This book, especially its audio version, is a love story. Nothing less! Churchill was always delighted with America, its vast ranginess and open-hearted people; its government, language, and institutions. Just as Martin Gilbert captures this passionate attachment, reader Simon Vance captures the sounds of this great story. Perhaps Churchill's own nasally voice is not difficult to render; it is parodied so often. But it is surely not easy to leap flawlessly from that to Roosevelt's flat "a's" or Eisenhower's surly Midwestern matter-of-factness. Creating distinctive voices is one thing, but simulating the familiar through the wildly varied voices of famous leaders in convincing fashion is a nearly impossible feat. Surely only a lover could do that.
Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2005
Duration: 16 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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