With so much already written about WWII, one wonders why there’s a need for historical fiction such as Steven Pressfield's KILLING ROMMEL. After all, it’s hard to imagine stories more compelling than the ones we’ve already heard from this era. Despite this impediment, KILLING ROMMEL is a surprisingly fresh and entertaining story of Britain’s efforts to halt German Field Marshall Erwin Rommel's assault into North Africa and the Middle East. Alfred Molina gives a dynamic performance, combining an intense delivery with a flawless sense of timing. In addition, his accents and delivery are realistic and low-key, thus avoiding a formulaic or stereotypical performance that would detract from the story. Fans of Pressfield's earlier stories of ancient history will welcome his latest effort.
Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2008
Duration: 10 hrs, 30 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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