To fully appreciate physicist Robert Oppenheimer, you have to understand his Jewish background and his physics. That’s the premise of this mammoth biography of the man who is considered to be the father of the atomic bomb. And that’s also the problem. The author goes into such detailed depth that listeners may be overwhelmed, especially in the sections on atomic theory. Michael Goldstrom offers an easy-to-listen-to narration. His voice is steady without being monotonous, and he eschews the kind of vocal drama that would quickly become tiring in a work this long. He handles foreign phrases and names with ease. But he can’t overcome the preponderance of detail. Listeners who persevere will be rewarded with a rich portrait well read.
Pub Date: May 14, 2013
Duration: 35 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780385362658
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
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