With his low, resonant voice, Cotter Smith does a fine job narrating this detailed biography of Confederate general Stonewall Jackson. Gwynne's biography is well researched, giving great insight into Jackson as well as those he interacted with. The author's writing style is easily accessible, and Smith's voice and delivery match the text well. The details of Jackson's life--his humble beginnings in the mountains of western Virginia and his proving himself at West Point, Virginia Military Institute, and then in Confederate service--flow smoothly as narrated by Smith. His intonation, pacing, and inflection are spot-on, making this production seem shorter than it actually is.
Pub Date: Sept. 30, 2014
Duration: 25 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781442367364
Publisher: Simon & Schuster 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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