Browse audiobooks narrated by Steve Knupp, listen to samples and when you're ready head over to Audiobooks.com where you can get 3 FREE audiobooks on us
9 audiobooks in our catalogue, every one with its narrator named.
Robert Smalls: The Life of the Escaped Slave Who Commandeered a Confederate Ship during the Civil War
"Robert Smalls’ life illustrates what can happen when one is freed from the fetters of others’ estimations. Smalls’ metamorphosis from slave to ship pilot to U.S. Congressman displays the power of fiery determination and unrelenting ambition. News of Smalls’ incredible exploit made it all the way up to Lincoln, who eventually met him and asked why he would dare such a thing. Smalls replied with only one word: ‘Freedom.’” In desperation, Robert Smalls and other enslaved members of the crew of the Confederate transport ship CSS Planter dared to dream of sailing themselves to freedom, so on the night of May 13, 1862, they attempted to escape with their masters’ ship. That perilous night could have ended in triumph or tragedy for the mutineers, and Smalls’ wife, little daughter, and infant son were below deck, along with the families of his crew. They risked it all, and 17 men, women, and children escaped enslavement because of the intrepid plan. After escaping, Smalls continued to participate in the Civil War, and throughout 17 missions and combat battles, he fought for the freedom of enslaved people in the Confederate states. Meanwhile, he learned to read, taking lessons from a teacher named Harriet Buss, and he also lobbied Secretary of War Edwin Stanton to enlist Black soldiers. The Union eventually did so, recruiting thousands of Black soldiers and formed several new regiments. After enslaved people won emancipation, Smalls achieved the rank of major general in the South Carolina militia, and after the war, he served in the South Carolina state legislature, followed by multiple terms as a South Carolina representative to the U.S. House of Representatives. His achievements were remarkable for anyone, but especially for a former slave living in an era defined by violence and prejudice."
Charles River Editors (Author), Steve Knupp (Narrator)
Audiobook · 1 hr 27 mins
The USS Alligator: The History of the U.S. Navy’s First Submarine
"While people often tend to think of submarines as a modern invention, inventors created several prototypes from 1580 onward, and they even attempted to use them. Some of the designs remained theoretical and never got off the drawing board, but as time went on, several Europeans built and tested primitive submarines. Most of these early subs were made of wood and often possessed an awkward shape, but a French priest first proposed the now familiar cylindrical layout in 1634. He determined that this shape would make it easier for the submarine to withstand water pressure, while likewise improving maneuverability. The American Civil War witnessed new designs and prototypes of submarines appearing on American naval drawing boards. These subs had the “cigar shape” familiar throughout history from that point forward. Most of them failed for one reason or another, but one, the CSS Hunley, actually succeeded in using a “spar torpedo” to sink the USS Housatonic. It was the first time a submarine successfully sank a ship, but as historic and groundbreaking as the Hunley and its mission was, all of that was overshadowed by the lingering debate over just what happened to the Confederate submarine, which never made it back to port after the attack. Although the Hunley remains the most famous submarine of the Civil War, the Union Navy attempted to create and use a submarine years before the Hunley embarked on its historic operation, and though it’s widely forgotten today, the first Union submarine, the Alligator, also had a fascinating history. "
Audiobook · 1 hr 20 mins
Ada Lovelace: The Life and Legacy of the Math Prodigy Who Pioneered Computer Science
"Although a recent movie revived interest in Alan Turing’s achievements with computing during World War II, Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace were the first to conceive the notion of a programmable and automatic universal computer, which, on top of its ability to calculate any mathematical equation at an unmatched speed, could also be used for a seemingly infinite number of other applications. In other words, they envisioned the precursor to the modern computer. It was certainly an unusual path for any woman, and she managed to do so before an incredibly premature death. Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace, died in 1852 at the age of 36, but during her short and tumultuous life, she was one of the first to recognize that computers could do far more than complex calculations. This was all the more surprising given that, during her life, no computers existed, and her ideas were based on an implicit understanding of the theoretical work of Charles Babbage, who himself is today recognized as the “Father of the Computer.” What makes her work truly startling is that she did this more than 100 years before the first computer had even been created. But Ada Lovelace was a woman, and in Victorian England, her work was generally either ignored or disparaged - after all, Britons in the Victorian Era assumed that women weren’t mentally equipped to be scientists or mathematicians. For that reason alone, it's likely inevitable that Ada received very little recognition for her work, but on top of that, she wasn’t simply ahead of her time - she was so far ahead that almost no one was able to recognize the importance of what she had done until more than 100 years after her death. Moreover, while countless others benefited from wealthy backgrounds and noble births, Ada was regarded with suspicion by her contemporaries in large part because she was the daughter of the era’s most famous and controversial poet, Lord Byron."
Audiobook · 1 hr 26 mins
A Private Anthology: Poems from the Heart
"A Private Anthology: Poems from the Heart is an inspiring collection of stream-of-consciousness poetry that invites readers to explore personal emotions and reflections on life's challenges. Written by Joe Steier, a Hall of Fame business leader and advocate for mental health, this anthology captures the emotional and spiritual journey of overcoming struggles such as dyslexia, personal loss, and the global pandemic. Steier uses simple yet powerful poetry to unpack complicated feelings, making this book an essential read for those looking to connect with their inner selves and find peace in the midst of life’s chaos. Whether you are searching for poems on faith, family, leadership, or emotional healing, A Private Anthology offers timeless reflections for readers from all walks of life."
Joe Steier (Author), Steve Knupp (Narrator)
Anatoliy Golitsyn: The Life and Legacy of the KGB Defector Who Became a CIA Asset
"Many people remain fascinated by stories about the Cold War, particularly the espionage that was covertly conducted across the globe by both sides. Indeed, from the beginning of the Cold War, there were hundreds if not thousands of spies positioned in each side’s governments. Some worked as double agents, while others worked to plant pivotal pieces of information or disinformation to persuade government officials within these warring countries. Inevitably, some of the Cold War’s most shadowy actions involved trying to turn Soviet assets, whether for propaganda or intelligence purposes, but the Soviet system constantly had to worry about defections, as evidenced by the construction of the Berlin Wall in the early 1960s. That said, while the whistleblowers may be celebrated if they damage the public relations of an adversary, they can be controversial if they damage one’s own country, as evidenced by the polarizing reputations of individuals like Edward Snowden and Julian Assange. During Congressional testimony concerning President Kennedy’s assassination many years after Anatoliy Golitsyn’s defection, James Jesus Angleton claimed he was “probably without any question the most major defection since World War II as far as Soviet intentions, Soviet organization, and Soviet operations are concerned.” He would later become a voice for the Soviets’ disinformation strategy through his studies and his work as a KGB agent and with the CIA’s Counterintelligence Unit. Golitsyn became disenchanted with Moscow and the Soviet way of life after having spent his life protecting it. Thanks to his schooling and training, Golitsyn had deep inside knowledge of the USSR’s (communist) strategy to rule the world. Angleton, the chief of the CIA’s Counterintelligence Unit, was a huge supporter and believer of Golitsyn’s ideas and theories."
Audiobook · 1 hr 43 mins
The Stanford Prison Experiment: The History of the Notorious Psychological Experiment on Guards’ Treatment of Prisoners
"What happens when you put good people in a bad place? That was the question that an experiment in 1971 set out to answer when Stanford University professor and psychologist Philip Zimbardo used funding provided by the U.S. Office of Naval Research to create a make-believe prison in the basement of a university building. Male students were offered the chance to take part in the two-week experiment (and to make $15 per day). All applicants were carefully screened to ensure that they were healthy, emotionally and psychologically stable. 24 men were selected out of 75 that had applied. These men were then randomly assigned to play the role of either prisoners or guards in the “prison.” Initially, nobody was particularly concerned: after all, these were stable, intelligent young men who understood that they would be playing a role for just two weeks. Some people even considered that the experiment was pointless because everyone involved knew that they were simply acting roles for a limited time, so they couldn’t be expected to behave in the ways that real prisoners and guards did. Nonetheless, the experiment began on August 15th, 1971, and just six days later, on August 20th, it was abruptly and unexpectedly terminated after the “guards” had become brutal and sadistic and the “prisoners” had become withdrawn, fearful, and apathetic. There were real concerns that someone might end up being seriously hurt or suffer long-term psychological damage. How could a group of nice, healthy, intelligent young men suddenly transform into sadistic thugs? How could another equally intelligent group of young men suddenly become apathetic victims of this brutality? What did this say about the malleability of human behavior, even when everyone involved knew that this wasn’t real?"
Audiobook · 1 hr 15 mins
Winston Churchill’s Great Escapes: The Story of the British Bulldog’s Death-Defying Life Before He Became Prime Minister
"When Winston Churchill died at the age of 90 in 1965, one of the most important figures in modern history had left the stage. From providing some of the 20th century’s greatest soundbites to successfully navigating Great Britain to victory in World War II against great odds, Churchill was at the forefront of events for decades, becoming one of the most influential Britons in history. In 2002, he was named the Greatest Briton of All Time, and 40 years earlier he was the first person to be made an Honorary Citizen of the United States. Churchill will forever be most associated with World War II, but his life was far more adventurous and complex than that, and these other aspects of the man are often overlooked and overshadowed. He came from an aristocratic family, but his father, Lord Randolph Churchill, was not the firstborn son. That was important because the family estate was entailed, meaning the oldest son inherited the title of duke along with the land and the wealth. Thus, while Churchill grew up in Blenheim Palace, he did not inherit his family’s wealth, and that is one reason he became a correspondent and negotiated high rates of pay: he needed the income. The family’s aristocratic connections greatly facilitated his career, but it was his own courage, determination, and ability that led to his fame and historical importance, along with some phenomenal luck. Before politics, Churchill was an officer in a cavalry regiment and a war correspondent, which took him to conflicts on four continents, and he escaped death more than once. His greatest escape was from a South African prison camp, which made him a national hero and greatly facilitated his election to Parliament."
Audiobook · 1 hr 57 mins
Recent UFO Sightings: The History and Mysteries of UFO Encounters in the Last 70 Years
"When people think about unidentified flying objects (UFOs), they tend to think of flying discs piloted by gray beings with large heads and enormous eyes. They tend to think that these sightings only started relatively recently and that belief in UFOs is some sort of modern religion brought on, perhaps, by the very justifiable fears of a nuclear age. But a study of the phenomenon quickly reveals that humanity has been seeing UFOs since the beginning of recorded history and perhaps a lot longer than that. Modern Ufology focuses on mysterious lights on Ceres or tales of alien abduction, but this wasn’t always the case, and looking at how the beliefs in the UFO phenomenon have changed or stayed the same can shed light on how culture and belief changes over time. One does not have to believe humans are actually being visited by aliens from another planet to recognize the importance of UFOs in human society. Any widespread belief that endures for centuries is worthy of study, and as always, cases exist that can’t be explained away simple superstition. Most everyone in America is familiar with theories about UFOs, or “flying saucers” as they were often called then, but even this name dates back only to 1947. Before that time, they were called “ghost rockets” or “ghost airplanes” or “ghost airships.” Before the age of flight, the flying objects were called various things such as “flying chariots.” No matter what terminology is used, every generation has clearly had its own belief that mankind is not alone. Even after the term flying saucer was replaced by the more scientific-sounding “unidentified flying object” (UFO), this feeling remained. It became so prevalent that almost anyone who claimed to have seen an unidentified object in the sky was reported as having observed an alien crafts."
Audiobook · 1 hr 29 mins
Tyrone Power: The Life and Legacy of One of Hollywood’s Most Famous Swashbucklers
"Hollywood has never lacked leading men who could captivate viewers with dramatic performances that depict them as suave romantics or dashing heroes, especially during the Golden Age of Hollywood, when stars like Humphrey Bogart, Clark Gable, and Cary Grant graced screens. But in the mid-20th century, one of the most popular stars was a man who’s been frequently overlooked. Some actors were recruited based on their appearance alone, signing contracts before taking screen tests or ever having been on a stage or set. Others became overnight sensations, darlings of the public for decades. Only a few of these turned out to be excellent actors, but one of them was certainly Tyrone Power, one of Hollywood’s leading men from the 1930s into the 1950s. With a career spanning over 50 films, Power did not have to work through the system, rising to the top almost immediately at the age of 22. Power was named “King of the Movies” for three straight years (1939 -1941) by fans, and while critics claimed that his success came from his good looks, today he is acknowledged as a good actor, among the most underestimated of this era. Power starred in a variety of film genres, and at least some contemporaries made note of his “remarkable acting range.” This included several musicals such as Alexander’s Ragtime Band, Second Fiddle, Rose of Washington Square, and The Eddy Duchin Story. He also made appearances in several dramas, including Johnny Apollo, Witness for the Prosecution, Crash Drive, and The Razor’s Edge. Power was even known for a good comedic sense in films like The Luck of the Irish, That Wonderful Urge, and Love is News."
Audiobook · 1 hr 11 mins
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