Showing results by author "in60Learning" in All Categories

Cleopatra was the last Egyptian pharaoh who ruled over Egypt, though her leadership was fraught with peril and political intrigue from the Greco-Roman sphere. She was the only member of her Greek family who bothered to learn the language of her people, and this dedication to the good of Egypt would be reflected in the way she ruled.

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.

Robespierre was a poor, well-educated activist and politician who would seize power during the French Revolution...today he is not remembered for his work on universal male voting rights, price controls for basic food needs, and abolishing slavery...but for his Reign of Terror. How did an intelligent man driven by morals of freedom and justice end up executing thousands in a mad grab to maintain power? Follow his fascinating descent from the Hero of the Republic to its true enemy.

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.

Fred Astaire, 1899 to 1987, born Frederick Austerlitz, was an icon and extremely influential American dancer, singer, actor, and choreographer. Although Astaire refused dance lessons at first, he quickly picked up choreography and showed himself to be a natural talent; he also began learning various instruments. Overall, Astaire’s stage and film and television career spanned 76 years. Astaire starred in more than 10 Broadway musicals, over 30 musical films, and numerous television specials, radio specials, and recordings.

In 2017, the 29th Sultan of Brunei, Hassanl Bolkiah, celebrated his Golden Jubilee, marking his 50th year in power. Bolkiah negotiated Brunei's independence from the British Empire in 1978, a freedom which they achieved in 1984. The first sultan to also serve as Prime Minister, Bolkiah has ruled over this prosperous nation ever since. He is officially the world's wealthiest monarch thanks to his country's oil and gas reserves. Whether you know him for his extravagant lifestyle or his political work establishing Shari'ah Law, the Sultan of Brunei is a powerful leader.

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.

Many associate Mahatma Gandhi with peace, but this should not be confused with passivity. Gandhi was an activist who helped India achieve independence from Britain, advocated for Indian rights in South Africa and at home, and improved the lives of India’s “untouchable” people. He did this all through nonviolent activism and thoughtful reflection on the nature of the injustices he saw around him. This short biography reveals the life experiences that made Gandhi an inspirational peacemaker with an international legacy.

Vladimir Putin is the current president of Russia, serving in his third term since 2012. He started his career as an intelligence officer and politician. Raised and educated in the Soviet Union, he saw great prosperity and growth during his first term. His leadership has been fraught with accusations and scandals, particularly in his handling of human rights and justice cases, as well as his alleged involvement in the United States politics.

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.

Historians consider the Haitian Revolution the most successful slave revolt in all of history. Though many fought in the rebellion, one man ensured their victory: Toussaint Louverture. With his political savvy and leadership skills, this former slave helped the inhabitants of what was then called Saint Domingue to challenge their French oppressors.

Nikola Tesla, the lesser-known peer of Thomas Edison, invented the X-ray, wireless communication, the electric motor, and more. His greatest contribution, however, lies hidden in the groundwork he laid for future innovation. So many of the technological advancements we enjoy today are thanks to an eccentric scientist from Croatia who tested his far-fetched ideas without fear of failure.

The Industrial Revolution took place in Europe and the United States from the 1760s to the 1840s. It began in Great Britain, stimulated by expanding trade and the rise of business. The era saw a transition from methods of manual production to the use of machines and new manufacturing processes. This transition was marked by technical innovation, the harnessing of steam and water power, the development of machine tools, and the birth of mechanized factories.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Will Rogers (1879 to 1935), born William Penn Adair, was an American stage and film actor, vaudeville performer, and newspaper columnist, known primarily for his humor and social commentary. He is significant in that he was a Cherokee citizen born in the Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory (now part of Oklahoma). During Rogers’ long career, he made over 70 films and wrote more than 4,000 newspaper columns. Rogers was born in 1935 and was raised and worked on his parents' ranch The Dog Iron Ranch in the Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory.

Dolley Madison (1768 to 1849) born Dolley Payne, was the fourth first lady of the United States and wife of James Madison, founding father and fourth president of the United States. Madison is now most famous for holding large Washington social functions to which members of both political parties where invited. Dolley Madison, essentially, helped create the concept of bipartisan cooperation and furthered the idea that both parties could socialize, debate, and negotiate with each other amicably and without descending into violence.

Cornelius Vanderbilt (1794 to 1877) was an American business magnate whose wealth and significance was rooted in the shipping industry and the development of railroads. Cornelius was also the patriarch of the extremely wealthy influential Vanderbilt family. During the 1850s and beyond, Vanderbilt took an interest in various US railroads, and bought, invested in, and developed various railroad routes, not only earning a vast amount of wealth but also, as some historians have stated, expanded America’s transportation infrastructure, transforming the very geography of the United States.