This audiobook tells the story of the father of Emmett Till, the 14-year- old Chicago boy who was famously and tragically lynched in Mississippi in 1955. His father, Louis Till, also met an early death, having been executed by the U.S. Army 10 years earlier. Narrator Roger Guenveur Smith approaches this work with a dark, ominous tone that matches the mood of the book. His voice drips with disdain and accusation as he reads about the injustice that Louis Till faced and that ultimately led to his death. The problem is that Smith doesn't bring enough energy to his reading, and while snarling anger is an appropriate narrative choice, he needs to vary his approach to make this a more appealing performance.
Pub Date: Nov. 15, 2016
Duration: 7 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781508230564
Publisher: Simon & Schuster 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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