During the 1930-40s, Austrian actress turned screenwriter Salka Viertel maintained her salon in Santa Monica as a refuge for the emigré community of German and other European intellectuals. At one point in time, Viertel earned the highest screenwriter salary on the MGM Culver City lot. Even with the well-written content of this audiobook, Heather Henderson's narration, while competent, seems on automatic pilot. Her performance is less than fully engaging. An extraordinary character, Viertel aided emigrés in any number of helpful ways, such as securing visas and raising funds. This little-known classic Hollywood portrait deserves the telling, and the listener will learn much despite its workmanlike narration.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2020
Duration: 12 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Scribd 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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