Showing results by author "Kelly Mass" in All Categories

One of the big lords of the drug cartels in Colombia is Pablo Escobar, a criminal who became a leader and expanded his influence on organized crime throughout the North and South American continents. With billions in his bank account, in cash, and in other assents, it’s not easy to ignore his name and the power he gained.

At its peak, the Etruscan society of age-old Italy covered circa what's now Tuscany, western Umbria, and northern Lazio, and areas of what's now the Po Valley, Emilia-Romagna, Southeastern Lombardy, Southern Veneto, and small parts of Campania. The first proof of an Etruscan society might be traced back to around 900 BC. This is the Iron Age Villanovan culture, which emerged from the former late Bronze Age Proto-Villanovan civilization in the exact same area and is considered the first stage of Etruscan civilization.

The Yugoslavian genocide is hard to explain. So many factors have contributed to the war—and eventually, the genocide in Bosnia—that many UN soldiers didn’t even know what to do about it. A lack of response, though, made the problem worse. A combination of historical aspects, such as the division of religion, the world wars, the Iron Curtain, and the fall of the Soviet Union, were part of what led to a conflict that lasted for years in this sensitive region in Europe.

Helen Adams Keller was an American author, handicap rights champ, political activist, and speaker who lived from June 27, 1880 to June 1, 1968. She was born in West Tuscumbia, Alabama, and following a bout of health problem at the age of 19 months, she lost both her sight and hearing. Keller used home signals till she was seven years of age, when she met Anne Sullivan, her first instructor and long-lasting partner, who taught her language, and that includes reading and writing.

Florence was a major center of middle ages European trade and banking, and also one of the most affluent cities in the world at the time. A lot of academics believe it was the beginning of the Renaissance, and it has been called "The Athens of the Middle Ages". Periods of supremacy by the strong Medici family, and also several spiritual and republican transformations, have marked the nation's unpredictable political history. The city was the capital of the Kingdom of Italy from 1865 to 1871 (developed in 1861).

Have you ever wondered about the gods and goddesses in Hindu religion? Have you wondered about what goes on in a country where over a billion people live? Well, you’re at the right place. In this comprehensive guide to Indian mythology, you will listen to various aspects of what they used to worship and still worship in this subcontinent with its vast history. You will hear about the Hindu epics and stories, the deities in their respective forms, and so much more.

We’ve all had our humble beginnings, and we seemed so innocent as children. However, for some people, given their childhood and circumstances, and then the political or war-driven environment they face, it goes completely wrong. Such was the case for Rudolf Hoess, a cruel, murderous Nazi commander who had been brainwashed by the system that justified his aid in exterminating millions of Jews. Hoess was the commandant of the Auschwitz concentration and extermination camp for the longest time. Learn more about what Rudolf Hoess did and why he has become so infamous.

When we think of Venice, we think of masks, canals, murals and frescoes, and little “gondoliers” with picturesque boats. Venice, indeed, has an impressive artistic history. But did you know that Venice was also, for a while, a considerably sized empire? Although no enduring historic records associate with the creation of Venice, the Republic of Venice's history is typically said to start at 12 a.m. on Friday, March 25th, AD 421, when authorities from Padua established the city to develop a trading center in that area of northern Italy.

This is a bundle of biographies of scientists and inventors that have paved the way for the technology and society we enjoy today. Their genius ideas and out-of-the-box thinking have been inspiring and courageous, to say the least.

Mark Twain is arguably one of the most famous authors in the United States, with his books Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. His characters were a typical, yet deviant, episode of the time period in which he lived, depicting the circumstances under which many people lived. If you want to know more about this known author, this classical writer, then get started on listening right now!

The Maurya Empire was an Iron Age South-Asian historic empire, centered in Magadha, and created by Chandragupta Maurya in the year 322, before Christ, and lasting till 185, before Christ, in a loose-knit way. The conquest of the Indo-Gangetic Plain focused the Maurya Empire, and Pataliputra functioned as its capital city (modern-day Patna). Beyond this royal core, the empire's geographical reach was limited by the dedication of army leaders who ruled the armed cities that dot the landscape.

William Shakespeare is the celebrated script writer of the most popular plays in the English language. By writing both tragedies, romances, and comedies in the 16th century, he made a name for himself and became successful in the art of drama. Shakespeare’s life and decisions led to his acclaim, and in this audiobook, we will lay out some of the most significant changes in both his personal choices and his career. Despite of his financial debts, his complex family life, and his background, he was able to entertain his audiences both in his time and for centuries after his death.

Most people have heard of Ludwig von Beethoven, one of the most famous composers of all time. His music had a certain aggression, passion, and beauty to it that still brings admirers to tears, more than 200 years later. His symphonies came from his creativity, the circumstances, and the trends in that time period in Germany and Austria. There is much to say about the historical context, the deep experiences, and the studies that Beethoven encountered during his life.

Many people have had the pleasure to listen to Mozart’s music. His legacy has lived on for more than two centuries. And although he only lived to be 35 years old, he has had a major impact on the classical music genre. From simple rebel to sheer genius, this intelligent composer has shown the world that despite all the odds, masterpieces and pure art can become a reality.

Marilyn Monroe has been part of the sexual revolution during the mid-20th century. Her influence in the movie industry, as an icon for attractiveness and femininity, have been noticed by hundreds of millions, even after her death. Did Marilyn Monroe have success? Yes. Was her life easy? Not by far. Her failed marriages, early childhood trauma, mood disorder, and some of the struggles with her sexuality, contracts, and Hollywood producers have made her life go up and down so much that I’m sure she would describe some moments as the ultimate bliss and others as a living hell.

Picasso’s work is famous. His art is intricate, yet bizarre. His personal life was filled with struggles, and his children weren’t any better off, creating substance abuse and suicidal headlines. Despite the dysfunctionality in his personal and family life, his artwork reflected something new and fresh. And in a variety of paintings, an underlying rebel message against totalitarian regimes. Having lived through many horrors of the Spanish war, as well as other 20th-century conflicts, the painter showed both style and morale in his works, and left a legacy studied by the masses.

Less than a decade after the Second World War, the Cuban revolution happened. It went on and off, irregularly causing riots and rebel actions, as well as tyrannical government suppression, and it all lingered on during the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the United States. What was it that typified the Cuban Revolution? This and many other questions will be answered in this comprehensive guide, which will give you a better understanding about the history of one of the most controversial economies on the huge island near the United States coastline.

Fidel Castro is probably the most famous person in Cuba. His life was devoted to what he perceived to be a righteous cause for equality and freedom from erroneous ideologies. He led people in the revolution, made a difference in the Cold War in decisions that concerned communism, Marxism, and other economic structures, and he finally became the president of Cuba, until he passed away not too long ago. Whether you like him or not, it’s definitely interesting to learn more about what made Fidel Castro so influential, and why he remained the president of his home country for so long.

Less than a decade after the Second World War, the Cuban revolution happened. It went on and off, irregularly causing riots and rebel actions, as well as tyrannical government suppression, and it all lingered on during the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the United States. What was it that typified the Cuban Revolution? Who were the players and what did they do? Which battles were most significant? And last but not least, what was the final result it all led to in the end? These and many other questions will be answered in this comprehensive guide.

The history of African-Americans has been complicated and controversial. While some will fight against racism, others deny the severity of it throughout the ages. Whether or not the issue is as serious as it used to be, is a separate topic for debate. In this guide, you will not listen much about opinions but about facts. Society has come a long way since the inauguration of slavery and suppression of the minority in the United States.