Audiobooks by Joseph Stromberg

World War II: The United States at War Audiobook

World War II redrew the map of the world. No longer would Europe be the center of power. As the continent exhausted itself in yet another war, two new nations with conflicting ideologies were rising to prominence: the United States of America and the Soviet Union. Both nations would eventually fight on the same side in World War II, but they would not emerge as partners. What was the ultimate cost of World War II? For the Axis nations, it was defeat, humiliation, and economic ruin; for the Allies, the price was more subtle. They had instituted economic and social policies to pursue the war, many of which struck to the very heart of liberty. And soon, hostility between two of the Allied powers, America and the Soviet Union, would blossom into the Cold War. The United States at War series is a collection of presentations that review the political, economic, and social tensions that have erupted in military conflict and examine how the conflict resolved, or failed to resolve, those tensions. Edited by Wendy McElroy

Joseph Stromberg (Author), George C. Scott (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Spanish-American War

In 1895 Cuba began its struggle for independence from Spain-a struggle that resulted in a demand for US involvement. This demand gained intensity when the USS Maine inexplicably sank in a Havana harbor in 1898. Tensions between the two nations rose as the United States continued to insist that Spain grant Cuba its independence and withdraw forces from the island. On April 24, 1898, Spain declared war on the United States. Due to an utter lack of preparedness on Spain's part, the war was decidedly one-sided. The conflict lasted less than a year. In the resulting treaty, Spain renounced its claim to Cuba, and the United States acquired colonies in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, including Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. The United States at War series is a collection of presentations that review the political, economic, and social tensions that have erupted in military conflict and examine how the conflict resolved, or failed to resolve, those tensions. Edited by Wendy McElroy

Joseph Stromberg (Author), George C. Scott (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Spanish-American War

In 1895 Cuba began its struggle for independence from Spain—a struggle that resulted in a demand for US involvement. This demand gained intensity when the USS Maineinexplicably sank in a Havana harbor in 1898. Tensions between the two nations rose as the United States continued to insist that Spain grant Cuba its independence and withdraw forces from the island. On April 24, 1898, Spain declared war on the United States. Due to an utter lack of preparedness on Spain's part, the war was decidedly one-sided. The conflict lasted less than a year. In the resulting treaty, Spain renounced its claim to Cuba, and the United Statesacquired colonies in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, including Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. The United States at War series is a collection of presentations that review the political, economic, and social tensions that have erupted in military conflict and examine how the conflict resolved, or failed to resolve, those tensions.

Joseph Stromberg (Author), George C. Scott (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Korean War and The Vietnam War

Following World War II, the United States and Soviet Russia vied for dominance around the world in an intense contest called the Cold War. Both Korea and Vietnam felt the full brunt of this conflict, and each was divided into two ideologically opposed sectors; to the north, the Communists dominated, while to the south, the United States prevailed. In both countries, America would face her worst nightmare: a land war in Asia. It began in Korea but continued in Vietnam, where more than fifty-eight thousand Americans would die. During the course of the Vietnam War, one American president was assassinated, another declined to seek reelection, and a third was discredited. Just as the fabric of society in Vietnam was torn to shreds by the continued political upheaval, so too was our own world powerfully reshaped. The United States at War series is a collection of presentations that review the political, economic, and social tensions that have erupted in military conflict and examine how the conflict resolved, or failed to resolve, those tensions.

Joseph Stromberg, Wendy McElroy (Author), George C. Scott (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Korean War and The Vietnam War

Joseph Stromberg, Wendy McElroy, Wendy Mcelroy (Author), George C. Scott (Narrator)

Audiobook

World War II, Part 1: The United States at War

Edited by Wendy McElroy. World War II reshaped the map of the world. As Europe exhausted itself in yet another war, two new nations, with conflicting ideologies, were rising to prominence: the United States and the Soviet Union. Though they fought in World War II on the same side, they would not emerge as partners.

Joseph Stromberg, Wendy McElroy, Wendy Mcelroy (Author), George C. Scott (Narrator)

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Colombia and Its Satellite Countries

Colombia in the 1980s became known for its role in the illegal drug trade, and for political instability and violence caused by this problem. But much of this is a recent development in Colombia’s history that began in the 1530s, when Spain conquered local Indian kingdoms. This is the story of how Spain’s “new Granada” evolved into Venezuela, Ecuador, Panama, and modern Colombia.

Joseph Stromberg (Author), Harry Reasoner, Peter Hackes, Richard C. Hottelet (Narrator)

Audiobook

World War II, Part 2

Historians have said that World War II was a continuation of World War I – but with greater violence and less regard for the values of civilization. The Treaty of Versailles – which had officially ended WWI – had caused the European balance of power to swing wildly. Germany had been stripped of her colonies, divided into pieces, and burdened with a staggering war debt. New nations were created; old hostilities were renewed. Some of these hostilities had found a voice in a new political philosophy: fascism. In the Pacific, Japan’s ambitions would bring her into conflict with America. Both nations laid claim to the markets of Asia; in particular, to the fabled markets of China. Both were willing to use force to obtain them. In Germany, Hitler established a Third Reich, to last a thousand years. In Italy, Mussolini declared a new Roman Empire to reinstate the glory that had been Rome. In Japan, Emperor Hirohito presided over the Empire of the Rising Sun. Against these forces stood Britain, France, and the Netherlands… countries that wanted the map of the world to remain unchanged. The result was war. On the sidelines, America would watch and wait as the outlines of the war unfolded. On December 7, 1941 – a day that will live in infamy – Japanese planes bombed the American naval installation at Pearl Harbor. The United States was now at war with Japan in the Pacific. The United States was also at war with the Axis powers in Europe. The Pacific and European War became formally linked. In 1941, prospects for the Allied powers were not bright. Japanese troops overran Pacific positions that had been considered impregnable. German troops had not only subdued much of Europe, but also pushed effectively into North Africa. But perhaps as important were the conflicting Allied visions of war, which caused bitter debate over questions such as the opening of a second front. Then, Hitler made a fatal blunder: his German army invaded Russia. In Italy, Mussolini lost control of the people. In the Pacific the Japanese war machine was on the defensive. As the war tilted in favor of the Allies, the three major Allied powers – America, Britain, and Soviet Russia – met at three major conferences during 1943-1945. At these meetings they would divide up the postwar world.

Joseph Stromberg (Author), George C. Scott (Narrator)

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South Africa

South Africa has become the world's symbol of racism. From the moment the Dutch colonists set foot on the Cape in 1652, this nation has steered a straight course toward apartheid; civil unrest has resulted. These tapes explore the economic and social forces that have brought South Africa into the spotlight of international condemnation.

Joseph Stromberg (Author), Harry Reasoner, Peter Hackes, Richard C. Hottelet (Narrator)

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The Philippines

Joseph Stromberg, Wendy McElroy, Wendy Mcelroy (Author), Harry Reasoner, Peter Hackes, Richard C. Hottelet (Narrator)

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The Spanish-American War/|World War I Part1

On April 25th, 1898, the United States declared war on Spain. Less than seven months later, a victorious America claimed the former Spanish colonies of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippine Islands. To the American diplomat John Hay, the Spanish-American War was "a splendid little war." It had been popular, brief and inexpensive – especially in terms of casualties. But the Spanish-American War marked a change in America’s international role. No longer content within her own borders, the United States looked overseas. In Europe, power was poised in balance. Germany longed to become a weltmacht - a world power. Britain struggled to preserve her empire. Both France and Russia expanded, and the Balkan states agitated for independence from Austria. Treaties were signed; alliances were consummated. Now the actions of any one power would determine the foreign policy of the others. By early August, 1914, the world was convulsed by war – the first world war. As Europe’s nation-states battled, they awaited the response of the greatest of the neutral powers – The United States. World War I engulfed Europe. On the western front, there was constant carnage, but little movement. Soldiers bled and died to win a stretch of dirt, which was quickly lost again. Europe seemed to be deadlocked in a bloodletting frenzy. Halfway across the world, an officially neutral American was being drawn into the conflict. On May 7, 1915, a German U-boat sank a British ship named the Lusitania. 1200 people died, including 128 Americans. Diplomatic relations between Germany and America slowly decayed until, finally, President Wilson ordered American merchant ships to be armed. Within days, U-boats opened fire on American streamers. On April 6, 1917, America declared war on Germany. At the 11th hour of the 11th day of November, 1918, the guns fell silent. Germany had surrendered. At the peace conference of Versailles, the victors constructed a treaty filled with revenge and retribution. It was a treaty that Germany would not honor. The dark clouds over Europe had not been dispelled; they were now gathering for a second global conflict.

Joseph Stromberg, Ralph Raico (Author), George C. Scott (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Korean War/Vietnam Part1

After WWII, Korea was divided in half at the 38th parallel. To the north were the Communists; to the south were the United Nations peacekeeping forces. In June 1950, North Korean soldiers backed by Soviet-built tanks poured across the parallel. The Korean conflict became on of the first expressions of the Cold War between Russia and America. It was an attempt to balance the power that had been thrown so badly out of alignment by WWII. But Korea would bring victory to neither side. It would merely reaffirm the deadlock. In 1954, the country of Vietnam was also divided in half – at the 17th parallel. To the north was the Communist regime of Ho Chi Mihn; to the south was the America-backed regime of Ngo Dihn Diem. Elections to unify the country were scheduled for 1956, but they were never held. Instead, each side used military means to accomplish political goals. To America, Vietnam symbolized her ability to contain communism in Asia. To the Communists, Vietnam symbolized their ability to defeat America in warfare. It became a struggle to the death between East and West – not only between military forces but also between opposing ideologies. Meanwhile, the fabric of Vietnamese society had been torn apart. By 1961, the Cold War was escalating with John F. Kennedy in the White House and Nikita Khrushchev in the Kremlin. Both Sides held nuclear weapons, and they tested each other for weakness. But, by 1964, Kennedy had been assassinated and the Soviets were at odds with communist China. The new American president, Lyndon B. Johnson, found himself trapped in a war without end. His solution was to escalate America’s military commitment in Vietnam. Between November 1963 and July 1965, Johnson transformed America’s limited engagement in Vietnam into an open-ended commitment. Continuing this strategy, President Richard M. Nixon ordered one of the most criticized events of the war - the bombing of Cambodia. American opinion clamored for an end to war, and eventually prevailed. The names of more than 58,000 Americans are inscribed on a black granite monument in Washington, D.C., memorializing those who died in Vietnam.

Joseph Stromberg, Wendy McElroy, Wendy Mcelroy (Author), George C. Scott (Narrator)

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