Howard Blum spins the real-life stories of a Pinkerton detective, a con man who controlled Skagway, and the Marine deserter who discovered gold in the Klondike—a group of characters so lively that this nonfiction work reads like a novel. From the beginning, listeners will sense that their paths are eventually going to weave together. The historical account starts slowly—it takes more than four hours of listening to actually get to the Yukon. However, it's fascinating all the way—thanks to an inhospitable climate, the “strike-it-rich” fever that infuses the characters, and the dog-eat-dog culture that developed in gold rush country. John Mayer’s narration shows a genuine fascination with the three men and includes just a hint of wry humor. There's also a feeling of cliff-hanging excitement right up to the epilogue—which includes a gunfight.
Pub Date: April 26, 2011
Duration: 10 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780307914613
Publisher: Random House Audio
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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