Paul Hendrickson's exploration of the life and legend of former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara is a reminder of what a well-written biography can offer. THE LIVING AND THE DEAD charts the life of a brilliant number-cruncher who made the mistake of trying to manage (as opposed to lead) the American military through the Vietnam War. Unlike many modern biographies, this one explores not only McNamara's life, but the effect his life had on others. To do this, Hendrickson delves into the lives of four men and a woman and uses their perspectives to shed light on McNamara's often dispassionate nature. Despite its length, Barrett Whitener does a strong job of engaging the listener throughout the nearly twenty-hour analysis of a complex and much maligned historical figure.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 1998
Duration: 19 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Books on Tape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Reader Michael Prichard delivers a convincing rendition of Archie Goodwin, the burly right hand of the portly Nero Wolfe, world-renowned gourmand and detective. Prichard preserves the 1970s setting and 1950s origins of the story, bringing listeners a well-paced narration of murder and politics--a combination of elements that usually guarantees an exciting listen. This audio entertainment is as well formed and fragrant as one of Wolfe's hothouse orchids (the stout sleuth cultivates them by the hundreds in his town house greenhouse) as Goodwin walks us through an explosive murder investigation and political wheeling and dealing in a tough yet intelligent read.
Pub Date: Jan. 15, 2006
Duration: 5 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Audio Partners
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This collection of eight short stories contains gentle tales of fantasy and magic--not the magic of wizards and wands, but of wishing mats and enormous cats and gifts brought by the winds. In a lovely English accent, Lizza Aiken quietly narrates these stories in which magic and good fortune often come to those who deserve it. Although her pitch changes little, she registers a range of emotions--from the sadness of a girl whose necklace of raindrops has been stolen to the joy of a child who moves from a hard life and a ramshackle trailer to a happy home amid the clouds. A NECKLACE OF RAINDROPS would make a soothing choice for a family car trip after a long day.
Ages 6+Pub Date: Jan. 5, 2016
Duration: 1 hr, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781101915721
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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