The "Forbidden Fruit" in the title is marriage. This scholarly collection of love stories from the early to mid-nineteenth century represents years of work by award-winning journalist Betty de Ramus. These heart-wrenching stories document the self-sacrifice made by untold thousands of free or enslaved African-Americans, as well as non-white spouses of slaves, who sought the services of the Underground Railroad in order to remain with their spouses. The varied narrators give voice to an American tragedy. Whether voiced in anger, defiance, sorrow, love, or resignation, each story and narrator break our hearts, renew our faith, and open our eyes to these acts of true love.
Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2005
Duration: 8 hrs, 15 mins
Publisher: Recorded Books/ Griot 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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