Narrator Jefferson Mays delivers this carefully researched record of the early days of photography as though it were choice fiction. When William H. Mummler began his sideline in photography in 1862, he noticed a ghostly image in one of his photographs. In Mummler's society it was fashionable to dabble in spiritualism, and he began offering his "spirit photographs" to the public. Belief that the dead remained nearby was rampant, so expecting to see spirits in the ether, visible only to the camera, made perfect sense. Perceived as a threat to Christian doctrine as well as an exploiter of the public, Mummler was arrested, tried for fraud, and eventually cleared due to lack of evidence. Mays keeps his distance, displaying appropriate restraint despite outrageous Victorian allegations.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2017
Duration: 9 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781501966736
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Baber’s reemergence will be celebrated by a new generation of female artists.
In a smooth, dusky voice, Rebecca Lam narrates the life story of American abstract expressionist painter Alice Baber (1928-1982). A talented and prolific artist, Baber painted bright, colorful shapes that mimic floating light, inspired by movement and sound. Later, she became an advocate for women artists and a champion of the feminist art movement. Sadly, her legacy was largely forgotten, while some of her female contemporaries are more well-known. Lam’s crisp diction and subtle expression enhance the descriptive writing, allowing the listener to visualize bohemian life among artists in New York’s Greenwich Village during the 1950s and ’60s.
Baber’s reemergence will be celebrated by a new generation of female artists.Pub Date: Feb. 3, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9798318542428
Publisher: Tantor Media
Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2026
Jennifer Jill Araya's bright tone and dynamic pacing pair well with Vincent's accessible prose to engage listeners. The audiobook is not quite as dramatic as its title implies, serving instead as an introduction to the art form that highlights occasional industry controversies. However, Vincent does make a strong case for opera as a living genre, arguing that newcomers should join the audience and that aficionados should make room for newer works. Vincent champions operas beyond the European canon, whose famous Italian and German titles Araya pronounces with musicality and accuracy. Araya catches the humor in Vincent's perspective on the supposedly serious opera world. A light, fun, and informative listening experience.
Pub Date: Jan. 13, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668125038
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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