The much-lauded play HAMILTON honors George Washington's 32-page Farewell Presidential Address in song. Narrating his own work, author John Avlon takes another look at the Founding Father's once-famous masterpiece, showing how the events of Washington's time influenced his words--and the history of our nation. Our first president's views on the "mobocracy" of Shay's Rebellion in Massachusetts and the French Revolution, the rise of political parties, and the difficulty of building a new government especially resonated during the Civil War and WWI. Once listeners have the background, the formal language of the speech--presented in full at the end--regains meaning and substance. Avlon ably reintroduces an important contribution to the shaping of our government.
Pub Date: Jan. 10, 2017
Duration: 10 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781508234449
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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
More than 35 hours long, this comprehensive biography of Random House founder Bennett Cerf is equal to a workweek for many listeners. Cerf nurtured a roster of the 20th century's most consequential authors and was nationally known as a television panelist. His story is a fascinating panorama of American arts and society over 50 years, scrupulously researched but overburdened and slow. Listeners who've never heard of William Styron or Dorothy Kilgallen or the Famous Writers School will be fully educated here. Narrator Lisa Flanagan keeps a steady, unfussy pace that carries her listeners over the longueurs. But hers is a channel swim rather than a leisurely stroll through Central Park. This paunchy biography needed a stronger editorial hand.
Pub Date: Jan. 13, 2026
Duration: 35 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217346448
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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