Narrator Allyson Johnson brings just the right amount of warmth and sympathy to this intriguing memoir by Pauline Baer de Perignon, a French woman who sought to uncover the truth about what happened to her great-grandfather's valuable art collection during WWII. Julian Strauss was a prominent Jewish art collector when the Nazis began seizing art in 1942. By chance, Pauline finds out that Strauss may not have sold his pieces in 1932, as was believed. While not especially knowledgeable about art but enticed by the mystery, she sets out on a fascinating journey into her family's past. Johnson's clear voice is punctuated by French and provides subtle voices for various family members and curators. When the search becomes personal, Johnson's steady pacing keeps listeners rooting for Pauline's ultimate success.
Pub Date: Feb. 15, 2022
Duration: 5 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781666535365
Publisher: Dreamscape
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
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
