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LINCOLN'S SPYMASTER

ALLAN PINKERTON, AMERICA'S FIRST PRIVATE EYE

It's impossible to underestimate Allan Pinkerton's influence on the field of clandestine operations, and Danny Campbell is a perfect fit as narrator of his story. Pinkerton was the first "private eye," creator of the Secret Service, and the inspiration for the FBI. Scottish-born, he gained fame ferreting out Confederate spies and gathering intelligence for President Lincoln, once even thwarting an assassination attempt. Campbell's narration has an aged, gruff quality that evokes the era--he sounds similar to narrators in the PBS Civil War series. His pacing is slow because of the story's factual nature. Though Pinkerton's story is replete with adventure, the limited dialogue available forces the author to rely heavily on bare facts, which can be a tad tedious. Nevertheless, Pinkerton's is a compelling story, well written and well narrated.

(Nonfiction. 10-14)

Pub Date: Aug. 25, 2015

Duration: 3 hrs, 30 mins

DD ISBN: 9780545788816

Publisher: Scholastic Audiobooks

Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026

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    THE TRUE CONFESSIONS OF CHARLOTTE DOYLE

    In 1832 thirteen-year-old Charlotte Doyle is sailing from Liverpool to Rhode Island to rejoin her family. Shocked to discover that the families who were to have been both guardians and companions will not accompany her, Charlotte embarks on a journey filled with terror and swashbuckling adventure. The first-person narrative makes this Newbery Honor book a wonderful choice for recording. O'Karma's reading, with its hint of cross-gender differentiation, allows the listener to feel as if Charlotte Doyle herself were relating the tale. This story should be particularly alluring to adolescent girls although the fast-paced action and the nautical setting will also appeal to male listeners. Ages 12-adult.

    Ages 12+

    Pub Date: N/A

    Duration: 6 hrs

    Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.

    Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026

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      ANGRY GIRLS WILL GET US THROUGH

      A powerful contemplation of the impact of women's anger and a call to action.

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      Narrator Cynthia Farrell channels author Traister's conviction, passion, and sense of urgency. Engaging from the start, the audiobook is part history lesson and part personal reflection, providing listeners with a wide-ranging survey of how women's anger has powered social justice movements from the French Revolution to the Civil Rights Movement to the 2017 Women's March on Washington. With well-researched examples, Traister chronicles the many ways that women's rage is ignored, dismissed, and ridiculed, even though it is often the thing that spurs change. This audiobook will stay with listeners and will prompt awareness, reflection, and conversation.

      A powerful contemplation of the impact of women's anger and a call to action. (Nonfiction. 10-16)

      Pub Date: Feb. 17, 2026

      Duration: 6 hrs, 52 mins

      DD ISBN: 9781668156506

      Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

      Review Posted Online: April 20, 2026

      Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2026

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