Paul Boehmer admirably narrates this massive biography of the multifaceted man from Concord, Massachusetts, best known for the book WALDEN and and the essay "Civil Disobedience." Walls's writing style has a repetitive cadence that may not be as obvious in print as it is when read aloud. Boehmer does his best to capture it--with sometimes awkward phrasing choices. In addition, final syllables occasionally drop into inaudibility. But given the more than 20 hours of narration, these are small issues. Thoreau's own words are read in a distinctive voice. And, whether intentionally or not, Boehmer gives a slight New England lilt to certain words. For example, "man" or "hand" are nearly given two syllables: "mah-yan" or "hah-yand." Boehmer's authentic touches ground the audiobook in the New England roots of this great American.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2017
Duration: 22 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Tantor Media
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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