This coming-of-age story, based on historical events, follows two young men in search of honor and glory at the birth of the state of Texas. Brian Reddy portrays the pair's youthful optimism at the start of the story and lets his voice lose steam as the heroes volunteer for the disastrous Mier expedition, an American raid on Mexico. After killing 600 Mexicans and still finding themselves outnumbered, the Texans surrender and then try to escape. The consequence is "The Diezmo," a game in which 10 percent of the 169 captives are chosen for execution. The others are sent to Perote, one of the worst prisons in history. Keep a handkerchief handy as the colorful, brave soldiers meet their fates.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2006
Duration: 6 hrs, 45 mins
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Ayla, one of the "others," is adopted by a clan of Neanderthal cave people. She struggles to conform to their ways, but her advanced human traits overwhelm and threaten their primitive culture in this initial installment of an immensely popular series. Although the story might benefit from abridgment, Rowena Cooper easily carries out the formidable task of enlivening the mostly silent and stereotypical characters with consistent, diverse personalities and human dimension. Through skillful phrasing and inflection, she maintains the reader's interest and suspense, especially with Ayla and her plight, throughout this rambling and imaginative story.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 22 hrs
Publisher: BBC Audiobooks America/ Chivers
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This lyrical, sensual novel of woman's lot in Manchu, China, is as well researched as it is well written. Authentic in tone, it's nonetheless written for Westerners by a Western expert on China. Moreover, Susan Clark performs the demanding text superbly, with only occasional signs of fatigue. For the most part she not only sustains the quaint diction and Asian atmosphere, but also, creates whole worlds with her voice. She acts the book, rather than reads it, and, in so doing, turns a pretty trifle into a stupendous beauty.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 4 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Audio Literature
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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