Baker tells the story dispassionately; on occasion, listeners might wish for more drama.
Narrator Gabrielle Baker provides a skilled rendition of this absorbing biography of Sydney Redesdale, mother of the six Mitford sisters. With just the right plummy accent, Baker guides us through Sydney’s own youth and marriage to David Mitford (Lord Redesdale) and her subsequent trials raising six daughters and a son. While some of her children accused her of being cold, as they grew older, Sydney’s devotion and support increased to the point that sheeventually became a necessary pillar for several of them. Unity, who famously became enamored of Hitler and, in 1939, tried to kill herself when England declared war on Germany, was cared for by her mother for years afterward. Sydney was also supportive of daughter Diana when she was imprisoned as a national security risk because of her fascist politics, which mirrored Sydney’s own views and caused a permanent rift with her husband.
Baker tells the story dispassionately; on occasion, listeners might wish for more drama.Pub Date: March 3, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs, 40 mins
DD ISBN: 9798318542589
Publisher: Tantor Media
Review Posted Online: April 11, 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.
