At first, Simon Winchester’s British accent might seem an odd fit with this audiobook. It is, after all, a slice of Americana, recounting the stories of the men (yes, they’re all men) who turned the pluribus into the unum with their treks, travails, and technologies. It takes listeners from Lewis and Clark’s exploration to the building of the railways and the interstate highways, and from the telegraph to the Internet. But it’s quickly evident that Winchester—who was born and raised in England but became an American citizen in 2011 at age 66—is actually the ideal narrator. The audiobook is sprinkled with stories from his own life, and his reading sounds genuine and heartfelt, maintaining a pace that’s brisk without sounding hurried.
Pub Date: Oct. 15, 2013
Duration: 13 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780062080257
Publisher: Harper 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
This work is an excellent example of the power of the audiobook medium.
The only time most of us read the U.S. Constitution was in high school civics class. This book offers a unique perspective, and the use of two narrators allows listeners to distinguish between the document itself and the commentary on its continuing relevance. Working through the Constitution in sections, veteran narrator Dion Graham reads the actual text, and author Murray delivers her commentary, including incidents and court cases from as recently as late 2025, to illustrate the relevance to our lives today. Both narrators are easy to listen to, and their respective paces are suited to the complexity of the material.
This work is an excellent example of the power of the audiobook medium.Pub Date: May 5, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs, 43 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668156018
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: tomorrow
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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