Burns examines the history and influence of Enlightenment thought from its beginnings in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries to the nineteenth century, and even, in the U.S., into modern times. Norman Dietz has a likable voice and a fluid style, sometimes almost too fluid. Still, he’s expressive and generally good at matching tone and inflection to the text. His reading is spotted with incorrect or odd pronunciations, and his pronunciation of French, which occurs fairly often, ranges from awkward to garbled. While better production support would have made this better, Dietz does a capable job.
Pub Date: 2013
Duration: 14 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Tantor Media
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
GENERAL HISTORY | MODERN | UNITED STATES | WORLD | HISTORY
If you associate the Jane Austen you learned about in school with the words "prim" and "proper," then you need to listen to what one of the leading scholars of Austen's work has to say about the famous writer. This audiobook, which covers Austen's full body of work--the early short stories, as well as the published novels--adds greatly to the existing literature around the mystery of her persona. Marisa Calin's pleasant British accent is perfect for this exploration of Regency-era social codes and wild-hearted women. The pacing slows a bit in the last third as Looser tracks Austen's reputation into contemporary discourse, but Calin's buoyant narration maintains an informative and utterly joyful audio experience.
Pub Date: 2025
Duration: 12 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781250418753
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Never underestimate the value of a pleasing voice, especially when the subject is history--in particular, a topic as obtuse as the English Civil War. Mark Meadows's light British accent is an enhancement and a defining feature of this well-told narrative, a sequel of sorts to Oxford scholar Jonathan Healey's THE BLAZING WORLD. That narrative surveyed the entire revolutionary 17th century in Britain. This one focuses on a few momentous months when King Charles I and his Parliament split irrevocably, and England spiraled into civil war. As a case study in government deadlock and division, these events draw numerous parallels to contemporary scenarios. As an audiobook experience, Meadows delivers a lucid, arresting analysis of the how and why of England's most tragic era.
Pub Date: 2025
Duration: 13 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217165612
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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