Most of us know Dolley Madison as the woman who saved the portrait of George Washington from the British in 1814, and as a brand of pastries. This is unfortunate, for Mrs. Madison may have been the most popular woman of her time. Dr. Allgor attempts to put Dolley in her proper place in American history in this detailed account of the early republic. Anne Twomey has a daunting task in narrating this long work. Her voice is soft and serene; she is clear with her enunciation and is by no means monotonous. Yet the softness of her performance makes it hard to pay attention for more than a short time.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2006
Duration: 16 hrs
Publisher: Audio Renaissance
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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