At the height of his popularity at the beginning of the twentieth century, Jack London was the highest paid author in the United States. Narrator Michael Prichard's low, foreboding voice creates an atmosphere that both reinforces and undermines this story of London's life. London was a contradiction and a great artist who was uniquely American. His early life suggested that he would be drawn to raw adventure, and many of his most well-known works (CALL OF THE WILD, WHITE FANG, and more) bear that out. Prichard's pacing and diction allow us to hear each word clearly, but his tone doesn't reflect the joy and adventure that infused the hallmarks of London's life. He delivers those passages well but doesn't vary his delivery enough for listeners to experience the emotions of London's uplifting experiences.
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2013
Duration: 17 hrs
Publisher: Tantor Media
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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