Two uniquely matched voices tell the story of Nazis escaping Europe through Rome's "Ratline" after WWII. Author Phillippe Sands focuses on the life story of Otto von Wächter, the Nazi governor of Galicia and Krakow, who was complicit in the murder of many thousands of Polish Jews, including members of Sands's own family. Wächter's son, Horst, leads Sands to a family trove of diaries and letters; those sections of the audiobook are delivered in alternating chapters by narrator Stephen Fry. Familiar as the voice for the Winnie-the-Pooh stories, Fry is a close voice match for Sands, who is himself an accomplished narrator. But Fry's deliberate, expressive narration expertly underscores the essence of Sands's story--which is rooted like some dark German fairy tale in domestic respectability. German actress Kayja Riemann has a small--too small--role here.
Pub Date: Feb. 2, 2021
Duration: 14 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780593349472
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
© 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.
