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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.

Australia's contributions in the Pacific War are often forgotten in history lessons today. However, Australia faced the bombing of its cities and invasions of nearby islands much like the rest of the world, and stood up to fight as needed. They placed a central role from 1942 to 1943 in the New Guinea Campaign and defended Japanese forces invading Port Moseby. Japanese forces then invaded the Australian mainland, trying to cut supply lines, but were fought back by valiant forces. Take to the ground and skies during this mix of intense land and air battles.

Many associate Mahatma Gandhi with peace, but this should not be confused with passivity. Gandhi was an activist who helped India achieve independence from Britain, advocated for Indian rights in South Africa and at home, and improved the lives of India’s “untouchable” people. He did this all through nonviolent activism and thoughtful reflection on the nature of the injustices he saw around him. This short biography reveals the life experiences that made Gandhi an inspirational peacemaker with an international legacy.

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.

Vladimir Putin is the current president of Russia, serving in his third term since 2012. He started his career as an intelligence officer and politician. Raised and educated in the Soviet Union, he saw great prosperity and growth during his first term. His leadership has been fraught with accusations and scandals, particularly in his handling of human rights and justice cases, as well as his alleged involvement in the United States politics.

The Industrial Revolution took place in Europe and the United States from the 1760s to the 1840s. It began in Great Britain, stimulated by expanding trade and the rise of business. The era saw a transition from methods of manual production to the use of machines and new manufacturing processes. This transition was marked by technical innovation, the harnessing of steam and water power, the development of machine tools, and the birth of mechanized factories.

The Vietnam War, known in Vietnam as the Resistance War Against America, was an undeclared conflict spanning Vietnam, Laos (with the Laotian Civil War), and Cambodia from 1955 to 1975. The war was officially fought between Communist North Vietnam and opposing South Vietnam. The former was supported by the Soviet Union, China, and other communist allies; the latter was supported by the United States, South Korea, Philippines, Australia, and other anti-communist allies. The guerrilla warfare tactics used by the Viet Cong is one of the most well-known aspects of the war.

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.

Will Rogers (1879 to 1935), born William Penn Adair, was an American stage and film actor, vaudeville performer, and newspaper columnist, known primarily for his humor and social commentary. He is significant in that he was a Cherokee citizen born in the Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory (now part of Oklahoma). During Rogers’ long career, he made over 70 films and wrote more than 4,000 newspaper columns. Rogers was born in 1935 and was raised and worked on his parents' ranch The Dog Iron Ranch in the Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory.

Cornelius Vanderbilt (1794 to 1877) was an American business magnate whose wealth and significance was rooted in the shipping industry and the development of railroads. Cornelius was also the patriarch of the extremely wealthy influential Vanderbilt family. During the 1850s and beyond, Vanderbilt took an interest in various US railroads, and bought, invested in, and developed various railroad routes, not only earning a vast amount of wealth but also, as some historians have stated, expanded America’s transportation infrastructure, transforming the very geography of the United States.

Dolley Madison (1768 to 1849) born Dolley Payne, was the fourth first lady of the United States and wife of James Madison, founding father and fourth president of the United States. Madison is now most famous for holding large Washington social functions to which members of both political parties where invited. Dolley Madison, essentially, helped create the concept of bipartisan cooperation and furthered the idea that both parties could socialize, debate, and negotiate with each other amicably and without descending into violence.

The University of Kentucky is an educational institution with a 150-year old history. It's also the headquarters of "Big Blue Nation", UK's network of alumni and fans who bleed the school colors blue and white. UK boasts a solid academic record, but most people know it for its fanatical sports fans cheering on their Wildcats in basketball and football.

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.

Fred Astaire, 1899 to 1987, born Frederick Austerlitz, was an icon and extremely influential American dancer, singer, actor, and choreographer. Although Astaire refused dance lessons at first, he quickly picked up choreography and showed himself to be a natural talent; he also began learning various instruments. Overall, Astaire’s stage and film and television career spanned 76 years. Astaire starred in more than 10 Broadway musicals, over 30 musical films, and numerous television specials, radio specials, and recordings.

Bob Hope (1903-2003) born Leslie Townes Hope, was an American comedian whose career spanned 78 years. During Hope’s long career, he achieved recognition as a stand-up comedian, a vaudevillian, an actor, a singer and dancer, an author, and even an athlete.

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.

When Alexander the Great died, his empire collapsed in a rash of battles an in-fighting between his cavalcade of generals. The Wars of the Diadochi divided up his holdings and determined how much of the Mediterranean world would look for the next thousands of years. This audiobook jumps into this tumultuous conflict that lasted for nearly 100 years and impacted every person living in the ancient world. It would also be the conflict most responsible for spreading and consolidating Greek culture throughout the ancient world.

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.

Cleopatra was the last Egyptian pharaoh who ruled over Egypt, though her leadership was fraught with peril and political intrigue from the Greco-Roman sphere. She was the only member of her Greek family who bothered to learn the language of her people, and this dedication to the good of Egypt would be reflected in the way she ruled.

Robespierre was a poor, well-educated activist and politician who would seize power during the French Revolution...today he is not remembered for his work on universal male voting rights, price controls for basic food needs, and abolishing slavery...but for his Reign of Terror. How did an intelligent man driven by morals of freedom and justice end up executing thousands in a mad grab to maintain power? Follow his fascinating descent from the Hero of the Republic to its true enemy.