Narrator Andy Secombe presents this mixture of true crime and literary history set in Victorian England as if he were performing a novel. The story begins with one of the most sensational murders of 1840s England. Lord William Russell was murdered in his bed, his throat slashed so deeply that his head was almost severed from his neck. Secombe does his best to keep things lively, but Harman's research takes too many literary sidetracks, including books and plays focused on criminals and a debate as to whether the glorification of criminals in literary works encourages violence among readers. Harman offers a plot-heavy tale with a frequently shifting focus, leaving listeners unclear about its original purpose, but Secombe's bright, energetic delivery is a win.
Pub Date: March 26, 2019
Duration: 7 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781984840110
Publisher: Random House 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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