Christian Coulson offers an evenhanded narration of this history of the Spanish Civil War. But given the subject matter and the author's approach, a little more enthusiasm would have been appropriate. The work, which includes Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso, Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, and the birth of modern warfare, seems more like historical fiction than historical fact. The reading should reflect the excitement. Coulson handles foreign phrases and places nicely, with no hesitation, which keeps the narrative flowing. But overall, the work has a sense of potential unrealized.
Pub Date: 2015
Duration: 8 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781442380486
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
GENERAL HISTORY | MODERN | WORLD | MILITARY | HISTORY
If you associate the Jane Austen you learned about in school with the words "prim" and "proper," then you need to listen to what one of the leading scholars of Austen's work has to say about the famous writer. This audiobook, which covers Austen's full body of work--the early short stories, as well as the published novels--adds greatly to the existing literature around the mystery of her persona. Marisa Calin's pleasant British accent is perfect for this exploration of Regency-era social codes and wild-hearted women. The pacing slows a bit in the last third as Looser tracks Austen's reputation into contemporary discourse, but Calin's buoyant narration maintains an informative and utterly joyful audio experience.
Pub Date: 2025
Duration: 12 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781250418753
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Never underestimate the value of a pleasing voice, especially when the subject is history--in particular, a topic as obtuse as the English Civil War. Mark Meadows's light British accent is an enhancement and a defining feature of this well-told narrative, a sequel of sorts to Oxford scholar Jonathan Healey's THE BLAZING WORLD. That narrative surveyed the entire revolutionary 17th century in Britain. This one focuses on a few momentous months when King Charles I and his Parliament split irrevocably, and England spiraled into civil war. As a case study in government deadlock and division, these events draw numerous parallels to contemporary scenarios. As an audiobook experience, Meadows delivers a lucid, arresting analysis of the how and why of England's most tragic era.
Pub Date: 2025
Duration: 13 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217165612
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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