Rae explores centuries of writings by those personally involved with or impacted by the slave trade, providing a powerful and palpable tapestry of the problems and horrors of slavery. Narrator Steven Crossley's deep, slightly raspy voice and English accent are instilled with a tone that evokes the voice-over of the classic British documentary. While enjoyable, the overwhelmingly consistent voice falls flat in an audiobook that hinges upon giving life to multiple voices. Too often, it's unclear where the large swaths of quoting from original sources such as Solomon Northrup, Frederick Douglass, Reverend Cotton Mather, and Phillis Wheatley have ended and Rae's prose has begun. Using multiple narrators would have made this a more effective experience, helping listeners connect more meaningfully with each person Rae includes.
Pub Date: Feb. 20, 2018
Duration: 24 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781538540046
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Carol Matthau epitomizes a glamour and lifestyle not associated with the 1990's. Here is a life of privilege, tragedy and worry about what friends would think of her new frock or lover. Matthau possesses a voice and delivery that simply could not be improved on. In her coy whisper, she tells compelling stories involving everyone from William Saroyan (husband #1) and Truman Capote to Carson McCullers, Gloria Vanderbilt, and Walter Matthau (husband #2). This excellent audio presentation will leave you wanting to read the entire book to discover what juicy tidbits were left out.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: The Publishing Mills
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
The history of the National Road is really a history of early American expansion.
Decades before the United States existed, George Washington the surveyor envisioned a road connecting the Potomac and Ohio rivers. He helped develop it, and as president, he championed it. Washington saw the road as the tie that would bind the East and what was then the West (now Midwest). This audiobook chronicles the development of the road and its eventual extension to the Mississippi River. With Basil Sands’ narration, listeners can follow the account easily, especially given the author’s extensively detailed text. Sands’ tone is generally even, with slight variations adding notes of flavor. This is especially helpful as there are limited direct quotes to enliven things. In addition to Washington, author Crytzer profiles Treasury Secretary Albert Gallatin, who fought for funding, and Henry Clay, who championed the road’s extension through Indiana and Illinois.
The history of the National Road is really a history of early American expansion.Pub Date: April 14, 2026
Duration: 10 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9798318563508
Publisher: Tantor Media
Review Posted Online: May 5, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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