A seventeenth-century Flemish painting so beautiful it cursed itself forever was the Ghent Altarpiece, or the Mystic Lamb. Painted in innovative detail onto 12 wooden panels by Jan van Eyck, the masterpiece earned uncommon fame throughout its peripatetic life. Author Noah Charney writes, “Since its completion in 1432, the altarpiece has disappeared, been looted in three different wars, and been burned, copied, forged, illegally sold, censored, attacked by iconoclasts, hidden away, ransomed, rescued, and stolen time and time again.” Narrator John Allen Nelson sounds comfortable with the challenging vocabulary prevalent in central Europe from the Renaissance to the present. Nelson’s forceful delivery demands attention to every word, taking on the format of a history lecture for those wearing earphones.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2010
Duration: 10 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Tantor Media
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Jennifer Jill Araya's bright tone and dynamic pacing pair well with Vincent's accessible prose to engage listeners. The audiobook is not quite as dramatic as its title implies, serving instead as an introduction to the art form that highlights occasional industry controversies. However, Vincent does make a strong case for opera as a living genre, arguing that newcomers should join the audience and that aficionados should make room for newer works. Vincent champions operas beyond the European canon, whose famous Italian and German titles Araya pronounces with musicality and accuracy. Araya catches the humor in Vincent's perspective on the supposedly serious opera world. A light, fun, and informative listening experience.
Pub Date: Jan. 13, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668125038
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
In this celebratory retrospective of Dolly Parton's career, the singer-songwriter delivers stories of her life and music in her bright, warm voice and distinctive country twang. Coauthor and narrator Tom Roland joins narrators Charlie Chase and Lorianne Crook (both TV and radio hosts) in providing biographical transitions and prompts for Parton. Crook adds humor as Parton describes her humble beginnings and hard work, starting with county fairs. In a conversational tone Parton encourages listeners to star in their own lives. Clips and musical interludes from Parton's show enhance this audiobook's entertainment value.
Pub Date: Nov. 11, 2025
Duration: 7 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798217165940
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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