The late Barbara Tuchman departs from longer works to expound upon her experiences as a writer of history. She defines history as "an accidental, perhaps cyclical, record of human conduct." Her rigorous approach to everything she produces becomes apparent in this lengthy essay, which includes public addresses and pieces written for other publications. "I'm very conscious of the reader as a listener," she wrote, well before the advent of audiobooks. Narrator Wanda McCaddon conveys this attitude as she becomes the voice of the author, sounding credible in her command of Tuchman's prodigious vocabulary. McCaddon adds another welcome touch by exploiting her ability to give nuance and personality to prose aptly composed but needing a skillful artist to quicken it.
Pub Date: Dec. 1, 2009
Duration: 11 hrs, 45 mins
Publisher: Blackstone 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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