What kind of record would James Garfield have had as president if he hadn't been assassinated? Joshua Kendall thinks it might have been a good one, judging from the way he played croquet with his kids and read to them. Kendall considers the parenting style of presidents, in categories such as playful, permissive, or authoritative. Johnny Heller's voice suggests a sharing of scoops, which can make serious Woodrow Wilson's warmer side at home seem more interesting. There's plenty of discussion of topics such as Grover Cleveland's infidelities, which can seem gossipy in Heller's voice. But overall, listeners will most likely feel admiration, not only for the presidents themselves but also for their families, whose lives were also forever altered by the job.
Pub Date: May 10, 2016
Duration: 13 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781478909217
Publisher: Hachette 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
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
