The listener becomes the jury for Henderson's fascinating history of two explorers' attempts to reach the North Pole first. Suffering from frostbite, starvation, scurvy, and defeats, naval engineer Robert Peary and physician Frederick Cook devoted their lives to achieving this monumental geographic conquest. Both claimed victory, but who won? Bruce Henderson narrates with a taciturn voice that is less exciting than the story, but he navigates his long sentences with ease. Although he overuses the passive voice--"coffee was served, and farewells were said"--the major effect he brings to the performance is to incite our anger and disappointment as we learn once again that life isn't always fair.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2005
Duration: 10 hrs
Publisher: Books on Tape
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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