Although she was born in a rural town in Japan, the author moved to Hawaii with her mother and older brother in 1951, when she was a young child. She says of her mother, who single-handedly supported her children: "She had a heart of fire and would always pick herself up and try something else, seek another way forward." That grit is displayed by her daughter, now the junior senator from Hawaii who has taken on everyone from Al Franken to Lindsey Graham (though they once co-sponsored legislation) and, most vocally, Donald Trump. With a lightly accented lilting voice, Hirono chronicles her experiences as a public servant, first in Hawaii and then in Congress, lamenting the increasingly partisan behavior she has witnessed, particularly over the past five years. This is balanced by her obvious warmth and love for family, as she attributes her success and determination to the example set by her mother and the support of her husband, Leighton.
Pub Date: April 20, 2021
Duration: 15 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780593395141
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Brisk, fluent, pleasing to the ear, Emma Gregory's narration does justice to a fine historian and her landmark biography of one of Britain's most misunderstood rulers. On the death of Elizabeth I in 1603, Scotland's James VI became England's James I, first in the Stuart line. James was one of Britain's most intelligent and energetic rulers, and one the most complex. Today he is accepted for the inclinations that have marginalized him for centuries and in this fine narrative is properly assessed for the singular place he holds in Britain's history. The narrative is organized topically, rather than strictly chronologically, and requires a high level of vocal skill to deliver clearly and effectively. This finely nuanced biography has the gifted, insightful narrator it deserves.
Pub Date: Nov. 11, 2025
Duration: 18 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9798318527753
Publisher: Tantor Media
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
The limited time she had to campaign was just one of the many obstacles Kamala Harris had to overcome as the first woman of color to run for president. Though she's been accused of seeing herself as a victim in this revealing political memoir, the tone of her performance gently rejects that characterization. With her careful phrasing and clear enunciation, she sounds calm, thoughtful, and self-aware, taking responsibility when appropriate and pointing to circumstances and people who could have been more helpful. Overall, she creates an atmosphere that should allow listeners of all political persuasions to appreciate the person behind a campaign packed with triumphs and heartbreak. Her account of the elaborate operations and complex relationships needed for a presidential run is fascinating.
Pub Date: Sept. 23, 2025
Duration: 10 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781668148037
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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