History buffs will love the political intrigue and sweeping sagas that fill this engrossing audio. Tom Perkins narrates with unobtrusive consistency, resonating with the drama woven into the narratives and putting to good use his pleasing vocal tone and sensitivity to phrasing. Starting with the thirteenth-century illiterate empire builder Genghis Khan, who created organizational structures that elevated his rowdy warriors by incorporating the skills and cultures of conquered lands, the author profiles leaders throughout the ages whose explorations capitalized on the rich diversity they found in civilizations across the globe. The perspective Garten offers, illustrated with captivating personal narratives, provides a timely reminder not only that all civilizations and cultures have value but that the disruption caused by today's rapidly shrinking world is not new and is not altogether bad.
Pub Date: March 1, 2016
Duration: 11 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781681680552
Publisher: HighBridge 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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