This biography details the life and military career of the Commander of United States Forces in Afghanistan, perhaps the most difficult responsibility the American military faces today. Appointed in 2010, Petraeus has had to navigate both the military and political worlds and justify his decisions in the never-ending 24-hour news cycle. Narrator James Lurie’s deep, probing voice establishes the book’s serious tone, and his authoritative reading demands listeners’ attention. He reads without affecting any character voices or much change in pitch, which in small bites can be very informative. Over the course of a long book, though, Lurie can be somewhat dry. He also reads in such a low register that it’s sometimes difficult to hear all of the words.
Pub Date: Jan. 24, 2012
Duration: 15 hrs
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
James Michener tells the real stories behind the man and his books. The recording is read with skill and consistency although the reader does little to enhance the robust, larger-than-life incidents related in the book. Due to the first-person narrative format, there is no opportunity for the narrator to change his voice. This makes some chapters monotonous as they go on and on in the typical Michener style. The listener may also become confused because the stories are not told chronologically. This is not a great choice for the audio format, but Michener fans may stick with it to the end.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 22 hrs
Publisher: Books on Tape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
In a quest for a sense of inner contentment and self-worth, Gloria Steinem brings the reader on a journey of investigation and discovery. Steinem reads the text herself in a straightforward and friendly, but not intimate, presentation which is so easy to listen to it invites repetition--thus ensuring the painless relearning of the lessons of the book. It's difficult to tell from the reading that this audiobook is abridged; each section can stand alone. Nonetheless, the listener wished the book were unabridged. Steinem left me wanting to learn more.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Dove Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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