Alison Weir's newest sweeping history recounts the stories of the five Norman queens of England and Europe, beginning with Matilda of Flanders, wife of William the Conqueror in 1066, and ending with Empress Maud in 1154. As suits a regal history, narrator Julia Franklin adopts a highborn tone to her narration. She reads at a graceful pace with appropriate pauses so listeners can absorb the complex details. Each of the various people associated with the queens and their courts is imbued with an appropriate accent and persona. Franklin differentiates the background narrative from letters and written historical accounts through a fluid shift of inflection and emphasis. She brings the period alive with her polished melodious performance.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2017
Duration: 17 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781470376406
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
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
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
