The combination of visually descriptive writing and thoughtful narration by Graham Halstead transports the listener to the famous Louvre Museum in Paris. Without actually going there, one can imagine walking the great halls with royalty and artists over many centuries. Halstead enhances this audiobook with frequent passages in French as he tells of how the building began as a castle fortress in 1190 and progressed through the reigns of many kings until it became an art museum during the French Revolution in 1793. With his impeccable pacing and easygoing tone, Halstead describes the innovations of major architects from 1200 to 2011. To be sure, the visitor will hear about the MONA LISA and the VENUS DE MILO but will also walk the halls of history.
Pub Date: Aug. 4, 2020
Duration: 12 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781705230589
Publisher: Tantor Media
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Dubner's joy in discovery shines through in his quest to understand Handel's legendary work.
Some may love Handel's Messiah. Author Dubner is obsessed with it. The host of the popular Freakonomics podcast embarks on a journey to uncover the history of the music and better understand the composer. The audiobook follows a podcast template. Dubner interviews historians and locals in Dublin, unfolding the fascinating story of how Messiah came to be and how it changed Handel's life. Dubner considers key points about the business of music, the particulars of instrumentation, and religious politics. The music, voices, and occasional sound effects are woven together naturally and effectively.
Dubner's joy in discovery shines through in his quest to understand Handel's legendary work.Pub Date: March 24, 2026
Duration: 2 hrs, 48 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668177266
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: March 23, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2026
Baber’s reemergence will be celebrated by a new generation of female artists.
In a smooth, dusky voice, Rebecca Lam narrates the life story of American abstract expressionist painter Alice Baber (1928-1982). A talented and prolific artist, Baber painted bright, colorful shapes that mimic floating light, inspired by movement and sound. Later, she became an advocate for women artists and a champion of the feminist art movement. Sadly, her legacy was largely forgotten, while some of her female contemporaries are more well-known. Lam’s crisp diction and subtle expression enhance the descriptive writing, allowing the listener to visualize bohemian life among artists in New York’s Greenwich Village during the 1950s and ’60s.
Baber’s reemergence will be celebrated by a new generation of female artists.Pub Date: Feb. 3, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9798318542428
Publisher: Tantor Media
Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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