Viola Davis embodies the spunk and spirit of Lula Hardaway in this amazing hard-luck biography of Stevie Wonder's mother. Davis's voice reflects Hardaway's toughness and determination to build a better life for her boys than she experienced growing up in a sharecropper family while at the same time capturing her fierce love and gentle devotion. While the first half of the book focuses on Lula's life, the second half is devoted almost exclusively to the development of Stevie Wonder from a small, blind baby to a superstar; the other kids and Lula's life really take a backseat, an unfortunate occurrence given the drama inherent in Lula's amazing perseverance. The story and perform-ance also provide an insider's look at Detroit as Motown Records launched many of its stars.
Pub Date: 2002
Duration: 5 hrs
DD ISBN:
Publisher: Simon & Schuster 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:
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:
Duration: 3 hrs
DD ISBN:
Publisher: Dove Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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