Narrator Stefan Rudnicki's confident delivery and deep voice enrich this account of the two men who rose from humble beginnings to become the last word on elegance and good taste at the turn of the last century. The intertwined stories of César Ritz, a Swiss hotelier, and Auguste Escoffier, the original French chef, reflect not only the men's hard work and incredible ability to anticipate their clients' every need but also the influence of the nouveaux riches on European upper-class social norms. Much of this dual biography takes place at the London Savoy, where the pair both made their names and weathered scandal. Rudnicki easily handles the many European accents, while adding spark to the men's strong personalities. Get ready to put on the Ritz!
Pub Date: April 3, 2018
Duration: 8 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780525530978
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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