Showing results by author "in60Learning" in All Categories

The first monotheistic religion was born in ancient Persia, more than 2000 years before any other under the leadership of Zoroaster. As a lone philosopher and wanderer, Zoroaster traveled Persia to spread his teachings facing persecution, assassination attempts, and more. Dive into both Zoroaster's life and the beliefs of the faith practice Zoroastrianism, which is still alive today. Just as in ancient times, many practitioners are forced to survive persecution and violence in order to keep their cultural heritage alive.

The shift from the Paleolithic to Neolithic periods represents a watershed moment in human history. While many may consider the humans of both stone ages to be unintelligent barbarians, this brief history proves that the humans of yesteryear were just as smart as we are today. Between 10,000 BC and 2,000 BC, they instituted revolutionary changes in human life. All over the globe, formerly nomadic people began settling into villages, farming, and creating high-tech stone inventions.

Oliver Cromwell is one of the most controversial figures in British history. He managed to dethrone the monarchy and serve Britain as its only nonroyal lord protector. His unfortunate legacy, however, lies in his cruel treatment of the Irish. This brief history dives into the many dividing realities of Cromwell's life. It does not discriminate between the good and the bad but rather lays it all out so listeners can see for themselves what they think of this man who, after his funeral, was dug up and hung like a common peasant.

As the grandson of the one and only Genghis Khan, Kublai Khan had big shoes to fill. The Mongol Empire already spanned several countries and territories, but this didn’t satisfy Kublai. During his reign, he conquered southern China, Korea, and several other parts of southeast Asia, effectively doubling his empire. By the time of his death, people all over Asia and Europe knew his name. This book tells the life story of this infamous emperor of both Mongol and China who ruled from the legendary summer palace Xanadu.

San Francisco’s history precedes its name by several thousands of years. Though Europeans had settled in other parts of California much earlier, it wasn’t until 1769 that they stumbled upon the bay area. When the Spanish first arrived, they were floored by its natural beauty, which had been carefully maintained by its longtime residents, the Ohlone Indians.

The year was 1381. The English government had failed its lower classes time and again with repressive labor laws and high taxes, and the peasants had had enough. In an unprecedented outburst of force, the peasants revolted against their leaders in a bloody march on London, burning buildings and killing government officials. The movement didn’t end there, though; it spread all over England, with Richard II trailing behind to suppress it. This audiobook delivers the fascinating history of this historical event that forever changed not just British history, but the world’s history.

When Alexander the Great died, his empire collapsed in a rash of battles an in-fighting between his cavalcade of generals. The Wars of the Diadochi divided up his holdings and determined how much of the Mediterranean world would look for the next thousands of years. This audiobook jumps into this tumultuous conflict that lasted for nearly 100 years and impacted every person living in the ancient world. It would also be the conflict most responsible for spreading and consolidating Greek culture throughout the ancient world.

Greta Garbo, a Swedish-born American actress, holds her own as one of the top five female stars of the Hollywood Golden Years. The renowned silent film star remained mysteriously silent off-screen, too. This earned her the moniker of “Swedish sphinx,” an aura of mystique she cultivated despite her international stardom. After 20 years in film, she retired and spent the next 50 years as a recluse in New York; she made few public appearances, declining even to attend the 1954 Academy Awards to accept her special Academy Honorary Award.

Queen Victoria, 1819 to 1901, was the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland from 1837 until her death, and is one of the most widely recognised rulers in British history. Queen Victoria’s 63 year rule (a rule longer than any of her predecessors) coincided with an era of monumental changes and developments in industry, politics, science, and culture as well as the vast expansion of the British Empire across the globe; most significant of all being Britain’s colonial activity in India, so much so Queen Victoria earned the title of Empress of India in 1876.

The 20th US president, James A. Garfield, served for only 200 days before his untimely death. His widowed mother raised Garfield in poverty on an Ohio farm. He served as a general in the Civil War before serving his country in the House of Representatives. A passionate man, Garfield had many priorities when elected president - he wanted to reduce the national debt, build up education, and ensure Civil Rights were granted to all freed slaves. Yet his death came too quickly when a madman with a personal vengeance shot him, and a fumbling doctor failed to save his life.

This biography introduces listeners to Ramesses II's many accomplishments as both a warrior-king and a god-king. When he died at age 96, Egyptians believed him to be a higher deity than any who preceded him; in some ways, he achieved eternal life by living on in memory through the end of the Egyptian Empire and beyond.

With a name like Ivan the Terrible, it comes as no surprise that historians consider this Russian Tsar a psychopath. Yet Ivan’s personality consisted of many dualities. He channeled the Medieval era as he committed mass murder, but he also reformed Russia, centralizing it and bringing it into the Renaissance. He liked to torture animals, but he could also be found in church, banging his head in repentance until it bled. This introduction to his life explores the legacy he was born into and deftly contextualizes his cruelty within the era and culture of his rule.

Actor Marlon Brando, famous for his role in The Godfather, used his troubled childhood to fuel his work. Between two alcoholic parents, Brando grew up physically abused and emotionally underdeveloped. As an actor, he practiced the Stanislavski system, a kind of method acting where one draws emotions from past experiences to bring realism into a performance. This biography delves into the complicated life and career of this actor, director, and activist.

Anyone who likes to go out in a little black dress can thank Coco Chanel for making it fashionable. The French designer behind the iconic brand of haute couture grew up in poverty, though. Delve into this biography to learn all about the rags-to-riches life of this fashion icon.

Frank Sinatra, one of America's most iconic singers, entered the world a child of Italian immigrants living in New Jersey. After his expulsion from high school, Frank taught himself to sing and got his start in nightclubs. Sinatra's humble, rough-and-tumble youth didn't stop him from becoming one of the most successful musicians of the 20th century, however. He conquered the world of music and film both, but he struggled with mental health throughout his life. This biography examines the life of the man who, at the end of his lifelong career, looked back and said, "I did it my way."

Akhenaten is one of ancient Egypt's most famous pharaohs both for fathering Tutankhaten and being the only pharaoh bold enough to discard thousands of years of religious history in favor of a new god, the Sun-Disk Aten. Akhenaten single-handedly altered Egypt more on its own than it would be changed until outside Greek influence took over. The impact his changes had on the religion of Egypt during and after his life cannot be understated, and the ways in which his predecessors worked to undo everything he had done is a remarkable act of revisionist history.

When Pharaoh Thutmose II died, he left an heir far too young to rule Egypt. His widow Hatshepsut stepped up to take his place. For at least the next 20 years, Hatshepsut ruled as Pharaoh King of Egypt in an era of prosperous growth and peace. When she died, her nephew Thutmose III attempted to smear her good name and wipe her memory from history. However, despite his efforts, his aunt Hatshepsut holds the title of most famous native Egyptian woman to ever rule as pharaoh; she also retains a legacy as one of the most successful female leaders in early history.

Bob Hope (1903-2003) born Leslie Townes Hope, was an American comedian whose career spanned 78 years. During Hope’s long career, he achieved recognition as a stand-up comedian, a vaudevillian, an actor, a singer and dancer, an author, and even an athlete.

Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa was one of the greatest Romans who ever lived. A man of constant honor, he worked side by side with Augustus and was responsible for the marble masterpieces of architecture ancient Rome is known for today. He was a consul, general, architect, and statesman and lived his life according to a strict code of conduct. If not for his early death, the people of Rome were expecting him to be their next emperor. Explore his life and regal legacy and the incredible impact one person can have on the course of a nation's history.

The great Texan Sam Houston had an unusual upbringing: at age 16 he ran away from home to live with the Cherokee Indians. His three years with this adopted family shaped the course of his entire life. He went on to a life of military and political service, advocating all the while for the rights and protections of the Native Americans. He was elected first president of the Republic of Texas, saw to the union of Texas with the US, served as a general in the Mexican-American war, and became the first and only US governor to have previously been head of a foreign state.