The fifteenth-century Italian who invented a new way to build domed roofs, thus inventing a large portion of Renaissance architecture, was an ill-tempered clock-maker. As Ross King and narrator Richard Matthews make clear, however, Filippo Brunelleschi was also a fascinating genius. King does an excellent job of imbuing a story of inventive engineering with the history, culture, and personalities of the time. Matthews builds on this with a thoughtfully paced, involved narration. He reads with a rhythm and inflection that enliven the interesting, though dialogue-free, nonfiction. His pleasant voice is also warmed by an inviting humor that dramatizes the operatic complexities of Florentine life.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2001
Duration: 6 hrs
Publisher: Books on Tape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Author Baconi is the best choice to narrate his memoir of family and political upheaval. The emotional undercurrent he projects suits a story spanning Haifa, Beirut, Amman, and London. His delivery gives clarity to the family history he recounts--his grandmother Eva's flight from Haifa in 1948, his mother Rima's escape from Beirut during the civil war, his own displacement, and a deepening love for his childhood friend, Ramzi. As Baconi moves into his London years, his narration highlights his search for belonging, his emerging political awareness during the Iraq War, and his effort to understand himself across cultures. His voice brings cohesion to these interwoven timelines. Baconi guides listeners through an intimate exploration of identity, inheritance, displacement, and return.
Pub Date: Nov. 18, 2025
Duration: 7 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668114834
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
The author and narrator of this lively book about how money evolved over the millennia is an Irish economist and journalist. McWilliams shows how civilizations have used money in different ways that suited their needs at the time. Today, for example, mobile phones are used to safely move money around in African countries. McWilliams also posits that the hot investment in developed countries, cryptocurrency, may be no more than "a financial lobby group." Besides being opinionated and having a sense of humor, McWilliams makes us reevaluate long held beliefs. To wit, Darwin's theories might not have been based solely on the animal kingdom; he may have tied in elements of economic behavior. McWilliams is a terrifically energetic narrator with a perfect Irish lilt.
Pub Date: Nov. 11, 2025
Duration: 12 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250417688
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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