As the official biographer of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, William Shawcross is an expert on the details of the remarkable life of Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes Lyon, the young Scots woman who came to be affectionately known worldwide as the “Queen Mum.” Shawcross’s experience as a writer and broadcaster gives him the authority and stamina to perform this monumental biography of a life that encompassed a century. Sophie Roberts delivers the words from the Queen Mother’s correspondence. Like an extensive behind-the-scenes tour of a castle, the biography is rich in detail that personalizes history. As British Royals continue to be covered in the international media, this well-organized biography proves that their history is just as intriguing.
Pub Date: Oct. 27, 2009
Duration: 10 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780307576583
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
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