by J. Anthony Lukas ; read by Cotter Smith ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 22, 1997
Shortly after the turn of the century, in the still brash atmosphere of the state of Idaho, a trial takes place. A union leader is accused of murdering the governor. To bring him to trial, the operatives of the Pinkerton Agency, along with local mine owners, have infiltrated, suborned, bribed and even kidnapped. This is the stuff of scandal sheets, complete with an attempt to prove a conspiracy. Lukas's involved, absorbing narrative is expertly delivered by Smith without theatricality. He acts as a reporter filling in the background to the denouement of the trial. With his matter-of-fact tones, he lets the intensity of events themselves control the drama.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 1997
Duration: 6 hrs
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
by Carol Matthau ; read by Carol Matthau ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A
Carol Matthau epitomizes a glamour and lifestyle not associated with the 1990's. Here is a life of privilege, tragedy and worry about what friends would think of her new frock or lover. Matthau possesses a voice and delivery that simply could not be improved on. In her coy whisper, she tells compelling stories involving everyone from William Saroyan (husband #1) and Truman Capote to Carson McCullers, Gloria Vanderbilt, and Walter Matthau (husband #2). This excellent audio presentation will leave you wanting to read the entire book to discover what juicy tidbits were left out.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: The Publishing Mills
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
by Nathaniel Philbrick ; read by Scott Brick ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 6, 2026
Brick delivers this unforgettable narrative with grace and skill for full impact.
Awards & Accolades
Our Verdict
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Scott Brick is a frequent narrator of historian Philbrick’s audiobooks, and he’s a perfect match for the author’s straightforward but highly expressive narrative voice. The discovery of gold in the California Sierras in 1848 triggered one of the most dramatic episodes in American history, a grand panorama of greed, obsession, and astonishing twists of fortune. Gold fever fueled progress in sea travel, railroad building, and mechanics and, not incidentally, accelerated the booming nation’s slide toward civil war. Philbrick is, as always, a rewarding and deeply satisfying storyteller, and his history of the California Gold Rush offers a cast of memorable characters along with a troubling record of racism and vigilantism.
Brick delivers this unforgettable narrative with grace and skill for full impact.Pub Date: Oct. 6, 2026
Duration: 13 hrs, 21 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217356218
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Oct. 5, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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