This audiobook demonstrates yet again that history's footnotes often have the most revealing and important stories to tell. Narrated in a perfect tone and mix of emotions by Lisa Flanagan, the work focuses on how a German agent, a prominent American's wife, and Mussolini's daughter, Edda Ciano, worked to transfer the diaries of Edda's husband, Italian Foreign Minister Galeazzo Ciano, to the Allies in order to document Nazi atrocities at Nuremberg. The story--which includes espionage, romance, counterintelligence, and more--reads like the best spy novels. Flanagan's performance is flawless, particularly her delivery of dialogue and discussions of how various politicos maneuvered against great odds to obtain Ciano's important diaries.
Pub Date: June 21, 2022
Duration: 8 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781549129841
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Manchester’s incisive writing and Parker’s friendly narration make this a compelling package on the life of 20th century icon General Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964). No student of modern times can ignore this vain, mercurial soldier whose battlefield brilliance conserved the lives of his soldiers even as they cut their opponents to ribbons. Listening to Parker, one imagines a jovial uncle delivering a slap on the back and sitting down to describe war experiences in a rich voice filled with humor and pathos. He pronounces Japanese names, New Guinea cities and American slang with effortless ease. The “you-are-there” quality grabs and holds. This is a carefully done, seamless audio presentation.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 16 hrs
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This well-told tale of love and courage during WWII would make a good miniseries.
This story of love, endurance, and heroism in a time of war translates well to audio. That it’s a true story makes it all the better. Reed Peggram was an American linguist who found love when he went to Europe for advanced study prior to WWII. He refused to return to the U.S. because his male partner couldn’t emigrate. They ended up in a Nazi prison camp. Russell Jordan offers a solid narration. His even voice carries the narrative along effectively without false drama. His facility with foreign names and places keeps things flowing. Nicole Cash narrates the touching and enlightening preface, in itself a worthy story of diligence and serendipity.
This well-told tale of love and courage during WWII would make a good miniseries.Pub Date: Feb. 3, 2026
Duration: 7 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217281695
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Feb. 9, 2026
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