Narrator Kevin Stillwell deftly tells the story of Memphis legend Sam Phillips--the man who discovered Elvis Presley. Millions lay claim to having "invented" rock and roll, but, judging by this fascinating bio, Phillips has a stronger case than most. Recording both black and white artists simultaneously, Phillips and his tiny label, Sun, exemplified the whole notion of crossover. Long after Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, and the other Sun legends left for greener pastures, Phillips remained a vital part of the Memphis scene--despite growing increasingly paranoid and eccentric--as this book's unwieldy second half makes clear. Stillwell doesn't try to imitate Phillips's presumed drawl, but he does project the laconic quality typical of a Southern gentleman, although his sleek enunciation suggests a cool refinement that's more New York than Memphis.
Pub Date: Nov. 10, 2015
Duration: 29 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781478960393
Publisher: Hachette 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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