Audiobooks Narrated by Jim Manchester

The Changing Face of American Society: 1945–2000

History is dramatic—and the renowned, award-winning authors Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier demonstrate this in a compelling book aimed at young readers. Covering American history from the founding of Jamestown through present day, this volume explores far beyond the dates and events of a historical chronicle to present a moving illumination of the ideas, opinions, attitudes, and tribulations that led to the birth of this great nation. The Changing Face of American Society chronicles societal changes in the United States during the second half of the twentieth century, including the women’s movement, civil rights gains, technological innovations, and advances in medicine. This book summarizes the important themes that took place between the years 1945 and 2000 and what they mean to us now. “Although many history books for children aim only at an objective presentation of the facts, the Colliers have opted for interpretational history…by focusing on broad themes, the Colliers are able to show cause and effect over several decades and to make the sweep of time ‘bite-sized’ and intelligible.”—School Library Journal on A Century of Immigration

Christopher Collier, James Lincoln Collier (Author), Jim Manchester (Narrator)

Audiobook

The United States in World War II: 1941-1945

History is dramatic—and the renowned, award-winning authors Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier demonstrate this in a compelling series aimed at young readers. Covering American history from the founding of Jamestown through present day, these volumes explore far beyond the dates and events of a historical chronicle to present a moving illumination of the ideas, opinions, attitudes, and tribulations that led to the birth of this great nation. The United States in World War II provides background on American sentiments prior to US  involvement in the war. The authors contend that it may have played out differently if some countries, including the US, had been prepared and/or willing to become involved sooner. Fascist ideology is defined.

Christopher Collier, James Lincoln Collier (Author), Jim Manchester (Narrator)

Audiobook

The United States in the Cold War: 1945-1989

History is dramatic—and the renowned, award-winning authors Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier demonstrate this in a compelling series aimed at young readers. Covering American history from the founding of Jamestown through present day, these volumes explore far beyond the dates and events of a historical chronicle to present a moving illumination of the ideas, opinions, attitudes, and tribulations that led to the birth of this great nation.  The United States in the Cold War examines the history of the United States from 1945 to 1989. Beginning with the effects of World War II, the narrative follows the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the rise and fall of Communism.      

Christopher Collier, James Lincoln Collier (Author), Jim Manchester (Narrator)

Audiobook

The United States Enters the World Stage: From the Alaska Purchase through World War I, 1867–1919

History is dramatic—and the renowned, award-winning authors Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier demonstrate this in a compelling series aimed at young readers. Covering American history from the founding of Jamestown through present day, these volumes explore far beyond the dates and events of a historical chronicle to present a moving illumination of the ideas, opinions, attitudes, and tribulations that led to the birth of this great nation.  The United States Enters the World Stage covers the years 1867 through 1918. This book gives detailed accounts of America’s emergence as a world power from the Alaska Purchase through World War I.

Christopher Collier, James Lincoln Collier (Author), Jim Manchester (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Middle Road: American Politics, 1945–2000

History is dramatic—and the renowned, award-winning authors Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier demonstrate this in a compelling series aimed at young readers. Covering American history from the founding of Jamestown through present day, these volumes explore far beyond the dates and events of a historical chronicle to present a moving illumination of the ideas, opinions, attitudes, and tribulations that led to the birth of this great nation. In The Middle Road, the terms democrat, republican, liberal, and conservative are defined. Readers learn how these philosophies dominated and shifted during the years covered in this volume.

Christopher Collier, James Lincoln Collier (Author), Jim Manchester (Narrator)

Audiobook

Reconstruction and the Rise of Jim Crow: 1864–1896

Reconstruction and Rise of Jim Crow describes the fallout of the Civil War, whose aftermath left the United States South angry and poor. This book details the struggles to decide how to deal with the newly freed slaves, through the years of Reconstruction, Jim Crow, sharecropping, and segregation. The story line also sets the stage for the country’s next battle, which is between the Jim Crow laws and the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments.

Christopher Collier, James Lincoln Collier (Author), Jim Manchester (Narrator)

Audiobook

A Century of Immigration: 1820–1924

History is dramatic—and the renowned, award-winning authors Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier demonstrate this in a compelling series aimed at young readers. Covering American history from the founding of Jamestown through present day, these volumes explore far beyond the dates and events of a historical chronicle to present a moving illumination of the ideas, opinions, attitudes and tribulations that led to the birth of this great nation. A Century of Immigration reviews the century of 1820 through 1920, in which there were two waves of immigration to the United States. This book discusses the varied motivations and nationalities of these new Americans, as well as the effects of mass immigration on the country as a whole, and the rise of antiforeign sentiments among more recent immigrants. “Although many history books for children aim only at an objective presentation of the facts, the Colliers have opted for interpretational history…by focusing on broad themes, the Colliers are able to show cause and effect over several decades and to make the sweep of time ‘bite-sized’ and intelligible.”—School Library Journal

Christopher Collier, James Lincoln Collier (Author), Jim Manchester (Narrator)

Audiobook

Indians, Cowboys, and Farmers and the Battle for the Great Plains: 1865–1910

This is American history at its most basic. Believing that students get “lost in a swamp of factual information,” the Colliers survey the essential concepts of settling the Great Plains, without a great deal of detail. For example, in describing the sequence of events that led to the Grattan Massacre, there is no mention of date, location, or names of the people involved. Without prior knowledge, readers would not know it was the Grattan Massacre. Topics addressed include Native American history prior to contact with whites and conflicts with settlers and the military, ranching and cowboys, railroads, and reform movements that sought to help farmers and regulate big business. While the focus of this book is on political and institutional history, it does mention the contributions of women and minorities. The illustrative material-photographs, campaign posters, political cartoons, advertisements, graphs, maps, and reproductions of paintings by famous Western artists George Catlin, Charles Russell, and Frederic Remington-is outstanding. References to other books in the series that further explain a topic are scattered throughout the text.

Christopher Collier, James Lincoln Collier (Author), Jim Manchester (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Rise of Industry, 1860-1900

History is dramatic—and the renowned, award-winning authors Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier demonstrate this in a compelling series aimed at young readers. Covering American history from the founding of Jamestown through present day, these volumes explore far beyond the dates and events of a historical chronicle to present a moving illumination of the ideas, opinions, attitudes and tribulations that led to the birth of this great nation. The Rise of Industry gives a detailed account of the industrialization of America in the last decades of the nineteenth century. It includes descriptions of the technological advances of the late 1800s, poor working conditions, the rise of large corporations and labor unions, and eventual government regulation.

Christopher Collier, James Lincoln Collier (Author), Jim Manchester (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Rise of the Cities: 1820–1920

History is dramatic—and the renowned, award-winning authors Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier demonstrate this in a compelling series aimed at young readers. Covering American history from the founding of Jamestown through present day, these volumes explore far beyond the dates and events of a historical chronicle to present a moving illumination of the ideas, opinions, attitudes, and tribulations that led to the birth of this great nation.  The Rise of the Cities discusses the factors leading to the settlement and growth of cities in the United States and examines some of the social problems that are part of city life. The authors explore the role of technological advances, governing strategies, and social welfare. “Continuing the Colliers’ noteworthy series, The Drama of American History, these volumes concentrate on what the authors call ‘the basic themes of the American story’…Two highly readable and informative volumes.”—Booklist

Christopher Collier, James Lincoln Collier (Author), Jim Manchester (Narrator)

Audiobook

Andrew Jackson’s America: 1824–1850

History is dramatic—and the renowned, award-winning authors Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier demonstrate this in a compelling series aimed at young readers. Covering American history from the founding of Jamestown through present day, these volumes explore far beyond the dates and events of a historical chronicle to present a moving illumination of the ideas, opinions, attitudes, and tribulations that led to the birth of this great nation.  Andrew Jackson’s America examines the events and personalities, particularly President Andrew Jackson, that shaped the development of the United States during the first half of the nineteenth century. Learn about the influence that Andrew Jackson had on the way America developed, the industrial revolution and the beginning of the two-party system. “Clearly written books… Excellent additions to history collections.”—School Library Journal

Christopher Collier, James Lincoln Collier (Author), Jim Manchester (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Civil War: 1860-1865

History is dramatic—and the renowned, award-winning authors Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier demonstrate this in a compelling series aimed at young readers. Covering American history from the founding of Jamestown through present day, these volumes explore far beyond the dates and events of a historical chronicle to present a moving illumination of the ideas, opinions, attitudes and tribulations that led to the birth of this great nation. The Civil War: 1860–1865 examines the people and events involved in the bloody war that pitted the Northern states against those that seceded to form the Confederacy. “Clearly written books… Excellent additions to history collections.”—School Library Journal

Christopher Collier, James Lincoln Collier (Author), Jim Manchester (Narrator)

Audiobook