In a sober-voiced narration, Graham Halstead gives this biography of two Syrian brothers, Riyad and Bashar Alkasem, the gravity it deserves. He is measured and steady in conveying the tumult of the brothers' teenage years as they grew up under the terror of Basar Al-Assad's regime. Halstead narrates their sense of disorientation as they watch the Syrian civil war unfold on the Internet. He pronounces the Arabic words, names, and places accurately, helping listeners feel more connected to the experiences being described. Those who are interested in learning more about the Syrian conflict, as well Arab immigrant identity in the U.S., will find much to absorb in this well-delivered audiobook.
Pub Date: July 21, 2020
Duration: 9 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593210369
Publisher: Random House 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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