The accomplishments of Jeanne Baret--eighteenth-century herbalist and botanist--receive well-deserved recognition in this biography of the first woman to circumnavigate the globe. Narrator Gabriella Cavallero's credible French accent and clear diction are offset by an underlying overenthusiasm that distracts listeners from the physical demands and psychological isolation of Baret's voyage on board a French naval ship. During that time she dressed as a boy, so she could assist her lover, the botanist Philibert Commerson, with the collection and documentation of plant life from around the world. Even during the most horrific moments of the story, Cavallero's performance carries a light tone that diffuses the emotional impact of the action. Nonetheless, listeners will appreciate that although Baret's survival was achieved at a chilling personal price, her scientific work remained impeccable.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2012
Duration: 9 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Audible, Inc.
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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