Killing whales is anathema now, but the whaling industry played a big part in the economic development of the U.S. It affected, and was affected by, Indian-settler relations, fugitive slaves, the Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. James Boles reads this well-organized history with a steadiness and clarity that keeps you listening. Its long narrative sections are broken by quotes, journal entries, and rhymes, all enlivened as much as possible. Life on a whaler was hard and usually rewarding only for the officers and owners. Though Boles's reading is pretty evenhanded emotionally, you sense a sympathy for the sailors, if not for the whales. Discovery of oil in Pennsylvania and the corsetless (whalebone) fashion of the early twentieth century rendered the U.S. whaling business obsolete.
Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2007
Duration: 16 hrs
Publisher: Tantor Media
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Haskell’s insights and sensibility are perfectly conveyed by Campbell’s acute narration.
Narrator Cassandra Campbell assumes the voice of biologist Haskell, author of The Song of Trees (2017), for an illuminating first-person tour of one of nature’s most common sights: flowers. Campbell provides momentum to a narrative that, though richly informative, could easily have become rambling and slack. “We live on a floral planet,” Haskell says, and he goes on to explain how that fact is key to our existence. Flowering plants first appeared 200 million years ago, and they enabled humans to evolve—and to survive. The narrative is loosely organized into eight illustrative categories, covering magnolias, orchids, grasses, roses, teas, and more.
Haskell’s insights and sensibility are perfectly conveyed by Campbell’s acute narration.Pub Date: March 24, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs, 5 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217281794
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: April 1, 2026
An authentic performance that matches the author’s heartfelt journey.
During the several summers she works as a fire ranger in northern Alberta, Canada, Moyles maintains a delicate equilibrium with the black bears that live in the area surrounding the fire tower she’s assigned to. She’s also dealing with a complicated relationship with her brother, Brendan. The close bond the siblings had as children is undermined in adulthood by profound political differences and substance use disorders. Moyles’ Canadian accent and natural-sounding timing convey her deep-seated sense of decency and honesty. When Brendan dies, the sudden loss feels shocking, and her grief is undeniable. Moyles makes detailed and sometimes charmingly anthropomorphic observations of the bears. She sets up a camera at their favorite scratching post, names the bears based on their markings, and dubs herself an auntie to the bear cubs.
An authentic performance that matches the author’s heartfelt journey.Pub Date: Feb. 10, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798318542367
Publisher: Tantor Media
Review Posted Online: April 1, 2026
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