A young American Shakespeare scholar--and a woman at that--in 1916 was an unlikely candidate to eventually become the National Security Agency's premiere code breaker during the World Wars. Cassandra Campbell warmly narrates the astonishing story of Elizebeth Smith Friedman. With a crisp pace suitable for Friedman's intelligence and Quaker practicality, Campbell explains the puzzle-solving roots of American cryptography. She hints at Friedman's hidden frustration at the lack of recognition for her decades of groundbreaking work. Due to both secrecy and sexism, her success was attributed mostly to men, especially J. Edgar Hoover. Note: The narrative frequently references written charts and illustrations of ciphers, which listeners can view on an accompanying PDF.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 2017
Duration: 13 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780062675583
Publisher: Harper 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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