Hawking, the theoretical physicist who has revealed the mysteries of the universe to millions of readers, now reveals riveting details of his personal life and intellectual development. In a creative audio twist, Hawking's electronically generated voice begins each chapter and after a few sentences cross-fades to Matthew Brenher's. The narration style parallels Hawking's positive attitude toward life and good humor despite his having contracted ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) at a young age. Brenher's erudite, straightforward reading aptly suits the work as a whole. The skilled Brenher is fully credible as Hawking. As a result, the focus is on the man as a vibrant and youthful researcher, scientist, and educator.
Pub Date: Sept. 10, 2013
Duration: 2 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780804164290
Publisher: Random House 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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