Journalist Jose Antonio Vargas may be the best-known undocumented immigrant in the United States after outing himself in the NEW YORK TIMES in 2011. Vargas's performance of his memoir is sincere, intelligent, and thoughtful. After arriving from the Philippines at age 12, he lived with his grandparents, who were naturalized citizens. When he learns, at 16, that his Green Card is fake, his shame and fear are palpable. His story focuses on lying, passing, and hiding, experiences common to all undocumented immigrants. In spite of his undocumented status, Vargas manages to go to college and become a journalist, but the inner conflict of living a lie paired with a journalist's pursuit of truth becomes overwhelming. Vargas exhibits passion and composure even as critics exhort him to "get in line" to become a citizen--though no such path exists from his current status.
Pub Date: Sept. 18, 2018
Duration: 5 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780062864611
Publisher: Harper 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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