Women regularly get short shrift in history books. This work seeks to fill in one gap, telling the stories of four remarkable women who helped shape the modern CIA. They all were intelligent and hardworking and not afraid to push for the credit and pay they deserved. Erin Bennett offers a solid narration. Her generally conversational tone carries listeners along effectively. But she also captures the excitement of some of the women's exploits and the frustration of not being treated as equals by their male counterparts. There are few extended quotes, so Bennett wisely doesn't give each woman a distinct voice. The women were ridiculed as "the wise gals" by their colleagues, but the women embraced the label and had the last laugh when their value became clear.
Pub Date: Sept. 13, 2022
Duration: 11 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593589649
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Manchester’s incisive writing and Parker’s friendly narration make this a compelling package on the life of 20th century icon General Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964). No student of modern times can ignore this vain, mercurial soldier whose battlefield brilliance conserved the lives of his soldiers even as they cut their opponents to ribbons. Listening to Parker, one imagines a jovial uncle delivering a slap on the back and sitting down to describe war experiences in a rich voice filled with humor and pathos. He pronounces Japanese names, New Guinea cities and American slang with effortless ease. The “you-are-there” quality grabs and holds. This is a carefully done, seamless audio presentation.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 16 hrs
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A strong argument that leaders willing to govern from the center provide the best hope for the future of American government.
American politics appears to be dominated by extremists, but Barcott makes the case that effective government lies closer to the center. He profiles 10 politicians—military veterans and a former FBI agent—who are willing to cross party lines in order to pass legislation that is good for the country and not just one party’s agenda. Barcott offers a solid narration. His tone is conversational, and he carries listeners along nicely. He occasionally drops letters at the ends of words, and he adopts a generic New York accent for some of those profiled, both of which limit the effectiveness of his delivery.
A strong argument that leaders willing to govern from the center provide the best hope for the future of American government.Pub Date: June 9, 2026
Duration: 12 hrs, 28 mins
DD ISBN: 9798260200599
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: Sept. 8, 2026
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