Having immigrated to the United States from Russia as a teenager herself, author Masha Gessen offers some personal insight into the cultural dislocation that may have contributed to brothers Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's radicalization into the infamous Boston Marathon bombers. Narrator Hillary Huber's performance is commendable, ultimately compensating for the dissatisfying nature of the book itself, which offers a great deal in the way of conjecture but little in the way of answers. Huber's pacing is measured, and her voicing straightforward and easy to listen to as she describes the Tsarnaev family background, the history of Chechnya and Dagestan, and various theories about the bombings and what led to them. The material is interesting and well presented by the narrator but lacks in-depth information that would more fully illuminate this case.
Pub Date: April 7, 2015
Duration: 9 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780698149458
Publisher: Penguin 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
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
