Kingsley Amis is not easily brought into focus. Eric Jacobs’s effort to do so requires Stuart Langton to relate the outrageous experiences of one of England’s most prolific comic novelists and raconteurs. Amis’s fondness for thumping British literary icons, his wry wit, his selfish philandering, his strict intolerance of boring conver-sationalists, and his disgust at pretense filter right through from author to biographer to narrator. Langton maintains an Amisian level of British mock-indifference throughout, com-fortably handling a demanding range of literary, political, and social discussion. All of these give voice to Amis as indifferent student, accomplished poet, passionate socialist, pub regular, dubious father, colorful novelist, passionate Thatcherite, science fiction editor, even critical editor of Ian Fleming’s Bond novels.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2001
Duration: 15 hrs
Publisher: Books on Tape
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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