Gene Wilder, star of YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, THE PRODUCERS, and WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, takes an uncompromisingly honest, painfully eloquent look at his life. Wilder doesn’t sugarcoat his experiences, nor does he linger unnecessarily on its harsher realities. Each of his remembrances rings with truth and clarity. This is not a behind-the-scenes exposé of nastiness--as so many star autobiographies are. This is a reflection on a life lived by a boy named Jerry Silberman who, after many miserable, even excruciating, experiences, deliberately transformed himself into the star the world knows as Gene Wilder. In his own distinctive voice, Wilder takes the listener into his creative processes, neuroses, personal failures, and successes. Poignant, moving, often humorous, this is a little gem of a book.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2005
Duration: 7 hrs
Publisher: Audio Renaissance
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
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
