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The Whigs were a party born out of opposition. Whigs came from all sorts of political beliefs. The little they had in common defines their legacy today: They upheld the Constitution and Federal law, advocated for the rights of Native Americans, supported free public education, and encouraged women’s participation in political campaigns. While their diversity in beliefs allowed the Whigs to accomplish many different goals at the local level, this ultimately led to their dissolution in the 1850s. Still, this short-lived party left a long-lasting impact on American politics.

Did you know that the Illinois Confederacy of North America is arguably the longest ruling civilization in the world? Surpassing the Romans, Egyptians, Japanese, and Chinese, the Native Americans of this confederacy ruled the Midwest unchallenged for more than 9,000 years.

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.

Since 1823, Texas Rangers have defended frontier families, stopped cattle rustlers, solved crimes, and done much more beyond the scope of even the US Army. Writer Karl Kesel once noted that the Texas Rangers would make perfect comic book characters because “They’re so larger than life.” Their skill and bravery pushed the borders of believability: they’d famously send a single ranger to control an entire riot. This brief text delves into the Rangers’ storied history - from their humble beginnings serving the Republic of Texas, to their modern role as detectives in cowboy hats.

All major historians agree that Gaius Caesar Caligula ruled as a depraved, cruel, and ruthless emperor. Yet some discrepancies in the historical accounts raise questions about what was true and what was libel intended to discredit Caligula as an utter raging, evil madman. This audiobook reexamines the evidence to reveal the exaggerations of history while still detailing the verified truth of Caligula’s monstrous ways.

This audiobook details the rise and fall of New France, describing the role of the Seven Years’ War, Napoleon Bonaparte, and the Louisiana Purchase. Though French colonization ended more than 200 years ago, it left behind a distinct French flair and unique Creole culture that lives on in Louisiana today.

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.

New York City has a reputation for being a place of opportunity, diversity, and inclusivity. It was much the same in its earliest days, back when its Dutch rulers dubbed it New Amsterdam. The Dutch used it as the North American hub of their international trading routes that made them the financial leaders of the world. The city was a haven of religious tolerance, cultural diversity, and women’s rights; in many ways, it was the original melting pot, where even slaves could earn their freedom.

Wealth, indulgence, and a Gatsby-like aesthetic: This is what comes to mind when one thinks of the Roaring Twenties. This revolutionary decade marked the end of the American Gilded Age, a period of sustained economic growth which led to a booming marketplace. After World War I, Americans had more money to spend, and mass production rose to meet the emerging wealth. This was the era of Broadway and bootleggers, new cars and Al Capone, mass culture and money, money, money. However, it was also the prelude to the Great Depression.

Before he defected to the British Army, Arnold’s contemporaries praised him for his heroism. What caused this man to turn on his peers and sully his name for all time? This fascinating look into Arnold’s life unravels the bias surrounding the man, shedding light on the intent behind his infamous act.

Leland Stanford retains a double legacy as both a robber baron and a great philanthropist. He got his start in business as a merchant during the California gold rush, but he worked his way up to president of both the Central and Southern Pacific Railroad companies by 1861. He became a railroad mogul, a leading force in an under-regulated industry wherein he gained a reputation for corrupt and greedy practices. Yet, he and his wife benevolently founded Stanford University in memory of their deceased son.

Jesse James grew up in Clay County, Missouri, a place where north and south conflicted over the issue of slavery. Tensions grew in the lead-up to the Civil War, and James’ Southern loyalties meant he had to make a decision. When war broke out, Jesse and his brother Frank joined the Confederate guerrillas known as “bushwhackers” alongside other notorious characters like “Bloody Bill”. By the age of 17, Jesse had escaped death twice and gained a reputation as a ruthless killer.

The war gets its name from British colonists’ two primary enemies: the French settlers and the Native Americans who sided with them. The title is a bit misleading, however, as the British also had Native Americans on their side at various points of the war. The conflict goes by "The Seven Years’ War" in Europe because it took place from 1756 to 1763. Britain’s victory solidified the future of the English-speaking North America we know today. However, it also led to the massacre of countless Native peoples throughout North America.

Charlemagne's name means "Charles the Great", a title he earned after an impressive life filled with military conquests. His life inspired countless tales, including the legends that he was 20 feet tall, that he slept under the guard of 100 armed knights, and that he rose from the dead to aid in the Crusades. While these fantastical tales are false, the truth is equally fantastic: By the end of his life, Charlemagne had been king of the Franks, king of the Lombards, and the first emperor of the newly formed Holy Roman Empire.

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.