With his friendly, reedy English accent, content creator and social media stalwart Adrian Bliss takes the listener on a wonderful and often laugh-out-loud tour of the back pages of history, told from the perspective of some very odd characters. There's the ferret (or is it an ermine) that posed for one of Leonardo da Vinci's most famous paintings. A giant oak tree that helped Charles I's son elude Cromwell's forces. And a heartbreaking tale about the colonization of the Island of Mauritius, told by its last dodo. Sprinkled with light music, sound effects, and occasional supporting voices, the audiobook makes history sound magical. Helpfully, each chapter ends with a rundown of the events' true facts. Droll, disarming, and historically correct--what fun.
Pub Date: Oct. 22, 2024
Duration: 7 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217067794
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Karen Chilton's fluid alto is a good fit for this biography of Thomas Jefferson. The authors are more or less successful in their attempt to present the third president in the context of his times. What we are presented with is a very human being--possessing great intellect, filled with flaws and contradictions, and still immensely fascinating nearly three centuries after his birth. Chilton's pacing and inflection are never off. She narrates with a calm demeanor, competently affecting various accents for quotes and ably giving subtle expression to the narrative. It all adds up to an enjoyable listening experience.
Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2016
Duration: 14 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781501909993
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
It's hard to imagine that the horror of 9/11 took place within a window of a mere 102 minutes, but indeed it was so. Be prepared for harrowing and heroic accounts gleaned from every possible source--phone messages, police and fire department communications, personal accounts, even the media--delineating the details at Ground Zero. Reader Ron McLarty handles the job with strong characterizations and the intensity the material demands. Listeners will find it hard to turn away from the nightmare but will find redemption in some of the stories of self-sacrifice that saved many lives. D.J.B. 2006 Audie Award Finalist © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2004
Duration: 6 hrs
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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