This collection of stories from one of our leading essayists explores his life in New York, marriage, parenthood, and American culture. They are fascinating in their depth and reinforce Lopate's reputation as a singular literary voice. Narrator Stefan Rudnicki has a deep, seemingly bottomless voice that both complements and detracts from the stories. He certainly sounds authoritative, and his diction and pacing are beyond reproach. The issue is that his voice has such a distinct sound that it sometimes becomes the focus of the book rather than the content itself. Rudnicki does vary his pitch and use emotion to make the author's points, but it's difficult to listen to him for sustained periods of time.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2013
Duration: 10 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Audible, Inc.
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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