Regularly overshadowed by Harlem and Chicago, Pittsburgh was also a major force in the black renaissance of the first half of the twentieth century. Whitaker's book opens a window on this vibrant sector of black culture. Prentice Onayemi offers an engaging, easy-on-the-ears narration. His mellow tone carries listeners through some overly detailed passages. He varies his tone to fit the material and sometimes just to change the pace. For direct quotes, he changes his pitch or adopts an accent to set those words apart. The only weakness is the author's narrative structure, which at times follows a seemingly serpentine path from one anecdote to another before making a point. But the stories are interesting, and Onayemi tells them well.
Pub Date: Jan. 30, 2018
Duration: 13 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781538512104
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Carol Matthau epitomizes a glamour and lifestyle not associated with the 1990's. Here is a life of privilege, tragedy and worry about what friends would think of her new frock or lover. Matthau possesses a voice and delivery that simply could not be improved on. In her coy whisper, she tells compelling stories involving everyone from William Saroyan (husband #1) and Truman Capote to Carson McCullers, Gloria Vanderbilt, and Walter Matthau (husband #2). This excellent audio presentation will leave you wanting to read the entire book to discover what juicy tidbits were left out.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: The Publishing Mills
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Brick delivers this unforgettable narrative with grace and skill for full impact.
Scott Brick is a frequent narrator of historian Philbrick’s audiobooks, and he’s a perfect match for the author’s straightforward but highly expressive narrative voice. The discovery of gold in the California Sierras in 1848 triggered one of the most dramatic episodes in American history, a grand panorama of greed, obsession, and astonishing twists of fortune. Gold fever fueled progress in sea travel, railroad building, and mechanics and, not incidentally, accelerated the booming nation’s slide toward civil war. Philbrick is, as always, a rewarding and deeply satisfying storyteller, and his history of the California Gold Rush offers a cast of memorable characters along with a troubling record of racism and vigilantism.
Brick delivers this unforgettable narrative with grace and skill for full impact.Pub Date: Oct. 6, 2026
Duration: 13 hrs, 21 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217356218
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Oct. 5, 2026
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