After his wife accepts a three-year work assignment in Beijing as China bureau chief for the WALL STREET JOURNAL, American music journalist Alan Paul and his family begin their expat life. In an unlikely turn of events, Paul forms a blues band called Woodie Alan with a Chinese partner. The band begins touring, ultimately gaining the title of "Best Band in Beijing" and releasing a CD. Paul narrates his memoir in a laid-back tone, with a sense of curiosity and wonder at both the challenges and pleasures of living in a foreign culture and achieving fame in the music world. The audio recording also features samples of music from Woodie Alan.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2011
Duration: 6 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780062062734
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
James Michener tells the real stories behind the man and his books. The recording is read with skill and consistency although the reader does little to enhance the robust, larger-than-life incidents related in the book. Due to the first-person narrative format, there is no opportunity for the narrator to change his voice. This makes some chapters monotonous as they go on and on in the typical Michener style. The listener may also become confused because the stories are not told chronologically. This is not a great choice for the audio format, but Michener fans may stick with it to the end.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 22 hrs
Publisher: Books on Tape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
In a quest for a sense of inner contentment and self-worth, Gloria Steinem brings the reader on a journey of investigation and discovery. Steinem reads the text herself in a straightforward and friendly, but not intimate, presentation which is so easy to listen to it invites repetition--thus ensuring the painless relearning of the lessons of the book. It's difficult to tell from the reading that this audiobook is abridged; each section can stand alone. Nonetheless, the listener wished the book were unabridged. Steinem left me wanting to learn more.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Dove Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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