Narrator Mark Boyett delivers Strausbaugh's informed and entertaining history of the City of New York during the Civil War and its aftermath. Although he covers the horrific draft riots, crooked elections, and other significant events that took place within the city, he focuses on the achievements and scandals of New Yorkers on the battlefields, in Washington, DC, and around the world. Boyett is an impressive voice actor. His voice evokes a young David McCullough at his gravelly best. Boyett is always easy to understand. His pacing is good, calming but not soporific. He is comfortable with the pronunciation of almost forgotten terms. Strausbaugh searches for comedy in the conduct of his subjects. His style can minimize the tragedy of their time.
Pub Date: Aug. 2, 2016
Duration: 16 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781478909675
Publisher: Hachette 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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