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The Origins of The Second World War
- Narrated by: Nigel Patterson
- Length: 11 hrs and 41 mins
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Publisher's summary
From influential British historian A. J. P. Taylor comes the audio edition of The Origins of the Second World War. Controversial for its thesis that Hitler was an opportunist with no thorough plan, The Origins of the Second World War is an extensive exploration of the international politics and foreign policy that led up to the one of the bloodiest conflicts of the 20th century.
Originally published in 1961, The Origins of the Second World War is a classic of modern history. A. J. P. Taylor's years of research helped change the long-accepted view that Adolf Hitler had wanted and planned in detail for a war. With clear and relatable prose, Taylor articulately depicts the diplomatic mistakes from both the Allied and Axis powers that led to the outbreak of World War II. A groundbreaking work, The Origins of the Second World War "is an almost faultless masterpiece, perfectly proportioned, perfectly controlled" (The Observer).
Critic reviews
"This is an almost faultless masterpiece." (The Observer)
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Everything I remembered about the case was wrong..
- By karen on 06-22-12
By: Vincent Bugliosi, and others
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The Hidden History of the Boston Tea Party
- By: Adam Jortner, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Adam Jortner
- Length: 2 hrs and 56 mins
- Original Recording
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The history of the Boston Tea Party is a hidden one. Why? Since it was a clandestine operation, all sorts of rumors and legends grew up around the event—many collected decades after the American Revolution had ended. At its core, however, the night of December 16, 1773, when colonials dumped tea from British ships into Boston Harbor, was more than a fight over tea and taxes. It was a struggle over the very nature of democracy and self-governance.
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How nuanced this event actually was
- By Cody T. on 12-17-23
By: Adam Jortner, and others
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Made in America
- By: Bill Bryson
- Narrated by: William Roberts
- Length: 18 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
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In Made in America, Bryson de-mythologizes his native land, explaining how a dusty hamlet with neither woods nor holly became Hollywood, how the Wild West wasn't won, why Americans say 'lootenant' and 'Toosday', how Americans were eating junk food long before the word itself was cooked up, as well as exposing the true origins of the G-string, the original $64,000 question, and Dr Kellogg of cornflakes fame.
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Bryson Not Reading Makes For a Rare Fail
- By John on 02-28-14
By: Bill Bryson
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Hacking the Hacker takes you inside the world of cybersecurity to show you what goes on behind the scenes, and introduces you to the men and women on the front lines of this technological arms race. Twenty-six of the world's top white hat hackers, security researchers, writers, and leaders describe what they do and why, with each profile preceded by a no-experience-necessary explanation of the relevant technology.
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Information to basic
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A colony of giant pistol shrimp, grotesquely mutated from toxic exposure, have invaded the Florida coast. Their snapping claws are capable of producing intense heat and thunderous shockwaves. Like a swarm of locusts, they will stop at nothing to devour anything inhabiting the water.
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Armed and Dangerous
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The Collapse of the Third Republic
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As an international war correspondent and radio commentator, William L. Shirer didn't just research the fall of France. He was there. In just six weeks, he watched the Third Reich topple one of the world's oldest military powers - and institute a rule of terror and paranoia. Based on in-person conversation with the leaders, diplomats, generals, and ordinary citizens who both shaped the events of this time and lived through them on a daily basis, Shirer shapes a compelling account of historical events - without losing sight of the personal experience.
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So much information
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What listeners say about The Origins of The Second World War
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- Robert
- 12-11-23
Very comprehensive analysis
This is an academic study - a bit tedious for the average reader. But so worth the effort! I will be reading again soon, for better understanding
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- Hannah C.
- 08-07-21
Dense but very enlightening
This book is not so much a point by point narrative, but much more interpretation and explanation. It assumes you are already familiar with the basic knowledge of prewar years and the actual event of World War 2. But it is quite fascinating if you do.
Taylor sets out his thesis at the beginning. To simply blame all of World War 2 on Hitler’s grand plan is far too simple. Hitler was evil certainly, but he was an evil opportunist and gambler more than a grand strategist. There were many mistakes by all the other nations along the way. And when war did come, it was probably not what hitler actually wanted. It also shows the complexity of alliances that existed in the late 1930s. Italy and Germany were not as in lock step as we might assume looking back. And Britain and France often had divergent goals.
If you want to dig deeper into the complexities of the events than a simple “this side vs that side”, you will enjoy the book.
Also, Not sure why people saw as an American you will dislike this book. America hardly comes up at all. It is much more indicting of France and England.
The narrator does sound a little condescending, but that fits the flavor of the book pretty well and I grew to enjoy it.
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- fred schwartz
- 11-15-19
Not for me
Nigel is a little full of himself. If your an American it's almost impossible to listen to his Historical view!
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