The Alamo is one of those American legends that will probably never die. Harrigan’s superbly written fictional account presents this saga through the lives of three fictitious characters: Mary Mott, a widow and innkeeper; her teenaged son, Terrell; and a naturalist named Edmund McGowan. We see them interact with Crockett, Bowie, Travis, Austin, and Houston at various places in Texas and the City of Mexico. Add to this a number of fictitious and historic Mexican characters, and we have a first-rate story. George Guidall’s performance of this long work is admirable. His characterizations are all consistent and entirely convincing. The narrative sections flow smoothly. David Crockett is an especially noteworthy treat, one of the most memorable characters this reviewer has heard in a long time.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2001
Duration: 23 hrs, 15 mins
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Ayla, one of the "others," is adopted by a clan of Neanderthal cave people. She struggles to conform to their ways, but her advanced human traits overwhelm and threaten their primitive culture in this initial installment of an immensely popular series. Although the story might benefit from abridgment, Rowena Cooper easily carries out the formidable task of enlivening the mostly silent and stereotypical characters with consistent, diverse personalities and human dimension. Through skillful phrasing and inflection, she maintains the reader's interest and suspense, especially with Ayla and her plight, throughout this rambling and imaginative story.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 22 hrs
Publisher: BBC Audiobooks America/ Chivers
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This lyrical, sensual novel of woman's lot in Manchu, China, is as well researched as it is well written. Authentic in tone, it's nonetheless written for Westerners by a Western expert on China. Moreover, Susan Clark performs the demanding text superbly, with only occasional signs of fatigue. For the most part she not only sustains the quaint diction and Asian atmosphere, but also, creates whole worlds with her voice. She acts the book, rather than reads it, and, in so doing, turns a pretty trifle into a stupendous beauty.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 4 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Audio Literature
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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