Africa Audiobooks | Travel

The Lumumba Plot: The Secret History of the CIA and a Cold War Assassination

A spellbinding work of history that reads like a Cold War spy thriller-about the U.S.-sanctioned plot to assassinate the democratically elected leader of the newly independent Congo "This is one of the best books I have read in years . . . gripping, full of colorful characters, and strange plot twists." -Fareed Zakaria, CNN host It was supposed to be a moment of great optimism, a cause for jubilation. The Congo was at last being set free from Belgium-one of seventeen countries to gain independence in 1960 from ruling European powers. At the helm as prime minister was charismatic nationalist Patrice Lumumba. Just days after the handover, however, the Congo's new army mutinied, Belgian forces intervened, and Lumumba turned to the United Nations for help in saving his newborn nation from what the press was already calling "the Congo crisis." Dag Hammarskjöld, the tidy Swede serving as UN secretary-general, quickly arranged the organization's biggest peacekeeping mission in history. But chaos was still spreading. Frustrated with the fecklessness of the UN and spurned by the United States, Lumumba then approached the Soviets for help-an appeal that set off alarm bells at the CIA. To forestall the spread of Communism in Africa, the CIA sent word to its station chief in the Congo, Larry Devlin: Lumumba had to go. Within a year, everything would unravel. The CIA plot to murder Lumumba would ﬁzzle out, but he would be deposed in a CIA-backed coup, transferred to enemy territory in a CIA-approved operation, and shot dead by Congolese assassins. Hammarskjöld, too, would die, in a mysterious plane crash en route to negotiate a cease-ﬁre with the Congo's rebellious southeast. And a young, ambitious military officer named Joseph Mobutu, who had once sworn fealty to Lumumba, would seize power with U.S. help and misrule the country for more than three decades. For the Congolese people, the events of 1960-61 represented the opening chapter of a long horror story. For the U.S. government, however, they provided a playbook for future interventions.

Stuart A. Reid (Author), Michael Boatman (Narrator)

Audiobook

History of Africa for Kids: A Captivating Guide to African History, from Ancient Times through the M

Three manuscripts in one audiobook: - African History for Kids: A Captivating Guide to the History of Africa - Ancient Africa for Kids: A Captivating Guide to Ancient African Civilizations, Empires, and History - Medieval Africa for Kids: A Captivating Guide to Mansa Musa, the Mali Empire, and other African Civilizations of the Middle Ages In the first part of this audiobook, you will learn about: - Ancient Egypt’s incredible inventions, pharaohs, and architecture. - The Egyptians weren’t the only African nation to build pyramids. Find out what other African civilizations built more pyramids in one town than there were in the whole of Egypt! - The introduction of Christianity and Islam and how they impacted tribal religions. - How a huge monument was dismantled and taken to Rome for seventy years before being returned to its original site. - Things are looking up! What the future holds for Africa. In the second part of this audiobook, you will discover: - Where is the Land of the Bow? - Why did the Egyptians make mummies? - How many war elephants did Hannibal have? - What civilization conquered Egypt? - What is the legend of King Solomon, the Queen of Sheba, and their son? - Where exactly was ancient Ghana? In the third part of this audiobook, you will discover: - Was Mansa Musa I really the wealthiest person in world history? - Why wasn’t the Ghana Empire close to modern Ghana? - How did Islam come to Africa? - Are any of the medieval empires still here today? - How did the African kingdoms react to the slave trade? - Who was the most famous African leader during the Middle Ages? - And much, much more! Scroll up and click the “add to cart” button to learn more about the history of Africa!

Captivating History (Author), Jay Herbert (Narrator)

Audiobook

South Africa: The History of South Africa from its Origins to Present Day

Are you interested in learning more about South African History? Are you interested in delving into the complexities of the Apartheid era? If so, this book is for you! Embark on an exhilarating journey through the pulse-pounding narrative of South African history. Plunge headfirst into a gripping odyssey that spans ancient cultures to triumphant modernity. Immerse yourself in the vibrant mosaic of indigenous heritage, collide with the echoes of colonial clashes, and experience the seismic transformation from apartheid's shadows to the brilliance of democracy's dawn. Uncover the tales of titans like Nelson Mandela, traversing the path to reconciliation with unwavering resolve. Brace yourself for a rollercoaster ride as this book unfurls before you—a tapestry of vivid stories, rare snapshots frozen in time, and piercing analysis that thrusts you into the core of South Africa's past. In this book you will learn about: - Ancient Indigenous Cultures and Early Settlements - European Colonization: Dutch East India Company's Influence - British Rule, Boer Wars, and the Birth of Union of South Africa - Apartheid Era: Struggle and Nelson Mandela's Leadership - Journey to Democracy: Truth and Reconciliation Commission - Contemporary Landscape: Diverse Culture, Economic Growth, and Challenges Whether you're a fervent history connoisseur or a relentless seeker of knowledge, this tome is your compass to uncharted territories. Plunder its pages and unearth the raw, heart-stirring journey of a nation's evolution. The legacy of South Africa beckons—don't hesitate, seize your copy now and set ablaze your unquenchable passion for history!

Will Forrest (Author), Will Forrest (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Italian Invasion of Ethiopia: A Captivating Guide to Mussolini's War in Abyssinia

The Italians were defeated at Adwa in 1898. But by 1935, they were playing for keeps. Learn more about the devastating Italian invasion of Ethiopia. Although the Ethiopians had beaten the Italians at their own game in the 1898 Battle of Adwa, when Italian armored divisions began pouring out of Italian-controlled Eritrea in 1935, the situation seemed almost impossible to overcome. This was not 1898 when the Italians were ill-equipped and ill-advised in their undertakings. The Italians had made sure they were guaranteed the upper hand. They had the best tanks and the best aircraft they could get their hands on. The Ethiopians had no tanks and only a handful of old planes. Their arms were also hopelessly outdated. They were not much better than the weaponry they had used back in 1898. The Italians were determined to win this time around, and few thought the Ethiopians had much of a chance. Although Ethiopian armaments left much to be desired, Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailie Selassie placed much of his hope in an international body known as the League of Nations. He ultimately had to flee his country when the Italians poured in. Selassie would continue to harangue the League of Nations from exile. But what happened after this? And what exactly happened during the invasion itself? This audiobook aims to explore just that. Explore why the Italians wanted Ethiopia to begin with, and discover the story of Ethiopians who were willing to fight and die for the freedom of their country. In this audiobook, you will learn: - The geopolitical background before the invasion - How the invasion was planned and what it entailed - The major battles fought during the Second Italo-Ethiopian War - The exile of Haile Selassie and how he continued to take a stand in exile - What happened to Ethiopia Scroll up and click the “add to cart” button to learn more about the Italian invasion of Ethiopia!

Captivating History (Author), Colin Fluxman (Narrator)

Audiobook

Burned: The Spy South Africa Never Caught

'An unflinching memoir of a spy during a tumultuous time and unsavory alliances. Dobson recounts her recruitment, training, and espionage with rare self-awareness.' -Henry R. Schlesinger, author of Honey Trapped From the snowy Soviet shooting range to the heat and dust of Africa, nothing is what it seems. And neither is Sue Dobson. The image of South Africa in the 1980's as the golden paradise on the tip of the African continent conceals a brutal, racist Apartheid regime. Those who oppose it risk their lives. Beauty and brutality go hand in hand. Sue Dobson, a young white South African woman lives a 'legend'-a life where she pretends to conform, moving easily through the echelons of the racist government in her work as a journalist, whilst concealing her espionage and military training in the Soviet Union, and her intelligence work for the banned African National Congress. Matters come to a head when sinister forces try to derail the Namibian independence process and Sue's cover is blown during a difficult honey trap operation, bringing the Cold War to Africa, and leading to her desperate flight across Southern Africa with the Apartheid security police snapping at her heels.

Sue Dobson (Author), Clare Staniforth (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Night Trains: Moving Mozambican miners to and from the Witwatersrand Mines, 1902–1955

ON THE NIGHT TRAINS, THE LAST STOP WAS ALWAYS HELL. The price exacted from across the African subcontinent for South Africa’s stalled 20th-century industrial revolution is, in human terms, still largely hidden from history. For half a century, up to the mid-1950s, privately operated trains travelled by night between Ressano Garcia, on the Mozambique border, and Booysens station, in Johannesburg. The night trains carried Mozambicans recruited to work in the mines of the booming Witwatersrand. The up-trains disgorged their human cargo into the maw of the great Rand mining machine, while the down-trains whisked away the time-expired miners – often ill, broken or insane, and preyed on by con men, petty criminals and corrupt officials. While mine labour was recruited from all over southern Africa, Mozambican migrants made up the largest component, and they paid the highest price. Charles van Onselen clinically reconstructs the world of the night trains, which were run as a partnership between the mining houses and the railways. By tracing the up and down rail journeys undertaken by black migrants over half a century it is possible to discern how racial thinking, expressed logistically, reflected South Africa’s evolving systems of segregation and apartheid. Mirroring the brutal logic of industrial capitalism, this was a system of transport designed to maximise profit at the expense of the health, well-being and even the lives of those it conveyed. The story of the night trains echoes today through songs such as ‘Stimela’ and ‘Shosholoza’. But the experience of the poverty-stricken Mozambicans who travelled on the trains has never been told. THE NIGHT TRAINS lays bare this hellish world.

Charles Van Onselen (Author), Sello Sebotsane (Narrator)

Audiobook

Father and Son: A memoir about family, the past and mortality

'A beautiful, compelling memoir . . . Father and Son is an exquisite, sometimes lunatic tension between powerful emotions and carnage on one side, and on the other, the conventional codes of what must remain unsaid. This, Raban's final work, is a gorgeous achievement" - Ian McEwan On 11 June 2011, three days short of his sixty-ninth birthday, Jonathan Raban suffered a stroke which left him unable to use the right side of his body. Learning to use a wheelchair in a rehab facility outside Seattle and resisting the ministrations of the nurses overseeing his recovery, Raban began to reflect upon the measure of his own life in the face of his own mortality. Together with the chronicle of his recovery is the extraordinary story of his parents' marriage, the early years of which were conducted by letter while his father fought in the Second World War. Jonathan Raban engages profoundly and candidly with some of the biggest questions at the heart of what it means to be alive, laying bare the human capacity to withstand trauma, as well as the warmth, strength, and humour that persist despite it. Father and Son, the final work from the peerless man of letters, is a tremendous, continent-sweeping story of love and resilience in the face of immense loss.

Jonathan Raban (Author), James Langton (Narrator)

Audiobook

[Spanish] - Makoko

MAKOKO es la breve historia de Elf, un muchacho criado en un suburbio de Lagos (Nigeria) que huye de la miseria y la violencia de su entorno en busca de una vida mejor. La existencia de Elf es una odisea desde el mismo día de su nacimiento, abandonado por su madre adolescente y acogido por una viuda en Makoko. Los primeros años de su vida transcurren en un barrio edificado sobre una ciénaga, gobernado por la mafia local y maltratado por unas instituciones corruptas. Las circunstancias obligarán al muchacho a emprender un viaje sin retorno. El relato está construido como una odisea épica, salpicada de elementos propios de la novela negra, donde los mafiosos, la policía, los traficantes de seres humanos y la violencia institucional proporcionan a la historia un carácter distinto que la separa de lo que a priori podría parecer una novela de aventuras. Durante la narración se hacen pequeños saltos en el espacio, en los que además del propio viaje a través de África, se vuelve a Makoko y se relatan acontecimientos acaecidos en el suburbio, especialmente la lucha entre el Ayuntamiento de Lagos y las cuadrillas de vigilantes que gobiernan el barrio a través de un régimen de terror. Las tribulaciones sufridas por Elf, protagonista absoluto de la novela, nos sirven de excusa para retratar, o al menos apuntar, algunos de los muchos sufrimientos padecidos por los miles de personas que cada día luchan por alcanzar Europa. En la novela no se deja lugar a la esperanza, ni tampoco tiene moralina. Intenta relatar, con la dosis necesaria de crudeza y violencia, algo que algún día quedará escrito en la historia negra de la humanidad, como lo fue la Inquisición, la esclavitud o el nazismo. Mientras esto ocurre, nosotros disfrutamos en nuestro sillón frente al televisor de la mejor liga del mundo.

Jose Maria Garcia Sanchez (Author), Silvia G. Lasil (Narrator)

Audiobook

History of South Africa: South African History Through the Ages

Curious about the struggles and conflicts during British rule, with the Boer Wars and Apartheid close in mind? Do you get inspired by Nelson Mandela and wish to know more? If so, this book is for you! Step into the riveting narrative of South African history, a captivating voyage from ancient cultures to modern triumphs. Immerse yourself in the rich mosaic of indigenous heritage, colonial clashes, and the seismic shift from apartheid to democracy. Explore iconic figures like Nelson Mandela and the path to reconciliation. This book weaves vivid stories, insightful analysis and guides you through the heart of South Africa's past. Whether you're a history enthusiast or an inquisitive explorer, this tome is a treasure trove that reveals the soul-stirring journey of a nation. Unearth South Africa's extraordinary legacy—order now and ignite your passion for history! In this book you will learn about: - Indigenous cultures and early settlements. - European colonization and Dutch East India Company. - British rule, Boer Wars, and Union of South Africa. - Apartheid era, struggle, and Nelson Mandela's presidency. - Transition to democracy, Truth and Reconciliation Commission. - Modern challenges, diverse culture, and economic growth. Don´t wait any longer, scroll up and buy this book now!

Days Of History (Author), James Smith (Narrator)

Audiobook

South African History: A History Book of South Africa

Interested in exploring Apartheid's complexities and its profound societal impact? Ready to embark on a journey through South African history, exploring its triumphs and struggles? If so, this book is for you! Embark upon a journey of profound resonance, traversing the rhythmic currents of South African history. Plunge into a narrative that spans the epochs, from age-old indigenous wisdom to the resplendent tapestry of modern triumph. Immerse yourself in the vivid mosaic of ancestral heritage, where the echoes of colonial encounters interlace with the profound transformation from the shadows of apartheid to the radiant emergence of democracy's dawn. Unearth the sagas of giants such as Nelson Mandela, whose path toward reconciliation stands as an unwavering testament to the human spirit's resolve. Prepare, dear traveler, for a transformative voyage akin to a labyrinthine exploration—a tapestry woven with tales that have stood the test of time with incisive analysis that plunges you into the very heart of South Africa's past. In this book you will learn: - The Origins of Ancient Indigenous Cultures and Early Communities - The Dawn of European Colonization: Dutch East India Company's Impact - The British Dominion, Boer Wars, and the Birth of Unified South Africa - The Apartheid's Era: Struggle, Guided by Nelson Mandela's Vision - The Path to Democracy: The Transformative Truth and Reconciliation Journey - Today's Landscape: Rich Cultural Tapestry, Economic Advancement, and Ongoing Endeavors Scroll up now and buy this book. Wisdom and knowledge awaits!

History Retold (Author), Dean Ericson (Narrator)

Audiobook

Blood, sweat and treason - Henry Olonga - My story - Expanded version

Henry Olonga (Author), Henry Olonga (Narrator)

Audiobook

Ancient Carthage: An Enthralling Guide to the Phoenicians and Carthaginian Civilization

The history of ancient Carthage: the lost empire that challenged Rome! What do we really know about ancient Carthage? Most of what has been written about this once-great empire is based on Roman and Greek writings that are biased against the Carthaginians. Now, thanks to careful scholarly work and amazing archaeological discoveries, the real Carthage can finally be revealed. Step back in time to an ancient world of strange gods and human sacrifice. Travel to the richest city of the ancient world: Carthage. Forget what you thought you knew about Carthage. This isn’t just about Hannibal crossing the Alps with his elephants. This is about a bustling, teeming commercial and political empire that covered most of the western Mediterranean. In this audiobook, you will learn about the following: - Carthage’s expeditions into the Atlantic Ocean a thousand years before Christopher Columbus; - The mythical and realistic foundations of Carthage; - The battles of the Sicilian Wars; - The Carthaginian deities Baal Hammon and Tanit, who required human sacrifice; - The great Carthaginian leaders: Hanno the Navigator, Mago I, Himilco, Hamilcar Barca, and his son Hannibal; - The causes, battles, and outcomes of the Punic Wars; - Sunken Carthaginian treasure; - The conquering of Spain, Sardinia, Corsica, and North Africa; - The eventual downfall of the Carthaginians; - Revolutionary new findings about the culture of Carthage; - And so much more! Scroll up and click “add to cart” to learn more about ancient Carthage!

Billy Wellman (Author), Jason Zenobia (Narrator)

Audiobook

Africa Audiobooks in Travel