Author Robert Brown uses a soft-spoken tone and steady pace as he reads the prologue of his memoir, both of which narrator Dominic Hoffman picks up on and delivers throughout the bulk of this audiobook. The love of his grandmother, his faith, and his moral code shaped Brown's life, and these shine through as he chronicles his ascent from poverty in the Jim Crow South to a life of achievement as head of a Fortune 500 company and adviser to the Nixon White House and Civil Rights movements at home and abroad. With a nuanced and understated delivery, Hoffman captures the humility and quiet confidence of this unsung hero who eschewed the limelight while working with Dr. King, Bobby Kennedy, and the Mandelas. Hoffman's straightforward presentation and subtle use of emphasis animate an inspiring memoir that offers listeners a unique perspective on a pivotal chapter in our nation's history.
Pub Date: Jan. 15, 2019
Duration: 8 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781984829276
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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