Audiobooks are a great way to “read more” when you’re short on time. You can listen in the car, on the train, or while working out. Some people listen to their audiobooks before going to bed each night. Others may start their morning off with a walk and a read. If you’re looking for some great educational reads without ever having to crack a book open, these best history audiobooks might tickle your ear.
Best History Audiobooks to Listen to Anywhere, Anytime
Gengis Khan and the Making of the Modern World by Jack Weatherford
The Mongol army was ruthless, fearsome, and influential. In as little as 50 years and led by Gengis Khan, they conquered more land than the Roman Empire. This audiobook tells the story of Gengis Khan’s rise to power and how that rise of power influenced the course of the world. Jack Weatherford explores ideas such as the Mongol’s cultural, technological, and educational impact on the kingdoms they conquered.
Defining Moments in Black History: Reading Between the Lines by Dick Gregory
This retelling of 100 influential moments in black history is led by one of the most engaged civil rights activists of our time. Dick Gregory is most well known as a comedian. However, his poetic and candid voice within these pages draws upon more than comedy and humor. The author draws upon paranoia, truth, and emotion to travel back in time. He explores important moments in history, such as The Harlem Renaissance, and The Great Migration.
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
Yuval Noah Harari uses his book, Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, as a canvas to explore some of humanity’s most daunting questions. These questions include who are we, where are we from, and where are we going?
Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fate of Human Societies by Jared Diamond
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 1998, Jared Diamond’s best selling work has been a staple of the historic nonfiction community since its release. The prize winner, which explores the rise and fall of civilization, is now available in audiobook format.
SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome by Mary Beard
Mary Beard’s best selling work provides an argument for just how important and influential the Roman Empire is today in our own society. The book’s name is the Romans’ own abbreviation for their nation-state: Senatus Populusque Romanus, ‘the Senate and People of Rome.
The Crusades: The Authoritative History of the War for the Holy Land by Thomas Asbridge
An authoritative history of the struggle for the Holy Land in the Middle Ages, this audiobook captivates listeners from the very beginning. Covering the history of AD 1095 to 1291, Asbridge captures the real holy war between Christians and Islamics.
Some say that listening to a history audiobook is similar to being taught by a historian. Narrators of history audiobooks often have voices that entice the listener to lean in closer and pay attention to the details. When deciding which audiobook to listen to next, consider these top history audiobooks as your choice.
