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 look at ancient art becomes an appealing pleasure in Gardner’s expert performance.
Grover Gardner’s narration of this history of the excavation of ancient Antioch (once in Syria, now in Turkey) initially seems slow and almost intoned, as if for a prayer or the start of an epic. The approach is a bit heavy for this affable, conversational examination of archaeological practice, art history, the nature of mosaic, and the handling of artistic relics by museums and institutions. But Gardner’s relaxed pace allows the listener to be absorbed in the material and to take full pleasure in his phrasing, the quiet expressiveness of his tones, his notable warmth, and his careful but effortless rendering of the text’s meaning.
A look at ancient art becomes an appealing pleasure in Gardner’s expert performance.Pub Date: Aug. 25, 2026
Duration: 10 hrs, 8 mins
DD ISBN: 9781797198224
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Sept. 29, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
