You might be thinking Beach Boys, but this audiobook is more Jane Goodall than Brian Wilson because it focuses not only on one surfer's experiences but also on his anthropological observations of a world seen through giant waves. It's a travelogue of the 1960s, an adventure story, social history, and a coming-of-age tale wrapped up in one. William Finnegan narrates his own adventures, and, like many authors who read their own audiobooks, he knows his material and presents it honestly and with heartfelt commitment. However, he doesn't have the vocal elasticity to make the audiobook memorable. His voice sounds flat, and he doesn't seem to be having fun with his own life story. The audiobook deserves a more professional effort.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2015
Duration: 18 hrs
Publisher: Audible Inc./ Brilliance 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
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