Journalist Sasha Issenberg's history of the political and cultural fight Americans mounted for and against same-sex marriage laws becomes compelling listening through Graham Halstead's narration. The issue was raised on the backs of couples caught in the AIDS epidemic and cultural conservatives seeking to push back against perceived anti-evangelical legal developments. Halstead gently accents direct quotes from politicians who have regional accents, such as Bill Clinton, and alters his pace to match the speaking styles of others, such as Barack Obama. Otherwise, he can be heard to chuckle at some of the peculiar side notes this culture clash roused. Overall, his narration gives one the sense of hearing an engaged and well-informed speaker sharing the many surprising twists in this exhaustive, but not exhausting, history.
Pub Date: June 1, 2021
Duration: 33 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593212769
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Carol Matthau epitomizes a glamour and lifestyle not associated with the 1990's. Here is a life of privilege, tragedy and worry about what friends would think of her new frock or lover. Matthau possesses a voice and delivery that simply could not be improved on. In her coy whisper, she tells compelling stories involving everyone from William Saroyan (husband #1) and Truman Capote to Carson McCullers, Gloria Vanderbilt, and Walter Matthau (husband #2). This excellent audio presentation will leave you wanting to read the entire book to discover what juicy tidbits were left out.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: The Publishing Mills
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A perfect marriage of text and delivery.
Women are routinely missing from American history texts. This audiobook seeks to remedy that. Journalist O’Donnell’s TV-honed voice carries the stories in compelling fashion. Dozens of overlooked heroines are profiled, such as Elizabeth Freeman, an enslaved woman who filed a lawsuit to obtain her freedom, or Emily Warren Roebling, an engineer who saved the Brooklyn Bridge when her husband fell ill. The writing style is straightforward and narrative-based, making it easy for listeners to follow. O’Donnell varies her tone to suit the material, reflecting intensity, disbelief, humor, and admiration. The sketches are generally short, making this a perfect audiobook for people with short windows of opportunity for listening.
A perfect marriage of text and delivery.Pub Date: Feb. 24, 2026
Duration: 10 hrs, 37 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217176236
Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: March 3, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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