Told from a modern perspective by an accomplished narrator, this well-researched history is insightful and provocative.
Thom Rivera’s steady, fluent narration illuminates this epic tale of folly and delusion. Like all of history's most iconic tales, the Spanish conquistadores’ quest for the fabled seven cities of gold proves less tidy and more interesting when told in detail. For the listener, even with an accompanying PDF, that richness comes with a daunting accumulation of proper names and a far more complicated narrative. Rivera handles these challenges with ease and subtle impact. His narration is steady and pleasing to the ear. Foreknowledge shadows this evocation of an unspoiled continent and its thriving Indigenous communities—soon to be plundered and enslaved.
Told from a modern perspective by an accomplished narrator, this well-researched history is insightful and provocative.Pub Date: April 14, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs, 33 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063383913
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: today
Carol Matthau epitomizes a glamour and lifestyle not associated with the 1990's. Here is a life of privilege, tragedy and worry about what friends would think of her new frock or lover. Matthau possesses a voice and delivery that simply could not be improved on. In her coy whisper, she tells compelling stories involving everyone from William Saroyan (husband #1) and Truman Capote to Carson McCullers, Gloria Vanderbilt, and Walter Matthau (husband #2). This excellent audio presentation will leave you wanting to read the entire book to discover what juicy tidbits were left out.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: The Publishing Mills
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A fresh look at Europe’s long, contentious history.
Hearing all of European history compressed into 14 hours could be comparable to seeing Earth from outer space. Everything is familiar, yet wondrous and new. Even those familiar with the history will find this audiobook to be a unique listening experience. Actor and narrator Alisdair Simpson is a familiar voice from dozens of British documentaries, and his performance here is highly polished, exacting, and attuned to every word. History compressed becomes history clarified. Drama is lost—the Huns, Charlemagne, the fall of Constantinople, all here and gone in a minute. At the same time, patterns emerge. Simpson’s flawless voice carries listeners effortlessly into a wider and more timeless perspective.
A fresh look at Europe’s long, contentious history.Pub Date: today
Duration: 14 hrs, 10 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668656204
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: April 11, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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