No international sport was as glamorous and dangerous as Formula 1 auto racing at mid-century, when teams from the major European countries competed for national pride and many racers crashed and died every year driving faster than “the limit.” This is the colorful story of German Count Wolfgang von Trips and Californian Phil Hill, who approached racing from opposite perspectives and whose rivalry as drivers for Enzo Ferrari culminated in a 1961 championship race. Fred Stella’s worldly sensibilities and ease with European languages bring Old World nostalgia to the traditions and culture that make this story so rewarding. His grasp of character will keep most listeners engaged not only with the contest but also with how these romantic figures play out their desires, fears, and attraction to such a deadly sport.
Pub Date: Nov. 7, 2011
Duration: 8 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781611746242
Publisher: HighBridge Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
More books have been written about baseball than any other sport, and audiobooks such as this allow the genre to flourish. Former pitcher Ron Darling, now a broadcaster, had a distinguished career, primarily with the New York Mets. Darling has met just about everyone in the sport for nearly four decades and demonstrates his knowledge and connections with the anecdotes in this entertaining memoir. Narrator Malcolm Hillgartner's relaxed delivery sounds as though he is in the broadcast booth with Darling. Like most audio sports memoirs, this book succeeds because of the narrator's engaging style. Hillgartner recognizes that even the duller moments in baseball are bolstered by the legacies of so many who have played the game, and were fortunate to have crossed paths with the author.
Pub Date: April 2, 2019
Duration: 7 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781721342457
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Willie Mays's baseball life was a long and rich one, worthy of multiple biographies. Known as a five-tool player--he could run, field, throw, hit, and hit for power--Mays enjoyed a long career. The tag-team narration here fits wonderfully: Larry Herron speaks in a serious and deep tone that is commanding, with appropriate doses of emotion. Julian McWilliams uses a higher voice for Mays who, in fact, does have a slightly high voice. Often, when people are quoted--like President Obama--imitations are used and fit seamlessly within the story. Off- and on-the-field anecdotes are interspersed with brief pieces of advice and mini-mantras from the baseball great.
Pub Date: May 12, 2020
Duration: 11 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781250240231
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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