Showing titles in United States

See him? That little tramp twitching a postage stamp of a mustache, politely lifting his bowler hat, and leaning on a bamboo cane with the confidence of a gentleman? A slapstick comedian, he blazed forth as the brightest movie star in the Hollywood heavens. Everyone knew Charlie - Charlie Chaplin.

North Carolina attracted settlers from Europe as well as from other American colonies. In this volume, learn about the resulting troubled relations with the Native Americans in that area, Bluebeard's piracy, and the colonist's rebellion against England.

The Declaration of Independence marked the beginning of the end of England's control of its American colonies. As one of America's most revered statesman, Benjamin Franklin played a key role in the creation of the document. This fictional telling of Franklin's role gives readers insight into his thoughts and emotions during those dramatic times.

British-born Thomas Paine came to Philadelphia in 1774. He clearly heard the colonists' cries for liberty. They stirred his own political philosophy and ideals for freedom. He committed the powerful mixture to print with revolutionary pamphlets such as Common Sense. Paine helped set the stage for the Declaration of Independence and profoundly influenced the course of our nation's history and ideology.

The famous "coonskin" politician was always more than the self-promoted backwoods Everyman. An astute and agile leader, Crockett would come of age during the Creek Wars, and die a hero at the battle of the Alamo in Texas. Today we can distinguish between the legend and the history of Davy Crockett, as we survey the facts of his life and the fantasies of more than a century of stories told in songs, films, and books.

How does the president get his job? How do people know who will win an election before everybody’s voted? Do the candidates hate each other? Dan Gutman takes on his strangest subject ever: the American political system. Reaching through history from the days of the founding fathers to today’s voting system, Gutman tackles complex subjects in a clear, easy-to-understand way. Even grown-ups will find something in here that they’ve never learned before.

A naval hero in the American Revolution, John Paul Jones's story merges with another story, that of the birth and growth of the American navy. The story of this patriot of the sea also gives readers insight into early nautical strategy and technology, and the political and economic causes that sparked the wars of which these naval battles.

This close-up look at key battles throughout the history of the United States offers engaging anecdotes about those battles and provides historical context for each of them. Each audiobook examines the decisive moments and lasting impact of major battles such as The Battle of Gettysburg and The...

Sojourner Truth was born into slavery but possessed a mind and a vision that knew no bounds. So Tall Within traces her life from her painful childhood through her remarkable emancipation to her incredible leadership in the movement for rights for both women and African Americans. Her story is told with lyricism and pathos by Gary D. Schmidt, one of the most celebrated writers for children in the 21st century. This audiobook is just right for introducing this legendary figure to a new generation of children.

In 1957, when the USSR launched Sputnik I, the first man-made satellite to orbit Earth, America’s rival in the Cold War claimed victory on a new frontier. The Space Race had begun, and the United States was losing. Closer to home, a decade of turbulence would soon have Americans reeling, with the year 1968 alone seeing the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy as well as many violent clashes between police and protesters. Americans desperately needed something good to believe in.

As a young lawyer, Abraham Lincoln was known for his sense of humor. But in 1842, he did something so rascally - so downright mean - he was challenged to a duel. Lincoln needed his wit and a healthy dose of humility to save his life and his career. He didn't know it at the time, but the future of this great country was at stake. Ultimately, what he referred to as the meanest thing he had ever done taught Lincoln to be a better man.

Christopher Columbus had a dream - to reach the fabled lands of the East, rich with spices, jewels, silver, and especially gold. Having studied the travels of other explorers, Columbus was convinced he could reach his destination by traveling west across the seas. After convincing Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand to fund his expedition, he set sail in August 1492. This account talks about the voyage Columbus undertook in his own voice through his journal entries of that year.

Lewis and Clark's famous 1804 expedition was told with great detail by the explorers themselves in an eight-volume account. Now young historians have the opportunity to learn the thrills, challenges, and adventures in a version accessible for them. Two years' worth of entries are condensed into a flowing account that maintains the historical essence of the original. With a fact-filled prologue and epilogue, young listeners can relive the adventurous 8,000-mile journey across uncharted wilderness.

The life story of Major Robert Rogers, the New England frontiersman who recruited companies of colonial soldiers, known as Rogers' Rangers, to fight for the British in the French and Indian War, is a compelling mix of military intrigue and national identity. This feisty major codified colonial military strategies into a document, known as Standing Orders, and put these principles to practice in many battles, campaigns, and scouting.

One of the leaders and founders of Texas, Sam Houston confronted all of the prevailing issues of his day. Adopted into a Native American tribe, he fought for fair treatment of Indians in the halls of Congress. Faced with the dissolution of the Union during the Civil War, he tried to lead Texas away from secession. A frontiersman, soldier, and patriot, Houston's influence can be felt well beyond the borders of the Lone Star State.

That’s the Stonewall. The Stonewall Inn. Pay attention. History walks through that door. In 1969 being gay in the United States was a criminal offense. It meant living a closeted life or surviving on the fringes of society. People went to jail, lost jobs, and were disowned by their families...

In a time where thousands pushed westward to find their fortune, Stephen Austin went west to found a colony. The fierce struggle between Austin's settlers and the Mexican government would lead to the birth of Texas and countless stories of heroes and heroism. Jailed by Mexican authorities, Austin fought a long, bitter struggle for the survival of Texas. Many may not know that Austin's dream almost did not come true.

A leader in American victories against the British in the American Revolutionary War, Lafayette also championed the Americans' cause at peace talks in France. A life story interwoven with issues of international diplomacy, military expertise, and contributions to another nation's fight for freedom, Lafayette is an important reminder that not all the heroes of the American Revolution were American.

Eleanor Roosevelt, Fighter for Justice shows young listeners how the former First Lady evolved from a poor little rich girl to a protector and advocate for those without a voice. Although now seen as a cultural icon, she was a woman deeply insecure about her looks and her role in the world. But by recognizing her fears and constantly striving to overcome her prejudices, she used her proximity to presidents and her own power to aid in the fight for Civil Rights and other important causes. This biography gives listeners a fresh perspective on her extraordinary life. 

Sibert Honor author Deborah Hopkinson brings her signature action-packed narrative style to one of the most crucial battles of WWII. The WWII invasion known as D-Day was the largest military endeavor in history. By June 6, 1944, Hitler and his allies had a strong grip on the European continent, where Nazi Germany was engaged in the mass extermination of the Jewish people. The goal of D-Day was the total defeat of Hitler's regime and the defense of free democracies everywhere. Knowing they had to breach the French coast, the US, Great Britain, and Canada planned for the impossible.