Top 10 Free History Audiobooks

1. The History of the Peloponnesian War

by Thucydides

A foundational work of history chronicling the epic conflict between Athens and Sparta — rich in strategy and insight.

2. The Histories

by Herodotus

Known as the “Father of History,” Herodotus recounts the rise and fall of ancient empires and the Persian Wars.

3. The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

by Edward Gibbon

A monumental and elegant chronicle tracing the causes and consequences of Rome’s collapse.

4. A Short History of England

by G.K. Chesterton

A witty and insightful overview of English history from Roman times to modernity, full of Chesterton’s trademark humor.

5. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

by Benjamin Franklin

An essential primary source of American history — Franklin’s firsthand account of the early Republic and Enlightenment ideals.

6. The Federalist Papers

by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay

A cornerstone of political and historical thought — essays defending the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

7. The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte

by William Milligan Sloane

An engaging historical portrait of one of the most fascinating and complex figures in European history.

8. The Crusades: The Story of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem

by T.A. Archer

A detailed account of the Crusader states and their dramatic conflicts with the Islamic world.

9. The Reign of Terror: A Narrative

by Grace Dalrymple Elliott

An eyewitness memoir of the French Revolution’s most chaotic years — told by a woman of wit and courage.

10. The Boys’ Life of Abraham Lincoln

by Helen Nicolay

A moving biography written for younger audiences, chronicling Lincoln’s life and legacy in American history.