"Doc" Gooden spent 16 seasons in the Major Leagues, much of that time addicted to cocaine. The former pitcher takes an honest look at his life, from his upbringing in Florida to his years on the mound to his repeated attempts to get and stay sober. Narrator JD Jackson brings a serious and emphatic tone to Gooden's stories. Through Jackson's delivery the listener can sense Gooden's love of camaraderie, his euphoric feelings of accomplishment on the mound, and his regret at what he allowed drugs to do to him. Jackson doesn't try to capture spot-on imitations of the many characters surrounding Gooden--from former teammates to those who tried to help him. This choice keeps the listener focused on Gooden and his story.
Pub Date: June 4, 2013
Duration: 10 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781455897148
Publisher: Brilliance 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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