The Olympics Gold Medal winner in boxing was raised in a poor household just outside of Washington, DC. Much is made of his two personalities: the champ “Sugar Ray,” who is an embattled egotist, and “Ray,” an evolving mature adult. Leonard recounts the chronological course of his life, routinely blaming others for his excesses and abuses until the very end of the volume. While the work is extremely detailed as to the recent history and facts of professional boxing, it is not all that enlightening relative to Leonard’s inner demons. The narration has a colloquial style and uses essentially identical inflection in every sentence. The endings of sentences also tend to trail off in volume. This audiobook would be best for Leonard’s fans and those with an enthusiastic interest in “the sweet science.”
Pub Date: June 7, 2011
Duration: 9 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781101484371
Publisher: Penguin 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
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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