Chris DeRose sets out to document "the middle" of President Lincoln's life--his congressional years, when he first dealt with antislavery legislation. Norman Dietz narrates DeRose's history with the voice of a strong lecturer, never acting but conveying information in a way that keeps listeners' attention. There's interesting detail about the era's major legislation, Lincoln's first time in Washington, and the political lessons he learned. A discussion of a postal route bill points out the book's key weakness: DeRose alludes to "behind-the-scenes work" that now is untraceable. The book lays out the years of Lincoln's service, but his low-profile role means that Lincoln's early political career still remains a bit mysterious.
Pub Date: Jan. 29, 2013
Duration: 12 hrs
Publisher: Tantor Media
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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