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American History

Discovering America’s Lost Stories (Secrets of the Forgotten Past)

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American History

By: Matt Clayton
Narrated by: Jason Saffir
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About this listen

Untold American History: Discover the Stories You Never Knew

Get ready to explore the forgotten stories of America’s past. Untold American History brings to life strange, exciting, and true tales that many people have never heard before. Imagine a flood of sticky molasses sweeping through the streets of Boston. It sounds like something out of a movie, but it actually happened in 1919.

This is just one of the many surprising events you’ll learn about. You’ll also meet Norton, a man who called himself the “Emperor of the United States” and became a local legend. You’ll dive into the mystery of the lost colony of Roanoke, a settlement that seemingly vanished without a trace. Discover secret societies that worked behind closed doors, learn about the Ghost Army that fooled the enemy in World War II, and hear the stories of brave women in the Wild West who took on incredible challenges. Each story will help you see America’s history in a whole new way.

Here’s just a taste of what’s inside:

  • The spooky meetings of the Hellfire Club
  • The sad and powerful story of Igbo Landing
  • The rise and disappearance of the Roanoke Colony
  • How Jermain Loguen helped enslaved people escape to freedom
  • The funny and strange rules made by Emperor Norton
  • How Native American warriors defeated General Custer’s soldiers
  • The Greenwood district, where African Americans built a strong and successful community before tragedy struck

These stories will take you back in time and help you understand just how rich and interesting America’s history really is. Untold American History is the perfect audiobook for anyone who wants to discover the amazing stories that don’t always make it into the history books.

Ready to learn more about America’s hidden past? Scroll up and click the “add to cart” button to start your adventure!

©2024 Matt Clayton (P)2024 Matt Clayton Americas United States American History Funny

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All stars
Most relevant  

Listener received this title free

I listened to this book during a few quiet evenings after dinner. It shared stories from American history I had never heard before and made them feel real and human. I liked how it focused on people and events that don’t always make it into school books. The stories were easy to follow and made me want to keep learning more. It didn’t feel like a lecture—it felt like getting to know the past in a more honest way.

One story about a small act of courage during a major event really stayed with me. It reminded me of something my grandfather once shared about helping others during a tough time. That connection made the history feel close to home. I even brought it up during a family dinner and we had a great conversation. It’s rare for a book to bring that kind of moment into real life.

The narrator’s voice was clear and thoughtful and kept me engaged from start to finish.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Made History Feel Personal and Real

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Listener received this title free

I didn’t expect to enjoy this as much as I did, but each chapter uncovered a part of American history I’d somehow never come across before. The molasses flood and “Emperor Norton” were especially wild—both tragic and oddly charming in their own ways. It kept surprising me with how many stories felt both forgotten and deeply relevant. If you’re even a little curious about what got left out of textbooks, this really opens your eyes.

Stories I Never Learned in School

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Listener received this title free

I’ve always liked history, but this book brought up stories I had never heard before. It made me realize how much gets left out of what we’re usually taught. I read a few chapters at a time and found myself bringing it up in random conversations—it stuck with me. It gave me a broader view of how things really unfolded and who got left out. Definitely worth reading if you like digging a little deeper.

Stuff I never learned in school

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Listener received this title free

Honestly, history lessons usually made my eyes glaze over back in school, you know? Just dates and battles that felt a million miles away. But listening to Matt Clayton's Untold American History was like discovering a secret, way more interesting version of the past. Learning about stuff like a literal flood of molasses in Boston or a guy who just declared himself Emperor of the United States – Emperor Norton, what a character! – completely shifted things for me; it felt less like homework and more like tuning into some unbelievable stories you'd swap with friends. Jason Saffir's narration is top-notch; he really brings these forgotten moments and people to life without overdoing it. If you enjoy digging up odd bits of the past or just want history that surprises you, you should definitely give this a listen.

The History Class I Actually Wish I'd Had

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Listener received this title free

This book wasn't just a rehash of the usual historical events. The story about the molasses flood in Boston was wild – I'd never heard of that! It really made history feel more vivid and unexpected.

The book also introduced some fascinating characters and events I knew nothing about, like Emperor Norton. His story was so strange and yet he became a local legend – it makes you wonder about the different ways people have shaped American history. The mystery of the lost Roanoke colony was also interesting, and it highlights how much of the past is still unknown.

Not a rehash of the usual historical events

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Listener received this title free

My mom and I listened to this audiobook on a recent road trip because she’s a total history buff and I wanted something we’d both enjoy. We were hooked! The stories are fascinating and full of surprises. As someone who grew up in the DMV, I couldn’t believe I’d never heard some of these tales before. The one about the lost colony in Roanoke especially blew my mind. Such a fun and interesting listen!

A Perfect Road Trip Listen

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Listener received this title free

This audiobook was really interesting. It shared stories from American history that I had never heard before. I liked how the stories were easy to listen and kept my attention. It felt like I was discovering secrets from the past. I learned things I didn't know before, and it made history feel more real.

Surprising Stories from the Past

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Listener received this title free

I listened to Matt Clayton’s audiobook on Ancient Rome a while back and really enjoyed his storytelling style, so I was glad this was gifted to me. Same vibe, easy to listen to, not too academic, but still packed with interesting bits I hadn’t heard before (or forgot, lol). I really like how it doesn’t just go through the usual textbook stuff, it focuses more on overlooked stories and perspectives. A good one if you like history told in a way that actually sticks. Definitely planning to check out more from him.

great lineup!

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Listener received this title free

I’ve always found history kind of boring until this audiobook flipped that idea on its head. American History: Discovering America’s Lost Stories digs up all the wild, weird, and totally true tales that somehow got left out of the textbooks. From the Great Molasses Flood to Emperor Norton, I was hooked. It felt like binge watching a documentary podcast with a twist. If you love quirky facts and hidden gems from the past, this one’s a must listen.

History Class Never Told Me This!

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Listener received this title free

I picked this up hoping to learn something new about America’s past—and I definitely did. What surprised me was how many important stories have been left out of what we usually learn. The book gave me a deeper understanding of the people and events that shaped the country, beyond just dates and facts. It’s well-organized, easy to follow, and actually made me want to keep reading. If you're into history that feels real and relatable, this is worth it.

Made History Feel Personal

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