Gifted with a dramatic voice and, equally important, dramatic instinct, Michael David Axtell demonstrates his ability to sustain, balance, and shape a narrative that has a wide reach and many branches. Freud, paradoxically, recognized that savagery is wedded to mankind's nature but discounted the danger he himself was in as the Nazis took over Vienna. His actual rescue proves relatively uneventful and occupies a small part of this narrative. The rest is a history of psychotherapy and biographies of the many people who contributed to saving Freud, all of interest, all pertinent. Axtell's steady tone bridges the narrative's leaps in time and focus while centering on the stately, dying Freud--whose mystique is still powerful today.
Pub Date: Aug. 23, 2022
Duration: 9 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781797143132
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Manchester’s incisive writing and Parker’s friendly narration make this a compelling package on the life of 20th century icon General Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964). No student of modern times can ignore this vain, mercurial soldier whose battlefield brilliance conserved the lives of his soldiers even as they cut their opponents to ribbons. Listening to Parker, one imagines a jovial uncle delivering a slap on the back and sitting down to describe war experiences in a rich voice filled with humor and pathos. He pronounces Japanese names, New Guinea cities and American slang with effortless ease. The “you-are-there” quality grabs and holds. This is a carefully done, seamless audio presentation.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 16 hrs
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A strong argument that leaders willing to govern from the center provide the best hope for the future of American government.
American politics appears to be dominated by extremists, but Barcott makes the case that effective government lies closer to the center. He profiles 10 politicians—military veterans and a former FBI agent—who are willing to cross party lines in order to pass legislation that is good for the country and not just one party’s agenda. Barcott offers a solid narration. His tone is conversational, and he carries listeners along nicely. He occasionally drops letters at the ends of words, and he adopts a generic New York accent for some of those profiled, both of which limit the effectiveness of his delivery.
A strong argument that leaders willing to govern from the center provide the best hope for the future of American government.Pub Date: June 9, 2026
Duration: 12 hrs, 28 mins
DD ISBN: 9798260200599
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: Sept. 8, 2026
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