Showing results for "History Wars" in Science & Engineering

Boarding an airplane strikes at least a small sense of fear into most people. Even though we all have heard that the odds of being struck by lightning are greater than the odds of perishing in a plane crash, it still doesn't feel that way. Airplane crashes might be rare, but they do happen, and they’re usually fatal. David Soucie insists that most of these deaths could be prevented. He’s worked as a pilot, a mechanic, an FAA inspector, and an aviation executive. He’s seen death up close and personal - deaths of colleagues and friends that might have been prevented if he had approved certain safety measures in the aircrafts they were handling.

Malcolm Gladwell, author of New York Times best sellers including Talking to Strangers and host of the podcast Revisionist History, uses original interviews, archival footage, and his trademark insight to weave together the stories of a Dutch genius and his homemade computer, a band of brothers in Central Alabama, a British psychopath, and pyromaniacal chemists at Harvard. As listeners hear these stories unfurl, Gladwell examines one of the greatest moral challenges in modern American history.

Dive into the captivating history of The Great War (World War I) with this engaging resource designed specifically for seventh and eighth-grade students. Explore the European events that set the stage for the conflict, understand the motivations behind Americas entry into the war, and reflect on the wars lasting impact on future generations. (Summary by James Christopher)

Dive into the richly detailed narrative of the Civil War, a Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece by Rhodes. This comprehensive overview not only chronicles the key battles and influential generals but also delves into the intricate politics, economics, and international relations of the era. Rhodes skillfully distinguishes between fact and opinion, ensuring clarity as he illuminates the strategies and mindsets that shaped this tumultuous period. Engaging and insightful, this account of the Civil War promises to captivate and educate readers alike. NOTE Footnotes will not be read but can be found...

Delve into the gripping saga of the Thirty Years War through this five-volume masterpiece, building on the success of Schiller’s earlier work, the History of the Revolt of the Netherlands. Crafted for a broader audience, this vivid narrative intertwines Schiller’s passion for human freedom with his rationalist optimism. In Volume 3, experience the tumultuous events from Gustavus Adolphuss decisive victory at Leipzig in late 1631 to his tragic death in the battle of Lutzen in November 1632. - Summary by Alan Winterrowd

Step back in time to an era when skilled horse trainers and veterinarians were the unsung heroes of the battlefield, akin to today’s “Mr. Goodwrench.” Just like a car breakdown on a desolate highway, a misbehaving or ailing horse could spell disaster in the heat of war. While many of the training methods discussed here are solid, its best to tread carefully with medical advice unless you want to become the local SPCA’s poster child! Tune in for a lighthearted listen, but remember to consult a professional before trying any techniques on real animals. (Mike Vendetti, narrator)

In this compelling third installment of a four-volume history of the First World War, we delve into the tumultuous events along the Ypres Salient from February 1916 to mid-November 1917. Buchan masterfully navigates the intricacies of this global conflict, providing listeners with a clear and engaging narrative that enhances our understanding without overwhelming us. - Summary by Lynette Caulkins

In this captivating fourth volume of a comprehensive four-part series on the First World War, we delve into the pivotal year of 1917, a time when Germany is undergoing a crucial reorganization and Russia teeters on the brink of collapse. Buchan masterfully navigates the intricate web of events, providing listeners with a clear and engaging understanding of the complexities of war, all without overwhelming detail. - Summary by Lynette Caulkins

In the second installment of this comprehensive four-volume series on the First World War, we delve into the tumultuous period from the commencement of the Dardanelles Campaign in September 1914 to the early stages of the Battle of Verdun, concluding in mid-April 1916. As noted by David Reader in volume one, the author adopts a formal approach, offering a sweeping overview filled with factual insights, all while viewing the events through the lens of patriotic British sentiment. - Summary by Lynette Caulkins

Dive into a captivating narrative that chronicles the world’s most significant conflict—the Great War. Written from the perspective of the United States and its Allies, this work offers an unvarnished look at the bloodiest and most destructive war in history, tracing its origins to its triumphant conclusion and the lasting impact it had on the globe. Our aim has been to combine clarity with depth; a compelling account of such monumental events should engage rather than confuse. With a foundation built on official documents from the battlegrounds and government archives, this work ...

Step back in time to 1917 with this captivating collection of letters penned by Theta, a budding aviator in the Royal Flying Corps. This charming volume offers a unique glimpse into the life of a pilot in training and active duty during World War I, blending heartfelt correspondence, whimsical poems, and vivid descriptions of flight. Even today, these writings resonate with adventure and camaraderie, making it a delightful read for anyone with a passion for aviation or history. - Summary by Lynette Caulkins

The Wars of the Roses, spanning from 1377 to 1471, were a tumultuous series of English civil wars fought for the throne of England, pitting two rival cadet branches of the House of Plantagenet—Lancaster and York—against each other. Scottish historian Robert Balmain Mowat (1883-1941) poignantly describes this era as witnessing the death of the old England and the beginning of the new. Amidst this chaos emerged formidable personalities the noble Richard of York, the cunning Warwick the Kingmaker, the multifaceted King Edward IV, and his fierce adversary, Margaret of Anjou, known as the true ...

The definitive history of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Pentagon agency that has quietly shaped war and technology for nearly sixty years. Founded in 1958 in response to the launch of Sputnik, the agency’s original mission was to create “the unimagined weapons of the...

This concluding volume of the 15-part series, The World’s Story, originally crafted by Eva March Tappan, delves deeply into the First World War. Edited by Horatio W. Dresser, it explores the events that led to the war, the fierce battles and innovative war machinery, alongside the intricate political and diplomatic maneuvers of the time. This volume also reflects on the profound human and financial costs of the conflict. - Summary by Sonia

Step into the harrowing world of World War I through the eyes of a remarkable war correspondent, as she recounts the fall of Antwerp to German forces during the early months of the conflict. This compelling narrative is filled with striking imagery and an immediate sense of urgency. While it occasionally stumbles into overly sentimental territory and fierce anti-German rhetoric, her account stands as a bold and passionate testament to the tragic events and the ordinary heroes who emerged from them. As a fortysomething journalist adorned in sable furs and speaking French with a distinct ...

Stalking the Red Bear, for the first time ever, describes the action principally from the perspective of a commanding officer of a nuclear submarine during the Cold War - the one man aboard a sub who makes the critical decisions - taking us closer to the Soviet target than any work on submarine espionage has ever done before. This is the untold story of a covert submarine espionage operation against the Soviet Union during the Cold War as experienced by the commanding officer of an active submarine.

Theodore Winthrop (1828 – 1861) was a dynamic writer, lawyer, and globe-trotter whose life was tragically cut short during the American Civil War. Serving as one of the first Union officers, he met his fate at the Battle of Big Bethel in June 1861. Winthrop contributed two insightful articles to The Atlantic Monthly, part of an intended series capturing the early days of the war. Unfortunately, he was unable to complete the third installment before his death. This Librivox recording features his finished articles along with an obituary from The Atlantic Monthly that includes the essence of ...

Experience the thrilling firsthand account of the Great Locomotive Chase of 1862, captured just a year after the daring events unfolded. During the early days of the American Civil War in April 1862, Union volunteers, led by civilian James J. Andrews, embarked on a bold mission to sabotage the Confederate army by targeting the Western and Atlantic Railroad. They commandeered a train named The General from Big Shanty, Georgia, sparking a high-stakes pursuit by Confederate forces on foot and by locomotive. This gripping narrative details the audacious raid and its far-reaching consequences, ...

Join us as we delve into the remarkable journey of the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the final hundred days of the First World War. From August 8 to November 11, 1918, after enduring nearly four years of grueling trench warfare, the Allies launched a daring plan to break through the German Hindenburg Line. Experience the courage and determination of Canadian soldiers as they capture key locations like Amiens, Arras, and Cambrai, and relentlessly pursue the retreating German forces from Valenciennes to Mons—where the war first ignited on August 4, 1914. Narrated by Richard Laughton, ...

Immerse yourself in the poignant letters of a Brisbane doctor stationed at the Western Front from 1914 to December 1915. He shares captivating anecdotes from World War I, including the unique challenges of de-lousing an entire regiment, the meticulous layout of the urine trenches, and gripping eyewitness accounts of the battles of Neuve Chapelle and Ypres. He also offers a contemporary perspective on the Gallipoli campaign, recounting the harrowing moments when enemy shells rained down on ambulances and the perilous nighttime retrievals of the wounded from the trenches. This era of remarkable ...