Narrator Henry Leyva is beautifully faithful to the heartfelt emotion that Bengie Molina wraps into his memoir of struggling to enter the big leagues of baseball, of marital unhappiness and finding new love, and, most importantly, of striving for the approval of his father, Pai. Bengie, and his brothers, Jose and Yadier, grew up in Puerto Rico; were all coached by their father; and all became big-league catchers with World Series rings. Leyva seamlessly transitions between English and Spanish, adding to the authentic atmosphere of the story. Bengie always believed that Pai himself wanted to be a baseball star, but after his unexpected death, learns his real motivation was always family. To Bengie, it's no surprise that Pai produced three catchers--the caretakers of the team and protectors of home base.
Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2015
Duration: 8 hrs, 15 mins
Publisher: HighBridge 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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