Will Schwalbe and his mother, Mary Anne, always shared a love of reading. When she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, the two of them embarked on a sort of “book club” journey, sharing their views on the books they were reading, along with their views on life. Narrator Jeff Harding captures the generous, maternal, and self-effacing spirit that characterized Mary Anne's interactions in both her humanitarian work and her day-to-day life. Harding portrays Will as a concerned, thoughtful son seeking to learn all he can from his mother before her passing. The audiobook is a tribute to a life lived serving others, as well as a testament to the value of reading in fostering understanding and bringing people closer to one another.
Pub Date: Oct. 2, 2012
Duration: 9 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780449806647
Publisher: Random House 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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