The Scandinavian vocabulary in this work might have intimidated many narrators, but Tony Ward appears to have been capably coached in its pronunciation. Still, Ward's narration is mostly workmanlike, adding little energy to this challenging text about the iconic Lewis Chessmen, carved from walrus ivory in the Middle Ages and discovered in 1831. The problem here is not a lack of research, or any shortcomings in the prose. On the contrary, Brown's knowledge of the Viking era is clearly extensive, and she writes with clarity and wit. However, the sagas and other historical sources ultimately tell us little about the chess pieces themselves and even less about the "woman who made them," and the promise of the subtitle is never really fulfilled.
Pub Date: 2015
Duration: 10 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781490693699
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Historian Tracy Borman's research and narration offer a riveting account of the battle for succession following the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Borman narrates her careful investigation of the events leading to the end of the Tudor dynasty and the rise of the Stuarts. Borman sounds like a favorite professor. Her voice is well modulated, and her pace makes the history easy to follow--no matter how little the listener knows of the period. Elizabeth's unwillingness to name a successor caused concern for Britain's future. The accepted version suggests that on her deathbed she named James as her chosen heir. But Borman's research uncovers evidence that this never happened. In fascinating detail, Borman lays out the facts found in official letters, revisionist hearsay, and intelligent speculation.
Pub Date: 2025
Duration: 13 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668157800
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This audiobook recounts the extraordinary true story of a small group of women imprisoned in Ravensbrück, the Nazis' only all-female concentration camp during WWII. The powerful account traces their harrowing ordeal with relentless brutality, including starvation, forced labor, inhumane medical experiments, and extreme overcrowding. Narrator Lisa Flanagan delivers a performance so overwhelming that it will bring tears to the eyes of listeners. But as well as she chronicles the women's lives in Ravensbrück, Flanagan adeptly shifts gears when explaining their continued efforts after the war to document Nazi atrocities to ensure their sacrifices would not be forgotten. No matter the topic, Flanagan's exceptional range of inflection and emotions comes through. This audiobook is a poignant reminder of their resilience, courage, and fighting spirit.
Pub Date: 2025
Duration: 10 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217078790
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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