A memoir that’s worth listening to.
Hackney’s southwest Virginia accent is essential to her powerful memoir of growing up in Appalachia and forging her own path. Raised in a Pentecostal Christian church where speaking in tongues and experiencing visions were part of the fundamentalist rituals, Hackney eventually broke away from an abusive partner. She pursued an education at Harvard, where she studied with renowned teachers and found her own way among fellow students from vastly different backgrounds whose prospects differed greatly from her own. Her oppressive first relationship is frustrating to hear about, and her ultimate academic success is riveting.
A memoir that’s worth listening to.Pub Date: July 28, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs, 16 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217336685
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: July 28, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2026
Karen Chilton's fluid alto is a good fit for this biography of Thomas Jefferson. The authors are more or less successful in their attempt to present the third president in the context of his times. What we are presented with is a very human being--possessing great intellect, filled with flaws and contradictions, and still immensely fascinating nearly three centuries after his birth. Chilton's pacing and inflection are never off. She narrates with a calm demeanor, competently affecting various accents for quotes and ably giving subtle expression to the narrative. It all adds up to an enjoyable listening experience.
Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2016
Duration: 14 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781501909993
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This rags-to-riches memoir recounts the business life of Sam Wyly as he made his way from IBM salesman in the early 1960s to the owner of Sterling Software and Michael's stores, as well as a chain of restaurants, among other companies. Along the way, Wyly tells of his investment strategies, his business partners, his successes, and his failures. Phil Gigante reads this business story with a steady voice that lulls listeners instead of exciting them. In addition to the occasional odd pronunciation, Gigante's voice is barely modulated, and he fails to engage emotionally. Nonetheless, this title offers an interesting view of how to invest in your business, making it grow while weathering an ever-changing economy.
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2008
Duration: 9 hrs
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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