From his early days in the British military in the late nineteenth century to his compelling role in global politics during both World Wars, Winston Churchill was a master at self-promotion and political intrigue. Written by one of his later contemporaries, this exhaustively researched biography covers the minutiae of the statesman’s life in excruciating detail. Robert Whitfield survives the 39 hours necessary to commit the tome to tape, courageously soldiering through the dusty text. He offers a few characterizations, namely in East Indian and French dialects, and performs a credible imitation of Churchill as heard in his later recorded speeches. This portrayal, however, changes not a whit from Churchill’s teens until his death.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2002
Duration: 39 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Blackstone 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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