For any lover of Shakespeare, this biography is required listening. Bestselling biographer Peter Ackroyd endeavors to bring Shakespeare and his circle of family, friends, actors, and writers fully to life. If you wish to experience every aspect of the life of Shakespeare in mostly satisfying detail, then Ackroyd has created the definitive genesis. Narrator Simon Vance is competent in his vocal styling, although it is difficult to differentiate between Vance reading Shakespeare and Vance reading Ackroyd. There is absolutely no discernable vocal difference between the two. Also, as Vance's narration follows an identical pace with seemingly identical pauses on each of the 16 discs, it is challenging to know exactly when each disc ends.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2005
Duration: 19 hrs
DD ISBN: 739323776
Publisher: Random House 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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