As the first two hours of this audiobook pass by with no mention of Barack Obama, listeners may wonder if there's been a mix-up. Alas, that's just how it is with this excruciatingly detailed biography. Narrator Charles Constant does his best to keep an inflated 56 hours of audio engaging. He's a skilled narrator and capable guide through this account of Obama's early life and rise to political prominence. Constant's efforts are admirable, but the sheer amount of information presented, though impressive from a research standpoint, undermines any chance for a cohesive narrative. Those interested in Obama's presidency may be disappointed that they have to wait until the epilogue. This production is not recommended for casual listeners, but serious political science and biography buffs may find it worthwhile.
Pub Date: May 9, 2017
Duration: 56 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780062671745
Publisher: Harper 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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