Brooks’s fourth work of historical fiction vividly animates the life of Caleb Cheeshahteaumauk, the first Native American graduate of Harvard. The period detail and the compelling viewpoint of Bethia Mayfield are strengthened by Jennifer Ehle’s narration. Ehle’s emphasis on the seventeenth-century word choices and grammatical structure creates a lyrical presentation. Equally strong is the portrait she draws of Bethia, a young woman who, like Caleb, has a strong intelligence and is as challenged by gender bias as he is by racial prejudice. Ehle captures the heroine’s passion for learning as well as her indignation and resignation in the face of unfair treatment—her own and that of her admired childhood friend, Caleb. The combination of Brooks’s writing and Ehle’s narration creates a powerful rendition of what Bethia calls her “tragical lament.”
Pub Date: May 3, 2011
Duration: 12 hrs
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
An astonishingly unique historical novel, which begins in Trinidad in the 1940s, this is an example of the best that an audiobook can offer. The two narrators, Ron Butler and Bahni Turpin, are superb choices who move the listener smoothly between the two main characters. Farook and Marcia Garcia are star-crossed lovers who don’t have fate on their side. Turpin evokes the rhythms of English as spoken in Trinidad, lyrical, and rhythmic. Through her confident narrative style, Marica Garcia comes across as a strong, beleaguered young woman. Her trials evoke empathy in the listener. Butler establishes the contorted choices that face Farook as an Indian man who is prevented by racism from marrying his true love. This sprawling tale spans Trinidad and the United States, from the 1940s-1960s.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2015
Duration: 13 hrs
Publisher: Tantor Media
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
In this stand-alone novel set during the Hundred Years' War, Thomas of Hookton, hero of Cornwell's Grail Quest trilogy, returns with his band of mercenaries in pursuit of the sword of Saint Peter—a holy relic said to bestow great power. Naturally, others are also in pursuit and are determined to win the sword at any cost. Jack Hawkins delivers a stunning performance of this dramatic novel of political intrigue and military battle. Throughout, he effortlessly distinguishes characters from all over Western Europe through various accents. Hawkins's thoughtful reading reveals the emotions of the characters, enhancing their portrayals. His performance is full of energy during Cornwell's signature battle scenes, offering the listener a visceral experience of war.
Pub Date: Jan. 8, 2013
Duration: 12 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780062209344
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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