Historian Lillian Faderman's biography of San Francisco's first out and proud gay elected official follows Milk from his ancestry through his assassination. The biography offers well-crafted stories, documentary snippets from letters and news accounts, and contextual explanations of changing culture that are woven seamlessly into the whole. Narrator Joel Froomkin does a stellar job channeling Milk's many moods and tones. From oratory to reflective self-examination, Froomkin captures Milk's capacity to overreach with some attempts at wit and to communicate sincere support of all marginalized people in his adopted city. In spite of some mispronunciations, the high quality of the writing and Froomkin's overall presentation offer revelatory listening.
Pub Date: May 22, 2018
Duration: 8 hrs
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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