Showing results by publisher "Audio Sommelier" in History

Cabeza de Vaca left Spain to explore the New World on a 1527 expedition. He was second in command of nearly 600 men, but only he and three others survived the treacherous weather, exotic diseases, and attacking indigenous people. Cabeza de Vaca survived eight straight years of wandering through the America’s southwest by becoming a medicine man to the natives. In the events of this memoir, he recounts how he helped resuscitate a man, and suddenly “all over the land nothing else was spoken of.”

In this account, Gottlieb Mittelberger reveals the plight of poor German families who migrated to America in the 18th century. It was normal at the time for poor Europeans to fund their journey to the New World by agreeing to a period of indentured servitude. Yet what Mittleberger observed was more akin to slavery: workers were auctioned off upon arrival with no formal contract. This enlightening record reveals a darker side to early American history.

After Chinese authorities seized the British vessel Arrow, the Brits responded by shelling the city of Canton. This action led to the Second Opium War. The issue was brought forth to British Parliament, and in this memorable speech Richard Cobden asked the men gathered, “What are the grounds of this devastation and warfare which are now being carried on in the Canton River?” The debate over this issue continued for four days, but by the end, the majority agreed with Cobden - the attacks had been unfounded.

As humans, we often wonder about our heroes’ (and, perhaps, our enemies’) opinions on the most assorted of topics. Mark Twain’s speech “Cigars and Tobacco” serves to satiate such curiosities. In it, he details his storied history with those two substances and his search for the “worst cigar in the New York Market.” It’s a brief treat for anyone who’s ever wondered about Twain’s tobacco consumption, or simply wants to read some miscellaneous wit from this literary master.

James McLaughlin worked as an Indian agent for most of his life. His most infamous act, however, was ordering the arrest of Sitting Bull for fear that his participation in the Ghost Dance movement would inspire Indian rebellion. “The newspaper reports regarding the arrest and death of Sitting Bull have nearly all been ridiculously absurd”, he wrote to the United States Indian Service. With this account, he attempts to defend his role and set the record straight on the circumstances that led to the death of this influential Native American leader.

A master of wit and wry humor on the page, Mark Twain also gained acclaim as a speaker throughout his literary career. Twain delivered this address on theoretical morality vs. practical morality to the New Vagabonds Club of London. With his signature tongue-in-cheek humor, he tells the audience that the only way to learn practical morality is by committing immoral acts in order to “vaccinate” oneself against committing them in the future. Presented with anecdotes from his childhood, this Twain speech masterfully walks the line between light-hearted humor and biting truth.

Queen Elizabeth I took Parliament by surprise when she began her speech of November 30, 1601. They had expected a discussion of the nation’s economic situation, but instead she announced this speech would be her last as Queen. She drew tears from some of her listeners as she spoke earnestly of her love for her position, people, and country, saying, “though you have had and may have many mightier and wiser Princes sitting in this Seat, yet you never had, nor shall have any that will love you better.”

As the world changes, the antiquated restrictions foisted upon women do not prepare them for life in the modern world. Clarina Howard Nichols delivered this message at the Woman’s Right Convention in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1851. As a journalist and women’s rights advocate, Nichols believed education was the most empowering gift for young girls, stating, “Educate your daughters for practical life, and you have endowed them better than if you had given them fortunes.” This speech serves as an important text in the canon of women’s writing.

After 20 years in public service, George Washington turned down a third term as president with this memorable farewell address. In it, he implores the American public to be united above all else, putting aside fervor for their political parties and state lines. He also warns against forming long-term partnerships with foreign nations. Originally this was a 32-page document that was read and distributed widely throughout America after its initial publication, and it deserves the same avid listenership today.

To those who believed that all the great electric discoveries had already been made, Tesla says, “What has been so far done by electricity is nothing as compared with what the future has in store.” In this fascinating article, he discusses the possibilities yet to be enacted using electricity. He successfully predicted current inventions, including common smartphone technologies of sending photos and using voice-to-text tools. Others are yet to be accomplished to his full vision....

Not all that glitters is gold, and gold mining was not the simple get-rich-quick scheme many thought it was. The Diary of a Forty-Niner draws readers into the day-to-day life of a prospector during the California Gold Rush. 

Jim Bridger was a famous frontiersman in the Rockies whose legacy extended beyond the wilderness he explored. The legends of his life inspired countless Western stories, this one included.

In this captivating sermon, 19th-century preacher Charles Spurgeon urges believers to submit completely to the will of God. Why wouldn’t you, he argues, if you believe God is good, all-knowing, and wise?  

John Calvin describes the Catholic Church as “very miserable, and almost desperate” in this 1543 work. He appeals directly to Holy Roman Emperor King Charles V, pointing out the failures of the church and demanding change. On behalf of the reformers, Calvin details his proposed solution.

Nineteenth-century preacher Charles Spurgeon may have surprised some when he delivered this sermon on the doctrine of election. Though predestination aligned with Spurgeon’s denominational beliefs as a Particular Baptist, it was still an unpopular sermon topic. 

Jim Bridger was a legendary frontiersman of the Western United States c. 1820-1850. In addition to being a skilled outdoorsman, he was also an expert mediator. Bridger helped negotiate relations among native tribes and the white men who were intruding on their land. This book aims to preserve the extraordinary legacy of this humble man who certainly earned his reputation as “The Grand Old Man of the Rockies”. 

Lincoln's Last Hours describe the assassination and last moments of President Lincoln's life. They were written by Dr. Charles Leale, the first doctor to attend to Lincoln after he was shot.

Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms is an important document in the history of the United States. In it, the Second Continental Congress explained why the Colonies had taken up arms against Britain.

Mark Twain was commissioned to deliver this speech before the virgin voyage of the St. Paul steamship. On the day of its scheduled departure from Philadelphia to England, however, it could not be moved. Had Twain delivered it, this is among the charming witticisms he would have shared: “I have gone over the same road so many times now that I know all the whales that belong along the route, and latterly it is an embarrassment to me to meet them, for they do not look glad to see me, but annoyed, and they seem to say: ‘Here is this old derelict again.’”

Mark Twain delivered this speech after following a toast made to “the ladies.” In it, he praises women for their contributions both large and small to history and society. “Take any type of woman”, he says, “and you shall find in it something to respect, something to admire, something to love.” From Joan of Arc to Florence Nightingale to his own mother, Twain sings the praises of incredible women everywhere.