by S.M. Plokhy ; Read by Henry Strozier ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 4, 2010
The Yalta Conference of 1945 allowed the Allied leaders—Stalin, Churchill, and FDR—to determine the fate of postwar Europe. The history delves into the political intrigues of the three men, all acting in their own spherical interests. The significant consequences resulted in a new division of Europe that allowed Germany to remain intact and later form a democratic government, unlike the ruinous Versailles Treaty following WWI. Narrator Henry Strozier’s sonorous voice emphasizes and inflects his words but never deviates to create characterizations for any of the famous characters. Many listeners prefer his straight-from-the-page treatment of nonfiction, and he does it well. Listeners can expect an extensive work intended for avid students of war and history.
Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2010
Duration: 22 hrs, 45 mins
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
by Jason Burke ; Read by Kristin Atherton ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 13, 2026
Kristin Atherton is the absolute right choice to narrate this riveting and complex history of the rise of global terrorism. The research provided here is ambitious, providing a clear-eyed, deeply considered history of the nature of terrorist acts, the motivations for which were hard for news broadcasts of the 1970s to fully capture. Atherton's narration never wavers as Burke covers the well-known events of airplane hijackings, the Munich Olympic attacks, and the Beirut bombings of 1983, "the bloodiest year." The result is an insightful history that gives context to events that may have seemed disparate to casual observers. Atherton maintains a comprehensive, consistent voice throughout this long, gripping audiobook.
Pub Date: Jan. 13, 2026
Duration: 25 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217018796
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
by Alex Wellerstein ; Read by Tim Campbell ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 9, 2025
Awards & Accolades
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Tim Campbell's sonorous voice is a splendid match for Wellerstein's account of the decision to drop the atomic bombs on Japan in 1945. Wellerstein, a scholar of the history of nuclear weapons and the creator of the website NUKEMAP, delves deep into American nuclear policy. His conclusion is that President Harry S. Truman was almost entirely out of the decision loop. After the bombings, Truman made sure that American nuclear policy was firmly under the control of the president. While somewhat staccato, Campbell's delivery is never hurried or hard to follow. His voice has a slight gravelly quality, but is quite winsome and appropriately expressive throughout. Campbell's narration quickly draws the listener into this history.
Pub Date: Dec. 9, 2025
Duration: 11 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063379459
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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