Please don't be daunted by the heft of British historian David Starkey's reexamination of Henry VIII's six wives. Be glad about its size, for Paul Matthews's deft reading of Starkey's interesting and entertaining tome provides many hours of happy listening. Admittedly, making hour after hour of even the most fascinating narrative into a must-listen can be difficult, but Matthews pulls it off. His warm, resonant voice is an auditory pleasure. And he sounds genuinely fascinated with the subject, which encourages a listener's interest. His phrasing and pace are upbeat without sounding rushed; his pronunciation and articulation are superb. One wishes that family trees and who's who charts could be pasted into historical audiobooks. Other than that quibble, this is a perfect listen for first-timers to Henry's quest for an heir, as well as those who think they already know the story.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2004
Duration: 34 hrs, 15 mins
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
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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