Elizabeth Alexander should be doubly proud of this audiobook. First, she's written a deeply resonant, heartfelt, and engaging memoir that recounts the tragedy and aftermath of her husband's untimely death. She also takes the opportunity to use her prodigious writing skills to meditate on her sons, her marriage, and life in general. Second, Alexander should be proud because she is one of the few authors who successfully narrate their own book. She has a sunny, vibrant voice that accentuates the good times she writes about, but she's also able to moderate her tone for the most serious passages, making the story more nuanced and interesting. Alexander paces herself well, and she keeps our attention on her writing.
Pub Date: April 21, 2015
Duration: 4 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781478903338
Publisher: Hachette 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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