Gertrude Bell was an extraordinary Englishwoman--a traveler, mountaineer, archaeologist, nation-builder. Georgina Howell arranges Bell's letters, diaries, and book excerpts thematically and provides a descriptive context around them. Narrator Sian Thomas reads Bell's writings with spirit, wit, and sincerity. She underscores Bell's broken heart when her great love is killed at Gallipoli in WWI. Bell's determination to see Iraq become a self-governing nation is also made clear. Adjoa Andoh exhibits crispness, authority, and not a small amount of empathy as she narrates the background material. Both women have voices suited to the pluck and intelligence of their subject. Their comfort with myriad Middle Eastern place names as well as French and Swiss mountains is quite remarkable. While they sound somewhat similar to each other, this is a minor quibble in an otherwise excellent and erudite production.
Pub Date: Oct. 27, 2015
Duration: 9 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780451482020
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 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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