Steven Hahn's sweeping history of the United States in the age of expansion is a compelling narrative, and one that deserves a wide audience despite its flaws as an audiobook production. "Less is more" should be the mantra for all narrators of long, serious works of history--the steady trot rather than a full canter. Barry Press has a pleasing voice and is in many ways an appealing narrator. But he does tend to overemphasize. Worse, his mimicry of regional voices and historical bluster is just plain embarrassing. The story of America is a story of constantly changing borders, and Hahn has written an important work of history that speaks to our own divided time, as well as to the fractured eighteenth century.
Pub Date: Nov. 1, 2016
Duration: 27 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781681682631
Publisher: HighBridge 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
Brick delivers this unforgettable narrative with grace and skill for full impact.
Scott Brick is a frequent narrator of historian Philbrick’s audiobooks, and he’s a perfect match for the author’s straightforward but highly expressive narrative voice. The discovery of gold in the California Sierras in 1848 triggered one of the most dramatic episodes in American history, a grand panorama of greed, obsession, and astonishing twists of fortune. Gold fever fueled progress in sea travel, railroad building, and mechanics and, not incidentally, accelerated the booming nation’s slide toward civil war. Philbrick is, as always, a rewarding and deeply satisfying storyteller, and his history of the California Gold Rush offers a cast of memorable characters along with a troubling record of racism and vigilantism.
Brick delivers this unforgettable narrative with grace and skill for full impact.Pub Date: Oct. 6, 2026
Duration: 13 hrs, 21 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217356218
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Oct. 5, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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