Ray Porter's masterful delivery of Millhone's memoir—about a series of personal tragedies that culminate in a road trip with his father—saves it from being a maudlin account of one man's "year from hell." Instead, Porter's natural presentation offers the listener access to incidents that elicit universal emotions and a feeling of connection. His tone and pace are conversational, punctuated by increases in volume and intensity where appropriate to the events and language of the text. His equally skillful handling of wry humor, muttered asides, and musings adds to his authenticity as Mark Millhone. Porter also does especially convincing presentations of Millhone's father and Rose, Millhone's wife. The final product is both funny and poignant—a slice-of-life listeners will identify with and enjoy.
Pub Date: July 7, 2009
Duration: 8 hrs
Publisher: Blackstone 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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