Kathe Mazur’s virtuoso narration makes the story of this mother’s remarkable persistence in raising her autistic son an exceptional audio. Mazur has a broad palette of natural-sounding phrasing options and authentic emotional reactions. Her performance, compassionate but never melodramatic, stays true to every ripple and tide in the author’s riveting journey. Without any hint of hubris or crusading, Kristine Barnett uses examples of her wisdom and diligence with her autistic son to make the point that children with all kinds of developmental challenges grow best when given opportunities to exercise their strengths instead of endless drills to improve weaknesses. This outstanding memoir, combined with Kathe Mazur’s performance, will inspire parents to see higher possibilities for their children and themselves.
Pub Date: April 9, 2013
Duration: 10 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780449009635
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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