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
As America celebrates its semiquincentennial, it’s enlightening to look back at how the country celebrated its...
The Great Centennial Exhibition was designed to celebrate a century of U.S. history and progress and to make a statement that the country was a technological and diplomatic world leader as the globe looked toward the 20th century. Author Bordewich frames his chronicle of the exhibition by focusing on four key figures—President Rutherford B. Hayes; Alexander Graham Bell; railroad magnate Tom Scott, who spearheaded the fair; and sculptor Edmonia Lewis, whose work broke racial and gender barriers. Narrator Sean Patrick Hopkins’ conversational tone perfectly suits the material. He adds a bit of lilt for humorous and ironic passages. His pace makes it easy to follow the material, and the author’s writing style adapts well to audio.
As America celebrates its semiquincentennial, it’s enlightening to look back at how the country celebrated its centennial.Pub Date: June 9, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 12 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217340187
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: June 30, 2026
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