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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.

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.

Neville Chamberlain rose from Parliament to prime minister during one of the most tumultuous times in English history. He worked to calm tensions between England and Germany as Germany became more and more aggressive - most notably signing away part of Czechoslovakia to Germany in a bid to keep the peace. His alliance with Poland would pull Britain into the war, and he would lead them for the first eight months, until stepping down in the hopes that a more united governmental front with new leadership would be what was best for the country.

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.

Greta Garbo, a Swedish-born American actress, holds her own as one of the top five female stars of the Hollywood Golden Years. The renowned silent film star remained mysteriously silent off-screen, too. This earned her the moniker of “Swedish sphinx,” an aura of mystique she cultivated despite her international stardom. After 20 years in film, she retired and spent the next 50 years as a recluse in New York; she made few public appearances, declining even to attend the 1954 Academy Awards to accept her special Academy Honorary Award.

Frank Sinatra, one of America's most iconic singers, entered the world a child of Italian immigrants living in New Jersey. After his expulsion from high school, Frank taught himself to sing and got his start in nightclubs. Sinatra's humble, rough-and-tumble youth didn't stop him from becoming one of the most successful musicians of the 20th century, however. He conquered the world of music and film both, but he struggled with mental health throughout his life. This biography examines the life of the man who, at the end of his lifelong career, looked back and said, "I did it my way."

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.

William Wallace started out as a humble knight, but he died a war hero. He gave up everything in his fight for Scottish freedom, including his life. When captured, Wallace was hung, drawn, and quartered by the English king for crimes against the crown. Though he was memorialized in the 1995 film Braveheart, this book tells how much of what we associate with Wallace is more legend than fact. Still, the spirit of the great Scotsman lives on in the hearts and minds of his compatriots today.

The 20th US president, James A. Garfield, served for only 200 days before his untimely death. His widowed mother raised Garfield in poverty on an Ohio farm. He served as a general in the Civil War before serving his country in the House of Representatives. A passionate man, Garfield had many priorities when elected president - he wanted to reduce the national debt, build up education, and ensure Civil Rights were granted to all freed slaves. Yet his death came too quickly when a madman with a personal vengeance shot him, and a fumbling doctor failed to save his life.

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.

San Francisco’s history precedes its name by several thousands of years. Though Europeans had settled in other parts of California much earlier, it wasn’t until 1769 that they stumbled upon the bay area. When the Spanish first arrived, they were floored by its natural beauty, which had been carefully maintained by its longtime residents, the Ohlone Indians.

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.

Get smarter in just 60 minutes with in60Learning. Concise and elegantly written nonfiction books and audiobooks help you learn the core subject matter in 20% of the time that it takes to read a typical book. Life is short, so explore a multitude of fascinating historical, biographical, scientific, political, and financial topics in only an hour each.

When Pharaoh Thutmose II died, he left an heir far too young to rule Egypt. His widow Hatshepsut stepped up to take his place. For at least the next 20 years, Hatshepsut ruled as Pharaoh King of Egypt in an era of prosperous growth and peace. When she died, her nephew Thutmose III attempted to smear her good name and wipe her memory from history. However, despite his efforts, his aunt Hatshepsut holds the title of most famous native Egyptian woman to ever rule as pharaoh; she also retains a legacy as one of the most successful female leaders in early history.

Throughout the 1920s, America's public figures considered a prosperous stock market to be a sign of a prosperous nation. While unemployment slowly rose and production dropped, leaders assured everyone that they should have faith in the economy. Then came the Great Crash on Wall Street. The loss of faith in public institutions devastated Americans ideologically just as it devastated the national economy - the US would never be the same again. This brief introduction paints the picture of life in America on the precipice of the Great Depression.

The year was 1381. The English government had failed its lower classes time and again with repressive labor laws and high taxes, and the peasants had had enough. In an unprecedented outburst of force, the peasants revolted against their leaders in a bloody march on London, burning buildings and killing government officials. The movement didn’t end there, though; it spread all over England, with Richard II trailing behind to suppress it. This audiobook delivers the fascinating history of this historical event that forever changed not just British history, but the world’s history.

Grace Kelly only graced American film screens from 1950-1956. She came from a line of successful individuals, and her short career was no exception; she starred in numerous films, worked with legendary director Alfred Hitchcock, and won an Academy Award. She also won the heart of the Prince of Monaco, whom she wed in 1956. She reigned as a philanthropic princess until her dramatic death on a winding Monaco street in 1982. This biography serves as an introduction to her life and legacy as a film princess.

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.

In the aftermath of Alexander the Great's conquests, a state enamored with Greek culture rose to power. Born out of the divided Macedonian Empire and founded by Seluceus, the new Empire grew to eventually contain Anatolia, Persia, Levant, Mesopotamia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Kuwait. Alexander's empire splitting led to the Babylonian War and Seleucid rise to power, and the late struggles between the Empire and Rome in the 60s BCE. Explore this imperialist center of the arts and sciences that constantly struggled balancing rebellions throughout its lands.

The Scientific Revolution was a chain of events that unfolded during the 16th and 17th centuries, which brought about drastic changes in scientific thought. Modern science emerged as advances in astronomy, biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics transformed society’s perceptions of nature.