Theta. Many of his books were written in collaboration with his wife, whose own interests lay in feminism and the labor union movement.In 1921, Charles and Mary Beard published their textbook: History of the United States. A contemporaneous review stated: The authors… assume enough maturity in…students to justify a topical rather than a chronological treatment. They have dealt with movements, have sketched large backgrounds, have traced causes, and have discussed the interrelation of social and economic forces and politics. All this has been directed to the large purpose of helping the student to understand American today in all its national characteristics and as part of world civilization as well..The literary style is exceptionally clear and crisp, and the whole a...

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History

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Η Ιστορία του Θουκυδίδη εξιστορεί τα πρώτα 20 χρόνια του πολέμου μεταξύ της Αθήνας και της Σπάρτης, που κράτησε από το 431 μέχρι το 404 π.Χ. και είναι γνωστός ως Πελοποννησιακός Πόλεμος. Είναι έργο ζωής ενός καλλιεργημένου, ευσυνείδητου και δραστήριου ανθρώπου, που προσφέρει μια διεισδυτική ματιά στα γεγονότα της εποχής του και την ανθρώπινη φύση. Το αρχαίο κείμενο διαβασμένο με σύγχρονη νεοελληνική προφορά. Βιβλίο 5 από τα 8. Thucydides' Histories is the history of the first 20 years of the war between Athens and Sparta, which lasted from 431 until 404 B.C., also known as the Peloponnesian War. It is the life's work of a very sophisticated, efficient and active man which gives us a deep insight to the occurences of his time and human nature. Ancient text read with contemporary Greek pronunciation. Book 5 of 8. (Summary by olorou)...

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Ancient Texts, Classics (antiquity), Sea stories, War stories

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Η Ιστορία του Θουκυδίδη εξιστορεί τα πρώτα 20 χρόνια του πολέμου μεταξύ της Αθήνας και της Σπάρτης, που κράτησε από το 431 μέχρι το 404 π.Χ. και είναι γνωστός ως Πελοποννησιακός Πόλεμος. Είναι έργο ζωής ενός καλλιεργημένου, ευσυνείδητου και δραστήριου ανθρώπου, που προσφέρει μια διεισδυτική ματιά στα γεγονότα της εποχής του και την ανθρώπινη φύση. Το αρχαίο κείμενο διαβασμένο με σύγχρονη νεοελληνική προφορά. Βιβλίο 4 από τα 8. Thucydides' Histories is the history of the first 20 years of the war between Athens and Sparta, which lasted from 431 until 404 B.C., also known as the Peloponnesian War. It is the life's work of a very sophisticated, efficient and active man which gives us a deep insight to the occurences of his time and human nature. Ancient text read with contemporary Greek pronunciation. Book 4 of 8. (Summary by olorou)...

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Ancient Texts, Classics (antiquity), Sea stories, War stories

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Η Ιστορία του Θουκυδίδη εξιστορεί τα πρώτα 20 χρόνια του πολέμου μεταξύ της Αθήνας και της Σπάρτης, που κράτησε από το 431 μέχρι το 404 π.Χ. και είναι γνωστός ως Πελοποννησιακός Πόλεμος. Είναι έργο ζωής ενός καλλιεργημένου, ευσυνείδητου και δραστήριου ανθρώπου, που προσφέρει μια διεισδυτική ματιά στα γεγονότα της εποχής του και την ανθρώπινη φύση. Το αρχαίο κείμενο διαβασμένο με σύγχρονη νεοελληνική προφορά. Βιβλίο 2 από τα 8. Thucydides' Histories is the history of the first 20 years of the war between Athens and Sparta, which lasted from 431 until 404 B.C., also known as the Peloponnesian War. It is the life's work of a very sophisticated, efficient and active man which gives us a deep insight to the occurences of his time and human nature. Ancient text read with contemporary Greek pronunciation. Book 2 of 8. (Summary by olorou)...

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Ancient Texts, History, War stories

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Robert Surcouf (* 12. Dezember 1773 in Saint-Malo, Frankreich; † 8. Juli 1827 in Saint-Malo) war während der Revolutionskriege französischer Kaper gegen Großbritannien. Er fügte dem englischen Handel bei seinen Kaperfahrten in insgesamt 50 Monaten auf See beträchtliche Verluste zu, 47 feindliche Schiffe wurden erobert oder versenkt. Karl May verfasste unter dem Pseudonym Ernst von Linden das Seemannsbild von Robert Surcouf als semihistorische Erzählung für die Publikation: Deutscher Hausschatz in Wort und Bild. 8. Jg. 1881/82. Heft 18. Regensburg, New York, Cincinnati (1882). Nr. 50, S. 795. (Summary by Wikipedia, Zeno & Wassermann)....

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History

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Η Ιστορία του Θουκυδίδη εξιστορεί τα πρώτα 20 χρόνια του πολέμου μεταξύ της Αθήνας και της Σπάρτης, που κράτησε από το 431 μέχρι το 404 π.Χ. και είναι γνωστός ως Πελοποννησιακός Πόλεμος. Είναι έργο ζωής ενός καλλιεργημένου, ευσυνείδητου και δραστήριου ανθρώπου, που προσφέρει μια διεισδυτική ματιά στα γεγονότα της εποχής του και την ανθρώπινη φύση. Το αρχαίο κείμενο διαβασμένο με σύγχρονη νεοελληνική προφορά. Βιβλίο 3 από τα 8. Thucydides' Histories is the history of the first 20 years of the war between Athens and Sparta, which lasted from 431 until 404 B.C., also known as the Peloponnesian War. It is the life's work of a very sophisticated, efficient and active man which gives us a deep insight to the occurences of his time and human nature. Ancient text read with contemporary Greek pronunciation. Book 3 of 8. (Summary by olorou)...

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Ancient Texts, History, War stories, Sea stories

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Η Ιστορία του Θουκυδίδη εξιστορεί τα πρώτα 20 χρόνια του πολέμου μεταξύ της Αθήνας και της Σπάρτης, που κράτησε από το 431 μέχρι το 404 π.Χ. και είναι γνωστός ως Πελοποννησιακός Πόλεμος. Είναι έργο ζωής ενός καλλιεργημένου, ευσυνείδητου και δραστήριου ανθρώπου, που προσφέρει μια διεισδυτική ματιά στα γεγονότα της εποχής του και την ανθρώπινη φύση. Το αρχαίο κείμενο διαβασμένο με σύγχρονη νεοελληνική προφορά. Βιβλίο 1 από τα 8. Thucydides' Histories is the history of the first 20 years of the war between Athens and Sparta, which lasted from 431 until 404 B.C., also known as the Peloponnesian War. It is the life's work of a very sophisticated, efficient and active man which gives us a deep insight to the occurences of his time and human nature. Ancient text read with contemporary Greek pronunciation. Book 1 of 8. (Summary by olorou)...

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War stories, History, Ancient Texts

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Richard II by William Shakespeare is the first of eight plays that portray a historically-informed version of the War of the Roses - beginning in about 1365 and ending with Richard III's death in 1485.Edited by J. M. Smallheer and John Gonzalez. (Summary by Cori) Characters: Narration, Keeper, and Lord - read by Annie Coleman King Richard II and First Servant - read by Peter Yearsley Northumberland and Gaunt - read by Chip Bolingbroke - read by Kayvan Sylvan Aumerle - read by John Gonzalez Henry Percy - read by Michael Sirois York - read by Martin Clifton Mowbray - read by Mark F. Smith Surrey and Willoughby - read by Nikolle Doolin Salisbury - read by David Barnes Bushy and Carlisle - read by Cecelia Prior Bagot, Abbot, Scroop, and Exton - read by Linton Green - read by deadwhitemales Queen Isabel - read by Joy Chan Duchess of York - read by Kristen McQuillin Berkeley - read by Rainer Ross - read by Mr. Baby Man Fitzwater and Groom - read by Sean McKinley Marshal - read by Lenny Glionna Jr. Captain and First Herald - read by Hugh Mac Duchess of Gloucester - read by Gesine Lady - read by Maureen S. O'Brien Gardener, Second Herald, a...

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History, Tragedy

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Among the great wars of history there are few, if any, instances of so long and successfully sustained a struggle, against enormous odds, as that of the Seven Years' War, maintained by Prussia--then a small and comparatively insignificant kingdom--against Russia, Austria, and France simultaneously, who were aided also by the forces of most of the minor principalities of Germany. The population of Prussia was not more than five millions, while that of the Allies considerably exceeded a hundred millions. Prussia could put, with the greatest efforts, but a hundred and fifty thousand men into the field, and as these were exhausted she had but small reserves to draw upon; while the Allies could, with comparatively little difficulty, put five hundred thousand men into the field, and replenish them as there was occasion. That the struggle was successfully carried on, for seven years, was due chiefly to the military genius of the king; to his indomitable perseverance; and to a resolution that no disaster could shake, no situation, although apparently hopeless, appall. Something was due also, at the commencement of the war, to the splendid d...

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Adventure, Historical Fiction, War stories

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Perceiving that much of the intrinsic value of these Journals would consist in a proper understanding of the historical facts to which allusions are made in them, I prevailed upon Mr. LOSSING, the well-known author of the _Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution_ to illustrate and elucidate these diaries by explanatory notes. His name is a sufficient guaranty for their accuracy and general usefulness (Summary from the introduction)...

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Memoirs, History