Sold into slavery at an early age in 1751, Phillis Wheatley asserted her natural genius and became a poet celebrated in the American colonies and Britain. This audiobook serves a double role as a historical biography and a literary one. Kim Staunton's able narration serves both aspects well. She keeps the narrative flowing despite the author's overly detailed digressions on such topics as the history of the Atlantic slave trade and New England maritime commerce. But it is in the author's examination of Wheatley's poetry that Staunton shines. Her recitation makes the poems nearly sound like her own as she captures the poet's tone of intimacy. Wheatley was inspired by Homer's ODYSSEY, and the author uses that as a metaphor for her short but fascinating life.
Pub Date: April 18, 2023
Duration: 17 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781705090947
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Manchester’s incisive writing and Parker’s friendly narration make this a compelling package on the life of 20th century icon General Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964). No student of modern times can ignore this vain, mercurial soldier whose battlefield brilliance conserved the lives of his soldiers even as they cut their opponents to ribbons. Listening to Parker, one imagines a jovial uncle delivering a slap on the back and sitting down to describe war experiences in a rich voice filled with humor and pathos. He pronounces Japanese names, New Guinea cities and American slang with effortless ease. The “you-are-there” quality grabs and holds. This is a carefully done, seamless audio presentation.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 16 hrs
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Baker tells the story dispassionately; on occasion, listeners might wish for more drama.
Narrator Gabrielle Baker provides a skilled rendition of this absorbing biography of Sydney Redesdale, mother of the six Mitford sisters. With just the right plummy accent, Baker guides us through Sydney’s own youth and marriage to David Mitford (Lord Redesdale) and her subsequent trials raising six daughters and a son. While some of her children accused her of being cold, as they grew older, Sydney’s devotion and support increased to the point that sheeventually became a necessary pillar for several of them. Unity, who famously became enamored of Hitler and, in 1939, tried to kill herself when England declared war on Germany, was cared for by her mother for years afterward. Sydney was also supportive of daughter Diana when she was imprisoned as a national security risk because of her fascist politics, which mirrored Sydney’s own views and caused a permanent rift with her husband.
Baker tells the story dispassionately; on occasion, listeners might wish for more drama.Pub Date: March 3, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs, 40 mins
DD ISBN: 9798318542589
Publisher: Tantor Media
Review Posted Online: tomorrow
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