Prial’s in-depth examination of American music impresario John Hammond is narrated by Ray Porter in an authoritative, forthright, and courtly manner. Prescient in identifying music as a harbinger of social change, Hammond discovered Billie Holiday, Count Basie, Aretha Franklin, and Bob Dylan, among many others. Born into Vanderbilt family wealth, Hammond had longtime affiliations with both Columbia Records and the NAACP, both of which helped him act upon his belief that good musical entertainment given its wings transcends racism and other prejudice. Assuming the tone of an insider, Porter is a masterful narrator whose bold, clear voice is especially appropriate for the material. Listeners will likely find themselves seeking out the great American music that is at the heart of this biography.
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2011
Duration: 12 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Blackstone 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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