Get Best Sellers Audiobooks in Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians

Light & Shade Audiobook by Brad Tolinski

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Brad Tolinski) — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 16:08:26 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Light & Shade Subtitle: Conversations with Jimmy Page Author: Brad Tolinski Narrator: Robert Fass, John Lee Format: Unabridged Length: 7 hrs and 53 mins Language: English Release date: 11-26-12 Publisher: Tantor Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 105 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: More than 30 years after disbanding in 1980, Led Zeppelin continues to be celebrated for its artistic achievements, broad musical influence, and commercial success. The band's notorious exploits have been chronicled in bestselling books; yet none of the individual members of the band has penned a memoir nor cooperated to any degree with the press or a biographer. In Light and Shade, Jimmy Page, the band's most reticent and inscrutable member, opens up to journalist Brad Tolinski, for the first time exploring his remarkable life and musical journey in great depth and intimate detail. Based on extensive interviews conducted with the guitarist/producer over the past 20 years, Light and Shade encompasses Page's entire career, beginning with his early years as England's top session guitarist when he worked with artists ranging from Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, and Burt Bacharach to the Kinks, The Who, and Eric Clapton. Page speaks frankly about his decadent yet immensely creative years in Led Zeppelin, his synergistic relationships with band members Robert Plant, John Bonham, and John Paul Jones, and his notable post-Zeppelin pursuits. While examining every major track recorded by Zeppelin, including "Stairway to Heaven", "Whole Lotta Love", and "Kashmir", Page reflects on the band's sensational tours, the filming of the concert movie The Song Remains the Same, his fascination with the occult, meeting Elvis Presley, and the making of the rock masterpiece Led Zeppelin IV, about which he offers a complete behind-the-scenes account. Additionally, the book is peppered with conversations between Page and other guitar greats, including his childhood friend Jeff Beck and hipster icon Jack White. Through Page's own words, Light and Shade presents an unprecedented first-person view of one of the most important musicians of our era. Critic Reviews: "By shining a light on the shadowy Page, Tolinski has created a must-have for any Led Zeppelin fan or guitar player." ( Publishers Weekly) Members Reviews: A great listen! Makes me want to go back and listen to every album and syncng them up with the audiobook! Production History, FY! As a 10yr old diehard Led Zeppelin fan in 1973, as a 12yr old Page FanGirl in 1975, thanks to much older sisters who I was able to steal albums from. And a father who thought a 10 yr girl should get rid of hand me down record player for a new STERO for her birthday....the marriage was sealed. Any info I could get was gold...in the days of NO google, we just had Creem, Circus, Rolling Stone and The encyclopedia of Rock & Roll. This audible book with all of its history and production info was a wet dream Ramble On Indepth and well deserved review of Page and his m If you could sum up Light & Shade in three words, what would they be? Informative and expansive What other book might you compare Light & Shade to and why? Probably the 33 1/3 series' album books, very comprehensive and music centered Have you listened to any of Robert Fass and John Lee s other performances before? How does this one compare? I have not, but they did a great job here Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting? Not necessarily.

The Life and Work of Mark Twain Audiobook by The Great Courses

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (The Great Courses) — Mon, 08 Jul 2013 06:29:44 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Life and Work of Mark Twain Author: The Great Courses Narrator: Professor Stephen Railton Format: Original Recording Length: 12 hrs and 16 mins Language: English Release date: 07-08-13 Publisher: The Great Courses Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 33 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Samuel Clemens, the man known to history as Mark Twain, was more than one of America's greatest writers. He was our first true celebrity, one of the most photographed faces of the 19th and 20th centuries. This series of 24 lectures by an acclaimed teacher and scholar explores Twain's dual identities - as one of our classical authors and as an almost mythical presence in our nation's cultural life. The lectures are a gateway to both appreciating Twain's literary achievements and to understanding his life, highlighting seven of his major works - Innocents Abroad, Roughing It, "Old Times on the Mississippi," The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, and The Tragedy of Pudd'nhead Wilson - each replete with the issues that most interested and concerned Twain over the course of that life. But you also learn that there are even deeper depths to explore. Although Twain may have died a widely beloved figure, he himself once wrote: "Everyone is a moon and has a dark side that he never shows to anybody." Professor Railton shows you that in his private life, Samuel Clemens struggled with doubt, disappointment, despair, and an increasing misanthropy that was greater than any contained in his most sarcastic satires. Even his closest friends almost lost patience with his rantings on how to exterminate what he called "the damned human race." Dr. Railton also explores in some detail the unpublished manuscripts, discovered after his death, that reveal this dark and despairing side of Mark Twain. They include such partly completed works as The Enchanted Sea Wilderness, The Great Dark, and Three Thousand Years Among the Microbes. PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio. Members Reviews: Masterful Masterful, comprehensive, interesting, balanced, and smart. Very well done. When I finished listening, I wanted more. narrator's stilted style ruins it Narrator seems to be reading off the page as if from the first time. almost seems like he's losing his pace sometimes. a very difficult listen Wonderful you to should listen It was very informative to learn about Mark Twain. I have started to listen to Innocents Abroad. Great refresher and I learned many things that were new to me. Look forward to many more great courses lectures. Annoying What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you? Eliminating the introduction in the beginning and the applause after each segment. This is unnecessary and really annoying. Has The Life and Work of Mark Twain turned you off from other books in this genre? I would like to listen to the material without the interruptions. Would you be willing to try another one of Professor Stephen Railtons performances? Not unless you delete the interruptions. Any additional comments? I really like the great courses and the material, I just hate the interruptions.

Sailor and Fiddler Audiobook by Herman Wouk

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Herman Wouk) — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 05:19:27 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Sailor and Fiddler Subtitle: Reflections of a 100-Year-Old Author Author: Herman Wouk Narrator: Arthur Morey, Herman Wouk - introduction Format: Unabridged Length: 3 hrs and 23 mins Language: English Release date: 01-05-16 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 37 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: In an unprecedented literary accomplishment, Herman Wouk, one of America's most beloved and enduring authors, reflects on his life and times from the remarkable vantage point of 100 years old. Many years ago, the great British philosopher Sir Isaiah Berlin urged Herman Wouk to write his autobiography. Wouk responded, "Why me? I'm nobody." Berlin answered, "No, no. You've traveled. You've known many people. You have interesting ideas. It would do a lot of good." Now, in the same year he has celebrated his 100th birthday, Herman Wouk finally reflects on the life experiences that inspired his most beloved novels. Among those experiences are his days writing for comedian Fred Allen's radio show, one of the most popular shows in the history of the medium; enlisting in the US Navy during World War II; falling in love with Betty Sarah Brown, the woman who would become his wife (and literary agent) for 66 years; writing his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Caine Mutiny as well as a big hit Broadway play, The Caine Mutiny Court Martial; and the surprising inspirations and people behind such masterpieces as The Winds of War, War and Remembrance, Marjorie Morningstar, and Youngblood Hawke. Written with the wisdom of a man who has lived through two centuries and the wit of someone who began his career as a professional comedy writer, the first part of Wouk's memoir ("Sailor") refers to his Navy experience and writing career, the second ("Fiddler") to what he's learned from living a life of faith. Ultimately, Sailor and Fiddler is an unprecedented reflection from a vantage point few people have lived to experience. Members Reviews: A pleasant bow to all of us This autobiography is a rarity. Herman Wouk is a 100 yeas old! He wrote his autobiography from a standpoint of why he wrote. No self-aggrandizing, simple, and clear truth. A one of my all time favorite authors, I learned a lot about him in this short work. For example, I didn't know his wife was his manager. Without exaggeration, his books and mini-series Winds of War and War and Remembrance should be on everyone's bucket list whether you like history or not. They are a tour def force in writing. Although this book is quite lite in facts, you get a real feel for the nature of his development. He don't shine much light on his personal affairs except to make sure you know how much he loved his wife, his faith and his opportunity to write for us and tell a story. Wouk narrates the prologue and epilogue and leave the bulk of it to Arthur Morey. I teared up at the end when he declares that he has no more commitments, no more books to write, no more public stories to tell, his next chapter it to join he beloved deceased wife. Listen to this or not, but you must read what he call his main task in life: Winds of War and War and Remembrance. 8 tower of a man I do not recommend reading this book if you are unfamiliar with Soul's fictional Works, especially Winds of War and War and Remembrance. it would be difficult to appreciate this man's life without first understanding his immense contribution 2 literature and the historical novel genre.

Eminent Hipsters Audiobook by Donald Fagen

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Donald Fagen) — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 04:31:20 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Eminent Hipsters Author: Donald Fagen Narrator: Donald Fagen Format: Unabridged Length: 4 hrs and 38 mins Language: English Release date: 10-22-13 Publisher: Penguin Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 59 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: A witty, revealing, sharply written work of memoir and criticism by the cofounder of Steely Dan. Musician and songwriter Donald Fagen presents a group of vivid set pieces in his entertaining debut as an author, from portraits of the cultural figures and currents that shaped him as a youth to an account of his college days and of life on the road. Fagen begins by introducing the "eminent hipsters" that spoke to him as he was growing up in a bland New Jersey suburb in the early 1960s, among them Jean Shepherd, whose manic nightly broadcasts out of WOR-Radio "enthralled a generation of alienated young people"; Henry Mancini, whose swank, noirish soundtracks left their mark on him; and Mort Fega, the laid-back, knowledgeable all-night jazz man at WEVD who was like "the cool uncle you always wished you had." Acclaimed for the elaborate arrangements and jazz harmonies of his songs, Fagen proves himself a sophisticated writer with a very distinctive voice in this engaging book. Members Reviews: Must-listen for Steely Dan or Donald Fagen fans Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why? If you've ever wondered about Donald Fagan or Steely Dan's origins, this is the book for you! The fact that it is narrated by Fagen himself is a major bonus. While some might not care for the sound of his voice or his laconic manner, I found it to be integral to enjoying the text. Fagen was born just a few years before me, but the touchpoints of his youth resonated with me. Listening to a transistor radio, transitioning through listening to different styles of music, etc. As a former performing musician myself, I enjoyed hearing his tales of life on the road -- the good and the bad... well, mostly the bad. But even the bad is funny the way he tells it. Any musician who aspires to be famous enough to tour for a living (or whatever reason) should certainly listen to Fagen's story before getting too excited about what awaits them on the road. What did you like best about this story? The scope, from youth to Steely Dan reunion tours, and told by the man himself. Have you listened to any of Donald Fagens other performances before? How does this one compare? I'd only heard his music (recordings, radio, one live concert in 2013) and one radio interview. All great stuff, but don't pass over this audiobook. Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting? I listened while commuting. Most audiobooks are way too long to even contemplate sitting or even listening to for 10-30 hours. Any additional comments? Buy this audiobook! Great book! Half of one of my favorite bands talks about his life and touring! Fun listen! great book for fans I have loved Steely Dan for decades as well as Donald Fagan. This book shed great light into more of who he is and how he thinks, something I appreciate very much. keep the writing coming Donald...but perhaps first find the cure for ATD and PTD Hipster=misanthrope? Inspired by a recent SD concert attendance I stumbled upon this and listened to it. A bonus is getting to listen DF himself read it. Don't be put off by the reviews that complain about DF complaining. It's not bad and is mostly pretty hilarious and spot on about some of the difficulties of business travel in general. The most interesting reading are the descriptions and insights into artistic and pop culture of the late 50s to mid 60s.

Charles Dickens Audiobook by Jane Smiley

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Jane Smiley) — Fri, 03 Dec 2004 14:59:35 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Charles Dickens Author: Jane Smiley Narrator: Anna Fields Format: Unabridged Length: 7 hrs and 9 mins Language: English Release date: 12-03-04 Publisher: Books on Tape Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 44 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Charles Dickens offers brilliant interpretations of almost all his major works, an exploration of his narrative techniques and his innovative voice and themes, and a reflection on how his richly varied lower-class cameos sprang from an experience and passion more personal than his public knew. Members Reviews: Outstanding book, deserves 6 stars, not 5 Jane Smiley has taken an innovative & thoroughly satisfying approach to this Dickens biography. Rather than a purely chronological exploration of the man & times, she has successfully intermixed biography, literary analysis, understanding the man from the novels, and the novels from the man's experience. By so doing, the reader gets a flavor of Dickens' business life, home life, formative years, and the cross influence on his literary output. As well as some comparisons of a personal & literary character with his novelist contemporaries. Jane Smiley is able to reach into her own experience as a novelist & as a celebrity (certainly not a celebrity of the stature of Dickens in his time, but able to extrapolate) to enrich our picture of the man & his times. The book is never boring, and the reader is also outstanding. I am hoping to sample a few more of these "small biographies" that come from the same series. A writer examined by a writer A fascinating look at the life of Charles Dickens from another writer who asks: How did he create his career? How did he choose what to work on? According to the reviews, this biography is shorter than others, which makes it perfect for an audiobook. It is just right for a trip from Oakland to San Diego, or a few weeks' commuting, and you come away with deep insight into a fun and famous author. 'Most everything I've read by Jane Smiley I have loved, and this is among her better books.

An Outlaw and a Lady Audiobook by Jessi Colter

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Jessi Colter) — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 10:34:04 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: An Outlaw and a Lady Subtitle: A Memoir of Music, Life with Waylon, and the Faith That Brought Me Home Author: Jessi Colter Narrator: Devon O'Day Format: Unabridged Length: 6 hrs Language: English Release date: 04-11-17 Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishers Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 34 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Renowned songwriter, singer, and wife of Waylon Jennings writes an intimate, enormously entertaining memoir of American music, of life with Waylon and the Outlaws, and of faith lost and found. The daughter of a Pentecostal evangelist and a race-car driver, Jessi Colter played piano and sang in church before leaving Arizona to tour with rock 'n' roll pioneer Duane Eddy, whom she married. Colter became a successful recording artist, appearing on American Bandstand and befriending stars such as the the Everly Brothers and Chet Atkins while her songs were recorded by Nancy Sinatra, Dottie West, and others. Her marriage to Eddy didn't last, however, and in 1969 she married the electrifying Waylon Jennings. Together they made their home in Nashville, which, in the 1970s, was ground zero for roots music, drawing Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Shel Silverstein, and others to the Nashville Sound. And Jessi was at the center of it all, the only woman on the landmark Wanted: The Outlaws album, the record that launched the Outlaw Country genre and was the first country album to go platinum. She also tasted personal commercial success with the number-one single "I'm Not Lisa". But offstage life was a challenge, as Waylon pursued his addictions and battled his demons. Having drifted from the church as a young woman, Jessi returned to her faith and found in it a source of strength in the turmoil of living with Waylon. In the 1980s Waylon helped launch the supergroup The Highwaymen, with Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson, and the hits kept rolling, as did Waylon's reckless living. Amid it all Jessi faithfully prayed for her husband until finally, at Thanksgiving 2001, Waylon found Jesus, just months before he died. An Outlaw and a Lady is a powerful story of American music, of love in the midst of heartache, and of faith that sustains. Members Reviews: Inspirational There is nothing to dislike about this book. This book is a testimony of faith, losing faith, and regaining faith in the Lord. This book is a testament of enduring love between a man and a woman. It is a declaration of God's grace and God's enduring promise. A must read. I know that I will read this book again and again! Jessi and Mariam Loved it!! I didn't realize the background of Jessi! Inspiring!!! Persistent!! longsuffering!! Relentless love!! Patient!! One of my top this year How unexpected--I am not a country music fan, a Waylon fan--I didn't even know who Jessi Colter was I confess. The outline just appealed to me, that a country music celebrity made a book about spirituality. I absolutely loved this. An extraordinary life and an easy read. Much of the Jesus language was difficult to listen to as this language is so generic and cultish almost- she did grow up Pentacostal. It bordered on spiritual arrogance at times I thought, but perhaps this had to do with the reader. The message of spirituality and unconditional love I can definitely relate to. The stories and writing are, of course, nothing short of exceptional.

On the Road with Janis Joplin Audiobook by John Byrne Cooke

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (John Byrne Cooke) — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 12:48:41 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: On the Road with Janis Joplin Author: John Byrne Cooke Narrator: John Byrne Cooke Format: Unabridged Length: 13 hrs and 21 mins Language: English Release date: 10-29-14 Publisher: Penguin Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 48 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: As a road manager and filmmaker, he helped run the Janis Joplin showand record it for posterity. Now he reveals the never-before-told story of his years with the young woman from Port Arthur who would become the first female rock and roll superstarand depart the stage too soon. In 1967, as the new sound of rock and roll was taking over popular music, John Byrne Cooke was at the center of it all. As a member of D.A. Pennebakers film crew, he witnessed the astonishing breakout performances of Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix at the Monterey Pop Festival that June. Less than six months later, he was on a plane to San Francisco, taking a job as road manager for Janis and her band, Big Brother and the Holding Company. From then on, Cooke was Joplins road manager amid a rotating cast of musicians and personnel, a constant presence behind the scenes as the woman called Pearl took the world by storm. Cooke was there when Janis made the difficult decision to leave Big Brother and form a new band. He was with her when the Kozmic Blues Band toured Europe in the spring of 1969, when they performed at Woodstock in August, and when Janis and Full Tilt Boogie took their famous Festival Express train trip across Canada. He accompanied Janis to her friend and mentor Ken Threadgills 70th birthday party, and was at her side when she attended her tenth high school reunion in Port Arthur, Texas. This intimate memoir spans the years he spent with Janis, from her legendary rise to her tragic last days. Cooke tells the whole incredible story as only someone who lived it could. Members Reviews: Janis Joplin & John Cooke (a winning team) Having produced several shows with Big Brother & the Holding Company (2008 and 2010) and getting to know the band personally, I really enjoyed this book. It answered numerous questions and gave me a great insight into this legendary woman. I enjoyed listening to the book so much so that I was disappointed when the story ended with Janis's death.....it could have just as easily continued following the life of road manager/author/narrator John Cooke's and I would have been happy. A well written Account of a Tragic Soul I got to see Her perform live several times so I was very interested to read her story. The account of her life Starts with the intro to many famous names and how she mixed into their lives. It was a great read.

In the Great Green Room Audiobook by Amy Gary

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Amy Gary) — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 17:24:41 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: In the Great Green Room Subtitle: The Brilliant and Bold Life of Margaret Wise Brown Author: Amy Gary Narrator: Bernadette Dunne Format: Unabridged Length: 7 hrs and 12 mins Language: English Release date: 01-10-17 Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc. Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 42 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: The extraordinary life of the woman behind the beloved children's classics Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny comes alive in this fascinating biography of Margaret Wise Brown. Margaret's books have sold millions of copies all over the world, but few people know that she was at the center of a children's book publishing revolution. Her whimsy and imagination fueled a steady stream of stories, book ideas, songs, and poems and she was renowned for her prolific writing and business savvy, as well as her stunning beauty and endless thirst for adventure. Margaret started her writing career by helping to shape the curriculum for the Bank Street School for Children, making it her mission to create stories that would rise above traditional fairy tales and allowed girls to see themselves as equal to boys. At the same time, she also experimented endlessly with her own writing. Margaret would spend days researching subjects, picking daisies, cloud gazing, and observing nature, all in an effort to precisely capture a child's sense of awe and wonder as they discovered the world. Clever, quirky, and incredibly talented, Margaret embraced life with passion, lived extravagantly off of her royalties, went on rabbit hunts, and carried on long and troubled love affairs with both men and women. But before she could marry Margaret died unexpectedly at the age of 42, leaving behind a cache of unpublished work and a timeless collection of books that would go on to become classics in children's literature. Author Amy Gary captures the eccentric and exceptional life of Margaret Wise Brown, and drawing on newly discovered personal letters and diaries, reveals an intimate portrait of a creative genius whose unrivaled talent breathed new life into the literary world. Members Reviews: insightful life story of beloved children's author the author provides authenticity to this biography. Every parent who owned and read, re-read "Runaway Bunny"and "Good Night Moon will appreciate the life events which inspired these and hundreds of creative works by Margaret Wise Brown. she lived a full life and produced volumes of joy for readers over the years. thank you. Fascinating story poorly told Margaret Wise Brown deserves better. I had no idea that, in addition to being one of my favorite children's books author, she had an interesting life. This book appears to be attempting to drown out Brown's story in utter tedium. The author poorly strings together bits from Brown's own writings but adds nothing. Nothing the performer could do but make this a boring listen. Beautiful biography about such a unique woman Love this biography. Made me interested in all aspects of her life and influences. Really well written and full of intimacy and detail. Goldie I had always pictured Margaret Wise Brown as a little old lady in a rocking chair. That was fine but now I will enjoy her book so much more knowing a truly engaging and life filled girl she was

A Walk in the Woods Audiobook by Bill Bryson

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Bill Bryson) — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 11:00:36 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: A Walk in the Woods Author: Bill Bryson Narrator: Bill Bryson Format: Abridged Length: 6 hrs and 2 mins Language: English Release date: 04-01-10 Publisher: Random House AudioBooks Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 74 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: The Appalachian Trail covers 14 states, and over 2,000 miles. It stretches along the East Coast of the United States, from Maine in the north to Georgia in the south. It is famous for being the longest continuous footpath in the world. (Compare this with the Pennine Way, which is a mere 250 miles long.) It snakes through some of the wildest and most spectacular landscapes in America, as well as through some of its most poverty-stricken and primitive backwoods areas - 'redneck' country - Moonshine, Lil Abner, 'Theres bears in them thar hills.' Remember the film Deliverance? God only knows what possessed Bill Bryson, a reluctant adventurer if ever there was one, to undertake this gruelling hike. Perhaps it was just a long-held ambition to lose weight: he has lost two stone so far. As he recently wrote from the trail to his publisher: Speaking of vigorous exercise, boy have I just had some. Maine was a bitch. I want you to come back and walk it with me so that when you die if you go to hell you will be able to say: Call this hell? Try walking across Maine in August.'" Reared in the tradition of Mark Twain, James Thurber, and S.J. Perelman, Bryson used his many years in Britain to soak up a peculiarly English sense of irony and humour and to hone a laugh-out-loud style that is uniquely, hilariously, his own. Members Reviews: Thoroughly enjoyable The first third of this story had me laughing so hard I cried. I enjoyed the last third very much too. It lost my attention somewhat in the middle though when the story, and Bryson literally, got off track. Even so I would thoroughly recommend it. Bryson's voice, reading his own story, is such a pleasure to listen to. Great Fun As Bill Bryson is a favourite author I looked forward to hearing him read his own works. What a delight it is to listen to his gentle voice as he and Katz plod through primeval woods in their effort to be less like cupcakes. I listen to audio books whilst walking for exercise and could walk for hours being entertained by Bryson's wonderful sense of humour and irony. Highly recommended. inspiring I love Bryson's work and this is no exception. I listened to it while walking and now yearn to go hiking. Feels like a friend telling you a story Really good when the author narrates his own story wit pace and charm makes it an experience to remember great Author Narration I disagree with the previous reviewer who didn't approve of Bill Bryson's narration. I find that I prefer it when Bill narrates his books, especially A Walk in the Woods as he is more able than any to get across the real feelings he experienced on his adventure. For a travel book like this one that has to count for something.

Torment Saint Audiobook by William Todd Schultz

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (William Todd Schultz) — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 01:31:49 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Torment Saint Subtitle: The Life of Elliott Smith Author: William Todd Schultz Narrator: Travis Young Format: Unabridged Length: 13 hrs and 47 mins Language: English Release date: 10-18-13 Publisher: Audible Studios for Bloomsbury Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 29 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Elliott Smith was one of the most gifted songwriters of the 90s, adored by fans for his subtly melancholic words and melodies. The sadness had its sources in life. There was trauma from an early age, years of drug abuse, and a chronic sense of disconnection that sometimes seemed self-engineered. Smith died violently in LA in 2003, under what some believe to be questionable circumstances, of stab wounds to the chest. By this time fame had found him, and record-buyers who shared the listening experience felt he spoke directly to them from beyond: astute, damaged, lovelorn, fighting, until he could fight no more. And yet, although his intimate lyrics carried the weight of truth, Smith remained unknowable. In Torment Saint, William Todd Schultz gives us the first proper biography of the rock star, a decade after his death, imbued with affection, authority, sensitivity, and long-awaited clarity. Torment Saint draws on Schultz's careful, deeply knowledgeable readings and insights, as well as on more than 150 hours of interviews with close friends from Texas to Los Angeles, lovers, bandmates, music peers, managers, label owners, and recording engineers and producers. This audiobook unravels the remaining mysteries of Smith's life and his shocking, too early end. It will be, for Smith's legions of fans and listeners still discovering his songbook, an indispensable examination of his life and legacy. Members Reviews: Almost interesting, often overwrought, poorly read Is there anything you would change about this book? The narrator. What didnt you like about Travis Youngs performance? Travis Young mispronounces a word every 2 or 3 sentences. It is annoying and takes me out of the story. Any additional comments? I am going to start asking for refunds for books read by semiliterate narrators. Several books I downloaded recently had the same problem. Imagine if you bought a printed book that had a multiple typos on every page. Does anyone edit or check these things? Or, do they just turn on the recorder and use whatever comes out on the first take? pronunciations What did you like best about Torment Saint? What did you like least? info is good but were they TRYING to mispronounce every name of every location in Portland? And the names? Jesus. It's like he went out of his way to mis pronounce. Like a weird condescending southern daddy What was one of the most memorable moments of Torment Saint? how he says OR-E-GON Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Travis Young? someone who could say words correctly Did Torment Saint inspire you to do anything? be angry at the pronunciation great book This book describes in detail the troubles he had with drugs and relationships. I liked it more than the big nothing book. Seemed to have more info and more sources. Still, I recommend both books. Narrator needs to take an English class. Would you try another book from William Todd Schultz and/or Travis Young? The writing was fine. And fairly thorough. Biographies are often hard to bring to life in the third person. But this one moves along fairly well. How could the performance have been better? The narrator mispronounces words so often it becomes annoying. This is the first book in over 10 years that had this many mistakes in it. Any additional comments? Elliott Smith was an amazing songwriter and guitar player.

Papa Hemingway Audiobook by A. E. Hotchner

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (A. E. Hotchner) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 17:20:46 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Papa Hemingway Author: A. E. Hotchner Narrator: Robert Stack Format: Abridged Length: 1 hr and 50 mins Language: English Release date: 08-06-09 Publisher: Audio Holdings, LLC Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 29 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: For 14 years, Hotchner and Hemingway shared their thoughts and as Hemingway reminisced about his childhood, recalled the Paris literary scene of the 20s, and recounted the real events that lay behind his fiction, Hotchner took it all down. His notes provide the material for this utterly profound and truthfully compassionate best-selling memoir about Ernest Hemingway. Critic Reviews: "Brilliant.... Hotchner deserves to be compared not only to Capote, but to Boswell." (The New York Times) "Remarkable...makes Hemingway live for us as nothing else has done." (The Wall Street Journal) Members Reviews: Drastically abridged Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not? Ironically, no--and I love the book. I've read "Papa Hemingway" at least twice over the years and loved it. But it begs to be read in its entirety, and not in this drastically pared edition. How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable? It's a great story--truly one of the best of its kind (personal memoir) of that generation. However, so much of the richness of Hemingway's extraordinary life is lost in this slashed telling. How could the performance have been better? Robert Stack did lots of good work in his day--in movies, TV, and radio. But that's the problem, his performance sounds dated and staccato. Could you see Papa Hemingway being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be? Yes, George Clooney as Hemingway--but wait a few years. Aaron Paul as Hotchner--he's ready now. Any additional comments? Dear Audible, Please redo this one. Sincerely, A big fan of "Papa Hemingway." Great stories, but a little bit of s letdown. I read Hemingway in love first. I felt a lot of repetition because of that. Also I admire Robert Stack very much but it was difficult to hear some of the story because of the unique quality of his voice. Incredible Read If you could sum up Papa Hemingway in three words, what would they be? It is difficult for some to understand the genius behind his writings and why once he lost his ability to write ... he felt his life was over. Sad story .. but great read. Rich literary history, narration amazing insight into Hemingway's late life, but narration wasn't optimal. Stack's voice was superb, production was just ok

Dorothea Lange Audiobook by Linda Gordon

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Linda Gordon) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 23:05:33 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Dorothea Lange Subtitle: A Life Beyond Limits Author: Linda Gordon Narrator: Kathleen Gati Format: Unabridged Length: 17 hrs and 41 mins Language: English Release date: 03-12-13 Publisher: Audible Studios Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 10 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Winner of the 2010 Bancroft Prize and finalist for the 2009 Los Angeles Times Book Prize in Biography: The definitive biography of a heroic chronicler of America's Depression and one of the 20th century's greatest photographers. We all know Dorothea Lange's iconic photos - the Migrant Mother holding her child, the shoeless children of the Dust Bowl - but now renowned American historian Linda Gordon brings them to three-dimensional life in this groundbreaking exploration of Lange's transformation into a documentarist. Using Lange's life to anchor a moving social history of 20th-century America, Gordon masterfully re-creates bohemian San Francisco, the Depression, and the Japanese-American internment camps. Gordon has written a sparkling, fast-moving story that testifies to her status as one of the most gifted historians of our time. Members Reviews: Very interesting but narration was unusual I enjoyed this book quite a bit, as I am a photographer and have admired Lange's work without knowing anything about her. The story introduced quite a bit of conjecture and assumption along the way, but in general the story seemed well researched. There were obviously more gaps in documentation than is common when putting together a book like this. Things that seemed obvious conjecture were well considered and generally had the ring of truth that keeps them from being speed bumps. I wish I had read this book rather then listened to it. The narrator mispronounced quite a few words along the way, enough to be jarring each time. And they weren't just uncommon place names like San Joaquin (as San JoeWokin) but numerous common words. I always assumed they would edit while recording to fix gaffes like these when producing audio books. Many Books in One Any additional comments? This is a very long and detailed book that is more about the world during Dorthea Lange's time than it is about Lange. With this said, it is eye opening, and provides some incredible insight into American History. I felt as though I received three books for the price of one. I am grateful to the writer for all the research as well as the narrator for the reading. Books of this magnitude, are not easy to read. Yes, there are mistakes in the narration, but this was not easy ground to cover. To sum everything up, if you like to hear the untold story of America's history during the depression as told through a photographer's life don't hesitate read this book. Narrator is pathetic What disappointed you about Dorothea Lange? The narrator's voice and reading (mispronunciations, nasal, whiny) quality made this grating to hear. What did you like best about this story? i couldn't listen to it. I am a great fan of Lange, but this is a disservice. Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Kathleen Gati? Rosenblatt or someone who can read orally. You didnt love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities? Have no idea Any additional comments? Im returning this. Too painful to listen to and I'll have to buy it in hardback. Story of a legendary photographer told well Complete, well-balanced biography with rich historical context.

Elsewhere Audiobook by Richard Russo

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Richard Russo) — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 07:58:16 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Elsewhere Subtitle: A Memoir Author: Richard Russo Narrator: Richard Russo Format: Unabridged Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins Language: English Release date: 10-30-12 Publisher: Random House Audio Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 92 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: After eight commanding works of fiction, the Pulitzer Prize winner now turns to memoir in a hilarious, moving, and always surprising account of his life, his parents, and the upstate New York town they all struggled variously to escape. Anyone familiar with Richard Russo's acclaimed novels will recognize Gloversville, once famous for producing that eponymous product and anything else made of leather. This is where the author grew up, the only son of an aspirant mother and a charming, feckless father who were born into this close-knit community. But by the time of his childhood in the 1950s, prosperity was inexorably being replaced by poverty and illness (often tannery-related), with everyone barely scraping by under a very low horizon. A world elsewhere was the dream his mother instilled in Rick, and strived for herself, and their subsequent adventures and tribulations in achieving that goal - beautifully recounted here - were to prove lifelong, as would Gloversville's fearsome grasp on them both. Fraught with the timeless dynamic of going home again, encompassing hopes and fears and the relentless tides of familial and individual complications, this story is arresting, comic, heartbreaking, and truly beautiful: an immediate classic. Members Reviews: Elsewhere---but not far enough I like Russo's fiction. Period. So, I thought I'd give his nonfiction a try. I chose the wrong one. Something about his mother, fine. What's a memoir without mom? But half-way into the book I realized this wasn't as much a memoir as it was a biography of Russo's mother and it wasn't going to change. Russo's mom is--well, tiresome and she stays in character till the bitter end. I felt sorry for Russo but writing this painful non-memoir was probably therapeutic. Also, I generally avoid books read out loud by the author. A good writer doesn't (often) make for a good reader. It seems counterintuitive but my worst listeniing experiences have been with authors as readers. Oh well...back to Russo's fiction, which I highly recommend! Interesting in many ways This book helped me realize that my favorite type of audio book is memoirs read by the author. Russo's book is a forthright, well written/told journey of his life as influenced by his mother, his roots in upstate NY, and in the background, the support and stability of life with his wife and daughters. As happens with individuals who are troubled, his mother's life seems to circle round and round the same issues, but that is reality. I recommend to anyone who has enjoyed Russo's books, heard him speak, is interested in his life. Affecting memoir Would you listen to Elsewhere again? Why? I probably would not listen again because I tend not to re-listen. But I would definitely reread some of the passages. The preface is a lyrical tribute to a town and the craftsman that were dependent on a dying industry. The author also has beautifully captured what it is like to have a difficult parent. What other book might you compare Elsewhere to and why? Philip Roth's Patrimony or Mary Karr's memoirs. These are all memoirs of living with a difficult parent--yet in the way that all sad families are different, the stories are very different. All of these authors write very well. Any additional comments? I have not liked Russo's fiction but will now try again.

Plato and Aristotle: The Lives and Legacies of the Master and Pupil Audiobook

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Charles River Editors) — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 00:49:02 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Plato and Aristotle: The Lives and Legacies of the Master and Pupil Author: Charles River Editors Narrator: W. B. Ward Format: Unabridged Length: 2 hrs and 37 mins Language: English Release date: 06-10-15 Publisher: Charles River Editors Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 2 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: "Until philosophers are kings, or the kings and princes of this world have the spirit and power of philosophy, and political greatness and wisdom meet in one, and those commoner natures who pursue either to the exclusion of the other are compelled to stand aside, cities will never have rest from their evils - no, nor the human race, as I believe - and then only will this our State have a possibility of life and behold the light of day." (Plato, The Republic) "All men by nature desire to know. An indication of this is the delight we take in our senses; for even apart from their usefulness they are loved for themselves; and above all others the sense of sight. For not only with a view to action, but even when we are not going to do anything, we prefer sight to almost everything else. The reason is that this, most of all the senses, makes us know and brings to light many differences between things." (Aristotle, Metaphysics) Over 2,300 years after their deaths, Plato and Aristotle remain the most influential ancient Greek philosophers and arguably the greatest icons of ancient thought. Their legacies expanded rapidly and extensively across the ancient world, helped in part by the fact Aristotle tutored Alexander the Great. Both philosophers were recognized as celebrated intellectual forces during all of antiquity and the Middle Ages. The longevity of the the two philosophers' legacies is matched only by the incredible breadth of their works. Plato and Aristotle covered everything from the soul and metaphysical issues to political philosophy, science, and ethics. Simply put, Plato and Aristotle laid the foundation for Western philosophy and thought, and even to this day they remain foundations of knowledge for subsequent philosophers to rely on when forming and refining their own philosophies. Members Reviews: "Know thyself". To belong to the Western Civilisation and Culture is to share in the greatness and glory of the Greeks. Plato and Aristotle could be compared to Remus and Romulus of the Latins. They are fundamental, they are at our beginnings. The Greeks usually have a word for most things; they certainly do for the basics of human life. Words like 'arete', 'paideia'- Scholars write not only pages about these words but Volumes- they are so great and so illuminating and inspiring. To read only Plato is an education; to read both Plato and Aristotle is a boon!! Minds are opened to the 'truth' and the 'reality' of things. The fundamental principles of thought, as Plato teaches, lead to the realm of the divine. The human psyche, the Mind, is a 'spark' from the 'divine fire'. With men like Plato and Aristotle the Mind of Man begins to blossom, to produce fruit. Read their Books and learn about 'arete'; 'paideia'; and also 'eros'. You may be surprised to learn as Plato teaches you that "Eros; is not so simple. In fact,Eros is an energy or power that leads us along the path from what he calls 'crass Eros' to the 'Heavenly Eros';. The Greeks have so many things to teach us. Amazon can only be thanked for making these Authors available to the general Public and not only to the Scholars.

Luck or Something Like It Audiobook by Kenny Rogers

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Kenny Rogers) — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 08:60:27 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Luck or Something Like It Subtitle: A Memoir Author: Kenny Rogers Narrator: Taber Burns Format: Unabridged Length: 9 hrs and 10 mins Language: English Release date: 10-02-12 Publisher: HarperAudio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 27 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: A remarkable story of a boy who couldn't stop singing, and a man who knew how to hold 'em. For more than half a century, Kenny Rogers has been recording some of the most revered and beloved music in America and around the world. In that time, he has become a living legend by combining everything from R&B to country and gospel to folk in his unique voice to create a sound that's both wholly original and instantly recognizable. Now, in his first-ever memoir, Kenny details his lifelong journey to becoming one of American music's elder statesmen - a rare talent who's created hit records for decades while staying true to his values as a performer and a person. Exploring the struggles of his long road, his story begins simply: growing up in Depression-era Texas, living in the projects, surviving in poverty, and listening to his mother, who always had just the right piece of wisdom. Recounting his early years, first as a jazz bassist and later as a member of the pioneering folk group the New Christy Minstrels, Kenny charts how he came into his own as an artist with the First Edition, only to have the band's breakup in the 1970s raise questions about his musical future. Yet, as Kenny explains, it was precisely this soul-searching that led him to a new direction on his own in Nashville. Telling the stories that have become legends in a town that's seen many of them, he recalls the making of his career in country music and his most memorable songs, including "Lucille", "The Gambler", "Lady", and "Islands in the Stream". Along the way, he shares the friendships, both big and small, that have meant the most to him, describing the good times he's had with Dottie West, Lionel Richie, and, of course, Dolly Parton, and how through it all he continues to make music with the passion that has defined him from the start. Staring across the decades, Kenny writes a story seemingly straight from one of his songs. The end result is a rollicking ride through fifty years of music history, which offers a heartwarming testament to a time when country music wasn't just a brand but a way of life. Members Reviews: Lovely If you could sum up Luck or Something Like It in three words, what would they be? Grounded, driven, and nice! What did you like best about this story? This is the lovely story of a very lovely man. I was never into country music, but after listening to Kenny Rogers's life story, I am intrigued enough to try and find out. He comes through as a very down-to-earth, hardworking, but extremely driven person who doesn't take himself too seriously. What about Taber Burnss performance did you like? His voice has none of the annoying nasality of some of the other narrators, and he does a good job conveying the emotion as well as the content of the story. Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting? Definitely. I wish more memoirs were this fun and frank. loved it Kenny. loved it, narrator was the greatest. Have loved Kenny's voice & music all my life. If you like Kenny Rogers you will like this book Interesting Listen - The performance was very good and the story was OK. Nothing earth shattering here but overall it was entertaining.

Focus Audiobook by Michael Gross

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Michael Gross) — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 10:60:24 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Focus Subtitle: The Secret, Sexy, Sometimes Sordid World of Fashion Photographers Author: Michael Gross Narrator: Kirby Heyborne Format: Unabridged Length: 15 hrs and 46 mins Language: English Release date: 06-16-16 Publisher: Tantor Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 15 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Before Instagram was an art form, fashion photographers were pop culture royalty. From the postwar covers of Vogue until the triumph of the digital image, the fashion photographer sold not only clothes but ideals of beauty and fantasies of perfect lives. Even when they succumbed to temptation and excess, the very few photographers who rose to the top were artists above all. In his follow-up to the New York Times best-selling Model: The Ugly Business of Beautiful Women, Michael Gross probes the lives, hang-ups, and artistic triumphs of more than a dozen of fashion photography's greatest visionaries: Richard Avedon, Irving Penn, Melvin Sokolsky, Bert Stern, David Bailey, Bill King, Gilles Bensimon, Bruce Weber, Steven Meisel, Corinne Day, Bob and Terry Richardson, and more. From Avedon's haute couture fantasies and telling portraits to Weber's sensual, intimate, and heroic slices of life, and from Bob Richardson's provocations to his son Terry's transgressions, Gross takes listeners behind the scenes and reveals the revolutionary creative processes and fraught private passions of these visionary magicians. Members Reviews: Absolutely superb Where does Focus rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far? This is one of the best non-fiction books I've heard in recent memory. What does Kirby Heyborne bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book? There is no disconnect between the reading and the book itself, I often felt as if the author were speaking to me. Any additional comments? If you are interested in fashion photography or the history of fashion, this book is peerless. Like taking a grad school course from the best kind of professor. Brilliantly designed, researched, written and framed. I finished and immediately listened to it twice more. Inspiring, educational, fascinating on a human level as well as on a historical level. So many stories here, and the author has tied them together in such a perfectly choreographed manner. If this falls anywhere in your area of interest, I highly recommend.

Moon River and Me Audiobook by Andy Williams

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Andy Williams) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:10:22 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Moon River and Me Author: Andy Williams Narrator: Andy Williams Format: Abridged Length: 5 hrs and 15 mins Language: English Release date: 10-13-09 Publisher: Penguin Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 16 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Before being declared a national treasure by President Ronald Reagan, Williams would chart 18 gold and three platinum albums, headline at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas for more than 20 years, and host an enormously popular weekly television variety show whose Christmas specials still occupy a tender spot in every baby boomer's heart. Williams knew everybody who was anybody during his seven remarkable decades in show business (including Judy Garland, John Huston, Jack Lemmon, John Lennon, Elton John, Frank Sinatra, Elvis, and Barbra Streisand, among others) and was a close friend of Bobby Kennedy for many years. He shares memories of them all in Moon River and Me. His millions of fans guarantee a huge audience for the autobiography of the plush baritone who - at the age of 81 - still draws thousands of fans to his Moon River Theater in Branson, Missouri. Members Reviews: very good book I enjoyed the book tremendously lea what about the man that I never realized happened to him in his lifetime I would recommend this book highly to anyone is very interesting read I'm sure you will enjoy it as much as I did it will make you laugh cry and smile thank you for giving us this book

Dusty Springfield's Dusty in Memphis (33 1/3 Series) Audiobook by Warren Zanes

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Warren Zanes) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:04:36 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Dusty Springfield's Dusty in Memphis (33 1/3 Series) Author: Warren Zanes Narrator: Jay Snyder Format: Unabridged Length: 3 hrs and 3 mins Language: English Release date: 04-20-09 Publisher: Audible Studios Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 10 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: In this book, Zanes explores his own love affair with the record. He digs deep into the album's Memphis roots and talks to several of the key characters who were involved in its creation; many of whom were - like Zanes - outsiders drawn to the American South and mesmerized by its hold over the imagination. Editorial Reviews: Warren Zanes, himself a musician, says off the bat that his entry into Continuum's 33 1/3 series is "not a book about a record", but "a book about an experience with a record." Zanes describes the effect of Dust Springfield's Dusty in Memphis, its complex view on love's mysteries and contradictions. Toward this goal he analyzes the album, and interviews some of the key players in its creation, like Jerry Wexler, one of the producers. Jay Snyder's authoritative, flowing voice, pushes along this audiobook that'll have you running back to the source material, an album that instantly puts the listener into an environment, perhaps of their own memory or the smoky world of pop R&B hits like "Son of a Preacher Man". Members Reviews: A personal look at an excellent album Warren Zanes gives us a personal look at his history with this acclaimed Dusty Springfield album, as well as the details of its creation. Dusty in Memphis is sort of an improbable classic, made by a singer whose personal problems were overcome by the strength of the material and by the collaborators she chose, such as soul music producer extarordinaire Jerry Wexler. Northerner Zanes details his fascination with the mysteries of the exotic South, a fascination shared by British soul singer Springfield, who traveled to Memphis to try to capture the spirit of soul music at its source. Well-written but not enough album-related info What did you like best about Dusty Springfield's Dusty in Memphis (33 1/3 Series)? What did you like least? Warren Zanes is a very good writer. I loved his Tom Petty bio, his narrative is always compelling. That said, this book really serves as an essay about the mythical South rather than a true telling of the making of Dusty in Memphis. There are some cool details but they are interjected sparsely between long expositions about race, southern culture and the history of people who've profited from the work of southern black musicians. All of those things make sense to talk about and Zanes does so beautifully. But I found myself wanting to know more about the actual album featured in the title of the book. Miss with the Blues Dusty was never Rusty. How could an artist with so much talent ever be overlooked in the Pantheon of great entertainers. Her life was filled with sorrow but she filled the world's music with great interpretations of classic melody. No white woman has ever achieved the accolades showered on her by people who she emulated in the world of Soul.

Great Masters: Tchaikovsky - His Life and Music Audiobook by The Great Courses

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (The Great Courses) — Mon, 08 Jul 2013 22:23:47 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Great Masters: Tchaikovsky - His Life and Music Author: The Great Courses Narrator: Professor Robert Greenberg Format: Original Recording Length: 6 hrs and 12 mins Language: English Release date: 07-08-13 Publisher: The Great Courses Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 157 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Although we often think of an artist's work as a window into their own inner world, that is not always the case. In the life of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, however, we can see perhaps the closest link to be found anywhere between a creative product and the shifting moods of a turbulent soul, which found its outlet through the glorious music created by the great Russian composer. To know his music, you must know the man, and this fast-moving series of eight lectures from an award-winning composer and accomplished teacher offers an insightful look into both the circumstances of Tchaikovsky's life and the impact that life had on his music. You'll learn about his fear of conducting, his disastrous marriage and subsequent suicide attempt, his depression, and the constant anxiety that his closeted homosexuality would become public-a fear that proved prophetic and led to a second, and successful, attempt to take his own life. Torn by the conflicts between his own Romantic inclination for expression and the requirements of Classical structure - he was the first full-time, formally trained, professional composer in Russian history - Tchaikovsky's music is a delicate balancing act. Heart versus head, emotion versus reason, release versus control, the expressiveness demanded of his Russian soul and the strictures of Classical technique - all of these conflicts find their way into his music, and give it its extraordinary emotional power. PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio. Members Reviews: Spectacular Robert Greenberg's Great Masters are the BEST "Great Courses" lectures that I have heard until now. I loved Beethoven's courses and I loved Tchaikovsky's as well. Greenberg's style is unique: he speaks full of passion, the characters are well painted, the music is properly inserted.He points out to the music for example-- listen to the oboe, or look how the piano is the superb instrument-- and demonstrates the mood of the author at that precise time-- here he was sad, then he was happy. He retells with music the history of Tchaikovsky's life, his torments, and greatness. Robert Greenberg's lectures are as entertaining as educational. Listen to them. You won't regret! 12000 love letters to someone you never met Would you listen to Great Masters: Tchaikovsky - His Life and Music again? Why? I don't know if I would have the time again with all the other Dr Greenberg courses I am listening to. I have listend to about fifty four hours and counting. These courses are most invormative.and give you a very good idea of the composers life and the history of the area in which he lived. What was one of the most memorable moments of Great Masters: Tchaikovsky - His Life and Music? His relationship with Van Meck is very interesting, and the story about his Romeo and Juliet. Have you listened to any of Professor Robert Greenbergs other performances before? How does this one compare? Ihave listened to Dr Greendergs lectures on Brahms, Stavinsky and how to listen to and understand music 3rd addition I have several others of his courses that I will listen to in the future. Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting? Why to long for one sitting.

John Lennon Audiobook by Philip Norman

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Philip Norman) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 12:45:19 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: John Lennon Subtitle: The Life Author: Philip Norman Narrator: Graeme Malcolm Format: Abridged Length: 12 hrs and 56 mins Language: English Release date: 10-28-08 Publisher: HarperAudio Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 43 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: This biography takes a fresh and penetrating look at Lennon's much-chronicled life, including the songs that have turned him, posthumously, into almost a secular saint. In three years of research, Norman has turned up an extraordinary amount of new information about even the best-known episodes of Lennon folklore. The book's numerous key informants and interviewees include Sir Paul McCartney, Sir George Martin, and Yoko Ono, who speaks with sometimes shocking candor about the inner workings of her marriage to John. Honest and unflinching, as John himself would wish, Norman gives us the whole man in all his endless contradictions: tough and cynical, hilariously funny - but also naive, vulnerable, and insecure. He reveals how the mother who gave him away as a toddler haunted his mind and his music for the rest of his days. Members Reviews: Really Bad Abridgement Job (slash job) I always go for unabridged if available because I prefer to decide for myself which passages (if any) to skim. But the abridgements I've read in the past have at least provided decent transitions and for the most part not chopped out essential passages. Not so with this butcher job. Suddenly John leaps from one school to another without transition. The formation of his first band is left out, so you are dumped immediately in the middle of his Quarrymen period. At that point, I gave up on the audiobook and bought the real book. I was, and remain, totally puzzled how this abridgement was permitted to be sold to us. It's really, really, awful. Insensitive, thoughtless, bizarre. Not even an attempt at an abridgement I find it unbelievable that a major publishing house would do such a haphazard job on an audiobook. I actually called Audible to see if a part was missing, because the audiobook skips all mention of John meeting Paul McCartney and George Harrison and forming the Quarrymen, among other glaring omissions. It turns out that the narrator is just reading certain unedited chapters from the book, so you get some things in great detail, while other, sometimes more important, things are completely skipped. There is no attempt at continuity; people and events will pop up with no explanation, because they had obviously been introduced in an earlier chapter that we did not get to hear. The really frustrating part is that if the audiobook were unabridged, or had been abridged properly, I think this would have been a really great listen. The chapter about John's early childhood contained information that I, an avid Beatles reader, had never heard, and I found it riveting. The book is well-written, and the narration is also very good. It's a shame that the publisher did not to justice to its product with its lazy, lazy abridgement. What's there is good, but there isn't enough there Why, oh why, does Audible provide unabridged versions of, say, a 3-volume history of the stapler yet insist on abridging books like this? The other commenters have it right: these are excerpts, not a real abridged version. And the selections are puzzling: this version skips the entire first 3 albums, U.S. tour, etc., but gives in excruciating detail a long, Wikipedia-like history of LSD that is familiar from every 1960s documentary ever made. But John Lennon's life from 1974-1980? Missing. The writing is good, as is the narration and the information provided.

Unmasked Audiobook by Ian Halperin

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Ian Halperin) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 12:23:60 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Unmasked Subtitle: The Final Years of Michael Jackson Author: Ian Halperin Narrator: Richard Allen Format: Unabridged Length: 9 hrs and 3 mins Language: English Release date: 07-27-09 Publisher: Tantor Audio Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 27 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Whatever the final autopsy results reveal, it was greed that killed Michael Jackson. Friends and associates paint a tragic picture of the last years and days of his life as Jackson made desperate attempts to prepare for a planned concert series at London's O2 Arena in July 2009. These shows would have earned millions for the singer and his entourage, but he could never have completed them, not mentally and not physically. Michael knew it, and his advisers knew it. Anyone who caught even a fleeting glimpse of the frail old man hiding beneath the costumes and cosmetics would have understood that the London tour was madness. Why did it happen this way? After an intense five-year investigation, Halperin uncovers the real story of Michael Jackson's final years, a suspenseful and surprising thriller. Members Reviews: Save your money This book made me wish we could return audiobooks for a refund. It should have been called "Michael Jackson May Be Weird But He Isn't A Pedophile - Really!" We hear a lot about the molestation charges but not much else...except, that is, for The Adventures of Ian Halperin, Undercover Journalist Extraordinaire! Ian goes undercover inside the Church of Scientology! Ian becomes BFFs with Ava Gardner! Ian smokes pot with Liza Minnelli! Ian gets hit on by Michael Jackson in a pizza parlor! The book even begins with Ian's feelings about the alleged child molestation that Jackson was charged with. Combine the Ian-centric narrative (a big fat journalistic no-no) with a glaring lack of fact-checking and a lot of unsupported innuendo (Michael was gay! Michael wanted to die! Mysterious "unnamed sources" said so!), and you get...well, you get a waste of $12 and 9 hours, is what you get. Richard Allen is mediocre as the narrator, and I confess to gritting my teeth every time he changed accents to read the alleged words of, for example, a gay French porn star, a Latina maid, or Jackson himself. Don't even bother with this waste of time and money...I wish I hadn't. First Title I've Ever Asked for a Refund The narrator sounds like he's learning to read outloud. Awful. Don't waste your credit! This was rubish. Ian had an axe to grind with Michael Jackson, and he filed it down to the wood with this book. A lot of time was spent on the reading of court transcripts verbatim from Jackson's trial, what easy way to waste ink and make a buck at the same time. Save your credit, this book is a waste of time. I skipped through it after a point while thinking how foolish I was to waste my money on it. Lies Most of the "facts" in this book are straight out lies. Don't waste your time. listen to preview first! oh, how I wish I would have listened to the preview first! the narrator's voice is so melodramatic and nauseating! yikes! i want a refund!

Letters to a Young Teacher Audiobook by Jonathan Kozol

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Jonathan Kozol) — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 11:02:10 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Letters to a Young Teacher Author: Jonathan Kozol Narrator: David Drummond Format: Unabridged Length: 5 hrs and 36 mins Language: English Release date: 10-29-07 Publisher: Tantor Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 19 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Letters to a Young Teacher reignites a number of the controversial issues that Kozol has powerfully addressed in recent years: the mania of high-stakes testing that turns many classrooms into test-prep factories where spontaneity and critical intelligence are no longer valued, the invasion of our public schools by predatory private corporations, and the inequalities of urban schools that are once again almost as segregated as they were a century ago. But most of all, these letters are rich with the happiness of teaching children, the curiosity and jubilant excitement children bring into the classroom at an early age, and their ability to overcome their insecurities when they are in the hands of an adoring and hard-working teacher. Editorial Reviews: From his perspective of over forty years in education, Jonathan Kozol writes a series of warm letters to Francesca, a new first-grade teacher at an inner-city school in Boston. Visiting her class and answering her questions has Kozol reflecting on his experiences with motivating students, eschewing administrative control, and dealing with standardized testing. Several of the personal stories will seem familiar to Kozol fans, but this new presentation makes them live again, and it's always refreshing to hear someone speaking sense about education. David Drummond delivers the material well. At some points his voice and words are gentle, as if trying to calm the new teacher; at others his tone is passionate and tinged with anger at the insanity of current policies. Critic Reviews: "Encouraging...forceful...convincingly argued." (Publishers Weekly)"Remarkable....Every citizen who cares about the future of our children ought to read this." (Eric Carle, author of The Very Hungry Caterpillar) Members Reviews: A must read for new teachers This book has a lot of "real" new teacher issues. It is great for any new teacher of an urban classroom. Don't get caught up in the author's soap box.....otherwise it does provide some good suggestions for a new teacher.

Pau Casals Audio Libro por Online Studio Productions

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Online Studio Productions) — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 13:06:20 GMT

Escuche este audio libro completo gratis en https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> Título: Pau Casals Subtitular: La Magia del Violoncello [The Magic of the Violoncello] Autor: Online Studio Productions Narrador: uncredited Formato: Unabridged Duración: 37 mins Idioma: Español Fecha de publicación: 02-11-15 Editor: Online Studio Productions Categorías: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Resumen del editor: El refinamiento y la estética en la múscia en una gran dimensión. Pau Carles Salvador Casals i Defilló, más conocido como Pau Casals, y también como Pablo Casals en Latinoamérica y el mundo anglosajón, es unos de los músicos catalanes mas destacados del siglo XX. Por su incomparable desempeño como instrumentista del violonchelo, Casals es considerado uno de los mejores violonchelistas de todos los tiempos. Please note: This audiobook is in Spanish.

Let's Take the Long Way Home Audiobook by Gail Caldwell

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Gail Caldwell) — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 05:08:42 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Let's Take the Long Way Home Subtitle: A Memoir of Friendship Author: Gail Caldwell Narrator: Joyce Bean Format: Unabridged Length: 4 hrs and 38 mins Language: English Release date: 08-10-10 Publisher: Tantor Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 156 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: In Let's Take the Long Way Home, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Gail Caldwell offers a powerful and moving memoir about her coming-of-age in mid-life and her extraordinary friendship with Caroline Knapp, the author of Drinking: A Love Story. In her younger years, Caldwell defined herself by rebellion and independence, a passion for books, and an aversion to intimacy and a distrust of others. Then, while living in Cambridge in her early 40s, Caldwell adopted a rambunctious puppy named Clementine. On one of their bucolic walks, she met Caroline and her dog, Lucille, and both women's lives changed forever. Though they are more different than alike, these two fiercely private, independent women quickly relax into a friendship more profound than either of them expected, a friendship that will thrive on their shared secrets, including parallel struggles with alcoholism and loneliness. They grow increasingly inseparable until, in 2003, Caroline is diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer. In her signature exquisite prose, Caldwell mines the deepest levels of devotion and grief in this wise and affecting account about losing her best friend. Let's Take the Long Way Home is also a celebration of life and all the little moments worth cherishing - and affirms why Gail Caldwell is rightly praised as one of our bravest and most honest literary voices. Editorial Reviews: Former chief book critic for The Boston Globe, Pulitzer Prize-winner Gail Caldwell's second foray into the terrain of memoir demonstrates once again that she is as capable of writing a book as she is of reading one. Instead of the Texas of her youth, this time Caldwell is firmly ensconced in the scenery of Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she regularly walks her Samoyed, Clemetine. Let's Take the Long Way Home is the story of her connection with the dog, but mainly her connection with a fellow canine enthusiast, Caroline Knapp, former columnist for the Boston Pheonix and author of the memoir Drinking: A Love Story, who died of cancer in 2002. Narrating this touching testimony of the friendship between two stubborn ladies and their pets is Joyce Bean, who has given voice to over a hundred audiobooks and also has directed the recording of dozens more. Bean blends a beautiful combination of Amarillo twang to the vowels and Bostonite grinding to the consonants, capturing Caldwell's delicate story with a uniquely dignified grace that does not give quarter to the sugary sentimentality of so many tales in this genre. The senior member of the friendship by 10 years, Caldwell still has a lot to learn from Knapp. As they spent a great deal of time outdoors, either walking the dogs or training to row down the river, both women overcome personal demons to let in the light of the other. Both journalists, both alcoholics, both lonely dog lovers, Caldwell charts the little differences between them that enriched their extraordinary friendship. This book is a real and straightforward treatment of grief, put into proper perspective as a situation of personal growth and memory through the voice work of Joyce Bean, who keeps both feet on the ground in a tone that does justice to Caldwell's deeply honest reflections. Critic Reviews: Stunning...a book of such crystalline truth that it makes the heart ache. (The Boston Globe)

Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl Audiobook by Carrie Brownstein

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Carrie Brownstein) — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 15:29:51 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl Subtitle: A Memoir Author: Carrie Brownstein Narrator: Carrie Brownstein Format: Unabridged Length: 7 hrs and 2 mins Language: English Release date: 11-05-15 Publisher: Hachette Audio UK Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 5 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Before Carrie Brownstein became a music icon, she was a young girl growing up in the Pacific Northwest just as it was becoming the setting for one the most important movements in rock history. Seeking a sense of home and identity, she would discover both while moving from spectator to creator in experiencing the power and mystery of a live performance. With Sleater-Kinney, Brownstein and her bandmates rose to prominence in the burgeoning underground feminist punk-rock movement that would define music and pop culture in the 1990s. They would be cited as "America's best rock band" by legendary music critic Greil Marcus for their defiant, exuberant brand of punk that resisted labels and limitations and redefined notions of gender in rock. Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl is an intimate and revealing narrative of her escape from a turbulent family life into a world where music was the means toward self-invention, community, and rescue. Along the way, Brownstein chronicles the excitement and contradictions within the era's flourishing and fiercely independent music subculture, including experiences that sowed the seeds for the observational satire of the popular television series Portlandia years later. With deft, lucid prose, Brownstein proves herself as formidable as on the stage. Accessibly raw, honest and heartfelt, this book captures the experience of being a young woman, a born performer and an outsider and ultimately finding one's true calling through hard work, courage and the intoxicating power of rock and roll. Members Reviews: Astounding. Well. I was prepared to love this book; after all, Sleater-Kinney has held a huge importance in my life since I first heard them over 10 years ago. For me, Sleater-Kinney has always transcended the limitations of riotgrrrl and existed in an incredibly original space. Their music is liminal; to listen is to exist in the hallowed space between Carrie, Corin and Janet where the listener is not only witness to but actually of the music. What I was not prepared for is just how incredible Carrie Brownsteins memoir, Hunger Makes me a Modern Girl would be. Carrie writes with the most incredible precision about her childhood feeling distant and alienated from her parents, her anxious need to perform in order to cope and how Sleater-Kinney inspired a generation. Carrie is an incredibly brave and honest writer who never shies away from the ugly parts; of herself or of the pseudo-inclusionist riotgrrrl scene and the result is a thing of beauty and clarity.

She Made Me Laugh Audiobook by Richard Cohen

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Richard Cohen) — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 11:01:53 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: She Made Me Laugh Subtitle: My Friend Nora Ephron Author: Richard Cohen Narrator: Christopher Lane Format: Unabridged Length: 10 hrs and 33 mins Language: English Release date: 09-06-16 Publisher: Brilliance Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 53 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Nora Ephron, one of the most famous writers, film makers, and personalities of her time is captured by her long-time and dear friend in a hilarious, blunt, raucous, and poignant recollection of their decades-long friendship. Nora Ephron (1941 - 2012) was a phenomenal personality, journalist, essayist, novelist, playwright, Oscar-nominated screenwriter, and movie director (Sleepless in Seattle; You've Got Mail; When Harry Met Sally; Heartburn; Julie & Julia). She wrote a slew of bestsellers (I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman; I Remember Nothing: And Other Reflections; Scribble, Scribble: Notes on the Media; Crazy Salad: Some Things About Women). She was celebrated by Hollywood, embraced by literary New York, and adored by legions of fans throughout the world. Award-winning journalist Richard Cohen wrote this about his "third-person memoir": "I call this book a third-person memoir. It is about my closest friend, Nora Ephron, and the lives we lived together and how her life got to be bigger until, finally, she wrote her last work, the play, Lucky Guy, about a newspaper columnist dying of cancer while she herself was dying of cancer. I have interviewed many of her other friends - Mike Nichols, Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Meryl Streep, Arianna Huffington - but the book is not a name-dropping star turn, but an attempt to capture a remarkable woman who meant so much to so many other women." Members Reviews: Loved it! Loved this book! The narration was absolutely magical and images so vivid that I was swept to manhattan, DC, and east Hampton as well as Noras dinner table. Just incredible! waste of time This is a difficult book to finish. It smacks of bitterness and envy. Cohen seemed bent on putting Ephron in a bad light. Nora the Magnificent! This warm and loving account of Nora Ephron will delight her fans. I throughly enjoyed every minute of it. It is brimming with insights about her writing and her life. Great book for lovers of Nora Ephron's work Would you listen to She Made Me Laugh again? Why? No. I liked it very much and remember it well so do not feel the need to listen to it again What was one of the most memorable moments of She Made Me Laugh? Learning details of how she came to write some of the stories that became movies Have you listened to any of Christopher Lanes other performances before? How does this one compare? First time, I have heard him and found his performance very satisfactory Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting? No Any additional comments? My first experience with Audible as I love reading. This was a new experience and went so well, I have ordered additional Audible Books.

A Song Flung Up to Heaven Audiobook by Maya Angelou

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Maya Angelou) — Wed, 09 May 2012 16:07:28 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: A Song Flung Up to Heaven Author: Maya Angelou Narrator: Maya Angelou Format: Unabridged Length: 4 hrs and 37 mins Language: English Release date: 05-09-12 Publisher: Random House Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 35 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: The culmination of a unique achievement in modern American literature: the six volumes of autobiography that began more than thirty years ago with the appearance of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. A Song Flung Up to Heaven opens as Maya Angelou returns from Africa to the United States to work with Malcolm X. But first she has to journey to California to be reunited with her mother and brother. No sooner does she arrive there than she learns that Malcolm X has been assassinated. Devastated, she tries to put her life back together, working on the stage in local theaters and even conducting a door-to-door survey in Watts. Then Watts explodes in violence, a riot she describes firsthand. Subsequently, on a trip to New York, she meets Martin Luther King, Jr., who asks her to become his coordinator in the North, and she visits black churches all over America to help support Kings Poor Peoples March. But once again tragedy strikes. King is assassinated, and this time Angelou completely withdraws from the world, unable to deal with this horrible event. Finally, James Baldwin forces her out of isolation and insists that she accompany him to a dinner party - where the idea for writing I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is born. In fact, A Song Flung Up to Heaven ends as Maya Angelou begins to write the first sentences of Caged Bird. Members Reviews: My my my mmm mmm mmm All people of color should listen or read this journal for themselves to their children sometimes your children are quiet not because they are "just your quiet one" they are waiting the hear what truly inspires one RIP Maya Angelou. Maya's amazing I like the story. Ms. Angelo's stories are interesting and inspiring. The narration was a little annoying because she pronounced every single letter of every single word with an emphasis on the T. Sounded stilted. But the content was well written and the journey for me enjoyable. A fabulous read, Ms. Angelou never disappoints. A fabulous read, Ms. Angelou never disappoints. Always a pleasure reading her work. hearing the story in her words makes it all the more enjoyable! Thank you Mother Maya... continuously inspiring Like Mother Maya, I'm on colourful journey with a colorful group of individuals... Thank you for the map....I'm using it accordingly... MAYA AT HER MOST VULNERABLE WITH VERVE Would you consider the audio edition of A Song Flung Up to Heaven to be better than the print version? YES! For the main reason that Maya's notable and memorable raspy brogue carries here story. I love her inflections and her attention to her living prose. The audio book, for me was a better way to drink from Maya's illustrious well. What was one of the most memorable moments of A Song Flung Up to Heaven? For me, it was Maya's struggle to let go of her mothering brain so to speak, when it came to her son Guy. The beauty she learnt in the strength that Guy needed to discover himself without her close input. I was struck by Maya's calm resolve to watch and listen from ringside as her baby fought his own fight and won gloriously. The relationship between her and her son was a classic one shared with candor. What does Maya Angelou bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you had only read the book? Her voice.

Great Men of Genius Series Audiobook by Mike Daisey

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Mike Daisey) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 03:42:58 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Great Men of Genius Series Author: Mike Daisey Narrator: Mike Daisey Format: Unabridged Length: 5 hrs and 40 mins Language: English Release date: 08-12-08 Publisher: Audible Studios Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 79 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: The geniuses are, in order of appearance: Critic Reviews: "Daisey is a master showman, combining the storytelling acumen of David Sedaris and Lewis Black's outraged humor." (Daily Californian) "Mike Daisey's monologues brim with subtle messages that never hammer you over the head...by association, he adds himself to the titular category." (Time Out New York) Members Reviews: Fantastic! This performance is funny, interesting, and unusual - a must hear! Why? Dear Mr. Daisy, Why? Why did you decide to do a mash-up of vague biographies of "men of genius" and your own memoirs? Shouldn't you do one or the other? I would have liked that better. Also, you need to do a little more research on the geniuses lives. Perhaps unearth some little known fact that the average History Channel viewer (me,) wouldn't have picked up in their various TV viewings or in their travels through a public library or bookstore. (I do that, too. Travel, that is. Through libraries and bookstores.) You do have a lot of energy in your readings and applied to your performance. For that, I give you credit but also a bit of advice; Tone it DOWN. TOO MUCH SHOUTING and then weird softer modulation IS VERY ANNOYING. (Sorta like what I just did with those caps, right?) I have a feeling that you will find a real voice if you get your objectives clarified about what you mean to relate in your monologues. Although I might be wrong in saying you may never end up in someone else's book about men of genius, you are obviously not a dumb guy and you do have a talent for stringing words together. You just need to get them to say something coherently. Sincerely, Sudi P.S. I did get a slight whiff of a Garrison Keillor type homage in your presentation. Please don't do that. He got creepier and creepier as he aged. You'll want to avoid that. Very Entertaining! I couldn't stop listening! Mike Daisey has a comic delivery very similar to Dane Cook -- I was laughing out loud and even went back a couple of times to hear a story or punchline again... This has become one of my all-time favorite listens! Great to listen to while painting over photos Im always looking for things to listen to while making art - so far this is the best. Funny, incisive, and obviously an incredible performance - love. The author is just too ridiculous. I couldn't get past the author/reader. He was too obnoxious.

Amazing Fantastic Incredible Audiobook by Stan Lee, Peter David, Colleen Doran

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Stan Lee) — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 13:52:08 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Amazing Fantastic Incredible Subtitle: A Marvelous Memoir Author: Stan Lee, Peter David, Colleen Doran Narrator: Peter Riegert, Stan Lee Format: Unabridged Length: 1 hr and 57 mins Language: English Release date: 11-03-15 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 129 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Stan Lee - comic book legend and cocreator of Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Avengers, the Incredible Hulk, and a legion of other Marvel superheroes - shares his iconic legacy and the story of how modern comics came to be. Stan Lee is a man who needs no introduction. The most legendary name in the history of comic books, he has been the leading creative force behind Marvel Comics and has brought to life - and into the mainstream - some of the world's best-known heroes and most infamous villains throughout his career. His stories - filled with superheroes struggling with personal hang-ups and bad guys who possess previously unseen psychological complexity - have added wit and subtlety to a field previously locked into flat portrayals of good versus evil. Lee put the human in superhuman and in doing so created a new mythology for the 20th century. Stan Lee tells the story of his life with the same inimitable wit, energy, and offbeat spirit that he brought to the world of comics. Moving from his impoverished childhood in Manhattan to his early days writing comics, through his military training films during World War II and the rise of the Marvel empire in the 1960s to the current resurgence in movies, Amazing Fantastic Incredible documents the life of a man and the legacy of an industry and career. Funny, moving, and incredibly honest, this beautiful memoir is a must-have for collectors and fans of comic books and graphic novels of every age. Critic Reviews: "[Narrator Peter] Reigart does an 'amazing, fantastic, incredible' job bottling Lee's enthusiasm and tendency to speak in superlatives." (AudioFile) Members Reviews: Stan is 'The MAN!'. Listening with boys is best! Excellent job! so awesome to listen to the story of how Stan came up with the characters that we have all learn to love. cute, funny, short and very well narrated story. Stan is the man and this is his story (in brief). A fun and entertaining read. A glorious conversation with a great story teller Would you listen to Amazing Fantastic Incredible again? Why? Having heard the whole story (very economically shrunk down to less than 2 hours), I look forward to hearing it again. What did you like best about this story? Stan Lee is an American treasure and in a league with Aesop, Doyle, Dickens, Steven King and World Wrestling Entertainment. "Just a couple of guys writing and drawing stories" have become a world-wide franchise and their characters beloved by millions. What does Peter Riegert and Stan Lee bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book? By turns humble, hilarious and intriguingly introspective, this is definitely a story only Stan could deliver. Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you? This is an "American Dream" story - good guys working hard and (eventually) getting the success and accolades beyond their wildest dreams. Inspirational - with really awful jokes along the way. Any additional comments? Irresistible. I dare you to hit the stop button and interrupt this wild and wonderful tale. Loved It It was so fun and entertaining! Definitely made my work day a lot better. Stan Lee is the man!!! way too thin Unfortunately, I would have loved a lot more detail on Stan's memoir.

Alan Bennett: Keeping On Keeping On Audiobook by Alan Bennett

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Alan Bennett) — Thu, 10 Nov 2016 14:33:38 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Alan Bennett: Keeping On Keeping On Subtitle: Diaries 2005-2014 Author: Alan Bennett Narrator: Alan Bennett Format: Original Recording Length: 2 hrs and 16 mins Language: English Release date: 11-10-16 Publisher: BBC Worldwide Ltd. Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 21 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Alan Bennett narrates the latest installment of his diaries, as heard on BBC Radio 4's Book of the Week. Following on from Alan Bennett's best-selling, award-winning prose collections Writing Home and Untold Stories, Keeping On Keeping On is a third anthology featuring his unique observations, recollections and reminiscences. At its heart is his latest published collection of diaries. In these entries, covering the years 2005 to 2014, Bennett looks back on a packed decade that included writing four highly acclaimed plays - The Habit of Art, People, Hymn and Cocktail Sticks, all of which premiered at the National Theatre - as well as the screenplays for the hit films The History Boys and The Lady in the Van. In addition he reflects on his 25 years of friendship and collaboration with director Nicholas Hytner; life with his partner, Rupert Thomas; and, radical views notwithstanding, his status as 'kindly, cosy and essentially harmless'. Packed with perceptive impressions of people and places, sharp social commentary, expressive description and delightful jokes, this irresistible record of life according to Alan Bennett is a treasury of wisdom and insight. Members Reviews: Described as unabridged but not really Any additional comments? I enjoyed this, but the print version contains the full diaries (plus a lot of other material too) a total of over 700 pages. This audible book is actually the BBC "Book of the Week" version which was broadcast by the BBC. It is most definitely an abridged version of the actual print version of the diaries, and does not contain the other material in the print version. But I suppose it is an unabridged version of the BBC production, which was an abridged version of the book. Very enjoyable, but beware of the term unabridged. "Unabridged?" This is another highly entertaining reading by the inimitable Alan Bennett of extracts from his diaries but anybody who is expecting to hear the diary as it appears in the print version (let alone other material in the book) is due for a disappointment as the contents of the book have been savagely abridged. This may be a full version of the extracts as broadcast by the BBC on "Book of the Week" but it is certainly not an unabridged version of the book itself, as the run-time of a mere 2 hours 16 minutes clearly indicates. sad that it's abridged. wish for a full version. the most happy couple of hours you can spend. Bennett never disappoints the reader or listener. A B at his best. Listening to Keeping On Keeping On is akin to experience with most Bennet......Feels like the wittiest and brightest friend you have calling round for an extended chat. As ever left feeling the world isn't quite as bad as you thought. Sheer joy. cheated I too feel cheated by the degree of abridgement in this audio book. I must make a point of reading the reviews in future before I buy. The content, what there is of it, is good, being Alan Bennett of course.

Little Failure Audiobook by Gary Shteyngart

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Gary Shteyngart) — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 08:58:04 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Little Failure Subtitle: A Memoir Author: Gary Shteyngart Narrator: Jonathan Todd Ross Format: Unabridged Length: 12 hrs and 46 mins Language: English Release date: 01-07-14 Publisher: Recorded Books Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 276 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: After three acclaimed novels - The Russian Debutante's Handbook, Absurdistan, and Super Sad True Love Story - Gary Shteyngart turns to memoir in a candid, witty, deeply poignant account of his life so far. Shteyngart shares his American immigrant experience, moving back and forth through time and memory with self-deprecating humor, moving insights, and literary bravado. The result is a resonant story of family and belonging that feels epic and intimate and distinctly his own. Provocative, hilarious, and inventive, Little Failure reveals a deeper vein of emotion in Gary Shteyngart' s prose. It is a memoir of an immigrant family coming to America, as told by a lifelong misfit who forged from his imagination an essential literary voice and, against all odds, a place in the world. Critic Reviews: "Jonathan Todd Ross had to meet quite a challenge while narrating Shteyngart's memoir filled with humor, sarcasm, self-deprecation, and personal triumphs - and succeed he does in representing the author with pizzazz." ( AudioFile) Members Reviews: did not do much for me I bought this on recommendation from Audible based on my liking of Sedaris, Rakoff, and Ronsen. I find these books best when the authors are the narrators. Ross' voice seemed to mimic what I would imagine the author to sound like, so I'm not sure if it was the narration or just the story itself that failed to captivate me. I just didn't find it that humorous and it was so boring that I couldn't even finish it. Wrong narrator for this book If I could have rated only the narrator, I would have liked to. I could not take his overly theatric narration, so I gave up after a few chapters. It's therefore unfair for me to rate the story and writing since I'm sure I would love the book with a more appropriate reader. Google informs me this narrator is primarily a voice artist for children's animated films, and that makes total sense. Too much emoting from my earbuds. So I still need to read this book. I loved this book - funny, sad, all that nonsense What made the experience of listening to Little Failure the most enjoyable? My personal identification with the author. What other book might you compare Little Failure to and why? Davis Sedaris works. What about Jonathan Todd Rosss performance did you like? It was good, but would have preferred the author's own voice. JTR sounded distinctly un-Jewish and un-New Yorker If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be? this is a dumb question Exorcising his demons doesn't make a good book. This is an immigrant story without charm, a coming-of-age story without charm, a father-son conflict that made me cringe, and cringe again. The author writes about his struggle to define himself as an individual while caught in the heavy net of overbearing parents, the immigrant culture of his NYC neighborhood, the pull of his mother country, and the desire to be American. It's mildly interesting, but lacking a strong climax or even an intense focus to really pull you into the author's journey. Good memoir... Good story... Great performance.. Could do without the effort for fake Russian accents. Would have been better straight up English, without the poor attempts at foreign accents. They all sound like bad variations of Dracula.

Mark Twain: Man in White Audiobook by Michael Shelden

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Michael Shelden) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 11:47:08 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Mark Twain: Man in White Subtitle: The Grand Adventure of His Final Years Author: Michael Shelden Narrator: Andrew Garman Format: Unabridged Length: 17 hrs and 5 mins Language: English Release date: 06-09-10 Publisher: Recorded Books Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 68 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Pulitzer Prize finalist Michael Shelden illuminates Mark Twains twilight years in this brilliant account of the legendary authors life. Drawing heavily on Twains own letters and journals, Mark Twain: Man in White recounts both Twains private family experiences and his larger-than-life public image. Critic Reviews: "Here is a well-researched book for all Twainiacs as well as those coming to the subject's late years for the first time." (Publishers Weekly) "[Twain's] wit ultimately reflects personal resilience in the face of financial reverses and family tragedy. Even on his deathbed, Twain rallies to bid farewell with wisecracks. Impressive scholarship delivers the authentic accents of a truly American voice." (Booklist) Members Reviews: Fantastic book Shelden's book about the last period of Mark Twain's life is one of the best books about Twain I've ever read. Incidents that are often reduced to summary sentences (like the burglary of Twain's home Stormfield) are here given full (and exciting) narrative treatment. The people surrounding Twain, usually treated as second-class citizens or even footnotes, emerge as living people: his surviving daughters, Clara and Jean; his secretary Isabel Lyon; his financial champion Henry Rogers; even the two men who break into Stormfield, only to flee in a hail of gunfire. (They were later caught and tried, and Twain testified at the trial.) Shelden goes to great lengths to counter the image of Twain as a bitter and isolated old man. This was no King Lear, raging at the gods in broken grandeur. Yes, there were dark moments in Twain's writing, and they grew darker as he grew older, and Shelden takes it into account; but he also traces Twain's movements and interactions in great detail: and Twain was a man who, to the end of his life, was ALWAYS moving and interacting. Shelden also gains perspective by comparing some of these darker writings to similar attitudes expressed throughout Twain's life. The contrast isn't so much between Twain the young and happy humorist and Twain the old and bitter philosopher; it's between Twain the life-long bitter philosopher and Twain the convivial host, cat-lover, and incorrigible practical joker. Andrew Garman's narration is excellent. I highly recommend the book. My only regret is that one of the loveliest images in the published book didn't, and couldn't, make it into the audiobook. The book includes a photograph of Twain on Rogers' yacht -- he actually did a fair amount of sailing with Rogers in those last years -- teeth clamped down on a cigar, bowler hat on head, grinning like a monkey. Some misanthrope. At last, a biography that captures Mark Twain's spirit What did you love best about Mark Twain: Man in White? I've read much by and about Twain, but I laughed out loud at Twain's comments more with this book than any other about him--even think it's better than Mark Twain's autobiographies. Perhaps I could have appreciated them more if I had read Michaell Sheldon's book first, since this book provides the back stories for Twain's autobiography. What did you like best about this story? One of the liveliest biographies I've ever read. It's as if I know what Mark Twain was really was like after reading this.

Sacred Monsters Audiobook by Edmund White

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Edmund White) — Fri, 23 May 2014 04:47:33 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Sacred Monsters Author: Edmund White Narrator: Robert Blumenfeld Format: Unabridged Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins Language: English Release date: 05-23-14 Publisher: Audible Studios Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 8 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Edmund White is one of our most celebrated novelists. He is also a brilliant journalist and cultural commentator on the arts, contributing to publications as varied The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, The New York Times, The Washington Post, House and Garden, and The New York Review of Books. In Sacred Monsters, White collects more than 20 of his most recent writings on artists and authors, including John Cheever, Patti Smith, Henry James, Mary Cassatt, Paul Bowles, Andy Warhol, John Singer Sargent, Vladimir Nabokov, Auguste Rodin, Edith Wharton, Christopher Isherwood, Martin Amis, Allen Ginsberg, Marguerite Duras, John Rechy, Ford Maddox Ford, David Hockney, Reynolds Price, E. M. Forster, James Abbott McNeil Whistler, and Marcel Proust, among others. Members Reviews: 5 stars for content but another disappointing Kindle text The previous reviewer provides an accurate description of the pleasures of reading Edmund White. While reading the Edith Wharton piece I was reminded of a decision I made, many years ago: to read Henry James instead, there being only so much time available in a lifetime for reading. It was delightful to be exposed to what I have chosen to miss - but never to have to regret making the choice. That said, I cannot express greater disappointment with the Kindle text which was obviously transcribed by typing monkeys with no sense of quotation marks, differentiating type style, etc., etc. (there are many, many very generous quotes from cited texts). This is the kind of thing that would never be accepted in a printed text. E-books are handy but very frustrating and marketed with complete irresponsibility to the literary values of print. Into the World of Art Having bought this book as a recommendation from Amazon I wasn't sure what I was actually getting (Yes I suffer from IBD Impulse Buying Disorder). After reading through the book, however, I discovered a charm Mr White has in presenting his subjects. Rather than ever criticizing he merely shows the characters themselves. If you'd like to find a different perspective on famous characters in the art and literature world this is a great place to start. Insightful; reflective; Edmund White is a favorite author. His perspective and insights on people, events, things that we often take for granted or even worse don't consider, make me as a reader, stop and think. A terrific read. Have considered gifting this book to several professors of mine at graduate school. My favorite Edmund White book of all Edmund White's books, this is my favorite.....vignettes of historical figures presenting not only the quirks and motivations of each, but how the society swirled around them, forming them, and receiving their influence. Five Stars Great Copy ! ! Better Copy then their rating !! Fast shipping !! Thanks ! !

Hemingway's Boat Audiobook by Paul Hendrickson

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Paul Hendrickson) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 08:54:34 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Hemingway's Boat Subtitle: Everything He Loved in Life, and Lost, 1934 - 1961 Author: Paul Hendrickson Narrator: Jonathan Davis Format: Unabridged Length: 22 hrs and 5 mins Language: English Release date: 11-03-11 Publisher: Recorded Books Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 84 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: An award-winning historian and author, Paul Hendrickson here turns his attention to one of Americas most cherished literary icons, Ernest Hemingway. Drawing on previously unpublished material, Hendrickson focuses on Hemingways life in its twilight, just prior to his suicide, and the seemingly singular constant in the mans life: his boat, Pilar. On this vessel, Hemingway would entertain and travel, but it would also be the scene of some of his greatest tragedies. Critic Reviews: A lyrical and expansive search for the essence of a famous writerheart, soul, and hull. (Julia Keller, Chicago Tribune Top Picks of 2011) The author, an accomplished storyteller, interprets myriad tiny details of Ernest Hemingways life, and through them says something new about a writer everyone thinks they know. (The Economist Books of the Year 2011) Hendricksons engrossing book offers a fresh slant on the rise and fall of a father figure of American literature. (San Francisco Chronicle Best Books of 2011) Members Reviews: A Hemingway biography for the 21st Century Would you listen to Hemingway's Boat again? Why? No. So many books. So little time. What other book might you compare Hemingway's Boat to and why? I don't know of a good comparison because it is such a novel contemporary approach. A lot has been written about EH and his story is well documented in many books. Hendrickson's approach is different and fresh. The most moving parts of Hemingway's Boat are those that focus not on EH, the ostensible subject, but on three rather unknown men and on how their lives were impacted, for better and for worse, by their association with the great writer. What about Jonathan Daviss performance did you like? Magnificent. Davis' pace is deliberate. Slower than most. It is crystal clear. I found it nuanced and not flat. A five star performance. I will look for other books performed by Davis. Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry? It neither made me laugh out loud or cry. It is a very sad story, especially the penultimate chapter about Hemingway's son Gigi. Any additional comments? This is a biography of a deeply flawed man who was a great artist. EH lived an outsized macho life and was the kind of man that the "air guitarists" relish in taking down. His current literary reputation is still not fully recovered. He was a wonderful writer whose best work (and there is a lot of it) is among the very best that an American writer has ever produced. The blurbs suggest that this is a more sympathetic biography. I didn't find it particularly sympathetic. Nor did I find EH particularly likeable. I had intended to read only a portion of this book about Cuba and fishing in the 1930s. It is so well written and performed that I ended up listening to, reading and enjoying the entire book.

Picasso: Creator and Destroyer Audiobook by Arianna Stassinopoulos Huffington

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Arianna Stassinopoulos Huffington) — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 09:14:44 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Picasso: Creator and Destroyer Author: Arianna Stassinopoulos Huffington Narrator: Wanda McCaddon Format: Unabridged Length: 19 hrs and 29 mins Language: English Release date: 08-22-12 Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc. Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 55 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: This landmark biography penetrates the barriers of legend to bring to full and intimate life a man whose burning passions - for painting, women, and ideas - were matched by a compulsion to invent reality in his life no less than in his art. Here is the tragic story of a man who, from his teenage passion for a gypsy boy to the chilling bitterness and betrayals of his old age, was unable to love and was driven to dominate and humiliate the women - and men - who fell under his hypnotic spell. Drawing on a wealth of startling revelations, including the vivid memories of Picassos daughter Maya and the heretofore untold recollections of Françoise Gilot, who shared his life for ten years and bore two of his children, the author has stripped bare the romantic myths to reveal, in all its volatile complexity, Picassos lifelong struggle between his power to create and his compulsion to destroy. Arianna Stassinopoulos Huffington is a writer, lecturer, broadcaster, and cofounder of the news Web site the Huffington Post. She is the author of the best-selling biography Maria Callas: The Woman Behind the Legend and The Gods of Greece. She lives in Houston, Texas, and Santa Barbara, California. Critic Reviews: "The Picasso of Huffingtons book is a wretchedly flawed genius, sadistic and treacherous, a liar who betrayed friends and colleagues. It is, in short, the kind of story for which gossips - and scriptwriters - would kill." (People) "Picassos prolific creativity, Huffington argues, was fueled by his brutal candor and studied indifference to people and to social convention." (Atlantic) "Huffingtonhas written an astonishing biography, a shocking portrait of a man driven by a compulsive need to destroy even as his creativity burst forth." (Publishers Weekly) Members Reviews: Biased, Subjective and Unsubstantiated. The thesis of this books is that Picasso was a serial misogynist and user of people. Yes, the book contains some tenuous evidence to support the thesis, but mostly consists of conjecture and unsubstantiated conclusions about Picasso's psychology. Picasso was one of the most noteworthy artists of the 20th century who completed over 50,000 works of art during his lifetime, but this book isn't about that. At worst, it was written to undermine that monumental achievement; at best, it is the subjective musings of a pretentious woman concerned only with perpetrating her naive opinion of this man's psychology and behavior on the masses. This book is so blatantly written to support the author's agenda that it should not be categorized "biography." I was hoping to hear a well-researched account of Picasso's life and times...but instead I listened to a non-artist, non-psychologist sit in judgment of a long-dead man who made some of humanity's great artwork. I don't doubt he was flawed, but I prefer to draw such conclusions myself, rather than blindly accept Arianna Huffington's analysis. It's a shame that this is the only "biography" of Picasso on Audible.

The Life and Music of George Gershwin Audiobook by Ean Wood

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Ean Wood) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:25:17 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Life and Music of George Gershwin Author: Ean Wood Narrator: Sheridan Morley Format: Abridged Length: 2 hrs and 57 mins Language: English Release date: 04-21-09 Publisher: The Copyright Group Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 8 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: This fresh account is further livened by a splendid reading from Sheridan Morley who contributes to this entertaining and informed account of one of America's greatest composers. Members Reviews: Good overview of major works Fast paced telling of George Gershwin's life and music. Well written and informative. Narration well done.

Edith Wharton Audiobook by Hermione Lee

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Hermione Lee) — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 02:36:10 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Edith Wharton Author: Hermione Lee Narrator: Kate Reading Format: Abridged Length: 8 hrs and 38 mins Language: English Release date: 04-02-07 Publisher: Random House Audio Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 24 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Born in 1862, Wharton escaped the suffocating fate of the well-born female, traveled adventurously in Europe and eventually settled in France. After tentative beginnings, she developed a forceful literary professionalism and thrived in a luminous society. Her life was fed by nonliterary enthusiasms as well: her fabled houses and gardens and the culture of the Old World, which she never tired of absorbing. Yet intimacy eluded her. With profound empathy and insight, Lee brilliantly interweaves Wharton's life with the evolution of her writing, the full scope of which shows her to be far more daring than her stereotype as lapidarian chronicler of the Gilded Age. In its revelation of both the woman and the writer, Edith Wharton is a landmark biography. Critic Reviews: "Lee's tremendous biography of one of the most important American writers rises to landmark status." (Booklist) "One might think that R.W.B. Lewis' excellent 1975 biography had precluded the need for another book about Edith Wharton. Not so. Reading Lee's superb new biography is akin to comparing a fine watercolor sketch to a vivid masterpiece." (Publishers Weekly) Members Reviews: Gardens Over Great Novels Edith Wharton admirers will enjoy this biography. My only regret is history of her greatest novels were overshadowed by gardening plans, relationships with architects/designers and her war work. These are all part of her make-up but not what make her a dynamic and vital writer of the human condition as it thwarts itself against class and station. I was looking forward to a feast and was moderately happy with a tasty sandwich. Abridged version favors life over works As an abridgment this isn't bad, but other reviewers have complained that this version focuses on gardens instead of Wharton's works. That's true, but it seems to have been a conscious decision to give a more rounded picture of Wharton than another retelling of Ethan Frome might have done. Lee's biography is huge (800+ pages) but well worth reading in full fpr those whose interest is piqued by this version. Who Knew . . . ? that Wharton's life would make such a snoozer? Sure, I knew she had roots in New York society; but I had no idea she was a Francophiliac snob, a racist, and an antisemite. I've enjoyed her novels over the years, and I had looked forward to learning more about her from this book. Unfortunately, what I learned made me dislike her. The book is unevenly paced, flying across Wharton's family history, childhood, and early married years, then spending what seemed like ages on her gardening and French pretentions. Most irritating were the extended passages from the journals she kept while in France--read in French, without translations. My advice is to read the Wharton classics and skip the bio. If you like Bohemian History, I don't What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you? I didn't care for this book. She may be old "Knickerbocker money" but she publishes her love life like a who's who of Montmartre. Kind of reminded me of "Moulin Rouge" the movie, of the slums of Montmartre.

Jack Audiobook by George Sayer

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (George Sayer) — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 23:47:10 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Jack Subtitle: C. S. Lewis and His Times Author: George Sayer Narrator: Frederick Davidson Format: Unabridged Length: 26 hrs and 50 mins Language: English Release date: 09-12-12 Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc. Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 45 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Numerous biographies have been written about this great theologian, literary critic, and novelist, but we have found this to be the best. Sayer describes Lewis early years, hinting at childhood evidence of the brilliance and eccentricity that would later become Lewis hallmarks. He discusses Lewis academic career, his life-transforming conversion to Christianity, and the role of religion in his life. With honesty and compassion, he covers Lewis controversial relationship with Mrs. Moore and his passionate marriage to Joy Davidman. Critic Reviews: A cheerful look back on the life of [Sayers] cherished friend and mentorFrederick Davidsonmaintains the flow of the work. His presentation of English and Irish dialects is excellent. (AudioFile) Members Reviews: The story of a life told by his friend Other biographies of C.S. Lewis (and I think that I have all of them from Audible) are told from the perspective of the scholar, but George Sayer tells the story of his friend. Because he can share personal details of Lewis' life, this biography is much more intimate. For example, Sayer deals with the matter of Lewis' relationship with Mrs. Moore. Was it based on his sense of duty to her deceased son, Patty, and to her appeal to him as a surrogate mother, or was there some 'purient' motivation that he was ashamed to admit? There is no doubt that Jack was extremely protective of the details of their relationship, but Sayer's insight helps to dispel the confusion around the subject with good, sound reason and facts. The only quibble that I have with this audiobook is that it shows EACH half as being 13 hours whereas the total of BOTH halves is approximently 13 hours. I read an earlier review that pointed out this error and so I called Audible to find out and was assured that it really is 26 hours long -- it's not. But the 13 hours that it is, is worth listening even if you are a Lewis fan like me and think you've heard it all. nice bio of lewis First note,this audiobook is listed as 26 hours long,IT IS ACTUALY 13 hrs.long..also the narator is one i never liked..however,his usual horror of tone and attitude is quite tame in this book..in short I found it listenable..now the book itself is very good..I always prefer what I call "old school' styles of writers..[less modernistic...non sceptical,relativistic,super psycological ect.] and this fits that nice style..it is also simply very interesting and personal with its object,the great C.S. Lewis...if you can stand the narrator on the sample clip,i think you will love this biography of Lewis.. JUST WRONG The pompous style of the reader is so contrary to the warm and passionate nature of the subject, I found it too distracting. Appropriate biography of Lewis, poorly read The content and story have long been considered one of the greatest biographies of CS Lewis. Unfortunately, the reading of it was subpar and not entirely enjoyable to listen to. It is well worth the time, but one hopes a new reading may be put together the may be a little easier on the ears in coming years. A Must-Listen for All CS Lewis Devotees! Excellent book for learning about CS Lewis, the man. As for the narration, initially I did not like the voice, but I grew to appreciate it as particularly fitting for the subject matter.

Then Again Audiobook by Diane Keaton

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Diane Keaton) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 23:11:15 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Then Again Author: Diane Keaton Narrator: Diane Keaton Format: Unabridged Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins Language: English Release date: 11-15-11 Publisher: Random House Audio Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 319 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Mom loved adages, quotes, slogans. There were always little reminders pasted on the kitchen wall. For example, the word THINK. I found THINK thumbtacked on a bulletin board in her darkroom. I saw it Scotch-taped on a pencil box shed collaged. I even found a pamphlet titled THINK on her bedside table. Mom liked to THINK. So begins Diane Keatons unforgettable memoir about her mother and herself. In it you will meet the woman known to tens of millions as Annie Hall, but you will also meet, and fall in love with, her mother, the loving, complicated, always thinking Dorothy Hall. To write about herself, Diane realized she had to write about her mother, too, and how their bond came to define both their lives. And so, in a remarkable act of creation, Diane not only reveals herself to us, she also lets us meet in intimate detail her mother. Throughout her life, Dorothy kept eighty-five journals - literally thousands of pages - in which she wrote about her marriage, her children, and, most probingly, about herself. Dorothy also recorded memorable stories about Dianes grandparents. Diane has sorted through all these pages to paint an unflinching portrait of her mother - a woman restless with intellectual and creative energy struggling to find an outlet for her talents - as well as her entire family, recounting a story that spans four generations and nearly a hundred years. More than just the autobiography of a legendary actress, Then Again is a book about a very American family with very American dreams. Diane will remind you of yourself, and her bonds with her family will remind you of your own relationships with those you love the most. From the Hardcover edition. Diane Keaton has starred in some of the most memorable movies of the past forty years, including the Godfather trilogy, Annie Hall, Manhattan, Reds, Baby Boom, The First Wives Club, and Somethings Gotta Give. Her many awards include the Golden Globe and the Academy Award. Keaton lives with her daughter and son in Los Angeles. Members Reviews: Wonderful. Sad. Hopeful. Such a heartfelt biography I have never previously had the pleasure to listen to. Diane Keaton comes across as a beautiful caring soul, as does her mother, who suffered from depression (as well as many of life's frustration as a woman of her era. ) Diane's story is interwoven with her mother's story from both of their many journals. This is not a name dropping type of book, but a book of much introspection, both on Diane's part, and her mother's own struggles to find her "voice" Diane Keaton doesn't hold herself back, and one realizes, that however famous one is, or not, life's struggles, heartaches, and passions remain the same for all. Sadly... I really looked forward to listening to Diane's book. She is a wonderful actress and I've really enjoyed watching her in films, but her writing and reading did not inspire me to stay with the audio book. Candid, truthful, down to earth I was honored to be able to hear so candidly the ups and downs of this beautiful, graceful actor. I have always admired her and now having read her story along with her mother's story, I am more in awe of her. She speaks with such truth. A Very Engaging Book I never knew much about Diane Keaton but I have always enjoyed the way she didn't seem to take herself too seriously.

Becoming Beyoncé Audiobook by J. Randy Taraborrelli

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (J. Randy Taraborrelli) — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 17:58:41 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Becoming Beyoncé Subtitle: The Untold Story Author: J. Randy Taraborrelli Narrator: Allyson Johnson Format: Unabridged Length: 19 hrs and 13 mins Language: English Release date: 10-27-15 Publisher: Hachette Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 75 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: A Billboard Must-Read Fall 2015 Music Book The first comprehensive biography ever published about America's favorite living pop icon, Beyoncé, from New York Times best-selling biographer J. Randy Taraborrelli. Beyoncé Knowles is a woman who began her career at the age of eight performing in pageant shows and talent contests, honing her craft through her teenage years until, at the age of 16, she had her first number-one record with Destiny's Child. That hit-making trio launched Beyoncé's successful solo career, catapulting her, as of 2014, to number one on Forbes' annual list of most wealthy celebrities - the same year she made the cover of Time. Becoming Beyoncé is not only the story of struggle, sacrifice, and what it takes to make it in the cut-throat record industry; it's the story of the great rewards of such success and the devastating toll it often takes on the human spirit. PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio. Members Reviews: The reader was HORRIBLE!!! Almost offensive!!! Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why? Yes. Beyonce's life story is amazing. What was one of the most memorable moments of Becoming Beyoncé? All of it was memorable. Impossible to pick just one. How could the performance have been better? Yes. The performance was appalling. If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be? A remarkable Life. Any additional comments? I can't stress enough how bad the reader was! DRY AS A BONE...AND HEARD IT ALL BEFORE ON BLOGS.. What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you? If the material had not been recycled from old articles and interviews that had already been exposed over the past 15 years. I kept waiting for something NEW or insight..... why on earth was this book 18 hours? The first 1/3 of book is well researched, but after that everything felt recycled from interviews already given and fully availble online. And if you are a fan, you have ALL of this knowlege.....Please don't waste your money.... Has Becoming Beyoncé turned you off from other books in this genre? Yes, I had placed other books this author had done on Marylin Monroe, Michael Jackson, Dianah Ross, delted them all from my list of ones to get. Did the narration match the pace of the story? yes, but maybe some serious editing needed....as far as 18 hours. I thought I was getting something good. It only emphasized what we already know about Beyonce, hard worker, gives 100% You didnt love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities? i kept waiting for the big reveal. It is well documented by words herself in the press and her own documentary in Life is but a dream. and countless other magazine interviews. Any additional comments? no....too dull.... meh boring average very few revelations. no recommendation. you may as well read the Enquirer. I want my audible credit back. Way too long...way too boring This book wasnt for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more? I have read books by J. Randy Taraborrelli before. They were not bad, so I was excited to download this book, even though I am not a Beyonce follower. Sorry, but this was painful. I cannot believe it took this long to basically say the same things over again.

Defiant Joy Audiobook by Kevin Belmonte

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Kevin Belmonte) — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 16:15:03 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Defiant Joy Subtitle: The Remarkable Life & Impact of G. K. Chesterton Author: Kevin Belmonte Narrator: Robertson Dean Format: Unabridged Length: 8 hrs and 25 mins Language: English Release date: 11-28-17 Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc. Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 1 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: You may be aware that G. K. Chesterton authored influential Christian biographies and apologetics. But you may not know the larger-than-life Gilbert Keith Chesterton himself - not yet. Equally versed in poetry, novels, literary criticism, and journalism, he addressed politics, culture, and religion with a towering intellect and a soaring wit. Chesterton engaged his world through the written word. He carried on lively, public discussions with the social commentators of his day, continually challenging them with civility, humility, erudition, and his ever-sharp sense of humor. Today's listener can find the same treasures, for as Chesterton said, "What a man can believe depends upon his philosophy, not upon the clock or the century." In Kevin Belmonte's fresh new biography, you'll get to know the real G. K. Chesterton and his literary and cultural accomplishments. A giant of his time, Chesterton continues to live large in the imaginations of 21st-century listeners. Members Reviews: I actually never finished this book, but I know ... I actually never finished this book, but I know that Chesterton has much to say. Maybe someday I'll try again. Just Read More GKC Instead Anyone who admires the work of GKC in these relativistic times will leap at a new book on the man and his work. Unfortunately, this is a very redundant sampling of GKC quotations. That it is not a biography can be easily forgiven; the problem is that Belmonte repeatedly--and I mean repeatedly--tells the reader over and over what a great man and writer GKC was. Over and over and over we read of his intelligence, his perception, his wit--OK, fine, but we already knew that, which is what drew us to the book in the first place. You'll be better off with William Oddie's book on the Romance of Orthodoxy or just reading random essays by GKC. The charge that GKC was a superficial thinker is not refuted by this book. By the time it was over, Belmonte's fawning grew irritating. Huge disappointment I was pleasantly surprised a few days ago when I spotted this book in a store. I've read dozens of G.K. Chesterton's books, including his Autobiography, but had never read an actual biography of the man before. When I saw that the author was Kevin Belmonte, a name I was familiar with from the Christian Encounters series of short biographies, I snapped the book up. I'm sad to say it wasn't good. A passage from H.L. Mencken, quoted by Belmonte, is perhaps the best summary of what's wrong with Defiant Joy: "If you approach [this book] as biography, you will find it amazing in the things it contains and irritating beyond measure in the things it doesn't contain." When I think of what the book does contain, the first thing that jumps to mind is block quotations. I remember many admonitions in college writing courses to use block quotations sparingly--if you must. I never questioned this advice but never knew how bad they could make a book, and this book is packed with them. There is almost one per page. I'd guess that fully one third of the entire text is made of up block quotations from other works, some of them running over a page in length. By the end of the book there are even block quotations within block quotations.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart [Spanish Edition] Audio Libro por Online Studio Productions

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Online Studio Productions) — Fri, 13 Mar 2015 21:15:00 GMT

Escuche este audio libro completo gratis en https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> Título: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart [Spanish Edition] Subtitular: Vida y obra del genio [Life and Works of the Genius] Autor: Online Studio Productions Narrador: uncredited Formato: Unabridged Duración: 32 mins Idioma: Español Fecha de publicación: 03-13-15 Editor: Online Studio Productions Calificaciones: 3.5 de 5 de 3 votos Categorías: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Resumen del editor: Un virtuoso. Desde niño, el extraordinario talento de este músico irrepetible dejó paralizada a Europa. Fue una luminaria, un gran teórico y un notable innovador de la composición musical. Pese a su prematura muerte (35 años) ha dejado a la humanidad un legado extenso que abarca todos los géneros musicales de su época. Please note: This audiobook is in Spanish.

Singing in My Own Key Audiobook by Valerie L. Giglio

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Valerie L. Giglio) — Wed, 02 Aug 2017 10:09:56 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Singing in My Own Key Subtitle: A Vocalist's Triumph Over Stroke Author: Valerie L. Giglio Narrator: Valerie L. Giglio Format: Abridged Length: 6 hrs and 42 mins Language: English Release date: 08-02-17 Publisher: Forza Press Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 12 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: At 42 years old, Valerie Giglio was heading for a bright future as both a successful lawyer and professional vocalist with two CDs to her name, when out of nowhere, she suffered a brain stem stroke that ravaged her life and caused her world to spin out of control. Completely paralyzed on one side, confined to a wheelchair, her singing voice stolen from her at the height of her career, Valerie was devastated. But with fierce determination and fortitude, and the support of her loving family and a wonderful healthcare team, Valerie faced down every setback and obstacle in her path. Overcoming paralysis and regaining her singing voice, she returned to the stage just one year later. The story of this woman's miraculous journey allows you to travel with Valerie on her path to an extraordinary recovery. Singing in My Own Key: A Vocalist's Triumph Over Stroke, abridged audio version, is a story of hope and faith that will leave you deeply inspired. Cover photo: Kristin Gillis Photography Cover design: Streetlight Graphics Featuring music by composer and recording artist Laura Sullivan, "Love's River, Holding Heaven, 900 Voices" (AKA "We Are Love") "Giglio more than meets her goal of showing readers that "miracles happen". (Publisher's Weekly) "Singing in My Own Key truly is a remarkable work of standing inspiration for all, detailing the mental strength and dedication to overcome all frustrations. Readers of all genres should definitely add Singing in My Own Key to their list." (Portland Book Review, 4.5/5 stars) "I cannot recommend Singing in My Own Key: A Vocalist's Triumph Over Stroke by Valerie L. Giglio highly enough. This is not just a book for singers by a singer. This is a book for all who suffer huge setbacks and think they will never recover or that their lives are over. Valerie proves this is not so...ever! As she clearly illustrates by her remarkable journey back to her former self, healing is a choice. Decide if you want to live forever as you are living now. Then choose. 'Sometimes the only road worth traveling is the hardest one'. Wise, wise words." (Readers Favorite, 5 Stars) "Singing in My Own Key is a personal and profound meditation on human resilience. Valerie Giglio is the embodiment of grit and grace. In her moments of darkness, she lit a light with music, which she has shared with the world to illuminate an eternal truth: the human spirit cannot be defeated. A moving and brilliant narrative." (Kabir Sehgal, New York Times best-selling author and multi-Grammy award winner) Members Reviews: A riveting, heart-tugging, triumphant story Valeri tells her compelling story about her true love being wrenched away unexpectedly in the blink of an eye. The true love in this case is Valeri's music. I was drawn into her story by her engaging, honest, and down to earth delivery. Her ability to use her humor and resilience to overcome the challenges thrust at her as a result of her debilitating stroke commands respect and admiration from the listener. The story of her path back to her true love, her music, is truly inspirational...Bravo Valeri! A story of perseverance and success! Valeries story in Sing in My Own Key is one of recovery from terrifying loss.

My Life in Middlemarch Audiobook by Rebecca Mead

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Rebecca Mead) — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 04:54:18 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: My Life in Middlemarch Author: Rebecca Mead Narrator: Kate Reading Format: Unabridged Length: 9 hrs and 37 mins Language: English Release date: 01-28-14 Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc. Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 142 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: A New Yorker writer revisits the seminal book of her youth - Middlemarch - and fashions a singular, involving story of how a passionate attachment to a great work of literature can shape our lives and help us to read our own histories. Rebecca Mead was a young woman in an English coastal town when she first read George Eliot's Middlemarch,regarded by many as the greatest English novel. After gaining admission to Oxford and moving to the United States to become a journalist, through several love affairs, then marriage, and family, Mead read and reread Middlemarch. The novel, which Virginia Woolf famously described as "one of the few English novels written for grown-up people," offered Mead something that modern life and literature did not. In this wise and revealing work of biography, reportage, and memoir, Rebecca Mead leads us into the life that the book made for her, as well as the many lives the novel has led since it was written. Employing a structure that deftly mirrors that of the novel, My Life in Middlemarch takes the themes of Eliot's masterpiece - the complexity of love, the meaning of marriage, the foundations of morality, and the drama of aspiration and failure - and brings them into our world. Offering both a fascinating reading of Eliot's biography and an exploration of the way aspects of Mead's life uncannily echo that of the author herself, My Life in Middlemarch is for every ardent lover of literature who cares about why we read books, and how they read us. Critic Reviews: "The wonderful Kate Reading is the ideal narrator for this quintessentially British audiobook. She's a master of intonation and offers the most lovely of accents to enliven this unusual text." (AudioFile) Members Reviews: A Reader's Pleasure! I haven't actually finished this book but I decided to write a review because I am enjoying it so much. I look often to see how many people have left reviews for books while I am reading them because I like to know if others have had the same experience. In this case there don't seem to be many Audible readers so far, and I don't find the Amazon reviews very satisfying since the quality of the narrator is such an important part of the experience for me. From the minute I read about this book's publication I have wanted to read it. I loved reading 'Middlemarch' many years ago and recently listened to the Juliet Stevenson audible version (highly recommended). For many years the book had intimidated me when I was young - I was afraid I would not be able to get through its density. I was quire surprised one day to pick it up and fall right in. Yet it took me thirty years to return to it. Having heard so recently the wonderful Juliet Stevenson narration It seemed perfect timing to experience someone else's experience of the book. I find this sort of literary reflection both interesting and rewarding because I really like to know how others experience books I have loved. I would like so much to discuss these sorts of topics with serious readers and I hope that others will read this book and take the time to reflect on their impressions. As I am listening to Mead's book I feel like I am enclosed in a comfortable armchair, encompassed in my reading the way I was as a child, even though I am in reality sitting on an uncomfortable New Jersey Transit banquette.

Love from Boy Audiobook by Donald Sturrock

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Donald Sturrock) — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 06:11:21 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Love from Boy Subtitle: Roald Dahl's Letters to His Mother Author: Donald Sturrock Narrator: Thomas Judd, Andrew Wincott Format: Unabridged Length: 7 hrs and 10 mins Language: English Release date: 09-06-16 Publisher: Penguin Audio Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 4 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: From the author of The BFG - soon to be a major motion picture directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill, Penelope Wilton, Jemaine Clement, Bill Hader, and Adam Godley - a whimsical, witty, and revealing collection of the legendary children's author and writer Roald Dahl's letters written to his mother, from early childhood through Dahl's travels to Africa; his career in the Royal Air Force; his work in postwar Washington, DC, and Hollywood; and the books that made him a literary star. Roald Dahl penned his first letter to his mother, Sofie Magdalene, when he was just nine years old. The origins of a brilliantly funny, subversive, creative mind were evident in boarding school, and as he entered adulthood, his penchant for storytelling emerged in his missives home from Africa, where he was stationed by Shell Oil, and then the desert camps of the Royal Air Force. His skills were sharpened after a plane crash in Egypt landed him in Washington, DC, where his cheery letters home were cover for his work in the British Secret Service, along with gossipy updates on his spontaneous rise in Hollywood and his budding New York literary career. His mother was, in many ways, Dahl's first reader, and without her correspondence he might never have become a writer. Sofie Magdalene kept every letter her son wrote to her (sadly, her own side of the correspondence did not survive). It was she who encouraged him to tell stories and nourished his desire to fabricate, exaggerate, and entertain. In these letters Dahl began practicing his craft, developing the dark sense of humor and fantastical imagination that would later produce his timeless tales. The author of James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, and The BFG, Dahl is known by millions the world over today. But writing candidly to the person who knew him best, Dahl was as singular a character as any he created on paper. Assembled by Dahl's authorized biographer, Donald Sturrock, Love from Boy is a remarkable collection of never-before-published writing that spans four decades and chronicles the remarkable, unpredictable life of its author. While Dahl's books remain best-selling favorites for all ages, Love from Boy provides an unprecedented glimpse of the author through his own eyes - a life punctuated by tragedy, creative stagnation, unexpected fame, and fantastic adventure. Members Reviews: The third biographic! After Boy and Going Solo, I really became fascinated with Dahl's life. This book really expands things in the most interesting way--through letters to his mother. I was so sad when it ended.

The Prince of the Marshes Audiobook by Rory Stewart

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Rory Stewart) — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 12:37:55 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Prince of the Marshes Author: Rory Stewart Narrator: Rory Stewart Format: Unabridged Length: 12 hrs and 26 mins Language: English Release date: 06-15-07 Publisher: Recorded Books Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 87 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Told from Stewart's distinctly Western perspective, The Prince of the Marshes chronicles his time acting as the deputy governor of two southern Iraqi provinces. ©2006 Rory Stewart (P)2007 Recorded Books Critic Reviews: "[This] book should be required reading for every political commentator." ( Publishers Weekly) Members Reviews: A View From The Real Iraq The pundits and the politicians have talked the Iraq situation into the ground. Everybody seems to know what the solution is and proclaims their conclusions boldly. Unfortunately, the chattering class is not deeply schooled in the history and culture of the country and most have never even been there. Rory Stuart probably didn't know much more than the pundits when he parachuted into the country and attempted to build something resembling a civil society in one southern province. But Rory Stuart is a quick study with an eye for the details that really matter. His story reveals a deeply complex and sophisticated society with political norms almost entirely foreign from our own. No matter where you sit on the political spectrum, this book will challenge your assumptions on Iraq. It should be required reading for anybody who has a role in formulating U.S. policy there. Recommended.

The Irrational Season Audiobook by Madeleine L'Engle

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Madeleine L'Engle) — Thu, 16 Nov 2017 09:48:24 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Irrational Season Subtitle: The Crosswicks Journals, Book 3 Author: Madeleine L'Engle Narrator: Pamela Almand Format: Unabridged Length: 8 hrs and 41 mins Language: English Release date: 11-16-17 Publisher: Brilliance Audio Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 1 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: The best-selling author of A Wrinkle in Time contemplates the true meaning of faith in the third installment of her series of memoirs. Upon her death, the New York Times hailed Madeleine L'Engle as "an author whose childhood fables, religious meditations and fanciful science fiction transcended both genre and generation." L'Engle has long captivated and provoked listeners by exploring the intersection of science and religion in her work. In this intimate memoir, the award-winning author uncovers how her spiritual convictions inform and enrich the everyday. The Irrational Season follows the liturgical year from one Advent to the next, with L'Engle reflecting on the changing seasons in her own life as a writer, wife, mother, and global citizen. Unafraid to discuss controversial topics and address challenging questions, L'Engle writes from the heart in this compelling chronicle of her spiritual quest to renew and refresh her faith in an ever-changing world and her ever-changing personhood. Members Reviews: Beautiful, inspiring, revealing Madeline L'Engle has a gifted way of examining life, living life, and sharing life in such a way that encourages and causes the reader to see. A masterfully loving work. Battlefields, Slums, and Insane Asylums I cannot abide bouillon in a mug, but Iâm always a little sorry about that when I read the opening pages of Madeleine LâEngleâs The Irrational Season. She sips from her warm cup, gazes out her two a.m. window at the Hudson River, and begins an Advent reflection that meanders through the liturgical year and the seasons of her life, ending up at her country farmhouse just in time for the Michaelmas daisies. Although she passed away in 2007 and the four volumes of The Crosswicks Journal series (The Irrational Season is number three) were published in the 1970âs, Madeleineâs musings are timeless. I find myself needing to reread them every so often just to be reminded that there are juicy words like anamnesis and eschaton and pusillanimous and that one could refer to a houseful of neighborhood kids as a âcharm of children.â I turn and return to Madeleine LâEngle because her thoughts remind me that there is a Truth that can be expressed in poetry as well as in memoir and that manages to be both orthodox and startling. On the subject of God â the Creator of a world that now includes âbattlefields and slums and insane asylumsâ â Madeleine expresses both puzzlement and awe. âWhy does God treat in such a peculiar way the creatures He loves so much that He sent His own Son to them?â Even so, she affirms that a ânoâ from God is often a prelude to a better âyes,â and that the âonly God who seems to be worth believing in is impossible for mortal man to understand.â Perhaps, as a story teller herself, she realized that her own life was His to plot. On marriage and parenting, Madeleine was a delightful mixture of progressive and traditional thought: âA marriage is something which has to be created.

Before I Go Audiobook by Catherine Cookson

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Catherine Cookson) — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 21:06:31 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Before I Go Author: Catherine Cookson Narrator: Christine Rendel Format: Unabridged Length: 7 hrs and 38 mins Language: English Release date: 07-13-17 Publisher: Brilliance Audio Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 4 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Known for the wit of her writing, Catherine Cookson was the UK's most widely read novelist during her lifetime. When her Estate discovered this never-before-published memoir in the attic of her home, it was an astonishing find. Before I Go is the definitive story of her life, in the author's own candid words. While Cookson had authored previous autobiographies, none have truly touched upon the tragedy and personal anguish she experienced until now. For the first time, she reveals the worst years of her life - her constant battles with illness and a series of devastating miscarriages, the damaging jealousy of her friend and her struggle to be taken seriously as a writer. But what shines through most is her strength in the face of adversity, her deep love for her husband, Tom, the solace she found in her art and her unmistakable character. Before I Go is an inspiring story of resilience and a must for any Cookson fan. Members Reviews: A must for Catherine Cookson Fans!
Catherine Cookson has been my favourite author since the 1960's and I've read all her books enjoying them all. Her stories are filled with strong women fighting against their role in the society of the age they lived. Most of the stories, set in and around Tyneside, dealt with poverty, family, class, illegitimacy, in the different era's they were set, but through them all ran a deep bond of love. This love, be it between a man and woman or mother and child overcame whatever life threw at them. I really enjoyed this book and finished it in a couple of days. It gave more of a personal insight into Catherine Cookson herself and not Catherine Cookson the writer. She was dogged with so much bad health during her life that many a person would have crumbled beneath it but not her. With her deep love of her husband and his for her they faced each day together and no matter what life threw at them their strong love brought them through. I gave the narration four stars only because I would have liked the narrator to have had a geordie accent. Nevertheless the narrator did a good job. I definitely recommend this book to all Catherine Cookson Fans. I would like audible to have more of her books in their library for I'm sure they would be enjoyed by another generation! Interesting life story Lovely to hear about Catherine's life story. Such a wonderful woman. Enjoyed it very much Book of hope This book has all of human life. It takes you to a place of hope, trust and belief in one self. Before I Go Not knowing that much about the author Catherine Cookson it was very informative and heart warming to listen to her life story. I really enjoyed listening to this audio book and would highly recommend it. The Narrator was also excellent and it felt like I was actually listening to Catherine Cookson herself. 5 stars xxxxxxx Mrs Cooksons own story What did you like most about Before I Go? Although her life story is harrowing I found this to be a gentle insight into another part of Catherine Cooksons own life What other book might you compare Before I Go to, and why? Because it is autobiographical I would not compare it to other books Being a Cookson fan I found it interesting What does Christine Rendel bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you had only read the book? A good narrator who reads without trying to imitate the author

And So It Goes Audiobook by Charles J. Shields

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Charles J. Shields) — Wed, 30 May 2012 07:11:13 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: And So It Goes Subtitle: Kurt Vonnegut: A Life Author: Charles J. Shields Narrator: Fred Berman Format: Unabridged Length: 17 hrs and 35 mins Language: English Release date: 05-30-12 Publisher: Recorded Books Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 45 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: New York Times best-selling author and biographer Charles J. Shields crafts this fascinating portrait of literary icon Kurt Vonnegut. The first authorized biography of the influential American writer, And So It Goes examines Vonneguts life, from his childhood to his death in 2007, and explores how the author changed the conversation of American literature. Members Reviews: Probably only for die hard Vonnegut fans What aspect of Fred Bermans performance would you have changed? I've listened to a fair number of audio books, and this was the first one where I could hear the narrator take very loud audible breaths in between sentences, almost as it to alert you that a new sentence was starting. I found this very distracting. Even odder was the fact that that this was inconsistent throughout the narration. It came and went, almost as if this sort of thing is cleaned up digitally before releasing the recording and whoever was cleaning it up missed huge sections. Or the producer used different microphone equipment for different sessions. I don't know what goes on behind the scenes, but this was highly annoying to listen to. Any additional comments? Vonnegut is very different from the public persona he created over the decades. He was, in fact, a miserable man who seemed to enjoy making people around him miserable as well. Not a particularly fun book to read, but being a huge Vonnegut fan, I'm still glad I read it. Good reading, but a questionable portrait Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not? For listeners interested in Vonnegut's life and work this is a good reading of the biography. However, the author seems to believe that he could have run Vonnegut's life far better than Vonnegut himself. That Vonnegut does not always live up to his ideals is not surprising, but the book seems to focus on Vonnegut disappointing his friends, family and himself year after year. Vonnegut's son Mark said that his father was not the bitter young man who evolves into the bitter lonely man portrayed in the book and that Shield's book does not reflect Vonnegut's true life and nature. I agree. The most complete and authorized Vonnegut bio This book is a well written, exceptionally researched, in-depth, and informative look at the life and writings of Kurt Vonnegut. The book moves through Vonnegut's life in chronological order, moving from childhood to death and recounts the changes in Vonnegut's life and fortune that shaped his life, his writing, and his legacy. Citing primary documents, letters, interviews, and Vonnegut's own writings, the author paints a very real and highly tangible representation of what life was like for Kurt Vonnegut. We are taken through a youth in Indiana, a soldier in World War II, a writer having a hard time getting published, a teacher at Iowa, and finally long awaited recognition and financial stability. This is a great book for fans of Vonnegut's writing.

Ted Hughes Audiobook by Jonathan Bate

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Jonathan Bate) — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 09:42:14 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Ted Hughes Subtitle: The Unauthorized Life Author: Jonathan Bate Narrator: Mike Grady Format: Unabridged Length: 25 hrs and 33 mins Language: English Release date: 10-13-15 Publisher: HarperAudio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 16 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Ted Hughes, poet laureate, was one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. He was one of Britain's most important poets, his work infused with myth; a love of nature, conservation, and ecology; of fishing and beasts in brooding landscapes. With an equal gift for poetry and prose, and with a soul as capacious as any poet in history, he was also a prolific children's writer and has been hailed as the greatest English letter writer since John Keats. His magnetic personality and insatiable appetite for friendship, love, and life also attracted more scandal than any poet since Lord Byron. His lifelong quest to come to terms with the suicide of his first wife, Sylvia Plath, is the saddest and most infamous moment in the public history of modern poetry. Hughes left behind a more complete archive of notes and journals than any other major poet, including thousands of pages of drafts, unpublished poems, and memorandum books that make up an almost complete record of Hughes' inner life, which he preserved for posterity. Renowned scholar Jonathan Bate has spent five years in the Hughes archives, unearthing a wealth of new material. His book offers, for the first time, the full story of Hughes' life as it was lived, remembered, and reshaped in his art. It is a book that honors, though not uncritically, Hughes' poetry and the art of life writing, approached by his biographer with an honesty answerable to Hughes' own. Members Reviews: Phenomenal thanks to narrator! Being more of a Sylvia Plath fan, I hesitated in wanting to learn about Ted Hughes, but I must say between the superb writing and compelling and warm narration, I was always eager to continue listening to this audible book. Unlike Mad Girl's Love Song about Plath whose narrator ruined the total book for me, this narrator did the opposite and drew me into the world of Hughes again and again. Bravo! Great Dead Poet Maybe the speculative analysis was too long, but in the end, it delivered some good insights and a better understanding of his journey

Stories About Storytellers Audiobook by Douglas Gibson

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Douglas Gibson) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 23:35:46 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Stories About Storytellers Subtitle: Publishing Alice Munro, Robertson Davies, Alistair MacLeod, Pierre Trudeau, and Others Author: Douglas Gibson Narrator: Douglas Gibson Format: Unabridged Length: 17 hrs and 4 mins Language: English Release date: 02-28-13 Publisher: Audible Studios Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 9 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Spotlighting an extraordinary career, this autobiography reviews the authors accomplishments working and playing alongside some of Canadas greatest writers. These humorous chronicles relate the projects he brainstormed for writer Barry Broadfoot, how he convinced eventual Nobel Prize contender Alice Munro to keep writing short stories, his early morning phone call from a former Prime Minister, and his recollection of yanking a manuscript right out of Alistair MacLeods own reluctant hands - which ultimately garnered MacLeod one of the worlds most prestigious prizes for fiction. Insightful and entertaining, this collection of tales provides an inside view of Canadian politics and publishing that is rarely revealed, going behind the scenes and between the covers to divulge a treasure trove of literary adventures. Members Reviews: A Gem of a book This is a literary memoir of Douglas Gibson the dean of Canadian publishing. He was born is Scotland, educated at St Andrews, received a scholarship to Yale. After graduating from Yale he immigrated to Canada. His first publishing job was with Doubleday of Canada. He went on to MacMillan then to M&S a Canadian company. This book is stories about the authors he edited and published. He did not include authors he published but was not the editor. It reads as the who's who of Canadian literature. Gibson is a great storyteller and when you finish this book you will feel as if you know each of these authors as well as their major books. He tells stories about such notables such as Nobel contender Alice Munro, as well as famous Canadian authors such as Stephen Leacock, W. O. Mitchell, Hugh MacLennan, Robertson Davies, Mavis Gallant, Morley Callaghan, Val Ross, James Houston Alistair MacLeod. He also covers political authors such as Brian Mulroney and Pierre Trudeau. This list only a few, so I am sure, your favorite Canadian author may also be covered in the book. After reading this delightful book I feel comfortable with my knowledge of Canadian authors and have an insight into the ups and downs of Canadian publishing. I also feel as if I had a tour of Canada. I also acquired a list of books I want to read and places I want to visit. If you are a reader I am sure you will also enjoy this book.

Irrepressible Audiobook by Emily Bingham

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Emily Bingham) — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 03:19:26 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Irrepressible Subtitle: The Jazz Age Life of Henrietta Bingham Author: Emily Bingham Narrator: Christina Delaine Format: Unabridged Length: 10 hrs and 58 mins Language: English Release date: 11-17-15 Publisher: Tantor Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 19 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Raised like a princess in one of the most powerful families in the American South, Henrietta Bingham was offered the helm of a publishing empire. Instead she ripped through the Jazz Age like an F. Scott Fitzgerald character. In New York, Louisville, and London, she drove both men and women wild with desire, and her youth blazed with sex. But her love affairs with women made her the subject of derision, and she suffered from years of addiction and breakdowns. Perhaps most painfully, she became a source of embarrassment for her family. But forebears can become fairy-tale figures, especially when they defy tradition and are spoken of only in whispers. For biographer Emily Bingham, the secret of who her great-aunt was and just why her story was concealed for so long led to Irrepressible. Henrietta rode the cultural cusp as a muse to the Bloomsbury Group, the daughter of the ambassador to the United Kingdom during the rise of Nazism, and a pre-Stonewall figure who never buckled to convention. Henrietta's audacious physicality made her unforgettable in her own time, and her ecstatic and harrowing life serves as an astonishing reminder of the stories lying buried in our own families. Critic Reviews: "Deeply researched, Bingham's engrossing biography brings her glamorous, tormented ancestor vividly to life." (Kirkus) Members Reviews: An interesting but ultimately sad life Interesting look at the life of a woman of means who consorted with many of the bold name figures of the 20's and 30's. Bingham obviously was a very troubled woman. She was a lesbian at a time when it was nearly impossible to live openly in most circles. However, Henrietta Bingham did have the advantage of wealth and the ability to move in circles in which being homosexual was not forbidden or hidden. It was an atmosphere in which she could have made a life for her self with the woman/women she loved but something prevented her from committing to any one -- male or female lovers. Although her homosexuality was certainly the cause of some of her emotional issues, frankly, I thought that the thing in her life that caused the greatest turmoil for her was the fact of having her mother killed in her presence in a horrific train/car accident and subsequently seeing her father marry Mary Lily Flagler and then having her die under questionable circumstances which dogged the father for the rest of his life. It also was obvious that Robert Worth Bingham, her father, had a suffocating attachment to her and she to him -- and she spent her life trying to "escape" that attachment but never successfully made the break that she so desperately needed to make. Ultimately it's a sad story and a sad life. I kept waiting for Henrietta to drop the faade and live with the woman she loved but -- she didn't and instead allowed herself to drift into drinking and drugs and basically wasted her life having accomplished nothing of importance. Her father was suffocating but he also provided her with the money to live well and he was also willing to give her the opportunity to takeover and run the newspaper that he owned. That kind of thinking on his part for his only daughter was far outside the mold of men in the 1930's.

Strings Attached Audiobook by Joanne Lipman, Melanie Kupchynsky

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Joanne Lipman) — Tue, 01 Oct 2013 16:32:05 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Strings Attached Subtitle: One Tough Teacher and the Gift of Great Expectations Author: Joanne Lipman, Melanie Kupchynsky Narrator: Kathleen McInerney, Eliza Foss Format: Unabridged Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins Language: English Release date: 10-01-13 Publisher: Hyperion Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 20 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: The Fine Art of Tough Love If you're lucky, somewhere in your past is that one person who changed your life forever. The one who pushed you to dream bigger and to reach higher, and who set you straight on what matters in life. Perhaps it was a coach, or a professor, or a family friend. For Joanne Lipman and Melanie Kupchynsky, that person was a public-school music teacher, Jerry Kupchynsky, known as Mr. K - a Ukrainian-born taskmaster who yelled and stomped and screamed, and who drove his students harder than anyone had ever driven them before. Through sheer force of will, he made them better than they had any right to be. Strings Attached tells the inspiring, poignant, and powerful story of this remarkable man, whose life seemed to conspire against him at every turn and yet who was able to transform his own heartache into triumph for his students. Lyrically recounted by two former students - acclaimed journalist Joanne Lipman and Mr. K's daughter, Chicago Symphony Orchestra violinist Melanie Kupchynsky - Strings Attached takes you on a journey that spans from his days as a forced Nazi laborer and his later home life as a husband to an invalid wife, to his heart-breaking search for his missing daughter, Melanie's sister. This is an unforgettable tale - a captivating narrative that is as absorbing as fiction - about the power of a great teacher, but also about the legacy that remains long after the last note has faded into silence: lessons in resilience, excellence, and tough love. Strings Attached is for anyone indebted to a mentor and for those devoted to igniting excellence in others. PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio. Members Reviews: A Must Read Long before the world heard of "Tiger Moms", there was Mr. K. Before "No Child Left Behind", there was Mr K. And before Jaime Escalante, there was Mr K. A man who believed that every child could succeed if they worked hard enough. A teacher who did not reward mere attempts or give faint praise. A man who knew that failure was a critical part of learning and that students grew by overcoming their failures. A man who inspired his students to work harder than they ever thought possible, simply to hear the words "not bad". An educator who knew that success was its own reward and devoted himself to his students success. Now we call it "tough love". Back then, it was just Mr K. Told alternately by his daughter, Melanie, and one of his former students, Joanne Lipman, Strings Attached is a loving, poignant, honest, often humorous portrait of the life of a teacher who survived multiple tragedies and who taught his students not only music, but also confidence, poise and how to succeed in life. Strings Attached is a must for teachers, parents, and even students. But if nothing else, it is a darn good read. "The gift of great expectations" While I loved this poignant co-memoir and practically inhaled it in one sitting, my one regret is that the two authors seemed to have the same homogenized voice which I attribute to overly intrusive editing. In other words, the alternating chapters by Melanie (Mr.

Good Things Happen Slowly Audiobook by Fred Hersch

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Fred Hersch) — Tue, 12 Sep 2017 10:21:58 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Good Things Happen Slowly Subtitle: A Life in and out of Jazz Author: Fred Hersch Narrator: Steven Jay Cohen, Fred Hersch Format: Unabridged Length: 10 hrs and 25 mins Language: English Release date: 09-12-17 Publisher: Random House Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 3 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Jazz could not contain Fred Hersch. Hersch's prodigious talent as a sideman - a pianist who played with the giants of the 20th century in the autumn of their careers, including Art Farmer and Joe Henderson - blossomed further in the '80s and beyond into a compositional genius that defied the boundaries of bop, sweeping in elements of pop, classical, and folk to create a wholly new music. Good Things Happen Slowly is his memoir. It's the story of the first openly gay, HIV-positive jazz player; a deep look into the cloistered jazz culture that made such a status both transgressive and groundbreaking; and a profound exploration of how Hersch's two-month-long coma in 2007 led to his creating some of the finest, most direct, and most emotionally compelling music of his career. Remarkable and at times lyrical, Good Things Happen Slowly is an evocation of the twilight of post-Stonewall New York and a powerfully brave narrative of illness, recovery, music, creativity, and the glorious reward of finally becoming oneself. Critic Reviews: "Two powerful forces are at work in this engaging memoir - the personal rise of Fred Hersch from obscurity to undisputed prominence in the world of jazz and the devastating advance of AIDS into the neighborhoods of gay America. That these two disparate phenomena could be braided so evenly into a vivid, forward-rolling narrative is the passionate wonder of Good Things Happen Slowly." (Billy Collins, former US poet laureate) "A motif running through Good Things Happen Slowly focuses on the power of self-confidence, an attribute that has long helped to define Fred Hersch's music. It is a quality no less evident in this brave memoir: a coming of age book about jazz, sexual identity, and creative authenticity that is also one of the shrewdest portraits of the New York club scene ever written." (Gary Giddins, author of Visions of Jazz and Bing Crosby: A Pocketful of Dreams) "Honest and well-wrought...Hersch wonderfully captures the experience of ensemble-jazz improvisation - 'it's almost sex' - as well as the colorful characters throughout...Hersch's narrative really grips during his agonizing recovery from a two-month, near-death coma resulting from AIDS complications, an ordeal that lends depth and pathos to this candid memoir." (Publishers Weekly) Members Reviews: The amazing life and times of Fred Hersch "Good Things Happen Slowly: A Life In and Out of Jazz" (2017 publication; 324 pages) is the long in the making and long-awaited autobiography of critically acclaimed jazz pianist Fred Hersch. In the book's Introduction, the author relays a 1975 episode at Kings island (an amusement park just north of Cincinnati), where the author was playing in the 'house band', shortly before his move to the east coast. In the next 50 pages, the author recounts his upbringing in Cincinnati, leading to his eventual move to Boston and then New York, where he is determined to make it as a jazz musician. Couple of comments: as a 3+ decades longtime resident of Cincinnati myself (and being a Hersch fan), I would be lying if I didn't acknowledge that his memories of growing up in the Queen City didn't hold a particular interest to me (more on that later).

Mi país inventado [My Invented Country] Audio Libro por Isabel Allende

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Isabel Allende) — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 01:13:14 GMT

Escuche este audio libro completo gratis en https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> Título: Mi país inventado [My Invented Country] Autor: Isabel Allende Narrador: Javiera Gazitua Formato: Unabridged Duración: 6 hrs and 11 mins Idioma: Español Fecha de publicación: 07-20-17 Editor: Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial Calificaciones: 4.5 de 5 de 9 votos Categorías: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Resumen del editor: Un libro lleno de amor y de humor que reconstruye, desde la evocación, la vida, la felicidad añorada y los espacios más queridos de Isabel Allende. Amor por Chile y una gran nostalgia son el origen de este libro: la presencia continuada del pasado, el sentimiento de verse ausente de la patria, la conciencia de haber sido peregrina y forastera... todo ello lo transmite Isabel Allende con inteligencia y humor. Aquí Chile deviene un país real y fantástico a la vez; una tierra estoica y hospitalaria, de hombres machistas y mujeres fuertes y apegadas a la tierra. Pero, sobre todo, es el escenario de su niñez. Evocados con gracia, cobran vida de nuevo su original familia, la casa de los abuelos, el ceremonial de las comidas, las historias de infidelidades... y los espíritus que siempre la han acompañado. Please note: This audiobook is in Spanish. Crítica Comentarios: "Un libro que capta mi entera atención al exponer la relación de la autora con ese país suyo, inventado, imaginario, ficcional, con la historia de su familia, que a su vez es memoria inventada, con su vocación de escritora." (Jorge Edwards) Opiniones de los miembros: Enjoyable Quite entertaining yet it would had been amazing to have it read by the author. The voice talent is rather dull for such a intimate text. No story, just rambling Isabel Allende is my favorite writer of all time. But this book is a disappointment. She just rambles about various aspects of Chile as she remembers it.

Science...For Her! Audiobook by Megan Amram

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Megan Amram) — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 02:07:00 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Science...For Her! Author: Megan Amram Narrator: Megan Amram Format: Unabridged Length: 5 hrs and 41 mins Language: English Release date: 11-04-14 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio Ratings: 2.5 of 5 out of 23 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Megan Amram, one of Forbes' "30 Under 30 in Hollywood & Entertainment", Rolling Stone's "25 Funniest People on Twitter", and a writer for NBC's hit show Parks and Recreation, delivers a politically, scientifically, and anatomically incorrect "textbook" that will have women screaming with laughter, and men dying to know what the noise is about. In the vein of faux expert books by John Hodgman and Amy Sedaris, ScienceFor Her! is ostensibly a book of science written by a denizen of women's magazines. Comedy writer and Twitter sensation Megan Amram showcases her fiendish wit with a pitch-perfect attack on everything from those insanely perky tips for self-improvement to our bizarre shopaholic dating culture to the socially mandated pursuit of mind-blowing sex to the cringe-worthy secret codes of food and body issues. Part hilarious farce, part biting gender commentary, Amram blends Cosmo and science to highlight absurdities with a machine-gun of laugh-inducing lines that leave nothing and no one unscathed. Subjects include: this Spring's 10 most glamorous ways to die; tips for hosting your own big bang; what religion is right for your body type; and the most pressing issue facing women today: kale!!! Be prepared to laugh about anything in this outrageous satirical gem. Members Reviews: Funny, but too much kale This is a laugh-out-loud funny book which at once critiques how society views women in science and how we view ourselves (through the lens of ladies' magazines). One word of caution: There's a reason that the word "kale" appears on the book cover with four exclamation points. One chapter consists solely of a very long list of (I hope) farcical kale recipes. Many recipes. Many, many recipes. After a while, it gets kind of surreal. Honestly, somewhere about 75 percent of the way through, I started to freak out a little bit. I made it to the end of the chapter through sheer willpower, but this may be one situation where a printed book would work better than audioyou could just flip through the pages and think, "Wow, that's a lot of kale. Ha ha." To the author's credit, she read all the recipes with enthusiasm, and (apparently) without going insane. I hope Megan Amram writes more books, minus the kale. better than most of the reviews like totally bummerly, this book was super crappily rated... it's not as bad as the 2.5 rating. it's not 5 though. people may have been expecting a science book with a girl twist. this book is really not educational at all. it's 100% satire. it's told from a super slutty pop culture dumb bimbo who really knows nothing about science.... just like cosmopolitan and many other girl mags. just know going into it, it's not science, ITS SATIRE! it's comedy. and it's actually pretty funny!

Rebus's Scotland Audiobook by Ian Rankin, Ross Gillespie, Tricia Malley

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Ian Rankin) — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 06:59:47 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Rebus's Scotland Subtitle: A Personal Journey Author: Ian Rankin, Ross Gillespie, Tricia Malley Narrator: Ian Rankin, James Macpherson Format: Unabridged Length: 3 hrs and 35 mins Language: English Release date: 10-13-14 Publisher: Orion Publishing Group Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Narrated by Ian Rankin, with extracts read by James Macpherson. In Rebus's Scotland Ian Rankin uncovers the Scotland that the tourist never sees, highlighting the places that inspired the settings for the Inspector Rebus novels. Rankin also reveals the story of Rebus and how he came into being, who he is, and what his - and Rankin's - Scotland is like. With over 100 evocative photographs, specially commissioned to reflect the text, Rebus's Scotland is perfect for anyone interested in Scotland or in the novels of Ian Rankin. Photographs Copyright © Tricia Malley and Ross Gillespie 2005. Critic Reviews: "His novels are playing a significant part in redefining Scotland's image of itself in literature" (Independent on Sunday) Members Reviews: Walking through Rebus's world. A very personal tour of the places that influenced Rankin's Rebus stories. Also, fairly autobiographical in nature. Photos were originally taken to be used to illustrator the novels. More of literary style of writing rather than a travel guide, descriptive style. Good insights into Rankin's writing and his Rebus character. Very simply one of the best explanations any author has ever written about how he ... Very simply one of the best explanations any author has ever written about how he conceived and built a character, in this case, John Rebus. Highly recommended for those who wish to shine a flashlight in the recesses of an author's mind. I like the pics and comparisons between Rankin and Rebus Am still reading I. I like the pics and comparisons between Rankin and Rebus. I will loan the book to others and recommend it as well. Enjoyable. I want to go to Edinburgh and follow the streets and go on the Ox. Four Stars I enjoyed reading most every Rebus book and this provides a sense of connection to a fictional character. A Gem A little gem of a guide to some of the thinking that has gone into Rebus's genesis. Suitably dark and smeary photography that really captures that dark beauty that is Edinburgh. Now I have the perfect excuse to go back and read those novels again. Goody!

Autobiography of Mark Twain, Vol. 3 Audiobook by Mark Twain

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Mark Twain) — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 19:22:35 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Autobiography of Mark Twain, Vol. 3 Author: Mark Twain Narrator: Grover Gardner Format: Unabridged Length: 24 hrs and 56 mins Language: English Release date: 10-15-15 Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc. Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 52 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: The surprising final chapter of a great American life When the first volume of Mark Twain's uncensored autobiography was published in 2010, it was hailed as an essential addition to the shelf of his works and a crucial document for our understanding of the great humorist's life and times. This third and final volume crowns and completes his life's work. Like its companion volumes, it chronicles Twain's inner and outer life through a series of daily dictations that go wherever his fancy leads. Created from March 1907 to December 1909, these dictations present Mark Twain at the end of his life: receiving an honorary degree from Oxford University; railing against Theodore Roosevelt, founding numerous clubs; incredulous at an exhibition of the Holy Grail; credulous about the authorship of Shakespeare's plays; relaxing in Bermuda; observing (and investing in) new technologies. The autobiography's "Closing Words" movingly commemorate his daughter, Jean, who died on Christmas Eve 1909. Also included in this volume is the previously unpublished "Ashcroft-Lyon Manuscript", Mark Twain's caustic indictment of his "putrescent pair" of secretaries and the havoc that erupted in his house during their residency. Fitfully published in fragments at intervals throughout the 20th century, Autobiography of Mark Twain has now been critically reconstructed and made available as it was intended to be read. Fully annotated by the editors of the Mark Twain Project, the complete autobiography emerges as a landmark publication in American literature. Members Reviews: Worth waiting for And so the great dictation comes to an end. It's been a wonderful adventure, and I'm glad I lived to read and hear all of it. As I may have mentioned in reviews of the earlier installments, I learned of Mark Twain's autobiography when I was about 12 years old, but it was always described as something fragmentary and unfinished and unpublished and unpublishable. But here it is, in perfectly comprehensible order, and here he is, talking to a stenographer, correcting himself as he goes along, backtracking, changing his mind, jumping back and forth through the years like a Time Lord - yet always in perfect control of the effect he's trying to achieve. Among other things to be gleaned from this volume are that Mark Twain really, really disliked Theodore Roosevelt; and that he really, really, REALLY disliked his former secretary Isabel Lyon. Roosevelt was exactly the kind of aggressive, macho poseur that Twain despised: a warmonger and big-game hunter who charged up hills with guns blazing, no matter what the cost - to others. Twain tells an hysterically funny story of TR tracking a great bear for three days, only to discover, when he finally caught up with it, that it was a cow. Is it true? It should be. Isabel Lyon is a more complicated case. The real meat of this story comes not in the autobiography itself but in a three-hour-long "prosecutor's brief" that Twain wrote, in the last year of his life, apparently to get his own thoughts in order. It's included here as an appendix. I've read about this episode from several points of view. After years of service, Twain fired Lyon and sued her for misappropriated funds.

Leonardo da Vinci: A Life From Beginning to End Audiobook by Hourly History

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Hourly History) — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 04:32:49 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Leonardo da Vinci: A Life From Beginning to End Author: Hourly History Narrator: Nate Sjol Format: Unabridged Length: 1 hr and 4 mins Language: English Release date: 01-10-18 Publisher: Hourly History Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Creativity is in our bones. It is found in our very DNA, something not known to Leonardo da Vinci or anyone else who lived in his day and time. All he did was to uncover the hidden genius which lay within himself, and he used that inner genius to the very best of his abilities. Leonardo da Vinci is best known for some of the world's most masterful paintings, but he was so much more than merely another artist with paints and brushes. Born to a peasant woman in 1452, Leonardo would go on to astound the world he lived in with his artistry and his inventions. Inside you will hear about.... In this audiobook, discover for yourself the brilliance of da Vinci. Uncover some of his best works of art, including the Mona Lisa, and see why he kept so many notebooks and observations about everything under the sun. See where his far-reaching talents led him, and how you can be more like Leonardo da Vinci than you ever thought possible. Members Reviews: a book I really enjoyed Leonardo da Vinci is one of the most intriguing people in history. I've always been fascinated with his life. So it's no surprise that I ended up really enjoying this short book. I even learned a few more things about him that I didn't know. I loved that. My favorite chapters were 'Early Beginnings and the Italian Renaissance' and 'Facts about Leonardo da Vinci.' I've been very much intrigued about his early life so I thought that first chapter was great to start with. The facts about him were also very interesting to say the least. It's a quick read so of course it's perfect if you want a quick read to learn a little more about Leonardo's life or if you're in between books (like I am at the moment.) Overall, Leonardo da Vinci: A Life From Beginning to End was a book I really enjoyed. As usual with a 'Hourly History' book I'd really recommend it to any reader! Great Insight Into da Vinci Just finished this book. Considering the short length, the author packed in a lot of material. I've read some of da Vinci's notebooks and marveled at the scope of his genius and ability to look into the future. This book gives some important insight into da Vinci, the man and his background. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in knowing more about someone, who may have been, the smartest man to ever live. An Interesting Look at the Life of Leonardo de Vinci This is a very nice review of the life of Leonardo. It will never win a Pulitzer Prize and probably was never intended for that purpose, but it does give the basic facts about the life of this genius and provided a welcome interlude in my reading program of heavier tomes. Four Stars (Essay / 467 Kindle Locations) Good concise history of the life of Leonardo da Vinci. Interesting subject but long paragraphs describing some of da Vinci's paintings were added. They don't bring anything to the history of the painter and could have resumed in a sentence or two. Renaissance Man Not only was Leonardo da Vinci a great artist but also a scientist and inventor. Everything we take for granted now, like airplanes, have their basis in the inventions that are found in his sketch books. He was truly a Renaissance man.

Strange Beautiful Music Audiobook by Joe Satriani, Jake Brown

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Joe Satriani) — Tue, 06 May 2014 21:02:32 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Strange Beautiful Music Subtitle: A Musical Memoir Author: Joe Satriani, Jake Brown Narrator: Todd McLaren Format: Unabridged Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins Language: English Release date: 05-06-14 Publisher: Tantor Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 74 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Oft-hailed as the Jimi Hendrix of his generation, living guitar legend Joe Satriani has long transcended stylistic boundaries with a sound that raises the bar like a new horizon for the broader genre of instrumental guitar rock. Joe's six-string secrets have astounded listeners around the world for nearly 30 years. In Strange Beautiful Music: A Musical Memoir, Satriani and coauthor, music biographer Jake Brown, take fans on their first authorized tour of the story behind his climb to stardom and the creative odyssey involved in writing and recording a storied catalog of classics, including "Surfing with the Alien", "Summer Song", "Satch Boogie", "Always With Me, Always With You", "The Extremist", "Flying in a Blue Dream", "Crowd Chant", and more. Featuring exclusive, firsthand interviews with Satriani, Strange Beautiful Music offers a unique look inside the studio with Joe, giving fans a chance to get up close and personal like never before. With insider details about his collaboration with multi-platinum supergroup Chickenfoot, exclusive interviews with Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony of Van Halen and Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, commentary from fellow guitar legends such as Steve Vai, Metallica's Kirk Hammett, Primus' Larry LaLonde, and legendary music producers, including Glynn Johns and the late Andy Johns, this memoir offers a rare inside look for die-hard Satriani fans, guitar enthusiasts, and anyone who loves to rock. Strange Beautiful Music features music performed by the author. Included throughout the audiobook are samples of some of Satriani's most memorable songs. Critic Reviews: "Joe has refined his own style of playing to a point where he's forever up there in the stratosphere of excellence that is reached by very few musicians." (Brian May) Members Reviews: Very good I was hoping for more details about his day-to-day life . The narration going back-and-forth from different guys and different voices was not enjoyable. I wish he would've read it himself. Inspiring Bands I loved, I found out, were taught by Satch. Hearing his music inspired me to play guitar as well as want took know more about music and its creation. This book gives you his history, writing and recording style. Musical philosophy and insight. His Co creators and friends give great details about him, his gear and his creative process. I'll be listening to it again and again. I'm so happy this is available! So much fun! And probably the BEST narrator ever! Where does Strange Beautiful Music rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far? Among the best. As a massive Satriani fan, it's so satisfying to know the most obscure and intimate details about Joe's music-making. If you're a Satch or even a guitar fan, do not miss this book. Invaluable! What did you like best about this story? So many interesting stories and details about his music and most importantly, his **vision** about music.

Winter Journal Audiobook by Paul Auster

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Paul Auster) — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 16:09:39 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Winter Journal Author: Paul Auster Narrator: Paul Auster Format: Unabridged Length: 6 hrs and 28 mins Language: English Release date: 08-21-12 Publisher: Macmillan Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 70 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: From the best-selling novelist and author of The Invention of Solitude comes a moving and highly personal meditation on the body, time, and language itself. "That is where the story begins, in your body, and everything will end in the body as well." Facing his 63rd winter, internationally acclaimed novelist Paul Auster sits down to write a history of his body and its sensations - both pleasurable and painful. Thirty years after the publication of The Invention of Solitude, in which he wrote so movingly about fatherhood, Auster gives us a second unconventional memoir in which he writes about his mother's life and death. Winter Journal is a highly personal meditation on the body, time, and memory, by one of our most intellectually elegant writers. Members Reviews: Memorable Where does Winter Journal rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far? Right up there with the best. What was one of the most memorable moments of Winter Journal? Not a moment but a sequence. Thought the way he told his stories via the houses he'd lived in was clever. Which scene was your favorite? When he falls in love with his wife, of course! If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be? A journey through life into old age. Any additional comments? I had never heard of Paul Auster until his interview on NPR's Fresh Air. I listened to this book for a solid 6+hours because it was so good; something I've never done before admittedly I came of age through the same time period, and am entering my own "Winter" so that held my interest. His narration is stellar; love when an author can narrate. Will definitely get another of his books; hope it's as good as this one! the book was as geeat as i was expecting I have read many of his books and it was such an incredible experience to listen to his life story with such soothing voice. Paul Auster at his best. What made the experience of listening to Winter Journal the most enjoyable? A sensuous and entertaining memoir. I love Paul Auster's fiction, and here he brings his great storytelling talent and wit to his own life. He describes moments that we can all identify with, and makes them so immediate and real that you feel as though you have experienced them yourself. Human. Real. He makes the mundane fascinating. What other book might you compare Winter Journal to and why? Though this is a work of nonfiction, it has a similar feel to Auster's books, Oracle Night, and Book of Illusions. Which character as performed by Paul Auster was your favorite? Paul has read most of his recent books. I love his voice and the cadence of his speech. Lovely to listen to. Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you? When he was so thrilled that his mother had hit a home run when playing with his boy scout troop. Any additional comments? A very pleasurable listen. A Moving Memoir What made the experience of listening to Winter Journal the most enjoyable? The simple honesty of the writing, even when the subject is difficult, made Winter Journal most enjoyable. What other book might you compare Winter Journal to and why? Perhaps some of the memoir writings of Joyce Carol Oates might compare. But Paul Auster's point of view is very decidely masculine. What about Paul Austers performance did you like? I like an author to read his own writing if the author has any talent for reading at all.

Concrete, Bulletproof, Invisible and Fried Audiobook by Chris Connelly

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Chris Connelly) — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 18:06:55 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Concrete, Bulletproof, Invisible and Fried Subtitle: My Life as a Revolting Cock Author: Chris Connelly Narrator: Chris Connelly Format: Unabridged Length: 7 hrs and 7 mins Language: English Release date: 10-29-14 Publisher: Shipwrecked Industries Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 58 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: When hardcore industrial rocker and Ministry supremo Al Jourgensen recruited Chris Connelly as a singer for the Revolting Cocks, the young Scottish lad could hardly have imagined the mayhem that was about to ensue. As an integral part of Jourgensen's Mad Max-like mutant family of musicians, Connelly joined a drug-crazed travelling circus. Live shows were transformed into an ear-splitting redneck disco from hell, under the influence of a mind-boggling cocktail of every conceivable narcotic, with sleazy strippers and even reports of live cattle on stage. As well as Jourgensen and all the Wax Trax! crew, the book features cameo appearances by Ogre of Skinny Puppy, Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, Killing Joke, Jah Wobble, and Cabaret Voltaire. Despite the unrelenting chaos, both Ministry and the Revolting Cocks have been immensely successful; Connelly appeared on two US gold albums (The Land of Rape and Honey and The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste) and worked as songwriter on the million-plus selling platinum album Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck Eggs. Connelly's superbly written, funny, irreverent, and sometimes downright scary memoir is one of the finest portrayals of a man trapped in the eye of a post-punk industrial storm this side of Armageddon. Chris Connelly was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and now lives in Chicago where he has pursued a successful solo career. Members Reviews: The Debauch Fantastic! Any additional comments? It would be easy to dismiss this collection of hazy, drug fueled tales from the glory days of Industrial music if it weren't for the wonderfully likable, and self deprecating, tone of Chris Connelly. Now, I don't even know the works of Ministry, Pigface or the Cocks, but none of that matters in my appreciation of this book. What makes this read so enjoyable is Connelly's unrepentant celebration of the abstract Rock reality, where he dreamily lived ( in a bus bunk, from tour to tour, indiscriminately pounding narcotics (of all levels) and mounting everything that moved) until "something" snapped.. Connelly also is also refreshing in his willingness to dish the dirt and happily reveal the failings of ego driven, drug addeled "rock stars" as they celebrated the chase of The Big Dumb. Call it good old Scottish self deprecation, but It also should be noted that Connelly never let's himself off the hook. Sure, this book is a unfettered hit piece on Ministry's Al Jourgensen, but who cares! Hit pieces are fun! And, let's face it, Al Jourgensen really needs a literary kick to the bait and tackle. Connelly delivers! And he NAILS the reading. Also, the production of this book is very interesting, as the tight comical edits help convey the manic pace of the times. This one made me laugh out loud many times. Super fun! Revolting!!! .... (In the best way) What made the experience of listening to Concrete, Bulletproof, Invisible and Fried the most enjoyable? Connelly's wit and sincerity: That is right. Connelly narrates his own book.

They're Playing Our Song Audiobook by Carole Bayer Sager

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Carole Bayer Sager) — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 17:27:30 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: They're Playing Our Song Subtitle: A Memoir Author: Carole Bayer Sager Narrator: Carole Bayer Sager Format: Unabridged Length: 10 hrs and 55 mins Language: English Release date: 10-18-16 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 166 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Grammy and Academy Award-winning songwriter Carole Bayer Sager shares the remarkably frank and darkly funny story of her life in and out of the recording studio, from her fascinating (and sometimes calamitous) relationships to her collaborations with some of the greatest composers and musical artists of our time. For five decades Carole Bayer Sager has been among the most admired and successful songwriters at work, responsible for her lyrical contributions to some of the most popular songs in the English language, including "Nobody Does It Better", "A Groovy Kind of Love", "Don't Cry Out Loud", and the theme from the movie Arthur, "The Best That You Can Do" (about getting lost between the moon and New York City). She has collaborated with (and written for) a dizzying number of stars, including Peter Allen, Ray Charles, Celine Dion, Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond, Clint Eastwood, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Carole King, Melissa Manchester, Reba McEntire, Bette Midler, Dolly Parton, Carly Simon, Frank Sinatra, and Barbra Streisand. Her relationship with composer Marvin Hamlisch was the basis of the long-running hit musical They're Playing Our Song, for which she wrote the lyrics. And her work with composer Burt Bacharach, to whom she was also married for 10 years, produced pop standards such as "On My Own" and "That's What Friends Are For" (inspired by her friendship with Elizabeth Taylor), which raised over $2 million for AIDS research. But while her professional life was filled with success and fascinating people, her personal life was far more difficult and dramatic. In this memoir Carole Bayer Sager tells the surprisingly frank and darkly humorous story of a woman whose sometimes crippling fears and devastating relationships inspired many of the songs she would ultimately write. They're Playing Our Song will fascinate anyone interested in the craft of songwriting and the joy of collaboration, but Carole Bayer Sager's memoir is also a deeply personal account of how love and heartbreak made her the woman - and the writer - she is. Members Reviews: BEST AUDIO BOOK I'VE EVER HEARD! Can not give enough accolades to Carole as she gives a vivid walk through her song writing journey! It made my heart sing I loved every moment of this book. It was so fun in part because it was fun hearing about how Carole grew up literally with some of the most talented people ever, but also because of the vulnerability she shared. The greatest listen to me was not to waste time trapped in your own thoughts because you waste life on things that may never come to pass. Loved this book and did not want it to end! "Amazing Work" from a new fan Where does They're Playing Our Song rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far? #1 What did you like best about this story? The history of her start, body of work, collaboration's , behind the scenes stories.

In the Shadow of the American Dream Audiobook by David Wojnarowicz, Amy Scholder (editor)

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (David Wojnarowicz) — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 04:33:48 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: In the Shadow of the American Dream Subtitle: The Diaries of David Wojnarowicz Author: David Wojnarowicz, Amy Scholder (editor) Narrator: Eva Kaminsky, Christopher Kipiniak Format: Unabridged Length: 10 hrs and 51 mins Language: English Release date: 08-20-14 Publisher: Audible Studios Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 4 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: From life in the streets and love in the alleys to fame in the spotlight and an untimely death - raw, biting, and brilliant selections from the personal journals of one of the most uniquely creative artists of the late 20th century When his life ended at age 37 - a casualty of the AIDS epidemic that took so many before their time - David Wojnarowicz had long since established himself as one of America's most vital artists and activists. In the Shadow of the American Dream is a stunning collection of riveting and revealing chapters from Wojnarowicz's extensive personal diaries - 30 volumes' worth of memories and lucid observations, some bitter, some sweet - that the author began writing when he was 17 and continued until his death two decades later. Here is a brilliant chronicle of an artist's emergence - a young man's still achingly fresh memories of his unhappy adolescence and his glorious discovery of self. Wojnarowicz recalls his life on Manhattan's Lower East Side with no shame or regret, and shares his hitchhiking journeys across the country. He talks of art and love and sex - embracing who he is fully and accepting his heartbreaking fate without pathos - while providing fascinating glimpses into the vibrant and colorful New York art scene and poignant views of life and death among the AIDS community. At once frightening and courageous, joyous and disturbing, enlightening and honest, In the Shadow of the American Dream is a treasured addition to the enduring literary legacy of David Wojnarowicz and a true testament to his unique brilliance. Members Reviews: Beautiful. Haunting Heavy. Gritty. Beautiful. Haunting. If you liked Close to the Knives, you should read this. A really intense look into the mind and soul of an artist, and a perspective and worldview that are too often ignored. Required Reading Despite the fact that I am already reading 3 other books concurrently, I am revisiting David Wojnarowicz for the umpteenth time. I simply can't stay away. There is no amount of time that can pass where I will have found that I'm still not in love with the man. And not just because I'm queer but because I am truly in love with his heart and the everlasting life of his spirit. No other writer has touched me so deeply or influeneced the reconstruction of my ethics as him. I could only dream of living a life so passionately and generously, a life which is evidenced by this book. The life and times of a gay writer and artist. These journals of David Worjnarowicz are an account of the famed writer, artist. They begin when he is seveteen years old and end at the time of his death. The beginning explains some of his troubled background: his alcholoic father, his street hustlering in Times Square at a young age, and so on. The entries are most appealing when David speaks about his relationship with other men, especially about his love affair with Jean-Pierre, a man he meet while in Paris. These entries are fluid, full of a joy that one is in touch with when in the throes of love. Eventually David leaves Paris and is back in New York. It is this particular time and place, New York in the late 1970's to early 80's do we see an extreme sexual behavior of many gay men.

Widow Basquiat Audiobook by Jennifer Clement

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Jennifer Clement) — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 12:26:51 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Widow Basquiat Subtitle: A Memoir Author: Jennifer Clement Narrator: Noma Dumezweni Format: Unabridged Length: 3 hrs and 32 mins Language: English Release date: 11-09-17 Publisher: Canongate Books Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 3 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Madonna. Andy Warhol. Keith Haring. Fab 5 Freddie. Debbie Harry. Julian Schnabel. Jean-Michel Basquiat's transition from the subways to the chic gallery spaces of Manhattan brought the artist into the company of many of New York's established and aspiring stars. Unable to deal with the demands that his new fame brought, in 1987, at the age of 27, Basquiat, the most successful black visual artist in history, died from a heroin overdose. Widow Basquiat is an exploration of the artist as seen through the eyes of his muse, Suzanne. It is a love story like no other. This audio edition is read by Noma Dumezweni, who starred as Hermione Granger in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Members Reviews: LOVED THIS BOOK Big Up both to the author & the narrator - Wow - I LOVED it so and I will tell all I know about this historic gem

Beautiful Chaos Audiobook by Carey Perloff

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Carey Perloff) — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 20:29:44 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Beautiful Chaos Subtitle: A Life in the Theater Author: Carey Perloff Narrator: Carey Perloff Format: Unabridged Length: 8 hrs and 36 mins Language: English Release date: 06-14-16 Publisher: Audible Studios Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 4 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Carey Perloff, Artistic Director of San Francisco's legendary American Conservatory Theater, pens a lively and revealing memoir of her 20-plus years at the helm and delivers a provocative and impassioned manifesto for the role of live theater in today's technology-infused world. Perloff's personal and professional journey - her life as a woman in a male-dominated profession, as a wife and mother, a playwright, director, producer, arts advocate, and citizen in a city erupting with enormous change - is a compelling, entertaining story for anyone interested in how theater gets made. She offers a behind-the-scenes perspective, including her intimate working experiences with well-known actors, directors, and writers, including Tom Stoppard, Harold Pinter, Robert Wilson, David Strathairn, and Olympia Dukakis. Whether reminiscing about her turbulent first years as a young woman taking over an insolvent theater in crisis and transforming it into a thriving, world-class performance space, or ruminating on the potential for its future, Perloff takes on critical questions about arts education, cultural literacy, gender disparity, leadership, and power. Carey Perloff is an award-winning playwright, theater director, and the artistic director of the American Conservatory Theater of San Francisco since 1992. Critic Reviews: "Beautiful Chaos is an extraordinary journey of Carey Perloff and her theatre, ACT. Their continued evolution and ability to define and re-define themselves with courage, tenacity, and bravery allow them to confront what seem like insurmountable odds. This continues to shape and inspire Carey and those who work with her." (Olympia Dukakis, Academy Award-winning actress) "Carey Perloff's lively, outspoken memoir of adventures in running and directing theatre will be a key document in the story of playmaking in America." (Tom Stoppard, playwright) "Carey Perloff, quite literally, raised a vibrant new theater from the rubble of an old one. This refreshingly honest account of her triumphs and misfires over the past two decades is both a fascinating read and an invaluable handbook for anyone attempting such a labor of love." (Armistead Maupin, author of Tales of the City) Members Reviews: A Grand Adventure Fresh off a Tony Awards high, I could not wait to catch up on this backstage memoir of A.C.T.'s director Carey Perloff. In it, she grapples with both sexism, and career challenges while taking a foundering theater company in post-earthquake San Francisco to a trailblazing, nationally-recognized program. More than the tribulations of home versus career, this is an introduction to the complex life in non-profit theater from fundraising to artistic vision, it's thrilling but unsparing in it's portrayal. From an esteemed stage actress who asks "have you had THAT CHILD yet?" days away from her delivery, and weeks away from tech rehearsals, to political, religious and media outrage at the company's choices. Last, she looks forward to what it will take to survive in the new SanFrancisco where there are not only practical financial considerations, but the bohemian culture is in danger. Narrating herself, Perloff has such a warm tone, and is so easy to listen to, I never wanted her to stop!

Every Love Story Is a Ghost Story Audiobook by D. T. Max

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (D. T. Max) — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 06:23:38 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Every Love Story Is a Ghost Story Subtitle: A Life of David Foster Wallace Author: D. T. Max Narrator: Malcolm Hillgartner Format: Unabridged Length: 12 hrs and 24 mins Language: English Release date: 08-30-12 Publisher: Brilliance Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 237 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: David Foster Wallace was the leading literary light of his generation, a man who not only captivated readers with his prose but also mesmerized them with his brilliant mind. In this, the first biography of the writer, D. T. Max sets out to chart Wallaces tormented, anguished, and often triumphant battle to succeed as a novelist as he fights off depression and addiction to emerge with his masterpiece, Infinite Jest. Since his untimely death by suicide at the age of forty-six in 2008, Wallace has become more than the representative writer of his time he has become a symbol of sincerity and honesty in an inauthentic age. His reputation and reach grow by the day. Max takes us from Wallaces early years as a child of the 1970s in the Midwest to his hothouse success in his twenties and subsequent collapse into depression and drugs, and from there through his painful reemergence as an apostle of recovery, ending with his triumphant novel of addiction and redemption, the book of the decade, published when he was just thirty-three. But Infinite Jest itself left as an open question what should come next, as Wallace sought hopefully and then, increasingly, helplessly for a way forward, stymied even in the midst of the happiest personal time he had ever known. Max guides us on this remarkable literary and spiritual journey, this prolonged exploration of what it means to be human. Wallace was coy with the press and very private, yet the concerns of his writing and the struggles of his life were always closely intertwined. In illuminating the life, Max enriches our understanding of the work. And in his skillful, active investigations into Wallaces prose, he reveals the author in unexpected ways. In the end, as Max argues, what is most important about Wallace is not just the words he left behind but what he taught us about life, showing that whatever the price, the fight to live meaningfully is always worth the struggle. Written with the cooperation of Wallace family members and friends and with access to hundreds of his unpublished letters, manuscripts, journals, and audio tapes, this deeply researched portrait of an extraordinarily gifted author is as fresh as news, as intimate as a letter from a friend, as painful as a goodbye. Members Reviews: For those who really love DFW Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why? Probably not. First of all, I don't have too many friends who are as rabid a David Foster Wallace fan as I am. I don't have too many friends who are DFW fans period, at any level of rabidity. However, (secondly) if I did, I would probably recommend they read the actual book instead of listening to the audiobook. The loss of the (copious) endnotes from the audio kept me going back to the physical book daily to read what I'd missed. I think the producers of this audiobook should have found a way to include them. There were some real gems buried in those notes.

In the Darkroom Audiobook by Susan Faludi

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Susan Faludi) — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 15:03:55 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: In the Darkroom Author: Susan Faludi Narrator: Laurel Lefkow Format: Unabridged Length: 13 hrs and 45 mins Language: English Release date: 06-14-16 Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 7 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: From the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and best-selling author of Backlash, an astonishing confrontation with the enigma of her father and the larger riddle of identity consuming our age. 'In the summer of 2004, I set out to investigate someone I scarcely knew: my father. The project began with a grievance, the grievance of a daughter whose parent had absconded from her life. I was in pursuit of a scofflaw, an artful dodger who had skipped out on so many things - obligation, affection, culpability, contrition. 'I was preparing an indictment, amassing discovery for a trial. But somewhere along the line, the prosecutor became a witness....' So begins Susan Faludi's extraordinary inquiry into the meaning of identity in the modern world and her own haunted family saga. When the feminist writer learned that her 76-year-old father - long estranged and living in Hungary - had undergone sex reassignment surgery, that investigation would turn personal and urgent. How was this new parent who claimed to be 'a complete woman now' connect to the silent, explosive and ultimately violent father that she had known, the photographer who'd built his career on the alteration of images? Faludi chases that mystery into the recesses of her suburban childhood and her father's many previous incarnations: American dad, Alpine mountaineer, swashbuckling adventurer in the Amazon outback, Jewish fugitive in Holocaust Budapest. When the author travels to Hungary to reunite with her father, she drops into a labyrinth of dark histories and dangerous politics in a country hell-bent on repressing its past and constructing a fanciful - and virulent - nationhood. The search for identity that has transfixed our century was proving as treacherous for nations as for individuals. Faludi's struggle to come to grips with her father's reinvented self takes her across borders - historical, political, religious, sexual - to bring her face to face with the question of the age: is identity something you 'choose', or is it the very thing that you can't escape? Critic Reviews: Praise for Susan Faludi: "Persuasive, fair, entertaining, wonderfully informed, diverting." (Daily Mail) "As ground-breaking in its own way as its two important predecessors, Simone de Beauvoir's The Second Sex and Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique, Faludi's book is just as gripping." (Newsweek) "Recommended as essential reading for both sexes." (Today) Members Reviews: a most unusual story A great, unexpected story about identity, family, judaism, the war, Hungary. About being a daughter in the most unusual family. Lovingly told, a perceptive history of a man unknown to his daughter, turned into a woman seeking contact with the lost daughter.

The Unknown Henry Miller Audiobook by Arthur Hoyle

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Arthur Hoyle) — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 19:59:50 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Unknown Henry Miller Subtitle: A Seeker in Big Sur Author: Arthur Hoyle Narrator: Jonathan Yen Format: Unabridged Length: 15 hrs and 44 mins Language: English Release date: 03-04-14 Publisher: Audible Studios Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 21 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Henry Miller was one of the most distinctive voices in twentieth-century literature. Better known in Europe than in his native America for most of this career, he achieved international success and celebrity during the 1960s when his banned "Paris" books - beginning with Tropic of Cancer - were published here and judged by the Supreme Court not to be obscene. Until then he had toiled in relative obscurity and poverty. The Unknown Henry Miller recounts Miller's career from its beginnings in Paris in the 1930s but focuses on his years living in Big Sur, California, from 1944 to 1961, during which he wrote many of his most important books, including The Rosy Crucifixion trilogy, married and divorced twice, raised two children, painted watercolors, and tried to live out an aesthetic and personal credo of self-realization. Written with the cooperation of the Henry Miller, Anais Nin, and other estates, The Unknown Henry Miller quotes extensively from Miller's correspondence in order to offer the listener direct experience of the author and man. It also draws on material not available to previous biographers, including interviews with Lepska Warren, Miller's third wife, and revelations from unpublished portions of Anais Nin's diaries. Behind the "bad boy" image, the author finds a man with devoted friendships, whose challenge of literary sexual taboos was part of a broader assault on the dehumanization of man and commercialization during the postwar years. He puts Miller's alleged misogyny in the context of his satire of sexual mores in general, and makes the case for restoring this groundbreaking writer to his rightful place in the American literary canon. Members Reviews: In-depth on the 2nd major phase of Miller's career Really enjoyed this book. I have given it five stars overall mostly because this book fills a significant gap in the literature and I don't know of any other like it. Most bios of Miller concentrate heavily on his early life in Brooklyn and Manhattan and the first phase of his career in Paris, when he wrote the three sensational books that made him famous. Understandable enough, but the bulk of his work was composed outside Paris, mostly in Big Sur, from about 1940 to about 1960, and I would argue that these later works are at least equally important, and perhaps even more important, than the earlier works. This biography finally gives this second phase its due. It also tells, in brief, the story of how the Tropics ended up getting published by Grove Press and the trials and tribulations that brought into Miller's life, replacing his previous problem of not-enough-money-ever with the opposite problem of too-much-money-at-once. Miller's final years in Pacific Palisades are summed up in a single chapter, which is also appropriate, since Miller effectively retired from writing in his late 60s, pursued watercolor painting almost exclusively to his death, and led a fairly settled life compared to the previous years. I gave story four stars because the writing is very slightly repetitive, giving the same information several times as if the chapters were written to be read as stand-alone articles.

The Man with the Golden Typewriter Audiobook by Ian Fleming, Fergus Fleming

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Ian Fleming) — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 04:51:59 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Man with the Golden Typewriter Author: Ian Fleming, Fergus Fleming Narrator: Julian Rhind-Tutt Format: Unabridged Length: 13 hrs and 11 mins Language: English Release date: 11-03-15 Publisher: Audible Studios Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 25 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: On 16 August 1952, Ian Fleming wrote to his wife, Ann, 'My love, This is only a tiny letter to try out my new typewriter and to see if it will write golden words since it is made of gold'. And he did write golden words: 14 best-selling James Bond books, and an equally energetic flow of letters to his wife, publisher, editors, fans, friends and critics, charting 007's progress with correspondence that ranged from badgering Jonathan Cape about his quota of free copies - a coin was tossed; Fleming lost - to apologising for having mistaken a certain brand of perfume and for equipping Bond with the wrong kind of gun. Critic Reviews: "British actor Julian Rhind-Tutt thoughtfully and expressively narrates the letters of author Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond.... Rhind-Tutt's voice has a warmth and charm that mesh well with the text.... Fleming's many fans will enjoy this inside look at the author and his works." (AudioFile) Members Reviews: Even his letters are fun to read Ian Fleming never read a piece of hate mail he didn't like. Numerous examples can be found in THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN TYPEWRITER. The book contains lots of hilarious Fleming prose, a writerly side of him you don't see in James Bond. He could've given Wodehouse a run for his money had he written about the upper crust instead of spies. Fleming's pen pal Raymond Chandler said "never answer your critics" but Fleming had no compunction about taking the piss out of all detractors, winning them over with sarcasm and comedy first. These letters reveal plenty about Ian Fleming and, to be honest, I wasn't expecting that. Excellent Collection In the last 51 years, Iâve read a great deal about James Bond and Ian Fleming â yet nothing that quite measures up to this collection. Even outside his books, Fleming as a writer is never âoff duty.â In his business and personal correspondence, he gives the nuts and bolts as his varied projects develop, and his comments about his and his associatesâ lives hold the readerâs attention. While Flemingâs approach generally appears casual, his letters are consistently informative as well as amusing. His nephew, Fergus Fleming, who edited this collection, provides context and notes that are helpful without being intrusive. This is a MUST for Bond and Fleming fans!!! For Bond and Ian Fleming fans....this is a MUST!!! I highly recommend reading this alongside with the book "Goldeneye, Where James Bond was Born" by Matthew Parker. They are perfect companion pieces in that this book has the letters that Ian Fleming has written during the creation and publishing of Bond and the other is where Bond's creation takes place. Totally fascinating reading and terribly sorry that I'm done reading the book. glad I got this book very worthwhile read, recommend it very highly I enjoyed the vocabulary and the book immensely An exceptional collections of correspondence from back in the days when people wrote letters and constructed a proper sentence. I enjoyed the vocabulary and the book immensely.

Mosaic Audiobook by Amy Grant

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Amy Grant) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 14:33:24 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Mosaic Subtitle: Pieces of My Life So Far Author: Amy Grant Format: Unabridged Length: 3 hrs and 44 mins Language: English Release date: 10-29-08 Publisher: Brilliance Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 33 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Now for the first time she bares her heart and soul to reveal thoughts on everything from motherhood and marriage to fame and forgiveness. Whether describing personal moments alone on a moonlit hillside or very public ones performing with the likes of Tony Bennett and James Taylor, Amy presents a captivating collection of beautiful reflections on life, love, and faith. Rendered with the lyrical insight we see in her music, Amy reflects on the pieces of her life through the years, forming a vivid mosaic of memories rich in color, varied in texture, and united in their heartfelt design. Members Reviews: life lessons and love of family and friends that shapes a life Instead of being a chronological view of Amy's life, this book is composed of vignettes from the artist's memory. Amy shares the moments of her history that have influenced her music and life. I teared up at some of the chapters, smiled at the humor in other parts and underlined meaningful life lessons. It's not teachy or a tell-all, rather it's a composition of the unexpected moments, hard choices, life lessons and love of family and friends that shapes a life. One of those books that ended a bit too soon! This book is so beautiful about certain experiences through her life and how informative ... This book is so beautiful about certain experiences through her life and how informative those stories were to me, it really had me thinking about my life. She is wonderfully human and so humble about her mistakes, she taught me about the power of forgiveness and thank You Lord for giving us Your grace and mercy to pick up the pieces and move on with a second chance even though we constantly face persecution from others. God bless you Amy Grant, my only regret is that this book was too short to read. Hope you write another one soon. Amy Grant is much more than a talented musician I have read Amy Grant's "Mosaic: Pieces of My Life So Far" in one sitting...I could not put it down. Amy did a beautiful job expressing her true feelings...the good and the bad. Her faith is evident from to beginning to end, and there are so many inspiring passages in the book that could easily be used for devotions. It is amazing what she has accomplished since she was 15 years old. I was absolutely amazed when I read her timeline. I have seen Amy perform, and she is drop-dead gorgeous. Amy Grant is beautiful on the inside as well as the outside. There were lots of tear-jerking moments in this wonderful book. ....Not at all what I expected..... I usually love to read autobiographies due to the "tell-all" nature of them. The typical scandalous details of a someone's life exposed make for an interesting read (hey, I own up to it!). However, this book wasn't that at all. If I had read a bit more of the description I probably would have been able to figure that out. I thought the book was "cute"--skipped around and read a few stories. It ended up on my bookshelf shortly thereafter. However, about 6 months later, I randomly picked it up again. I read a few stories which lead me to really think. A couple of days later, a personal major life change occured. Luckily, this was a temporary set back But, it made for a very difficult 2 weeks. I read the book daily and started listening closely to the lyrics of Amy's music. I realized that the music has told stories for years.

Far and Wide Audiobook by Neil Peart

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Neil Peart) — Mon, 24 Oct 2016 04:54:44 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Far and Wide Subtitle: Bring That Horizon to Me Author: Neil Peart Narrator: Paul Hecht Format: Unabridged Length: 9 hrs and 26 mins Language: English Release date: 10-24-16 Publisher: Recorded Books Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 59 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Thirty five concerts. Seventeen thousand motorcycle miles. Three months. One lifetime. In May 2015 the veteran Canadian rock trio Rush embarked on their 40th anniversary tour, R40. For the band and their fans, R40 was a celebration and, perhaps, a farewell. But for Neil Peart, each tour is more than just a string of concerts; it's an opportunity to explore backroads near and far on his BMW motorcycle. So if this was to be the last tour and the last great adventure, he decided it would have to be the best one, onstage and off. This third volume in Peart's travel series shares all-new tales that transport the listener across North America and through memories of 50 years of playing drums. From the scenic grandeur of the American West to a peaceful lake in Quebec's Laurentian Mountains to the mean streets of Midtown Los Angeles, each story is shared in an intimate narrative voice that has won the hearts of many listeners. Thoughtful and ever engaging, Far and Wide is an elegant scrapbook of people and places, music and laughter, from a fascinating road - and a remarkable life. Members Reviews: Great Writing, Great Narrator, But Not In Tandem. Once again, great book by Neil Peart, even though these stories are on his personal website it still makes an interesting read/listen. It really telling on why he doesn't want to tour anymore and not in a snobby way... Though that's where my issues with this audiobook lie. Previously, Neil's book were read by Brian Sutherland who has a slightly higher pitched version of Neil's voice, but Brian's voice is still sombre and invites you in on the journey and he doesn't seem to force an attitude to the reader. Now with this audiobook there is a different narrator. He still has an inviting tone, but it unintentionally feels pompous and snobby. I don't think it has to do with the narrator, but more so the narrator and Peart's words, he uses alot of "big words" and has certain observations that, in tandem with the narrators voice, bring out those snobby and pretentious undertones, which in turn gave me a less than enjoyable listening experience. I must repeat, it's not the book or the narrator alone, it's them in tandem. Very Good Every Rush fan should read this. He explains why he retired decisively. However, he does leave room for his mind changing. If this is the end, it's acceptable on all fronts. But, in my opinion, we'll get one more album and show. sometimes 1 + 1 is less than 2 Would you try another book from Neil Peart and/or Paul Hecht? i have listened to all of Peart's books and they are fine ... I would only listen to Hecht if the work was an epic tale of old ... for example, i could imagine him reading Tolkein to good effect. What was one of the most memorable moments of Far and Wide? when the tale of the lost baggage (from a previous book) was unexpectedly resolved Would you be willing to try another one of Paul Hechts performances? perhaps Do you think Far and Wide needs a follow-up book? Why or why not? no - this is the last travelog of Peart's that i ever need to read now that he has retired from Touring with Rush Any additional comments? good enough book - fine reader .. but the reader didnt fit the book ... very much too bad that Peart wouldnt read them himself ...

The Killer Within Audiobook by Philip Carlo

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Philip Carlo) — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 09:01:40 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Killer Within Subtitle: In the Company of Monsters Author: Philip Carlo Narrator: Kent Bateman Format: Unabridged Length: 10 hrs and 36 mins Language: English Release date: 01-06-11 Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc. Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 14 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: In researching his acclaimed true-crime books, Philip Carlo interviewed some of the most infamous criminals and killers of our times in prisons and on death rows throughout the country. He was able to forge trusting relationships with his subjects, enabling him to extract the facts behind their monstrous acts and identify what motivated them to commit their horrific crimes. Carlos investigative achievements are remarkable, but what wasnt known to his readers is that, while working on The Ice Man, he learned he had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a terminal illness that causes all of the muscles in the body to atrophy over time. Suddenly, after years of penetrating the minds of killers, Carlo found himself being pursued by the grim reaper. But rather than lying down and succumbing to the disease, Carlo continued to work, his books still getting published to both critical and commercial acclaim. In The Killer Within, Carlo documents his difficult experiences with ALS and explains how he managed to continue writing prodigiously in the face of adversity. The Killer Within is a gripping, suspenseful book that pulls the listener into the netherworld of Mafia bosses, Mafia hit men, and serial killers, as well as the hard realities of dealing with a fatal disease. Critic Reviews: An inspiring testament to what the human mind can accomplish in the wake of devastating change. A brave psychological exploration of a writers craft and terminal illness. (Kirkus Reviews) Carlos knack for anecdote spinning and his own heartbreaking, yet ennobling, confrontation with ALS results in a unique and spellbinding memoir. (Booklist) Its fascinating to see how he copes day to day with his illness as well bringing his experiences to the fore. Its a brave offering from the author and one that will hopefully get the readers to understand things a little clearer. (Falcata Times) Members Reviews: Deceptive The title and book sample is very deceptive. It uses the names of serial killers and insinuates that the book will be about interviews the author has conducted with them; whereas in actuality the book is just a bio about the author's disease. I am sorry that he became sick, but I believe the book should not deceive the reader as to its contents. self indulgent How right Laura. I too was mislead by this book. The references to his work are trite and the book was self indulgent and self protective. And I can speak from experience. I too have neuromuscular disease. I wanted to demand a refund based completely on the synopsis but ALS is mentioned in the expanded synopsis. My bad for not reading further. Caveat Emptor. Your bad Mr. Carlo is, the book. MISLEADING!!! Would you try another book from Philip Carlo and/or Kent Bateman? THIS book is NOT about what you think its about!! its about a deadly disease the author has. wasted my money and didn't even listen to the book it was horrible.

Autobiography of Mark Twain, Vol. 2 Audiobook by Mark Twain

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Mark Twain) — Sat, 05 Oct 2013 12:41:27 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Autobiography of Mark Twain, Vol. 2 Author: Mark Twain Narrator: Grover Gardner Format: Unabridged Length: 26 hrs and 22 mins Language: English Release date: 10-05-13 Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc. Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 106 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Mark Twain's complete, uncensored Autobiography was an instant best seller when the first volume was published in 2010, on the centennial of the author's death, as he requested. Published to rave reviews, the Autobiography was hailed as the capstone of Twain's career. It captures his authentic and unsuppressed voice, speaking clearly from the grave and brimming with humor, ideas, and opinions. The eagerly awaited second volume delves deeper into Twain's life, uncovering the many roles he played in his private and public worlds. Filled with his characteristic blend of humor and ire, the narrative ranges effortlessly across the contemporary scene. He shares his views on writing and speaking, his preoccupation with money, and his contempt for the politics and politicians of his day. Affectionate and scathing by turns, his intractable curiosity and candor are everywhere on view. Members Reviews: The way it should be done. I purchased this with some small fear. Not about Twain's part of it but because the first volume was ballasted with way too much information about who the editors and compilers were and how clever they had been in editing and compiling the work. And in volume 1 it was all at the beginning of the book and of the chapters so at no time was it safe to use the guff blocker that is labelled "fast forward". But this edition is done the way it should be done. Hoorah!!!! There is still some content about the editors and financial contributors, as I am sure is only fair. But it is all at the end. Hoorah Hoorah!! Puttng it there, where it belongs, means that as a listener you have been able to enjoy Twain's stream of consciousness after which you realise how much you should be grateful to the people in the credits section and are happy to listen to it and give them credit. Grover Gardner is an inspired choice as narrator reading the material with inflection and style. Getting excited in the exciting bits and amused in the amusing bits. If anybody ever wants an example of how an audiobook should be performed then they shoulduse this as their guide. As to the content - It's Twain - Just buy it. Magnificent I said this before, for the first volume of this book, and I'll say it again: this is an incredible act of generosity on everyone's part: the editors, the researchers, Twain himself, and especially (in the case of the audiobook) Grover Gardner. Gardner is one of the best Twain readers around - you won't go wrong with any of his performances of a Twain book - and listening to this is like sitting back, legs propped up, and hearing a garrulous old friend talk about his life. All that's missing are the cigar and the glass of brandy. (You'll have to supply those yourself, if you're so inclined.) This volume has quite a bit to say about God, none of it particularly complimentary. It's no secret that there was no love lost between Mark Twain and God, or at least God as he conceived him to be: Twain's God has a lot of suffering to answer for, suffering that in Twain's opinion could easily have been avoided by a snap of the finger. The second volume also has quite a bit to say about cats (Sour Mash was one of his favorites) and about his daughter Susy's biography of him, from which he quotes extensively.

Wisecracker Audiobook by William J. Mann

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (William J. Mann) — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 00:39:26 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Wisecracker Subtitle: The Life and Times of William Haines, Hollywoods First Openly Gay Star Author: William J. Mann Narrator: Bo Foxworth Format: Unabridged Length: 16 hrs and 9 mins Language: English Release date: 09-30-13 Publisher: Audible Studios Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 72 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: In 1930 William Haines was Hollywood's #1 box-office draw - a talented, handsome, and wisecracking romantic lead. Off screen, however, protected by a careful collaboration between studio and press, he was openly gay with reporters and studio chiefs alike. Here is Haines's virtually unknown story - rich with detail, revelations, and scandal - about silent movies and talkies; his lover Jimmie Shields, and their fifty-year relationship (Joan Crawford, their best friend, called them "The happiest married couple in Hollywood") and the enforcement of the Production Code and establishment of the Hollywood closet, which led to the blacklisting that ultimately doomed Haimes's film career. Wisecracker sweeps from gay pool parties to the excitement of early talkies to Haines's infamous encounter with gay-bashing white supremacists in 1936. He survived the scandal to emerge as a top interior decorator to the stars and to such clients as Nancy Reagan and Walter Annenberg, who employed him for the American Embassy in London. With a cast of characters running from Tallulah Bankhead to Betsy Bloomingdale, from Clark Gable to William Randolph Hearst, Wisecracker is an astounding piece of newly discovered gay history, a chronicle of high Hollywood, and - at its heart - a great and enduring love story. Editorial Reviews: William Haines, the number-one box office star of 1930, has somewhat faded into obscurity. In all likelihood his career wouldve survived the shift from silent films to talkies but could not survive the increasingly repressive atmosphere of Hollywood at the time of the production code. Biographer William Mann says the first "openly gay" actor may be somewhat of an anachronism - the idea didnt even really exist at the time - but calls Haines courageous nonetheless for abandoning his career when Louis B. Mayer told him to choose between his contract and his boyfriend. Bo Foxworth gives a rich, refined performance of this well-researched, sympathetic biography of the wisecracking actor whose life has proved as historically important as his work. Members Reviews: Juicy, Thoughtful and One of a Kind! I had little to no knowledge of "courageous" Billy Haines and author Mann told an involved historical tale superbly. As the audio book ended I found myself going to google to look for additional information. I found archived photos of Haines, his pals and his amazing decor at a website in his name. Someday we will have audio books that feature actual archived voices counter poised against the authors rendering. Mann's book and it's narration came alive when Haines was quoted. In the meantime I am content to remember Mann's rich and thoughtful exploration. A Story That Needed To Be Told What a fascinating life! Yet so few people really know of William Haines today. The author is right when he states that when you come down to it, this is a love story of a couple who just happen to be of the same sex. No different than the great enduring marriages you hear or read about from the humblest to the mighty.

Ida M. Tarbell Audiobook by Emily Arnold McCully

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Emily Arnold McCully) — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 09:09:46 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Ida M. Tarbell Subtitle: The Woman Who Challenged Big Business - and Won! Author: Emily Arnold McCully Narrator: Emily Arnold McCully Format: Unabridged Length: 6 hrs and 42 mins Language: English Release date: 07-06-17 Publisher: Audible Studios Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 1 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Born in 1857 and raised in oil country, Ida M. Tarbell was one of the first investigative journalists and probably the most influential in her time. Her series of articles on the Standard Oil Trust, a complicated business empire run by John D. Rockefeller, revealed to readers the underhanded, even illegal practices that had led to Rockefeller's success. Rejecting the term "muckraker" to describe her profession, she went on to achieve remarkable prominence for a woman of her generation as a writer and shaper of public opinion. This biography offers an engrossing portrait of a trailblazer in a man's world who left her mark on the American consciousness. Members Reviews: An American hero. An important person in American history. Most people don't understand that without the muckrakers, capitalism would run wild. I thought this book was better suited for a high school audience While I had hoped for a scholarly treatment of Tarbell's success in her journalistic assault on Standard Oil, I thought this book was better suited for a high school audience. Allowing that may have been the author's intended audience I can have no complaint other than my disappointment. No disrespect toward Emily McCully is intended. For "young adults" but very mature in scope Reading Emily McCully's delightful biography of Ida Tarbell is an example of an extremely fortuitous circumstance. Had I realized that it was designed for a "young adult" audience, I might have passed on it; but as it turns out, this very factor enhanced my reading pleasure immensely. The format of the book, with its "open", slightly larger typeface and copious illustrations make it visually pleasing, but it is by no means lacking in depth and substance. The subtitle, "The Woman Who Challenged Big Business - and Won" is absolutely apropos and is of course what makes it clear that this is an extremely timely narrative despite the fact that present-day circumstances suggest that much of what Tarbell accomplished has been undone. Indeed, I was tempted to start this review with the statement, "It's STILL about the oil, stupid!" The Koch brothers may have replaced the Rockefellers as the major players whose vast oil fortune has become the main purchaser of political advantage, but the scenario is none-the-less eerily familiar. Besides being very timely, McCully's biography is also detailed, sensitive and exceptionally engaging. Since the advance reading copy I received lacks the source notes and Bibliography as well as the photo credits that will enhance the published edition, I am unable to comment on these, but given the overall quality of the material as presented, I have no doubt that the book will be of great value to the serious student as well as enjoyable to the casual reader as I found it. An interesting life in fascinating times Ida Minerva Tarbell lived through the Civil War and died during World War II. She saw the rise of the rail road, the beginnings of the oil/petroleum era and the industrial revolution, the end of slavery, the start of women's rights, experienced several financial depressions, and saw and the rise of the first big American millionaire, John D. Rockefeller.

Clapton Audiobook by Eric Clapton

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Eric Clapton) — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 09:44:05 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Clapton Subtitle: The Autobiography Author: Eric Clapton Narrator: Bill Nighy Format: Abridged Length: 5 hrs and 19 mins Language: English Release date: 09-26-07 Publisher: Random House Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 38 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Eric was born illegitimate in 1945 and raised by his grandparents. He never knew his father, and until the age of nine believed his absentee mother to be his sister. In his teens his solace was the guitar, and he soon became a cult hero in the club circuits of Britain. With the foundation of the world's first super-group, Cream, in 1966, he became a world superstar. But the rock-star lifestyle has had a darker side. In more than 40 years at the forefront of his profession, he has twice survived near fatal addictions to drugs and alcohol, the death of his four-year-old son, the deaths of friends such as Jimi Hendrix and John Lennon, the break-up of marriage, and the disintegration of relationships with a succession of beautiful women. These are the memoirs of a survivor, someone who has reached the pinnacle of success, who has had it all, but whose demons have never left him. At the age of 62, Eric is now ready to tell his story as it is, hiding nothing, with a directness and searing honesty that will make this book one of the most compelling memoirs of our time. Critic Reviews: "Both the youthful excesses and the current calm state are narrated with an engaging tone that nudges Clapton's story ahead of other rock 'n' roll memoirs." (Publishers Weekly) Members Reviews: Clapton The Autobiography I would have never dreamed this is how an era came to be in one man's eyes - what an interesting life he has . An excellent book that , when told by the narrator Mr. Nighy, made it feel so intimate, as if you witnessed his life with him - I found the blues when Petty died. Where does Clapton rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far? Bill Nighy is one of my favorite actors so I enjoyed listening to this book very much, even after reading it long eyed. Among Rockographies, this one is great; intelligent, open & honest. Who was your favorite character and why? When I read biographies and autobiographies, at the end, I usually think, 'wow, what a jerk.' However I still love Clapton. I really got turned on by the blues and in very constructive ways so I thank him for that. What does Bill Nighy bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book? I did read the book but love this actor. A good listen .... If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be? If this book where a film, I'd call it, "Life in 12 bars." Oh wait, I'm too late. Any additional comments? Every time I enjoy a piece of media, a book, a tv series I've plowed through all at once, I am a bit sad at the end because I don't think I'd find something else as good, but life rolls on and uses new characters and different time periods. The hero has 1,000 faces. So onward.

A Rift in the Earth Audiobook by James Reston

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (James Reston) — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 16:56:24 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: A Rift in the Earth Subtitle: Art, Memory, and the Fight for a Vietnam War Memorial Author: James Reston Narrator: Jeff Cummings Format: Unabridged Length: 6 hrs and 52 mins Language: English Release date: 10-17-17 Publisher: Brilliance Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 2 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: A Distinguished and Bestselling Historian and Vietnam Vet Revisits the Culture War that Raged around the Selection of Maya Lin's Design for the Vietnam Memorial A Rift in the Earth tells the remarkable story of the ferocious "art war" that raged between 1979 and 1984 over what kind of memorial should be built to honor the men and women who died in the Vietnam War. The story intertwines art, politics, historical memory, patriotism, racism, and a fascinating set of characters, from those who fought in the conflict and those who resisted it to politicians at the highest level. At its center are two enduring figures: Maya Lin, a young, Asian-American architecture student at Yale whose abstract design won the international competition but triggered a fierce backlash among powerful figures; and Frederick Hart, an innovative sculptor of humble origins on the cusp of stardom. James Reston, Jr., a veteran who lost a close friend in the war and has written incisively about the conflict's bitter aftermath, explores how the debate reignited passions around Vietnam long after the war's end and raised questions about how best to honor those who fought and sacrificed in an ill-advised war. "The memorial appears as a rift in the earth, a long polished black stone wall, emerging from and receding into the earth." - Maya Lin "I see the wall as a kind of ocean, a sea of sacrifice.... I place these figures upon the shore of that sea." - Frederick Hart Members Reviews: A touching story I liked it a lot. A fascinating piece of history, also well narrated. Im glad I found this book. Highly recommend.

Contested Will Audiobook by James Shapiro

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (James Shapiro) — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 03:56:33 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Contested Will Subtitle: Who Wrote Shakespeare? Author: James Shapiro Narrator: Wanda McCaddon Format: Unabridged Length: 11 hrs and 1 min Language: English Release date: 04-06-10 Publisher: Tantor Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 132 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: For nearly two centuries, the authorship of William Shakespeare's plays has been challenged by writers and artists as diverse as Sigmund Freud, Mark Twain, Henry James, Helen Keller, Orson Welles, Malcolm X, and Sir Derek Jacobi. How could a young man from rural Warwickshire, lacking a university education, write some of the greatest works in the English language? How do we explain the seemingly unbridgeable gap between Shakespeare's life and works? Contested Will unravels the mystery of Shakespeare's authorship, retracing why and when doubts first arose, what's at stake in the controversy for how we value Shakespeare's achievement, and why, in the end, there can be no doubt about who wrote the plays. Critic Reviews: A thorough, engaging work. (Kirkus) Members Reviews: Somewhat Surprised and very pleased I was really interested in the Shakespeare Authorship controversy and was looking fowarard to finding out more about William Devere. This book presents a very thorough and balanced position that gave me a lot to consider that the question is far from the black and white case that I once thought it was. The narrator is absolutely the best I have ever heard (imho)on an audio book, I would pay money to listen to her reading the telephone directory The History of the Debate The question of the Shakespearean "authorship problem" is addressed in a rather unique way here. The author comes right out and tells you that he believes in the idea that Shakespeare wrote his own works, but that the target of the book is instead to present a history of the debate itself, letting the very nature of the debate reveal its own merits and flaws. The cases for Sir Francis Bacon and Edward de Vere are examined in depth, being representative of many of the other cases for alternate identity. The opinions of notables such as Sigmund Freud, Mark Twain, Helen Keller, Henry James, and many others are spotlighted and, in many cases, skewered as being ridiculous and unfounded. And yet, at the same time, the case for the Bard seems ever stacked against him due to a lack of supporting evidence and the ever-widening gap between what we know about him and what is revealed in his works. As a result, the process of how the problem has evolved over the course of time is as interesting as the problem itself. This book is easily accessible for both the casual reader as well as the scholarly-minded, so the curious at every level will have little difficulty taking it all in and walking away with more than they might have expected. Excellent, if long winded Many have questioned whether Shakespeare could have written what it is claimed that he wrote. The book does an excellent job of laying out how these arguments came to be. It also does an excellent job of refuting them. The book is well read. I would have given it 4 stars had it not been so long-winded. The author makes a point, then makes it again, and again, and again.... It is probably a bit better suited for the scholar. Still, worth a purchase for those intersted in such things. Expert The author is obviously an expert in the topic. The book is long-winded, true, but I learned a lot about the history of the debate. In the end, I was convinced by Shapiro's even reasoning and converted to his way of thinking about who wrote the works of Shakespeare.

The Private John Singer Sargent Audiobook by Edward Lucie-Smith

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Edward Lucie-Smith) — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 03:02:03 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Private John Singer Sargent Author: Edward Lucie-Smith Narrator: David Micklem Format: Unabridged Length: 25 mins Language: English Release date: 11-15-17 Publisher: Cv Publications Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: An essay by Edward Lucie-Smith explores aspects of the mysterious and private character of the renowned American society artist John Singer Sargent.

On the Move: A Life Audiobook by Oliver Sacks

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Oliver Sacks) — Fri, 01 May 2015 12:26:12 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: On the Move: A Life Author: Oliver Sacks Narrator: Dan Woren Format: Unabridged Length: 12 hrs Language: English Release date: 05-01-15 Publisher: Pan Macmillan Publishers Ltd. Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 29 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: When Oliver Sacks was 12 years old, a perceptive schoolmaster wrote in his report: "Sacks will go far, if he does not go too far." It is now abundantly clear that Sacks has never stopped going. From its opening reflection on his youthful obsession with motorcycles and speed, On the Move is infused with his restless energy. As he recounts his experiences as a young neurologist in the early 1960s, first in California and then in New York, where he discovered a long-forgotten illness in the back wards of a chronic hospital, as well as with a group of patients who would define his life, it becomes clear that Sacks' earnest desire for engagement has occasioned unexpected encounters and travels - sending him through bars and alleys, over oceans, and across continents. With unbridled honesty and humour, Sacks shows us that the same energy that drives his physical passions - bodybuilding, weightlifting, and swimming - also drives his cerebral passions. He writes about his love affairs, both romantic and intellectual, his guilt over leaving his family to come to America, his bond with his schizophrenic brother, and the writers and scientists - Thom Gunn, A. R. Luria, W. H. Auden, Gerald M. Edelman, Francis Crick - who influenced him. On the Move is the story of a brilliantly unconventional physician and writer - and of the man who has illuminated the many ways that the brain makes us human. Critic Reviews: "His truly has been a life lived to the full and beyond . . . it is the adventure of ideas he has undertaken that has bestowed on his life its remarkable originality." (Will Self, The Guardian) "A compelling, surprising and sometimes astounding story of a richly lived life . . . fabulously surprising photos." (James McConnachie, The Sunday Times) "[A] beautifully constructed and moving memoir . . . It is sad to think that Oliver Sacks's voice will soon be stilled, but his life and work are a gift to many and we can be grateful that he leaves such a legacy." (Andrew Scull, TLS) Members Reviews: Shame about the voice/accent Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why? Oliver Sack's life is real and fascinating. Despite his many years in the United States, he still speaks with an English accent. So, no offence to the reader himself, but the American accent is ALL wrong. How could the performance have been better? A reader with an English accent is imperative. I find it hard to understand who selected this voice/accent for this production. Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry? Oliver Sacks is one of the world's most fascinating, not to mention engaging, polymaths. Any additional comments? Read it! Or simply petition the publisher to change the voice/accent. And when doing it, make sure the reader has a spattering of yiddish/hebrew words. Wrong Accent Although Sacks spent most of his life in the US, he always retained his British accent. How could anyone ask Woren, with his strong American accent, to read Sacks's autobiography? Woren makes matters worse because no one helped him with British pronunciation, and so we read of a university provost ("proh-vohst") visiting Magdalen ("Mag-dalen") College. It's painful and a distraction.

The Other Side of Me Audiobook by Sidney Sheldon

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Sidney Sheldon) — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 12:43:19 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Other Side of Me Subtitle: A Memoir Author: Sidney Sheldon Narrator: Mike O'Malley Format: Abridged Length: 6 hrs and 21 mins Language: English Release date: 12-14-05 Publisher: Hachette Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 25 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: In his eagerly anticipated memoir, America's premier storyteller shares the story of his own life in a frank and revealing book that rivals any of his fictional tales. Sidney Sheldon is truly an entertainment legend: Author of over a dozen best sellers, Academy Award-winning screenwriter, and creator of some of television's greatest hits, he has lived a singularly fascinating life. Sheldon has seen and done it all, and now in this candid memoir, he shares his story for the first time, talking about the personalities, highs, and lows that have made his career and life so captivating. From a depression-era childhood in Chicago to an Air Corps stint in World War II to the bright lights and hot parties of New York and Los Angeles, Sidney Sheldon has lived the kind of life most people could never imagine...until now. ©2005 Sidney Sheldon. All Rights Reserved.; (P)2005 Time Warner AudioBooks. All Rights Reserved. Critic Reviews: "Reminiscent of his colorful novels, a rags-to-riches yarn replete with struggle, an indomitable hero, and eventual glamour." (Publishers Weekly) Members Reviews: DULLLLLLLL There was so much more in SS's life I would have liked to read about, but it was too much TV and not enough depth. If only everyone's biography was this engrossing! Sidney Sheldon should be even more famous than he is. The man has had three or four amazing careers in one lifetime and still comes across as humble as your elderly neighbour down the street. His ability to recall details from 50 years ago is astounding. As a writer, I found myself envious; as a reader, I consider myself priveleged to now know how some of his iconic creations came into being. As a creative person, I found the whole thing incredibly inspiring. If you are any of the above you will enjoy the book and the author's own verbal input. The interview is a bit lame but then, she produced so I guess she's allowed. Sheldon is an inspiration to any creative soul. If his story hadn't been written the world would be a lesser place. Thank God someone decided to do an audiobook. Now creative types who don't read can also benefit from a life well lived and well presented. Loved it If you like Sidney's books, you will love it. Inspiring, enlightening, entertaining. Enjoyed listening to it very much. Terrific Story! I love Mr. Sheldon even more now. Where does The Other Side of Me rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far? One of the most enjoyable What was one of the most memorable moments of The Other Side of Me? The early years What about Mike O'Malleys performance did you like? Professional and friendly. Great performance. Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting? Oh, yes! Any additional comments? This audiobook led me to some other biographies, which I have also enjoyed. Ack! NOT About a Person's Struggle w/ Depression! This book wasnt for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more? I suppose someone who's a Sidney Sheldon fan, or interested in his general (hugely successful) career path, from scriptwriter to screenwriter, to TV, and finally as a novelist, would find this interesting. What could Sidney Sheldon have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you? This book never delved into any real difficulty Sheldon's bi-polar disorder caused his professional or personal life.

Sister Mother Husband Dog Audiobook by Delia Ephron

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Delia Ephron) — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 13:33:18 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Sister Mother Husband Dog Subtitle: Etc. Author: Delia Ephron Narrator: Meg Ryan Format: Unabridged Length: 4 hrs and 30 mins Language: English Release date: 09-17-13 Publisher: Brilliance Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 147 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: In Sister Mother Husband Dog, Delia Ephron brings her trademark wit and effervescent prose to a series of autobiographical essays about life, love, writing, movies, and family. In "Sister," she deftly captures the rivalry, mutual respect, and intimacy that made up her relationship with her older sister and frequent writing companion, Nora. "Blame It on the Movies" is Ephron's wry and romantic essay about becoming a writer and finding a storybook ending to her twenties, though it was just the beginning of a lifetime of taking notes. "Bakeries" is both a lighthearted tour through her favorite downtown patisseries and a thoughtful, deeply felt reflection on the dilemma of "having it all." From keen observations on modern living, the joy of girlfriends, and best-friendship, to a consideration of the magical madness and miracle of dogs, to haunting recollections of life with her famed screenwriter mother and growing up the child of alcoholics, Ephron's eloquent style and voice illuminate every moment of this superb and singular work. Recorded by arrangement with Blue Rider Press, a member of Penguin Group (USA) LLC. Stories previously published in the New York Times: "Name-Jacked" (originally titled "Hey, You Stole My Name!"), "The Banks Taketh" (originally titled "The Banks Taketh, But Don't Giveth"), "Hit & Run," "If My Dad Could Tweet," "Your Order Has Been Shipped" (originally titled "The Hell of Online Shopping"). Previously published in the Wall Street Journal: "Upgrade Hell." Members Reviews: AHHHHHHH - Just wonderful!!! Just what I needed. I love love loved it. I remember the moment that I heard that Nora died. I was on vacation with friends and one of them looked at the news burp on their phone to report it after a gasp. I had no clue who she was. I found out from the lengthy discusssion afterwards. Because of Delia's last name I took a chance on this book and boy oh boy am I glad I did. Here is the skinny - 1) It's four and a half an hours long and 2) Meg Ryan reads it to you. Which can be bad and good if you are expecting hours of bang for your buck. It's exceptionally good and fabulous if you need a book to get you through 5 hours that will make you feel confident, chatty and fun at the end. It's a real mood elevator. This book is chatting with your best friend - reliving heartbreak with a friend - hearing all your friend's funny stories and clucking your tongue at life with a friend. It's good company. I ended up spending a lot of time googling Delia's entire family throughout the whole book. Imagine their parents, who wrote many of my most favorite movies, being so different from the characters that they created. That was mind boggling to me. I've read over 80 books this year and Delia is the only one of those authors that I have joined facebook page with so I can keep track of them. When she writes her next novel or movie - I want to know about it.

Isak Dinesen Audiobook by Judith Thurman

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Judith Thurman) — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 06:11:44 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Isak Dinesen Subtitle: The Life of a Storyteller Author: Judith Thurman Narrator: Davina Porter Format: Unabridged Length: 21 hrs and 23 mins Language: English Release date: 08-01-08 Publisher: Recorded Books Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 47 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Christened with the name Karen, the moody, headstrong, youngest of three sisters was nicknamed "Tanne" for much of her childhood. She was determined to become an artist. After she married Baron Blixen, she was the mistress and landowner "Tania" to those she knew and loved in her new African home. Finally, it was with the name "Isak", meaning "one who laughs", that she became known to the world as a master storyteller. Each period of her life provided Dinesen with rich characters and horizons for her brilliant writing. Noted biographer and critic Judith Thurman draws on Isak Dinesen's letters, unpublished manuscripts, and family documents in this compelling biography. Winner of the National Book Award, Isak Dinesen gracefully reveals the connections between a remarkable woman's literary creations and her fascinating life. Members Reviews: Confused Would you try another book from Judith Thurman and/or Davina Porter? Davina Porter yes! Would you be willing to try another book from Judith Thurman? Why or why not? Yes, she was thorough. What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike? Love Davina Porter's voice. Could you see Isak Dinesen being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be? no Any additional comments? Too much jumping here and there in her life. Would have preferred a more structured, synchronized biography. Informative but confusing. Slight problem with the reader Judith Thurman is brilliant. I loved the book! My only complaint is with Davina Porter. She does have a lovely voice and accent but she swallows words and phrases in every paragraph. When listening without headphones, in a car for example, this is very frustrating and annoying. Underwhelmed Would you try another book from Judith Thurman and/or Davina Porter? Judith Thurman is an excellent biographer, but making Isak Dinesen into a GREAT writer was beyond her powers. Would you ever listen to anything by Judith Thurman again? Yes. Absolutely. What didnt you like about Davina Porters performance? Her somewhat breathless and portentous style is better suited to fiction. What character would you cut from Isak Dinesen? Karen Blixen Any additional comments? Can't win 'em all.

My Place Audiobook by Sally Morgan

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Sally Morgan) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 14:41:54 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: My Place Author: Sally Morgan Narrator: Melodie Reynolds Format: Unabridged Length: 17 hrs Language: English Release date: 06-14-11 Publisher: Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 16 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: In 1982, Sally Morgan travelled back to her grandmother's birthplace. What started as a tentative search for information about her family, turned into an overwhelming emotional and spiritual pilgrimage. My Place is a moving account of a search for truth into which a whole family is gradually drawn, finally freeing the tongues of the author's mother and grandmother, allowing them to tell their own stories. Members Reviews: A tale of a long hard road to understanding What made the experience of listening to My Place the most enjoyable? The story of My Place was not always enjoyable as it made me look into my own heart and soul and see what fears and sins lie there. But the overall enjoyment of listening to the book was what I can only describe as fulfilling as the story unfolded into a still uncertain but better enlightened future for a young woman and her family. What other book might you compare My Place to and why? My place reminds me of another Australian auto biography "A Fortunate Life" by Albert Facey, a tale of overcoming hardship through great strength of character. What about Melodie Reynoldss performance did you like? The reader gave a wonderful performance, I could see and feel the story through her voice. If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be? A tale of a long hard, but fruitful road, to understanding herself and her family in a country afraid to face its history. not my cup of tea ñot good not good not good not. do not have anything else to say not my cup of tea didn't in joy A much loved story I was first inroduced to this book 20 years ago as an undergrad student teacher. I loved it then so was delighted to revisit the story in audiobook format. It remains a warm and honest insight into a family striving to find its historical roots whilst simultaneously striving to hide from it. The narrator read well but I found her pronunctiation of some words to be odd and this distracted me from time to time but a great true story and important part of Australia's history.

Robert Altman Audiobook by Mitchell Zuckoff

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Mitchell Zuckoff) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:16:13 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Robert Altman Subtitle: The Oral Biography Author: Mitchell Zuckoff Narrator: Meryl Streep, Warren Beatty, Tim Robbins, Julianne Moore, Paul Newman, Julie Christie, Elliott Gould, Martin Scorsese, Cher Format: Abridged Length: 6 hrs and 29 mins Language: English Release date: 10-30-09 Publisher: Random House Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 7 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: His outsized life and unique career are revealed as never before: here are the words of his family and friends, and a few enemies, as well as the agents, writers, crew members, producers, and stars who worked with him, including Meryl Streep, Warren Beatty, Tim Robbins, Julianne Moore, Paul Newman, Julie Christie, Elliott Gould, Martin Scorsese, Robin Williams, Cher, and many others. There is even Altman himself, in the form of his exclusive last interviews. After an all-American boyhood in Kansas City, a stint flying bombers through enemy fire in World War II, and jobs ranging from dog-tattoo entrepreneur to television director, Robert Altman burst onto the scene in 1970 with the movie M*A*S*H. He revolutionized American filmmaking, and, in a decade, produced masterpieces at an astonishing pace: McCabe & Mrs. Miller, Thieves Like Us, The Long Goodbye, 3 Women, and, of course, Nashville. Then, after a period of disillusionment with Hollywood - as well as Hollywood's disillusionment with him - he reinvented himself with a bold new set of masterworks: The Player, Short Cuts, and Gosford Park. Finally, just before the release of the last of his nearly 40 movies, A Prairie Home Companion, he received an honorary Oscar for lifetime achievement from the Academy, which had snubbed him for so many years. Mitchell Zuckoff - who was working with Altman on his memoirs before he died - weaves Altman's final interviews, an incredible cast of voices, and contemporary reviews and news accounts, into a riveting tale of an extraordinary life. Here are a series of revelations that force us to reevaluate Altman as a man and an artist. Critic Reviews: A brilliantly researched, near-cinematic evocation. . . . Altman never gave up creating his cinematic portraits of people on the marginscon artists, prostitutes, gamblers, theives, clowns, movie executivesif only to shed light on the falsity behind his countrys seemingly indefatigable, desperate pursuit of success. (The New Yorker) Scrupulously intelligent and entertaining. . . . Noisy, funny, slightly ill considered, a bit chaotic, and wholly believeable. In short, Altmanesque. (The New York Times Book Review) I just now put [Robert Altman] down feeling heartbroken but happily and deeply inspired. . . . Wonderful. (Wes Anderson) Members Reviews: Thank You Given what I do for a living/with my life, this feels like the most significantly helpful and meaningful biography of a filmmaker I've ever experience. Mr. Altman's work has had a profound effect on me and now this celebration of his life and work has, too. Amazing altman This book made you feel like you knew Bob Altman...the first big movie, the wives, the genius, the alcohol and pot. The narration is brillliant. Highly recommended.

An Unauthorized Guide to William Kent Krueger Audiobook by Malcolm Stone

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Malcolm Stone) — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 06:53:57 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: An Unauthorized Guide to William Kent Krueger Subtitle: The Author of the Cork O'Connor Series Author: Malcolm Stone Narrator: Scott Clem Format: Unabridged Length: 8 mins Language: English Release date: 10-26-15 Publisher: Malcolm Stone Ratings: 2 of 5 out of 1 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: This audiobook profiles William Kent Krueger. In his late 40s, when his career as a writer took off, Krueger has established himself as a successful mystery novelist. Find out how he became a writer and how his career has developed. Members Reviews: Thin outline. I had hoped to learn more about how and why he incorporated Anishinabe culture into his novels. Did he personally spend time in the Boundary Waters and Quetico Park? How much time has he spent in Ely, Minnesota?

Change of Seasons Audiobook by John Oates, Chris Epting

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (John Oates) — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 05:49:24 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Change of Seasons Subtitle: A Memoir Author: John Oates, Chris Epting Narrator: Chris Epting, John Oates Format: Unabridged Length: 10 hrs and 43 mins Language: English Release date: 04-04-17 Publisher: Brilliance Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 41 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: John Oates was born at the perfect time, paralleling the birth of rock 'n roll. Raised in a small Pennsylvania town, he was exposed to folk, blues, soul, and R&B. Meeting and teaming up with Daryl Hall in the late 1960s, they developed a style of music that was uniquely their own but never abandoned their roots. John uncovers the grit and struggle it took to secure a recording contract with the legendary Atlantic Records and chronicles the artistic twists and turns that resulted in a DJ discovering an obscure album track that would become their first hit record. This is not your typical rock and roll story. John was focused creating great music. Along the way he achieved incredible success, battling the ever-changing pop music landscape and coming to terms with complex managerial, business, and personal challenges. Daryl Hall and John Oates have over 20 albums together, more than 60 million records sold, and 29 Top 40 hits. They are the most successful pop duo in the world and members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And yet John's story has never been told. Relying on his many hand-written journals, he brings to light many fascinating stories spanning his entire life with a journalist's eye and a poet's heart. In Change of Seasons, John shares his highs, lows, triumphs, and failures. He takes the listener on a wild ride through all the eras, personalities and music that has shaped him into what he is. Members Reviews: Less Than Meets The Eye As an avid listener to rock n roll personality memoirs, I was very disappointed in Change of Seasons. Oates and his co-author seemed so preoccupied with writing something literary and descriptive that what they often ended up describing were banal, leaving out stories of actual events throughout Oates career as a musician and performer. Descriptions of sunsets, and weather and wheat fields, etc., are all well and good but that's not what the listener bought this for. Breath of Fresh Air John's honesty and and hard work are what keeps coming through on this well written memoir. His choice of Chris Epting as co writer was spot on and the result is a very compelling and easy to listen to story. But, of course John Oates knows a few things about the collaborative process. He tells you what he's going to say, says it, and then tells you what he said, making for a very concise, tight story of the highs and lows of his career and life. He is also true to his partner, Daryl Hall, which speaks to his inner character. You don't see such a partnership make it for as long as theirs has lasted. A very good book. Eh. Mediocre stories not enough John Oats Was disappointed that John gave very little effort towards this book. Only narrated a very small I intro and end. Obvious the real writer (who narrates 99% of the book) wrote the book based on Johnson stories. Stories are weak, doesn't go into very much detail. More time spent on skiing, car racing and Hunter S. Thompson. Also weird that they had to reiterate three times that Daryl had nothing to do with this book and why. I've listened to a lot of biographies, this has some good stories but not much. Only gives background on one song with minor details of a second. I expected a lot more based on what could have been talked about.

Knitting Yarns Audiobook by Ann Hood (editor

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Ann Hood (editor) — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 21:15:33 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Knitting Yarns Subtitle: Writers on Knitting Author: Ann Hood (editor Narrator: Ann Hood, Sam Adrain Format: Unabridged Length: 7 hrs and 48 mins Language: English Release date: 01-07-14 Publisher: Audible Studios Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 139 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: A collection of poignant essays about the transformative power of knitting by twenty-seven extraordinary writers. The impressive collection of writers here have contributed essays that celebrate knitting and knitters. They share their knitting triumphs and disasters as well as their life triumphs and disasters. . . . These essays will break your heart. They will have you laughing out loud. (Ann Hood, from the introduction) Why does knitting occupy a place in the hearts of so many writers? Whats so magical and transformative about yarn and needles? How does knitting help us get through life-changing events and inspire joy? In Knitting Yarns, twenty-seven writers tell stories about how knitting healed, challenged, or helped them to grow. Barbara Kingsolver describes sheering a sheep for yarn. Elizabeth Berg writes about her frustration at failing to knit. Ann Patchett traces her life through her knitting, writing about the scarf that knits together the women shes loved and lost. Knitting a Christmas gift for his blind aunt helped Andre Dubus III knit an understanding with his girlfriend. Kaylie Jones finds the woman who used knitting to help raise her in France and heals old wounds. Sue Grafton writes about her passion for knitting. Also included are five original knitting patterns created by Helen Bingham. Poignant, funny, and moving, Knitting Yarns is sure to delight knitting enthusiasts and lovers of literature alike. Members Reviews: Love it!!!! Comforting, funny, thought provoking & just simply a good book. I never read a book about knitting. I didn't know what to expect. I'm glad I got it. Not an inspiring book for an experienced knitter What would have made Knitting Yarns better? Better choice of short stories. Better narration. Has Knitting Yarns turned you off from other books in this genre? No How did the narrator detract from the book? Lugubrious intonation You didnt love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities? Would appeal to people who are beginning knitters. Great book! I fell in love with this book, very fun while I knitted up a sweater. I found the male reader though very irritating maybe it's just me but his voice really bothered me, other than that I loved the book!! so sweet This book is so enjoyable. The authors really bear their souls and it's so fun to listen to their differences and similarities. I'm a young knitter, and I so enjoyed and appreciated the essays written by older women about knitting in war time and about knitting because they had to, not because it was a hobby. If you appreciate the solidarity of crafters and the community of yarn horders you'll love this book. inspirational! As a fairly new knitter, the stories were encouraging, enlightening and inspirational! The types of yarn, the levels of knitting; everything was great!

Far and Away Audiobook by Neil Peart

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Neil Peart) — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 03:32:32 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Far and Away Subtitle: A Prize Every Time Author: Neil Peart Narrator: Brian Sutherland Format: Unabridged Length: 11 hrs and 48 mins Language: English Release date: 12-29-15 Publisher: Audible Studios Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 41 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Following in the tradition of Ghost Rider and Traveling Music, Rush drummer Neil Peart relates nearly four years of band tours, road trips, and personal discoveries in this introspective travelogue. From the ups and downs of a professional artist to the birth of a child, this revealing narrative recounts 22 adventures from rock's foremost drummer, biker enthusiast, husband, and father. Both playful and insightful, Peart's love of drumming and the open road weaves throughout the stories as Neil explores horizons that are both physical and spiritual, sharing his observations about nature, society, and the self. Members Reviews: enjoyed. I always enjoy his stories and something about Brian Sutherland voice that's really soothing. can't wait for more. Good Read... or listen. Smooth Narration. I really enjoyed this book, but not as much as Ghost Rider. Maybe I just related more to Ghost Rider, but I still would listen/read again and would definitely recommend this. In addition Brian Sutherland did a excellent job narrating. great book another great story from the road from Mr. Peart. highly recommended book. What a disappointment! This book does not cover travel or motorcycles much. it is a plotless drivel that came to fruition after a copy and pasted job was completed on a blog of a local celebrity. It is full of useless trivia and superficial observations. The narrator sounds like a 60 year old vegan guy whose joy in life is limited to eating cereal with soy milk in the morning. I have never heard of a rock group called Rush. If you are not a fan then skip and save your 1 credit and a of disappointment.

Conversations with McCartney Audiobook by Paul Du Noyer

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Paul Du Noyer) — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 20:32:35 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Conversations with McCartney Author: Paul Du Noyer Narrator: Angus King, Scot Williams, Penelope Rawlins Format: Unabridged Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins Language: English Release date: 09-24-15 Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 31 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: In June 1989 Paul Du Noyer was contacted by Paul McCartney's office in London and asked to interview the star, as they had met once before and enjoyed a good rapport. In the years that followed, Paul Du Noyer continued to meet, interview and work for Paul McCartney on a regular basis, producing magazine articles, tour programmes, album liner notes, press materials and website editorial. It's likely that Du Noyer has spent more hours in formal, recorded conversation with McCartney than any other writer. Conversations with McCartney is the culmination of Du Noyer's long association with McCartney and his music. It draws from their interview sessions across 35 years, coupling McCartney's own candid thoughts with his observations and analysis. Members Reviews: A good chat-up with Sir Paul I didn't think I was going to like this book. The author, Paul Du Noyer, spent a slog telling us how he and Paul McCartney met and what the book was going to be about and why the Beatles' record needed to be re-balanced, giving Paul a prop to put him on level with the Great Lennon. Anyway, once the argument fell away, Du Noyer let roll with an accumulation of McCartney anecdotes and interviews collected since 1979. Apparently, the NME journalist and the former Beatle hit it off and they had a lot to say to each other. Which is a good thing because these interviews, interspersed with Du Noyer's narrative passages, feel like a great sit-down with a very engaging character. Like you've gone to a party you didn't want to go to and wound up in conversation with a good storyteller. McCartney certainly is that. So what's in the book? Every period up to the release of McCartney's 2013 album NEW. Not in depth, mind you, but you get to hear McCartney riff on some favorite Beatles stories, his relationship with John, John's death, the Anthology, the movies, the early Avant-garde influences, Linda and family life. You also get a serious yet lively discussion of McCartney's solo work, which is lacking from many (most?) McCartney biographies. You'll probably find yourself jotting down album and song names, if you don't already own the back catalog. Sure, Du Noyer can sometimes try too hard in his narrative to make a case for McCartney's genius. I winced a little. But then I thought, you know what, the current dialogue is so biased in the other direction that this is probably a good leveler. I know I started to reconsider certain albums and phases. At any rate, you can make up your own mind, and while you do, McCartney, your favorite dinner party chum, will entertain you. Great! I really enjoyed the conversational aspect. You can read all types of Macca books but this one is stuff *he* said. not your usual biography I've read a ton of books about Paul McCartney, but this one was almost completely in his own words. definitely a favorite! One for fans only What did you like best about Conversations with McCartney? What did you like least? This series of conversations with Paul McCartney offers a little bit of insight into Paul McCartney's life. I found it to be a fairly interesting read, and one that all Beatles/McCartney fans should check out. I must say that Paul Du Noyer's constant, cringeworthy, gushing praise of McCartney spoils it somewhat.

Douglas Adams at the BBC Audiobook by Douglas Adams

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Douglas Adams) — Wed, 06 Apr 2005 01:48:43 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Douglas Adams at the BBC Subtitle: A Celebration of the Author's Life and Work Author: Douglas Adams Narrator: Simon Jones Format: Original Recording Length: 3 hrs and 47 mins Language: English Release date: 04-06-05 Publisher: BBC Worldwide Limited Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 99 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Simon Jones, who played Arthur Dent in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, presents a look back at the life and work of a writer who has captivated the imagination of millions. When Douglas Adams created The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy for BBC Radio 4, it was the genesis of a science fiction comedy legend. Yet his career at the BBC had begun in Light Entertainment, with contributions to The Burkiss Way, Week Ending, and other sketch shows of the time. He went on to script edit a series of Doctor Who, and to write a series of Hitchhiker and Dirk Gently books. In programme, Simon Jones takes an A-Z look at Douglas Adams's career, taking in extracts from the many radio and TV programmes he contributed to. These include personal appearances on Wogan, Tomorrow's World, and Desert Island Discs, his own radio programmes such as Last Chance to See (about the search for endangered species) and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Future (a look at impending technology), and even a 'lost' segment of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy which Adams wrote specially for Radio 4's Steafel Plus in 1982. Also included are some of the many tributes paid to Adams following his untimely death in May 2001. This is a fascinating and in-depth audio biography of a man whose brilliant work has inspired, enraptured, and entertained millions of people worldwide. Members Reviews: Reader's guide to a non-Hitchhiker Adams Wish there had been more about the writing of Hitchhiker's and the radio and TV series. But that would be too predictable. This is an audiography of Adams in alphabetical-not chronological-order. We are introduced to Adams of the Cambridge Footlights review, the sometime collaborator of Graham Chapman, the Doctor Who scriptwriter, the sketch artist, the friend of many Joneses--Terry, Stephen and Peter. We get to listen in on excerpts from early radio and TV efforts and a number of author interviews, revealing an endlessly curiious and always inventive creator who excelled at recasting his stories for different media. The audiography had many engaging letters of the alphabet, like J for Peter Jones, who was the voice of the book in the Hitchhiker series. Loved that. I would have preferred a chronological approach and, yes, more on Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect, even if that would have made it a predictable biography. But if you are curious about the multi-faceted author, you'll want to hitch a ride on this one. If you love Douglas Adams... As a huge fan of Douglas Adams I have to listen to this every now and again just to keep in touch with his comedic genius. This is an alphabetical march through the life and career of Douglas Adams. Touching on various aspects of his contributions it is not just Hitchhikers Guide and Dirk Gentley stuff. A very touching and humorous tribute to a man who brought so much enjoyment to the world. So long Douglas, and thanks A must for any Douglas Adams fan If you are a Douglas Adams fan, this is a must for your collection. It has samples of interviews and things Douglas wrote from across his career.

Fever Pitch Audiobook by Nick Hornby

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Nick Hornby) — Thu, 07 May 2015 08:53:38 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Fever Pitch Author: Nick Hornby Narrator: Julian Rhind-Tutt Format: Unabridged Length: 7 hrs and 40 mins Language: English Release date: 05-07-15 Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 3 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of Fever Pitch, by Nick Hornby, read by Julian Rhind-Tutt. As a young boy, growing up in the Home Counties and watching his parent's marriage fall apart, Nick Hornby had little sense of home. Then his dad took him to Highbury. Arsenal's football ground would become the source of many of the strongest feelings he'd ever have: joy, humiliation, heartbreak, frustration, and hope. In this now-classic book, he vividly depicts his troubled relationship with his father, his time as a teacher, and his first loves (after football), all through the prism of the game, as he insightfully and brilliantly explores obsession, and the way it can shape a life. Members Reviews: interesting subject matter but long and laborious A must read for sports lovers . however , it is long and laborious . 2nd half chapters play in reverse Great book/story but at about Chapter 30, the audiobook jumps to the last chapter and plays the remainder in reverse, finishing in the middle. Not bad but messed up chapters. Appears to be a problem with chapter organisation as the last couple of chapters appeared half way through the book. With audible sign off advert. Apart from that couldn't fault the performance or the self contained stories and history Book is still broken (Jan 2018) Chapters in wrong order as others have said. Audible should not be selling this. Story and narration are excellent Disgraceful Product An amazing book and performance has been completely ruined. Halfway through the story the audiobook completely messes up and all the chapters become muddled. It destroys the story and is a complete disgrace. How has something so stupid been allowed to happen?

The Commitment Audiobook by Dan Savage

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Dan Savage) — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 03:56:35 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Commitment Subtitle: Love, Sex, Marriage, and My Family Author: Dan Savage Narrator: Paul Michael Garcia Format: Unabridged Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins Language: English Release date: 06-27-11 Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc. Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 450 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: In a time when much of the country sees red whenever the subject of gay marriage comes up, Dan Savageoutspoken author of the column Savage Lovemakes it personal. Dan Savages mother wants him to get married. His boyfriend, Terry, says no thanks because he doesnt want to act like a straight person. Their six-year-old son, D.J., says his two dads arent allowed to get married but that hed like to come to the reception and eat cake. Throw into the mix Dans straight siblings, whose varied choices form a microcosm of how Americans are approaching marriage these days, and you get a rollicking family memoir that will have everyonegay or straight, right or left, single or marriedhowling with laughter and rethinking their notions of marriage and all it entails. Critic Reviews: The strongest argument here, which [Savage] brilliantly plays down, is that family means everything to these people: married, not married, blended, gay, straight, whatever. (Washington Post) Members Reviews: Amusing, but missed Dan's voice A very funny, honest accounting of a little slice of Dan Savage's life. I enjoyed it a lot, but missed Dan's characteristic voice. I know he's busy these days, but I would have liked to have him read this himself. Entertaining, but not life changing I like Dan Savage, so I enjoyed the book and found it entertaining. I could see that some might find it a bit preachy. My main gripe is that Dan didn't read the book himself. The narrator did a fine job, but didn't sound anything like Dan which was just strange to listen to. Always a good listen I missed Dans voice but still enjoyed the book. As always his books are funny, smart, and incredibly entertaining. Good book; prefer a Savage narration I enjoyed the book as I have all of Dan's books, but this is the only one I heard with a different narrator. The characters (Dan's family members) come across much differently in his voice. Thought provoking for anyone thinking of marriage Whether you're gay or straight (or somewhere in between) this book is a good read for an objective look at what it means to be married from someone who isn't allowed.

Jack London Audiobook by Earle Labor

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Earle Labor) — Tue, 01 Oct 2013 14:48:45 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Jack London Subtitle: An American Life Author: Earle Labor Narrator: Michael Prichard Format: Unabridged Length: 16 hrs and 50 mins Language: English Release date: 10-01-13 Publisher: Tantor Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 25 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Jack London was born a working class, fatherless Californian in 1876. In his youth, he was a boundlessly energetic adventurer on the bustling West Coast - an oyster pirate, a hobo, a sailor, and a prospector by turns. He spent his brief life rapidly accumulating the experiences that would inform his acclaimed best-selling books The Call of the Wild, White Fang, and The Sea-Wolf. The bare outlines of his story suggest a classic rags-to-riches tale, but London the man was plagued by contradictions. He chronicled nature at its most savage but wept helplessly at the deaths of his favorite animals. At his peak the highest paid writer in the United States, he was nevertheless forced to work under constant pressure for money. An irrepressibly optimistic crusader for social justice and a lover of humanity, he was also subject to spells of bitter invective, especially as his health declined. Branded by shortsighted critics as little more than a hack who produced a couple of memorable dog stories, he left behind a voluminous literary legacy, much of it ripe for rediscovery. In Jack London: An American Life, the noted Jack London scholar Earle Labor explores the brilliant and complicated novelist lost behind the myth-at once a hard-living globe-trotter and a man alive with ideas whose passion for seeking new worlds to explore never waned until the day he died. Returning London to his proper place in the American pantheon, Labor resurrects a major American novelist in his full fire and glory. Critic Reviews: "More than 20 biographies have been written about London, but this volume promises to be one of the best for those who have read London's books but know less about his life." ( Library Journal Starred Review) Members Reviews: A great bio Where does Jack London rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far? Top 10 What was one of the most memorable moments of Jack London? How he moved from working class to famous writer What does Michael Prichard bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book? His rise as a writer Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting? Yes Any additional comments? Tells you what you never knew of Jack London

The Inklings Audiobook by Humphrey Carpenter

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Humphrey Carpenter) — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 05:53:44 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Inklings Subtitle: C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, Charles Williams, and Their Friends Author: Humphrey Carpenter Narrator: Bernard Mayes Format: Unabridged Length: 12 hrs and 39 mins Language: English Release date: 11-01-17 Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc. Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 1 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: During the 1930s at Oxford, C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Charles Williams - remarkable friends, writers, and scholars - met regularly to discuss philosophy and literature and to read aloud from their own works in progress. Calling themselves the Inklings, their circle grew. It was in this company that such classics as The Lord of the Rings, The Screwtape Letters, and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe first found an audience. Author Humphrey Carpenter was born in Oxford and was acquainted with Tolkien, Hugo Dyson, and several other Inklings. In this remarkable reconstruction of their meetings and momentous friendships, Carpenter brings to life those warm and enchanting evenings in Lewis' rooms at Magdalen College, when their imaginations ran wild. His account offers exciting insights into the influence these brilliant individuals had on each other's developing ideas and writing. Members Reviews: Wonderful insights into Lewis and the Inklings During the 1930s at Oxford, C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Charles Williams were remarkable friends, writers, and scholars and met regularly to discuss philosophy and literature and to read aloud from their own works in progress. Calling themselves the Inklings, their circle grew. It was in this company that such classics as The Lord of the Rings, The Screwtape Letters, and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe first found an audience. Author Humphrey Carpenter was born in Oxford and was acquainted with Tolkien, Hugo Dryson, and several other Inklings. In this remarkable reconstruction of their meetings and momentous friendships, Carpenter brings to life those warm and enchanting evenings in Lewis' rooms at Magdalen College, when their imaginations ran wild. His account offers exciting insights into the influence these brilliant individuals had on each other's developing ideas and writing. Brother Albert An Inside-Out Look at Great Writings and Their Authors! You would think that writers like C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien would fit the image we have of most writers. You would think they simply sat down and penned their works, turned them over to an editor and published them. That was hardly the case. C. S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Charles Williams and other friends--all of them scholars--began to meet regularly on Thursday evenings in Lewis's room at Magdalene College at Oxford. These gatherings were to provide sessions for the readings of their works in progress, as well as discussions (not limited to them, but philosophical or otherwise) in an atmosphere which embraced no rules--no agenda. They called themselves "The Inklings." The "regulars" of the group were included C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, Owen Barfield, Charles Williams, Christopher Tolkien, Warren Lewis, Hugo Dyson, Lord David Cecil, Roger Lancelyn Green, Adam Fox, R. A. Havard, J. A. W. Bennett, and Nevill Coghill. There were many less frequent attendees and visitors. They met for almost two decades. Later, they also began to have "pub" meetings at midday on Tuesdays. The Inklings provided a backdrop and the first audiences for some of the famous works we know such as The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Screwtape Letters, and Lord of the Rings. This book provides a rare insight into the lives of these men that was not otherwise known.

A Jane Austen Education Audiobook by William Deresiewicz

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (William Deresiewicz) — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 05:03:31 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: A Jane Austen Education Author: William Deresiewicz Narrator: Sean Pratt Format: Unabridged Length: 7 hrs and 53 mins Language: English Release date: 04-28-11 Publisher: Penguin Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 296 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: An eloquent memoir of a young man's life transformed by literature. In A Jane Austen Education, Austen scholar William Deresiewicz turns to the author's novels to reveal the remarkable life lessons hidden within. With humor and candor, Deresiewicz employs his own experiences to demonstrate the enduring power of Austen's teachings. Progressing from his days as an immature student to a happily married man, Deresiewicz's A Jane Austen Education is the story of one man's discovery of the world outside himself. A self-styled intellectual rebel dedicated to writers such as James Joyce and Joseph Conrad, Deresiewicz never thought Austen's novels would have anything to offer him. But when he was assigned to read Emma as a graduate student at Columbia, something extraordinary happened. Austen's devotion to the everyday, and her belief in the value of ordinary lives, ignited something in Deresiewicz. He began viewing the world through Austen's eyes and treating those around him as generously as Austen treated her characters. Along the way, Deresiewicz was amazed to discover that the people in his life developed the depth and richness of literary characters-that his own life had suddenly acquired all the fascination of a novel. His real education had finally begun. Weaving his own story-and Austen's-around the ones her novels tell, Deresiewicz shows how her books are both about education and themselves an education. Her heroines learn about friendship and feeling, staying young and being good, and, of course, love. As they grow up, they learn lessons that are imparted to Austen's reader, who learns and grows by their sides. A Jane Austen Education is a testament to the transformative power of literature, a celebration of Austen's mastery, and a joy to read. Whether for a newcomer to Austen or a lifelong devotee, Deresiewicz brings fresh insights to the novelist and her beloved works. Ultimately, Austen's world becomes indelibly entwined with our own, showing the relevance of her message and the triumph of her vision. Members Reviews: one of the best books I've heard recently This a great book, probably better for listening than for reading I suspect. It is well-narrated, well-paced, always interesting and stimulating, and oddly enough, it might leave you a better person at the end (without any preaching at all). The author successfully interweaves his own life story (perhaps being a bit hard-hearted on himself, for effect ... hard to know), with Jane Austen's life story and her time, with the main plot points and characters of Austen's novels. The interplay between these three sets of stories is what makes the book so exciting to listen to -- things that happen to the author, to Austen and to her characters I mean. I recommend this book highly. A real joy! This book was like taking a collage class later in life and rereading the books you loved (or not) with the advantage of wanting to take the class. We are brought along the life of the author told with an Austen like storyline. The stroll though the books (with no spoilers) and the insights into reall life applications are so concrete and pithy as to make me wish I had thought of "that". Historical detail into Austen's life is perfectly woven though the story as well. Oh, if only Jane Austen had written more books, this book could have been longer.

Sidney Poitier Audiobook by Aram Goudsouzian

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Aram Goudsouzian) — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 06:39:53 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Sidney Poitier Subtitle: Man, Actor, Icon Author: Aram Goudsouzian Narrator: J. D. Jackson Format: Unabridged Length: 20 hrs and 11 mins Language: English Release date: 01-11-13 Publisher: Audible Studios Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 9 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: In the first full biography of actor Sidney Poitier, Aram Goudsouzian analyzes the life and career of a Hollywood legend, from his childhood in the Bahamas to his 2002 Oscar for lifetime achievement. Poitier is a gifted actor, a great American success story, an intriguing personality, and a political symbol; his life and career illuminate America's racial history. In such films as Lilies of the Field, In the Heat of the Night, and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, Poitier's middle-class, mannered, virtuous screen persona contradicted prevailing film stereotypes of blacks as half-wits, comic servants, or oversexed threats. His screen image and public support of nonviolent integration assuaged the fears of a broad political center, and by 1968, Poitier was voted America's favorite movie star. Through careful readings of every Poitier film, Goudsouzian shows that Poitier's characters often made sacrifices for the good of whites and rarely displayed sexuality. As the only black leading man during the civil rights era, Poitier chose roles and public positions that negotiated the struggle for dignity. By 1970, times had changed and Poitier was the target of a backlash from film critics and black radicals, as the new heroes of "blaxploitation" movies reversed the Poitier model.In the 1970s, Poitier shifted his considerable talents toward directing, starring in, and producing popular movies that employed many African Americans, both on and off screen. After a long hiatus, he returned to starring roles in the late 1980s. More recently, the film industry has reappraised his career, and Poitier has received numerous honors recognizing his multi-faceted work for black equality in Hollywood. As this biography affirms, Poitier remains one of American popular culture's foremost symbols of the possibilities for and limits of racial equality. Members Reviews: The Man, the Star, the Lightning Rod The best biographies place their subjects in the culture of their times. They give a picture of the world around the subject in addition to the facts of their inner life. This is the first full bio of Sidney Poitier, and it excels at doing just that. Poitiers career spanned one of our most revolutionary, tumultuous, and polarizing times in history. From the birth of the Civil Rights Movement to Black Power, to his well-deserved late career veneration, Poitier has been both an icon and a lightning rod. He went from being criticized by whites for acting in movies with racial conscience to being chastised by some in the Black community for selling out, for portraying his movie characters as noble and sexless. With Goudouzians fluid, gripping writing, this is one of the best "page-turning" Hollywood biographies ever.

The Speed of Sound Audiobook by Thomas Dolby

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Thomas Dolby) — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 05:33:38 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Speed of Sound Subtitle: Breaking the Barriers Between Music and Technology Author: Thomas Dolby Narrator: Thomas Dolby Format: Unabridged Length: 10 hrs and 46 mins Language: English Release date: 10-11-16 Publisher: Audible Studios Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 137 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: The remarkable story of rising to the top of the music charts, a second act as a tech pioneer, and the sustaining power of creativity and art. Thomas Dolby's hit songs "She Blinded Me with Science" and "Hyperactive!" catapulted him to international fame in the early '80s. A pioneer of New Wave and Electronica, Thomas combined a love for invention with a passion for music, and the result was a new sound that defined an era of revolutionary music. But as record company politics overshadow the joy of performing, Thomas finds a surprising second act. Starting out in a rat-infested London bedsit, a teenage Thomas Dolby stacks boxes by day at the grocery and tinkers with a homemade synthesizer at night while catching the Police at a local dive bar, swinging by the pub to see the unknown Elvis Costello, and starting the weekend with a Clash show at a small nightclub. London on the eve of the 1980s is a hotbed for music and culture, and a new sound is beginning to take shape, merging technology with the musical energy of punk rock. Thomas plays keyboards in other bands' shows and, with a bit of luck, finds his own style, quickly establishing himself on the scene and recording breakout hits that take radio, MTV, and dance clubs by storm. The world is now his oyster, and sold out arenas, world tours, even a friendship with Michael Jackson become the fabric of his life. But as the record industry flounders and disillusionment sets in, Thomas turns his attention to Hollywood. Scoring films and computer games eventually leads him to Silicon Valley and a software start-up that turns up the volume on the digital music revolution. His company barely survives the dot-com bubble, but finally even the mavericks at Apple, Microsoft, Netscape, and Nokia see the light. By 2005 two thirds of the world's mobile phones embed his Beatnik software. Life at the zenith of a tech empire proves to be just as full of big personalities, battling egos, and roller-coaster success as his days spent at the top of the charts. The Speed of Sound is the story of an extraordinary man living an extraordinary life, a single-handed quest to make peace between art and the digital world. Members Reviews: A tribute to an artist finding home. As an artist and entrepreneur or and a bit of a geek I found this book to be riveting from beginning to end great highs and lows. Whether you are a child of the 80s, entrepreneur of the 90s or just someone who wants to find them selves you need to experience this book Well written, well read, well done. I would have no problem listening to this book again. Like his music? Lovely, interesting and most Enjoyable. One day Thomas will tour again... Until then, you have this. You get the feeling TD's brain is wired differently than most. His attention span limited, as his interests are varied and limitless. The MJ anecdote alone makes this a great listen, a pretty good orator as well...wouldn't mind him reading some others work.

James Joyce Audiobook by Richard Ellman

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Richard Ellman) — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 01:35:47 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: James Joyce Subtitle: Revised Edition Author: Richard Ellman Narrator: John Keating Format: Unabridged Length: 38 hrs and 48 mins Language: English Release date: 07-14-14 Publisher: Audible Studios Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 53 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Richard Ellmann has revised and expanded his definitive work on Joyce's life to include newly discovered primary material, including details of a failed love affair, a limerick about Samuel Beckett, a dream notebook, previously unknown letters, and much more. Members Reviews: Not Unabridged, Strictly Speaking Any additional comments? The recording skips the textual notes/comments that are at the bottoms of pages throughout the book. (These are in addition to the numbered footnotes the end of the text.) Deplorable. You will have to buy the book and read this important omitted material yourself. It was misleading to label the recording as "unabridged." Wonderful book, though. Worth It This exhaustive study of Joyce's life was wonderful to listen to, insightful & well worth it. The narrator does a good job of keeping the reading interested & the narrative is easy to follow. Rejoice, don't wallow My followers might have fine time as much as I, for tis not particularly cerebral but rather personal and sympathetic look at life interests of Joyce giving the impression that he was quite a stoic. The narrator had a sort of rhymthic stop-and-go reading style initially I wasn't much sure would be well-regarded over so many hours yet surprisingly found it easy on the ear overall. Hearing with Audible the 37 hours of Joyce's Bio Would you consider the audio edition of James Joyce to be better than the print version? Yes if the reader like to walk with hearing phones. What did you like best about this story? The narration of the meeting between Proust and Joyce. Have you listened to any of John Keatings other performances before? How does this one compare? No. Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry? Yes. It make me laugh. Any additional comments? Excellent work. A biographer's biography I can confess that I listened to this late into the night and fell asleep on more than one night. So, I can't say I read the whole thing. Nevertheless, a biography is in large part a collection of anecdotes so just about anywhere I picked up, the story was always interesting. It was quite similar to reading Joyce in that my book had no beginning and no end. It took place at night and, it sometimes had a dreamlike quality - maybe I was dreaming. And, just like Joyce, the parts I "got" were worth the read even if I didn't "get" everything. Unlike Joyce, I don't think I will reread his biography for fear I will fall asleep in the same places.

Italian Journey Audiobook by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe) — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 20:48:30 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Italian Journey Author: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Narrator: Charlton Griffin Format: Unabridged Length: 18 hrs and 57 mins Language: English Release date: 12-30-15 Publisher: Audio Connoisseur Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 6 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Goethe was probably the greatest universal genius who ever lived. Although known primarily as a poet, playright, and novelist, he was also known for his work in anatomy, botany, color, art criticism, and jurisprudence. Many people are deterred from attempting to read anything by Goethe because of his extremely penetrating intelligence and dense prose. But his travel diary, Italian Journey, is by far easier to digest than anything else by him. The journal is a straightforward account of his sojourn to Italy as a young man between 1786 and 1789. The book has a modern ring to it, and indeed Goethe seems to foreshadow the coming of many of the things we consider "modern" today: intense self-examination, scientific methodology, and anthropology. But that's not what makes this a great book. Long after you finish it, you will be contemplating the wealth of pithy, insightful comments he makes about Italians in particular and humans in general. You will revisit portions of this book many times, and you will mark passages in it, so you can pull it down and quote it to your friends. Goethe is a fabulous feast for the intellect and a balm for the spirit. Members Reviews: Excellent unabridged version This is the full version. There is another reviewer who said it was only part. That is not correct. I have the full text of the book and this audio version it true to it. A Tedious Journey What did you like most about Italian Journey? This was a tedious journey. Sure, the tour lasted a long time, at almost one and a half years (or 19 hours), but the narrators voice drew it out, all the more besides! I wish I could say one got into it once one unwound and acclimatised, but both the journal and the narrator are consistent throughout in wearing one out. I could only take little excursions into the Italian Journey at a time.. A distinguished voice, it makes a good match at first, one thinks. An RP accent surely must suit the noble poet/dramatist/scientist/traveller and what's more... But his vowels are just too distinctly pronounced in a pre-war, news-reel, Queens English, with the effect of completing the picture of Goethe as a snob and pedant. However, in retrospect, this fuddy voice may be the only fitting one. True, it became incredibly annoying in parts and sometimes, even, distracting, but it may serve to remind us, as a subtext in itself, that Goethe was not the 38 year old traveller when he actually wrote the journal up in its published version. It was a work he composed 30 years post travelling. This raised some arguments regards its authenticity and honesty from contemporaries already, and in the audio version it may recreate a similar response. Which is not all bad for literary effect, just tedious. Adding to the tedium, however, possibly, at times, is how the journal is interspersed with literary criticism on then contemporary, and now often obselete literary and scientific writers and quotations or referencs to Greek and Roman Classics and reviews (by himself) of his own works, which he is, furthermore, perpetually putting out as he travels. (Iphigenie, Elwin and Elvira, Egmont - the opera). How he manages to find the focus at all, is beyond me, but he, too, complains incessantly that it wasn't easy going. He continues to worry about the reception of it back home, too.

Believing Audiobook by Sandra Brown

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Sandra Brown) — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 20:20:58 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Believing Author: Sandra Brown Narrator: Sandra Brown Format: Unabridged Length: 20 mins Language: English Release date: 11-29-17 Publisher: Hachette Audio Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 6 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Sandra Brown revisits two pivotal Christmases from her own past in this heartfelt and intimate essay. One needn't be familiar with Brown's previous works to be deeply moved by this personal reflection on the meaning of family, faith, celebration, and generosity, but fans will find it a unique and special insight into the New York Times best-selling author's life and values. This essay is based on musings originally published in Ladies Home Journal. Twenty years later, Sandra Brown revisits these powerful memories, creating the moving essay heard here, which she delivers in her charmingly Southern voice, as warm and comforting as a mug of cocoa in view of the Christmas tree. Members Reviews: Wonderful Christmas Story Would you listen to Believing again? Why? Yes it is well done and very moving. It is truly about believing. What was one of the most memorable moments of Believing? Most all of it but Sandra's telling of it was most moving. Which character as performed by Sandra Brown was your favorite? The Mother Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting? Yes and I did

Burton Audiobook by Byron Farwell

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Byron Farwell) — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 10:13:38 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Burton Subtitle: A Biography of Sir Richard Frances Burton Author: Byron Farwell Narrator: Simon Vance Format: Unabridged Length: 18 hrs and 37 mins Language: English Release date: 02-05-07 Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc. Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 88 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Explorer and inventor, soldier and poet, archaeologist and diplomat, Richard Francis Burton (1821-90) was the most versatile and remarkable man of his age. But he was foremost an adventurer: "an adventurer in the intellectual and the spiritual as well as the physical world". The pioneering traveler in Central Africa who was the first European to see Lake Tanganyika was also the translator of The Arabian Nights and the secret translator of Eastern sex manuals like The Perfumed Garden. The man who made a dangerous pilgrimage to Mecca in disguise also produced major writings on reptiles and religion, mining and mountain-climbing, slavery and sexuality. Byron Farwell brilliantly recreates the sheer excitement of Burton's achievements and his astonishing range of interests in this fascinating biography. Members Reviews: A balanced view of Burton This is a good overall view of Burton's life, but it does show its age in some parts (i.e. had to look up Midian) because country names and places have changed in the last four decades. The book's first half is excellent as Burton led an exciting, adventuring life. But the second half drags quite a bit as Burton slows down and the book becomes more or less a listing of his published works and a year-by-year account of his wanderings. That being said, it is an enjoyable listen and a good peak into the workings of colonialism and Victorian England. Excellent in every way If you could sum up Burton in three words, what would they be? Real Life Adventure Any additional comments? This biography is brimming with detail and historical background, and all of this contributes to the sense of participating in Burton's explorations. Simon Vance does a wonderful job as the narrator, reading with intelligence and verve. Very nice listen. I enjoyed the story very much. t I enjoy this very much. The only problem I experience is when the story repeated itself for several times. a technical issue since the author would say something and then immediately afterwards repeat the same several lines immediately afterwards. I enjoyed the book very much. This is truly a very interesting man! Reserved portrait of Richard Frances Burton The reserved, distanced and slightly derisive portrait of Richard Frances Burton that the American Byron Farwell gives in his book Burton: A Biography issued 1963, is enhanced by the upper class accent of the narrator. That Burton's life and books still fascinates us is not reflected in the book whatsoever. Much weight is put on his failed career. I lost confidence for this biographer because both the wondrously beautiful The Kasidah and the Arabian Nights were step-motherly treated. Not sure about Byron The trouble with an audiobook is you can't look in the back and see what the documentation was on, say, the ugly nun who was spirited away from a convent by mistake. It sounds like some rowdy bar story to me. He clearly lived a larger life than most of us but I lost my confidence in Byron's perspective, especially after the blithe remark at the start of the book about women not having the mental capacity to be explorers.

Excavation Audiobook by Wendy C. Ortiz

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Wendy C. Ortiz) — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 04:03:47 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Excavation Subtitle: A Memoir Author: Wendy C. Ortiz Narrator: Bonne Kramer Format: Unabridged Length: 5 hrs and 31 mins Language: English Release date: 12-10-14 Publisher: Audible Studios Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 25 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Wendy C. Ortiz was an only child and a bookish, insecure girl living with alcoholic parents in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Her relationship with a charming and deeply flawed private school teacher 15 years her senior appeared to give her the kind of power teenagers wish for, regardless of consequences. Her teacher - now a registered sex offender - continually encouraged her passion for writing while making her promise she was not leaving any written record about their dangerous sexual relationship. This conflicted relationship with her teacher may have been just five years long, but would imprint itself on her and her later relationships, queer and straight, for the rest of her life. In Excavation: A Memoir, the black and white of the standard victim/perpetrator stereotype gives way to unsettling grays. The present-day narrator reflects on the girl she once was, as well as the teacher and parent she has become. It's a beautifully written and powerful story of a woman reclaiming her whole heart. Members Reviews: Too Much About Not Much A long tedious walk through a teenage girl's flirtation and subsequent relationship with her eighth grade English teacher. Too many stories about drugged out weekends; too many phone calls to the totally inappropriate teacher Mr. Ivers; too many cigarettes smoked alone in her room. The focus of her affections is a not very appealing either by description of his looks or in the context of his character. The more compelling sequences in the book are always her interactions with someone other than Mr. Ivers. As for the narrator; she seemed unfamiliar with the pronunciation of a great many words; or maybe that's just me. The deep personal nature of the revelations made by the young woman as she matures both stirring and enlightening; unfortunately just not all that interesting when they become ceaselessly repetitive. A Coming Of Age Story Unlike One I've Ever Read Would you consider the audio edition of Excavation to be better than the print version? I've only read some pages on my kindle book in between audiobook listens. I always prefer to listen to stories when I have the opportunity to do so. Story telling is a lost art and I feel as though the female narrator could've actually been the author. That's how realistic her narration sounded. I was able to listen to this in one day. On the other hand, I thought Jeff's tone always sounded too youthful, but he was very immature in many senses so that maybe the reasoning behind the youthful tone in narrating him. What did you like best about this story? The best quality about this story, and others like it, is redemption. I immediately want to judge that her redemption story doesn't look quite like I hoped it would, but that would be ignorant & arrogant. Every journey to redemption or that place of peace from our darkest or most trying moment is different. Wendy was very vulnerable and very transparent with her readers in this book. That is what I appreciate the most about her writing. Sometimes we can be more vulnerable on pen than in person and sometimes it's not by choice. This is something Wendy had learned early on in her life and something that sadly maybe true still. What about Bonne Kramers performance did you like? She embodied Wendy in her performance.

The Story of Charlotte's Web Audiobook by Michael Sims

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Michael Sims) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 08:03:28 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Story of Charlotte's Web Subtitle: E. B. White's Eccentric Life in Nature and the Birth of an American Classic Author: Michael Sims Narrator: Nick Sullivan Format: Unabridged Length: 7 hrs and 30 mins Language: English Release date: 11-04-11 Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc. Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 22 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: As he was composing what was to become his most enduring and popular book, E. B. White was obeying that oft-repeated maxim: "Write what you know." Helpless pigs, silly geese, clever spiders, greedy rats - White knew all of these characters in the barns and stables where he spent his favorite hours. Painfully shy his entire life, "this boy", White once wrote of himself, "felt for animals a kinship he never felt for people." It's all the more impressive, therefore, how many people have felt a kinship with E. B. White. With Charlotte's Web, which has gone on to sell more than 45 million copies, the man William Shawn called "the most companionable of writers" lodged his own character, the avuncular author, into the hearts of generations of readers. In The Story of Charlotte's Web, Michael Sims shows how White solved what critic Clifton Fadiman once called "the standing problem of the juvenile-fantasy writer: how to find, not another Alice, but another rabbit hole" by mining the raw ore of his childhood friendship with animals in Mount Vernon, New York. Translating his own passions and contradictions, delights and fears, into an all-time classic. Blending White's correspondence with the likes of Ursula Nordstrom, James Thurber, and Harold Ross, the E. B. White papers at Cornell, and the archives of HarperCollins and The New Yorker into his own elegant narrative, Sims brings to life the shy boy whose animal stories - real and imaginary - made him famous around the world. Critic Reviews: "A fine stylist, Mr. Sims portrays these scenes with a beauty and an economy of language that would make the co-author of The Elements of Style proud." (The Wall Street Journal) "An affectionate biography. Packed with the same kind of sensory detail its subject reveled in, this account is an honorable addition to the literature of letters." (Kirkus Reviews) "The Story of Charlottes Web is a paean to a great work and a window into the uniquely gifted man who created it." (Christian Science Monitor) Members Reviews: Read E.B. White's book instead! This is a book about the author of a book I loved: "Charlotte's Web". It is about how that book I loved came to be. It is not written with the charm nor the humor of that original book. Sims' book is interesting. It tells not only of E.B. White's career; he worked for many years at The New Yorker. The story is filled out with information about prominent children's authors and illustrators during the first half of the 20th Century. If that is what you are looking for you may appreciate this book more than I did. Parts are flat, boring and stuffed with irrelevant details. Neither did I love the narration by Nick Sullivan. The book doesn't pull you in, doesn't engage you or make you care in the slightest for any of the characters. It reads like a dry text book....but sure there are interesting facts. Hard to review This book seemed to work hard to find a reason for existing. IMO - it missed the entire nature of E B White.

Michelangelo Audiobook by George Bull

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (George Bull) — Tue, 17 Jan 2006 19:36:18 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Michelangelo Author: George Bull Narrator: Nadia May Format: Unabridged Length: 18 hrs and 50 mins Language: English Release date: 01-17-06 Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc. Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 25 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: In this new life of Michelangelo, George Bull places him firmly in the context of his time. He worked during three-quarters of a century of tremendous change in European society, and as an artist was supremely responsive to the hopes, fears, and values of his culture, which he both exemplified and defied. Using recent research as well as the great established biographies and letters and records, Bull traces the life and spiritual quest of Michelangelo, man and artist, and brings to the narrative an exceptional feel for the Italian Renaissance. Members Reviews: very detailed I struggled to finish this as there seemed to be minutiae that made the book become less interesting. Excellent biography for those with some background This is an excellent biography for readers who already have some knowledge about the Italy and Europe of Michelangelo's time. The author is thorough and fair. He makes good use of letters and other documents. The book is long but that is because Michelangelo lived a very long life and worked on many projects. The text moves at a good pace. If you are not reasonably familiar with the period--for instance, if you do not already know who Charles V and Francis I are--you should probably start with a more basic book. Otherwise, you might find it confusing when the author refers to Michelangelo's contemporaries with only slight background information.

The Authorized Roy Orbison Audiobook by Alex Orbison, Jeff Slate, Roy Orbison, Wesley Orbison

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Alex Orbison) — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 08:19:60 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Authorized Roy Orbison Subtitle: The Authorized Biography Author: Alex Orbison, Jeff Slate, Roy Orbison, Wesley Orbison Narrator: Roy Orbison, Wesley Orbison, Alex Orbison Format: Unabridged Length: 6 hrs and 13 mins Language: English Release date: 10-17-17 Publisher: Hachette Audio Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 7 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: For the first time, legendary performer Roy Orbison's story as one of the most beloved rock legends will be revealed through family accounts and records. Roy Orbison is a rock and roll icon almost without peer. He came of age as an artist on the venerable Sun Records label; toured with The Beatles; had massive hits in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s; invented the black-clad, sunglasses-wearing image of the rock star; and reinvented the art of songwriting many times over. He is a member of the Rock & Roll and Songwriters Halls of Fame, a recipient of the Musicians Hall of Fame's inaugural Iconic Riff Award, and the winner of multiple Grammy Awards. He is known the world over for hits like "Blue Bayou", "You Got It", and "Oh, Pretty Woman" and was a member of the band that inspired the term "supergroup" - the Traveling Wilburys, with Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, and Tom Petty. Despite these and countless other accolades, the story of Roy Orbison's life is virtually unknown to his millions of fans around the world. Now, for the first time ever, the Orbison Estate, headed by Roy's sons, Wesley, Roy Jr., and Alex Orbison, has set out to set the record straight. The Authorized Roy Orbison tells the epic tale of a West Texas boy, drawn to the guitar at age six, whose monumental global career successes were matched at nearly every turn by extraordinary personal tragedies, including the loss of his first wife in a motorcycle accident and his two oldest sons in a fire. It's a story of the intense highs and severe lows that make up the mountain range of Roy Orbison's career, one that touched four decades and ended abruptly at perhaps its highest peak, when he passed away at the age of 52 on December 6, 1988. The Authorized Roy Orbison shows Roy Orbison as a young child and follows him all the way through to the peak of his stardom and up to his tragic end. Wesley, Roy Jr., and Alex Orbison - Roy's Boys - have left no stone unturned in order to illustrate the people, places, things, and events that forged their father, the man behind those famous sunglasses. PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio. Members Reviews: A touching and a wonderful story The book gave a warm and factual recall of the Legands life! enjoyed readibg it! Thanks, Roy's Boys I have been a long-time fan of Orbison, even though I was very young when he left us. With this book - authored and read by Roy's boys - I feel like I got a true glimpse into the life of the man behind the shades. The performance and mixing of clips of Orbison's songs into the audiobook were great treats. The highs and lows of a true artist and gentleman are told with great sincerity and genuine affection in this book. Thanks, Roy's boys.

A Life Discarded Audiobook by Alexander Masters

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Alexander Masters) — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 10:36:56 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: A Life Discarded Subtitle: 148 Diaries Found in the Trash Author: Alexander Masters Narrator: Alexander Masters Format: Unabridged Length: 5 hrs and 12 mins Language: English Release date: 10-18-16 Publisher: Tantor Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 4 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: In 2001, 148 tattered and mold-covered notebooks were discovered lying among broken bricks in a bin on a building site in Cambridge, England. Tens of thousands of pages were filled to the edges with urgent handwriting. They were a small part of an intimate, mysterious diary, starting in 1952 and ending half a century later, a few weeks before the books were thrown out. The anonymous author, known only as "I", reveals themselves as the tragicomic patron saint of everyone who feels their life should have been more successful. Over five years, the brilliant biographer Alexander Masters uncovers the identity and real history of this secret author, ending with an astounding final revelation. A biographical detective story that unfolds with the suspense of a mystery - but has all the dazzling originality that made Masters's Stuart: A Life Backwards such a beloved book - A Life Discarded is a true, poignant, often hilarious story of an ordinary life. Critic Reviews: "Masters is a beautiful writer: funny, inquisitive and attentive; the talents on display in his barnstorming 2005 book Stuart: A Life Backwards can be seen here, too." ( The Guardian) Members Reviews: Fascinating story about a real person that reads like a mystery This is the first book by Alexander Masters that I've read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Even though the book is essentially about the life of an "ordinary" person based on her diaries, Masters fashions his tale like a mystery novel. You keep turning the pages to find out what he discovered about the diarist next: what was her name, what happened to her, why were her diaries pitched into a trash dumpster, why did she write all those diaries in the first place? There is something fascinating and meaningful in every person's story. It seems like a wonderful coincidence that these diaries ended up in the hands of Alexander Masters, perhaps the one person on earth (?) who knew how to value them and help this woman do what she wasn't quite able to do herself: tell her story and get it published. I just wish there was a photo at the end of the book. Read the book to find out which photo is missing. It's a terrific story. A smart, amazing book that you will never forget. Ever. Very cleverââand often brilliantââanalysis of an âunendingâ diary and an "ordinary" human life. The author cuts through the many filters and layers we desperately use to hide from our deeper creative selves. So many people sacrifice true happiness for various levels of less-satisfying (often minimal material) comfort. Many of us long to have noteworthy lives, but we can't see the distractions that destroy the sharp focus required for real and lasting success. The writer's truth-telling sometimes comes as a series of genuine, insightful surprises that almost feel like punches in the gutââbut they are soft punches and are easily forgiven. "A Life Discarded" is one of the more profound and powerful books I've read over the past few years. If you're at all introspective and philosophical, and especially if you write, draw, sculpt, or play music, this book deserves your attention.

John Chancellor Makes Me Cry Audiobook by Anne Rivers Siddons

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Anne Rivers Siddons) — Thu, 16 Mar 2006 06:00:43 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: John Chancellor Makes Me Cry Author: Anne Rivers Siddons Narrator: Dana Ivey Format: Abridged Length: 2 hrs and 58 mins Language: English Release date: 03-16-06 Publisher: HarperAudio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 4 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: In this collection of heartfelt and involving vignettes, Anne Rivers Siddons, the beloved best-selling author of Downtown, Hill Towns, and Colony, offers a stirring and insightful look at our everyday world and how one woman has chosen to live in it. Moving from memories of her gentle grandfather to her uncanny ability to attract stray animals, Siddons' intimate stories of her family are graced with the same poetic lilt and vibrant detail that have so wonderfully served her novels. For all those who know and love her works of fiction, John Chancellor Makes Me Cry is a glorious and thoroughly entertaining treat. ©1994 Anne River Siddons; (P)1994 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. Members Reviews: Of interest to Seniors This book is a wonderful look back at quieter times in the lives of those of us over 60, and probably would not appeal to younger readers. This is my third reading of this book by an author I always enjoy. She writes well of a time when John Chancellor was a well known newscaster held in affection with TV viewers 3 decades or so ago. I thoroughly recommend it, but only for seniors who will smile and nod at Ms Siddons nostalgic memories in her vignettes. Five Stars My favorite Southern writer, in a non-fiction discussion of her life in Atlanta. In great shape, but a little brown In great shape,but a little brown. A sweet Southern Woman Of all the Anne Rivers Siddons books, this first is her only non-fiction and for some reason it remains my favorite. Without the devices of plot and character to get between the author and her audience, Ms. Siddons tells the stories that matter the most to her: the death of a beloved grandfather, the look of Atlanta in the spring, the lunacies inherent in the advertising industry and most of all a life well loved and well lived with her husband, menagerie and home. These short essays that are somewhat dated with their references to issues that were prominent in the 1970s. However, the joys and tribulations of everyday life recounted here are timeless and the language is thoughtful, witty and heartfelt. The book is a joy to read and re-read and I give copies away like Gideon's disciples distribute bibles. I cannot say Ms. Siddons is my favorite author or this is my favorite book (although they are whenever I'm re-read JCMMC). I can say her essays have become the dearest of friends. "Steal Away Your Work Day Soul" The evening news has always drawn me like a magnet - but sometimes watching it is soul wrenching. Past months have been particularly poignant. Mass murder in the name of God and parents murdering or abusing children entrusted to them, and on and on, it all become cumulative. I knew I had to replace my copy of JOHN CHANCELLOR MAKES ME CRY and re-read it. Isn't it too cool when a book is even better the more you read it? Can I recommend this book enough? Ms. Siddons' foray into non-fiction is an excellent introduction to the depth of feeling and emotion in the many fine books she has written since. There is something that touches me on every single page of this year long glimpse into the life of this very REAL lady. Weather, stepchildren, cats, suburbs, politics, it's all there, along with a delicious slice of Maine and summers on the seashore.

The Inkblots Audiobook by Damion Searls

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Damion Searls) — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 02:28:25 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Inkblots Subtitle: Hermann Rorschach, His Iconic Test, and the Power of Seeing Author: Damion Searls Narrator: Paul Boehmer Format: Unabridged Length: 15 hrs and 41 mins Language: English Release date: 02-21-17 Publisher: Random House Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 18 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: The captivating, untold story of Hermann Rorschach and his famous inkblot test. In 1917, working alone in a remote Swiss asylum, psychiatrist Hermann Rorschach devised an experiment to probe the human mind: a set of 10 carefully designed inkblots. For years he had grappled with the theories of Freud and Jung while also absorbing the aesthetic movements of the day, from futurism to dadaism. A visual artist himself, Rorschach had come to believe that who we are is less a matter of what we say, as Freud thought, than what we see. After Rorschach's early death, his test quickly made its way to America, where it took on a life of its own. Co-opted by the military after Pearl Harbor, it was a fixture at the Nuremberg trials and in the jungles of Vietnam. It became an advertising staple, a cliché in Hollywood and journalism, and an inspiration to everyone from Andy Warhol to Jay Z. The test was also given to millions of defendants, job applicants, parents in custody battles, and people suffering from mental illness or simply trying to understand themselves better. And it is still used today. In this first-ever biography of Rorschach, Damion Searls draws on unpublished letters and diaries and a cache of previously unknown interviews with Rorschach's family, friends, and colleagues to tell the unlikely story of the test's creation, its controversial reinvention, and its remarkable endurance - and what it all reveals about the power of perception. Elegant and original, The Inkblots shines a light on the 20th century's most visionary synthesis of art and science. PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio. Critic Reviews: "It seems incredible that no one before Damion Searls has ever written a biography of Rorschach.... His early death may have deterred other would-be biographers, but Searls sails past it with style: the second half of his book traces the fortunes of Rorschach's famous test, which became a household word in America after World War II, when the U.S. Army used it on draftees. Searls uses this unlikely-seeming artifact to illuminate two histories, one scientific, the other cultural, both full of surprises." (Lorin Stein, The Paris Review) "A marvelous book about how one man and his enigmatic test came to shape our collective imagination. The Rorschach test is a great subject and The Inkblots is worthy of it: beguiling, fascinating, and full of new discoveries every time you look." (David Grann, author of The Lost City of Z) "This excellent book begins as a biography and becomes, when [Rorschach] suddenly dies of a ruptured appendix at the age of thirty-seven, a cultural history of his creation." ( Harper's) Members Reviews: Memorable Psychoanalysis has been a long time fascination of mine, so I listened to the entire audiobook in only a couple of days. Damion Searls gives a thorough, well-written account of Hermann Rorschach and his influential ink blot test. Special mention goes to Paul Boehmer, who is clearly one of the best narrators in the business. His oration made this great book even better.

Far and Near Audiobook by Neil Peart

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Neil Peart) — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 23:43:60 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Far and Near Subtitle: On Days Like These Author: Neil Peart Narrator: Brian Sutherland Format: Unabridged Length: 13 hrs and 35 mins Language: English Release date: 12-29-15 Publisher: Audible Studios Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 28 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Whether navigating the backroads of Louisiana or Thuringia, exploring the snowy Quebec woods, or performing onstage at Rush concerts, Neil Peart has stories to tell. His first volume in this series, Far and Away, combined words and images to form an intimate, insightful narrative that won many fans. Now Far and Near brings together reflections from another three years of an artist's life as he celebrates seasons, landscapes, and characters; travels roads and trails; receives honors; climbs mountains; and composes and performs music. With passionate insight, wry humor, and an adventurous spirit, once again Peart offers a collection of open letters that take listeners on the road, behind the scenes, and into the inner workings of an ever-inquisitive mind. These popular stories, originally posted on Peart's website, are now collected and contextualized with an introduction and conclusion. Members Reviews: Entertaining but need pictures! As expensive as audiobooks are you would think that you would get a companion eBook with pictures for free. The entire book refers to photographs which you can't see if you do not pay $13.00 for the companion book. If it wasn't for how enjoyable the narrator was I'd just get the print version. Smooth Flowing. Very similar to Far and Away The story flowed smoothly and once again Brian Sutherland did a excellent job. Although, if you've read/listened to Far and Away you can expect almost the same story being told. Ghost Rider is still the best. Not my Favorite but I liked it. Not my favorite book of his thus far, but I did enjoy it very much. By no means a bad book, but just compared to some other the others.

Young Orson Audiobook by Patrick McGilligan

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Patrick McGilligan) — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 09:53:37 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Young Orson Subtitle: The Years of Luck and Genius on the Path to Citizen Kane Author: Patrick McGilligan Narrator: Keith Szarabajka Format: Unabridged Length: 28 hrs and 4 mins Language: English Release date: 12-18-15 Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc. Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 7 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: For the centennial of his birth, the defining wunderkind of modern entertainment gets his due in a groundbreaking new biography of his early years - from his first forays in theater and radio to the inspiration and making of Citizen Kane. No American artist or entertainer has enjoyed a more dramatic rise than Orson Welles. In this magisterial biography, Patrick McGilligan brings young Orson into focus as never before. He chronicles Welles' early life growing up in Wisconsin and Illinois, as the son of an alcoholic industrialist and a radical suffragist and classical musician, and the magical early years of his career, including his marriages and affairs, his influential friendships, and his artistic collaborations. The tales of his youthful achievements were so colorful and improbable that Welles, with his air of mischief, was often thought to have made them up. Now, after years of intensive research, McGilligan sorts out fact from fiction and reveals untold, fully documented anecdotes of Welles' first exploits and triumphs, from starring as a teenager on the Gate Theatre stage in Dublin and bullfighting in Seville to his time in the New York theater and his fraught partnership with John Houseman in the Mercury Theatre, and to his arrival in Hollywood and the making of Citizen Kane. Filled with intriguing new insights and startling revelations - including the surprising true origin and meaning of "Rosebud" - Young Orson is a fascinating look at the creative development and influences that shaped this legendary artistic genius. Members Reviews: An amazingly interesting and in depth look By far one of the most interesting and in depth looks at the rise of an artist. The narration was wonderful. The difficult and interesting part about Orson Well as is that there are so many conflicting stories, and opinions, depending on which biography you read, and even from Mr. Welles recollections. I find the rise of this enigmatic genius fascinating, and my compliments to the author and to the narrator ( a bad narration can destroy the best of audio books, but this one was a pleasure to listen to). I wish there were more books about the start and rise of actors and theater. Thank you. Everything you'd want to know about Orson The narrative is loaded with excessive detail that doesn't illuminate Welles' personality. It remains a fascinating story and well told if long.

Marcel Proust: A Biography Audiobook by Charles Sheppard

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Charles Sheppard) — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 03:43:19 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Marcel Proust: A Biography Author: Charles Sheppard Narrator: David Arthur Format: Unabridged Length: 16 mins Language: English Release date: 07-12-16 Publisher: Charles Sheppard Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 2 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Marcel Proust was a French novelist, critic, and essayist best known for his monumental novel à la recherche du temps perdu (In Search of Lost Time; earlier translated as Remembrance of Things Past), published in seven parts between 1913 and 1927. He is considered by many to be one of the greatest authors of all time. Proust was born in Auteuil (the south-western sector of Paris' then-rustic 16th arrondissement) at the home of his great-uncle on 10 July 1871, two months after the Treaty of Frankfurt formally ended the Franco-Prussian War. His birth took place during the violence that surrounded the suppression of the Paris Commune, and his childhood corresponded with the consolidation of the French Third Republic. Much of In Search of Lost Time concerns the vast changes, most particularly the decline of the aristocracy and the rise of the middle classes that occurred in France during the Third Republic and the fin de siècle. Proust's father, Adrien Proust, was a prominent pathologist and epidemiologist, studying cholera in Europe and Asia. He was the author of numerous articles and books on medicine and hygiene. Proust's mother, Jeanne Clémence Weil, was the daughter of a wealthy Jewish family from Alsace. Literate and well-read, she demonstrates a well-developed sense of humor in her letters, and her command of English was sufficient to help with her son's translations of John Ruskin. Proust was raised in his father's Catholic faith. He was baptized (on 5 August 1871, at the church of Saint-Louis d'Antin) and later confirmed as a Catholic but he never formally practiced that faith.

Juan Rulfo Audio Libro por Online Studio Productions

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Online Studio Productions) — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 17:17:58 GMT

Escuche este audio libro completo gratis en https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> Título: Juan Rulfo Subtitular: La tristeza y melancolía de un genio [The sadness and melancholy of a genius] Autor: Online Studio Productions Narrador: uncredited Formato: Unabridged Duración: 39 mins Idioma: Español Fecha de publicación: 06-08-15 Editor: Online Studio Productions Calificaciones: 4.5 de 5 de 3 votos Categorías: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Resumen del editor: Escritor, guionista y fotógrafo mexicano, perteneciente a la generación del 52, y considerado uno de los más destacados escritores en la lengua española, su gran reputación se asienta en dos libros: El llano en llamas, y la novela Pedro Páramo. Please note: This audiobook is in Spanish.

The Modern Scholar: The Life and Times of Mark Twain Audiobook by Michael Shelden

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Michael Shelden) — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 19:50:31 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Modern Scholar: The Life and Times of Mark Twain Author: Michael Shelden Narrator: Michael Shelden Format: Original Recording Length: 7 hrs and 46 mins Language: English Release date: 09-13-10 Publisher: Recorded Books Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 28 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Professor of English at Indiana State University and the author of the literary biography Mark Twain: Man in White, Michael Shelden is the perfect candidate to lead this series of lectures on one of the most importantand most influentialof all American authors. From Twains early history through his landmark achievements and the defining moments of his extraordinary life, Shelden imparts a learned understanding of both the man and his astounding body of work. Members Reviews: Flat delivery, great content This is by far one of the more satisfying biographical treatments of Mark Twain available on Audible. Michael Shelden relates the high points of Twains life and career, and along the way provides passionate and sometimes moving analyses of his major works. Unfortunately his delivery is flat, so much so that it took me a long time to get around to listening to it all the way through. What I found is that his voice grew on me, and I was able to focus on the content and stop thinking about the unemotional (and sometimes repetitive) way it was presented. Shelden knows what hes talking about. He wrote one of the best books available about the later years of Mark Twain, Man in White, also available on Audible (and fortunately with a better narrator who is able to do justice to the book). Despite Sheldens weakness as a speaker, this is definitely worth a listen. INSTRUCTIVE OVERVIEW OF LIFE AND WORK These 14 half-hour talks are presented in quiet way that lets the words and ideas speak for themselves. Highly recommended to those who want to know more about this important American author. perfect What made the experience of listening to The Modern Scholar: The Life and Times of Mark Twain the most enjoyable? Felt like the author knew him and is just telling about a friend. What did you like best about this story? Followed a distinct timeline. Any additional comments? The author/performer is pretty soft spoken, but it was alright. Just made me pay that much more attention.

An Unauthorized Guide to Lilian Jackson Braun: A Short Biography of the Author of the Cat Who Series

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Malcolm Stone) — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 22:39:41 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: An Unauthorized Guide to Lilian Jackson Braun: A Short Biography of the Author of the Cat Who Series Author: Malcolm Stone Narrator: Scott Clem Format: Unabridged Length: 8 mins Language: English Release date: 09-30-15 Publisher: Malcolm Stone Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 6 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: This audiobook profiles Lilian Jackson Braun. Best known as the author of the Cat Who, a series of mystery novels, Braun continued writing until her death in 2011. Find out how she became a novelist and how her career developed. Members Reviews: Not enough It was nice to learn more about this fine lady. Hope an autobiography might be written. Maybe her family could oversee the making of a movie series. George Guidall is best narrator, very talented. wonderful woman if you love her books, you'll love this book. very informative and lovely information. a good book

The Prisoner's Wife Audiobook by asha bandele

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (asha bandele) — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 23:26:58 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Prisoner's Wife Subtitle: A Memoir Author: asha bandele Narrator: Myra Lucretia Taylor Format: Unabridged Length: 7 hrs and 21 mins Language: English Release date: 03-12-12 Publisher: Recorded Books Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 13 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: In her senior year of college, asha bandele and a group of other writers went to a prison to read their works for a Black History Month program. There, she met Rashid, a man who was serving 20 to life for murder, a man who spoke softly and wisely, a man who would become ashas soul mate. This is her account of a relationship that has thrived despite terrific odds. Critic Reviews: This is a romantic but realistic story, told with a directness and honesty that makes us know that, however impossible the problems asha and Rashid face, we can question neither her motives nor sanity. (Booklist) Members Reviews: Beatlutifully written memoir Asha Bandele can write! I enjoyed every chapter of this book. It is deep, poetic, descriptive, passionate. I have discovered a great writer! Fantabulous Very well written and narrated. I'm ready for part 2. Was this a true story? I finished this in a few short hours.

Nolan Cash, Bowling Green Audiobook by Andrew Brel

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Andrew Brel) — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 20:28:32 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Nolan Cash, Bowling Green Subtitle: The True Story Behind One of Country Musics Great Tragedies: Nolan Cash, the One-Hit Wonder of Bowling Green Author: Andrew Brel Narrator: Andrew Brel Format: Unabridged Length: 58 mins Language: English Release date: 01-10-18 Publisher: Andrew Brel Publishing Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Nolan Cash was born in Kingsland, Arkansas, on October 8, 1939, seven years after his cousin, Johnny. The bi-racial product of a rape by a black man of a 16-year-old Christian girl in America's conservative Bible Belt, he experienced extreme prejudice growing up during the racially divided '50s. His opportunity for country music stardom beckoned when he witnessed an event that inspired him to write the song that would change his life - the church massacre at Bowling Green. What happened next might have come straight from the pages of a Hollywood political thriller. Nolan was charged with treason and hidden in the prison system with a new identity, his secret about that event in Bowling Green buried with him. Only the 50-year disclosure on official secrets - CIA documents recently released - enabled the facts to finally emerge. Here, then, is the story of Nolan Cash, collateral damage in America's struggle to move away from racist division. Members Reviews: NOLAN BOWLIN' - IT'S A HOOT! If you want a serious laugh - read it as soon as you can... I am still laughing :)

Here Comes Everybody Audiobook by James Fearnley

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (James Fearnley) — Thu, 28 May 2015 06:27:35 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Here Comes Everybody Subtitle: The Story of the Pogues Author: James Fearnley Narrator: James Fearnley Format: Unabridged Length: 14 hrs and 56 mins Language: English Release date: 05-28-15 Publisher: Audible Studios Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 13 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: October 1982: ABC, Culture Club, Shalamar and Survivor dominate the top twenty when the Pogues barrel out from the backstreets of King's Cross, a furious, pioneering mix of punk energy, traditional melodies and the powerfully poetic songwriting of Shane MacGowan. Reviled by traditionalists for their frequently fast, often riotous interpretations of Irish folk songs, the Pogues rose from the sweaty chaos of backroom gigs in Camden pubs to world tours with the likes of Elvis Costello, U2 and Bob Dylan and had huge commercial success with everyone's favourite Christmas song, 'Fairytale of New York'. Yet the exuberance of their live performances coupled with relentless touring spiralled into years of hard drinking and excess which eventually took their toll - most famously on Shane but also on the rest of the band - causing them to part ways seven years later. Here their story is told with beauty, lyricism and great candour by James Fearnley, founding member and accordion player. He brings to life the youthful friendships, the bust-ups, the amazing gigs, the terrible gigs, the fantastic highs and the dramatic lows in a hugely compelling, humorous, moving and honest account of life in one of our most treasured and original bands. Members Reviews: Well written, Funny, But definitely sad Im glad i listened to this book...the Pogues are one of my favorite musical groups Great stories about the Pogues - told boorishly I've been wanting to know more about the Pogues and Shane MacGowan for a while now. The websites and wiki just didnt cover the detail that I wanted to know. To start, I didn't realize they weren't a fully Irish band... Anyhoo, I never expected to read a good story about the band that didn't focus 90% on Shane... To my happiness, James Fearnley's book is exactly what I wanted to read - it covered everyone equally. It also included a musicians perspective from someone who was there... It got 4 stars from me for telling a story I wanted to hear. Now for the bad part. I couldn't wait to be finished.. I had the misfortune of listening to this as an audiobook narrated by James Fearnley himself. His Manchester accent was REALLY hard to get used to. I honestly thought he was faking it and pretending to read the book in the style of the over-the-top tour manager in Waynes World 2...But thats the way he speaks... What made it worse is his overuse of a thesaurus and paragraph long descriptions of EVERYTHING - It made the book borderline unbearable to listen at times... I've yelled at my audible player numerous times for him to just say "pick" instead of "plectrum", or using "capitulate" instead of "surrender". The only saving grace is that I picture when his bandmates Shane, Spider or Kait read this, they would rail into him about his boorishness... Before you decide to not read this book based on my review, just remember that I gave it 4 stars even tho I absolutely hated the pretentious way it was written and narrated. That is saying a lot...

Detours Audiobook by Tim Rogers

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Tim Rogers) — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 19:01:09 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Detours Author: Tim Rogers Narrator: Tim Rogers Format: Unabridged Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins Language: English Release date: 12-04-17 Publisher: HarperAudio Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: A charming, honest, funny, sad, tender and beautiful literary memoir, from Tim Rogers of You Am I. Think Patti Smith meet Dylan Thomas, by way of Banjo Paterson. "Rogers is a beautiful writer, both literate and lyrical ... Detours makes most rock memoirs look like How to Hypnotise Chooks. A heartbreaking work of staggering honesty." (West Australian) "Of all the utterances delivered to me by strangers, my least favourite after 'We can no longer legally serve you' would have to be, 'Well, that isn't very rock'n'roll.'" Tim Rogers of You Am I has always been a complicated man: a hard-drinking musician with the soul of a poet; a flamboyant flâneur; a raconteur, a romantic and a raffish ne'er-do-well. In this offbeat, endearing memoir, Tim walks us through years jam-packed with love, shame, joy, enthusiasms, regrets, fights, family - and music, always music. A work of real grace and tenderness, Detours is often impossibly sad and beautiful - but also full of wit, wordplay and punching jolts of larrikin energy to make you laugh out loud. Critic Reviews: "Rogers is a beautiful memoirist...[ Detours is] an authentic, beautiful, unusual - and yes, brave - book that stands up on its own as a strong work of literature." ( The Guardian) "The good news is that our Tim can write. Every sentence trails a floaty scarf. A few of them have a floppy hat over one eye." (Don Walker) "Artfully written and reflective ... descriptive, insightful and anecdote-rich." ( Herald Sun) Members Reviews: Loved Tim's reading I enjoyed listening to Tim Roger narrate his memoir, it's like listening to someone tell you personal stories. Every now and then he'll even throw in a song.

The Wedding Audiobook by Alphie McCourt

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Alphie McCourt) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 20:08:60 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Wedding Author: Alphie McCourt Narrator: Alphie McCourt Format: Unabridged Length: 16 mins Language: English Release date: 03-09-12 Publisher: Hachette Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 7 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: "Jews and Irish Catholics did not often marry each other in the 1970s. Lynn and I did. A few mishaps, an AWOL rabbi, a long delay and a riotous reception, all combined for a hugely memorable day." Members Reviews: A short make that is a tale of the wedding between an Irish Catholic and a Jew in the 1970's. Heard THE WEDDING (Hachette Audio) by Alphie McCourt . . . it's a short--make that very short--tale of the wedding between the author, an Irish Catholic, and Jew in the 1970s . . . this did not happen very often back then . . . even making the occasion more memorable was the fact that there were a few mishaps, an AWOL rabbi, and long delay and a riotous reception . . . it was funny for what it was; i.e., a brief slice out of the author's life. This apparently is an audible book that can only be purchased online . . . the $1.95 price is cheap enough; however, it is only 16 minutes in length, and if you wanted to make a purchase, I'd recommend considering A LONG STONE'S THROW, also by the McCourt. . . I'm pretty sure that is where this tale comes from . . . and a lot more details about his life.

A Writer's Life Audiobook by Gay Talese

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Gay Talese) — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 06:33:06 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: A Writer's Life Author: Gay Talese Narrator: Arthur Morey Format: Unabridged Length: 20 hrs and 49 mins Language: English Release date: 04-19-06 Publisher: Books on Tape Ratings: 2.5 of 5 out of 10 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Here are his amateur beginnings on his college newspaper; his professional climb at The New York Times; his desire to write on a larger canvas, which led him to magazine writing at Esquire and then to books. In these and other recollections and stories, Talese gives us a fascinating picture of both the serendipity and meticulousness involved in getting a story. He makes clear that every one of us represents a good one, if a writer has the curiosity to know it, the diligence to pursue it, and the desire to get it right. Candid, humorous, deeply impassioned, a dazzling book about the nature of writing in one man's life, and of writing itself. Critic Reviews: "This is a near-perfect expression of Talese's inquisitive personality, an inquisitiveness that has led to some of the outstanding journalism of the past few decades." (Publishers Weekly) Members Reviews: A Pastiche I never read a book by Gay Talese before, so I thought this would be what the intro claimed. It had some of his life but also a lot of it seems to be unused stories and essays he never sold, combined into a pastiche. I would avoid this unless your a real fan of his writing. It contains more, much more, about the Bobbits, John and Lauraina than you ever want to know as well as more about the NYC restaurant business.

What Does This Button Do? Audiobook by Bruce Dickinson

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Bruce Dickinson) — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 17:55:20 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: What Does This Button Do? Author: Bruce Dickinson Narrator: Bruce Dickinson Format: Unabridged Length: 11 hrs and 5 mins Language: English Release date: 10-19-17 Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 19 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: A long-awaited memoir from the larger-than-life, multifaceted lead vocalist of Iron Maiden, one of the most successful, influential and enduring rock bands ever. Pioneers of Britain's nascent Rock & Metal scene back in the late 1970s, Iron Maiden smashed its way to the top, thanks in no small part to the high-octane performances, operatic singing style, and stage presence of its second but twice-longest-serving lead singer, Bruce Dickinson. As Iron Maiden's front man - first from 1981 to 1993, and then from 1999 to the present - Dickinson has been, and remains, a man of legend. But OTT frontman is just one of the many hats Bruce wears. In addition to being one of the world's most storied and well-respected singers and songwriters, he is an airline captain, aviation entrepreneur, motivational speaker, beer brewer, novelist, radio presenter, and film scriptwriter. He has also competed as a world-class level fencer. Often credited as a genuine polymath, Bruce, in his own words (and handwritten script in the first instance!), sets forth many personal observations guaranteed to inspire curious souls and hard-core fans alike. Dickinson turns his unbridled creativity, passion, and anarchic humour to reveal some fascinating stories from his life, including his 30 years with Maiden, his solo career, his childhood within the eccentric British school system, his early bands, fatherhood and family, and his recent battle with cancer. Bold, honest, intelligent and very funny, What Does This Button Do? is an up-close look inside the life, heart, and mind of one of the most unique and interesting men in the world - a true icon of rock. Members Reviews: Amazing I loved the story of Mr. Dickinson and, even though first in doubt whether I should go exactly for the audio version, I don't regret it. Now, that I've finished the book, I already miss the voice of a new friend. Dissapointed.... Leaving out all of the personal stuff from family and close friends made this book feel aloof. What is the point of a personal memoir if the really important and learning stuff of life is gone. I think family deserves at least a footnote of space. Scream for me Audible A brilliant audio book. I couldnt wait to listen to Bruce telling his own story! Wasnt disappointed. A very well written autobiography. I really enjoyed this book. So often autobiographies are self indulgent, full of rambling anecdotes aimed at self justification, but this is a tight, disciplined book with a coherent and interesting narrative. There is a very nice balance between the music and his other interests and nice bits of travelogue when describing his visits to foreign shores. To be honest the delivery was a bit Clarksonesque but easily forgivable in light of such wonderful story telling. Some parts made me laugh out loud whilst others made me feel sad, but Dickinson never deliberately tweeks the heart strings. All in all a fine piece of work, well worthy of the fascinating life it seeks to portray. Interesting even if you're not a Maiden fan Didn't really know anything about Bruce or Iron Maiden but thoroughly enjoyed his narration and the story.

While My Guitar Gently Weeps Audiobook by Simon Leng

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Simon Leng) — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 03:30:45 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: While My Guitar Gently Weeps Subtitle: The Music of George Harrison Author: Simon Leng Narrator: Simon Leng Format: Unabridged Length: 10 hrs and 50 mins Language: English Release date: 02-26-14 Publisher: Hal Leonard Corporation Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 37 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Far from being "the quiet one," George Harrison was a writer and arranger of terrific power and beauty, and his guitar playing was fundamental to the Beatles' sound and success. Now fully revised and expanded, this new edition of While My Guitar Gently Weeps: The Music of George Harrison is the most comprehensive evaluation of George Harrison's musical career ever published. Treating each of Harrison's songs with unprecedented analysis, author Simon Leng reveals Harrison's eclectic approach from teenage Nashville twang through Indian raga, psychedelia, gospel, soul, and pure pop and thoroughly defines Harrison's role in the Beatles. First-hand accounts of the Concert for Bangladesh and the making of All Things Must Pass take the reader deep into the most fertile and controversial periods of Harrison's long solo career that culminated with Brainwashed. Enhanced with insights from key figures who worked closely with Harrison throughout his extraordinary career, While My Guitar Gently Weeps is a remarkably stirring study and portrait of a great artist whose musical and spiritual quest changed the lives of millions of people around the world while redefining popular music and rock 'n' roll. Members Reviews: Essential Harrison What did you love best about While My Guitar Gently Weeps? The author rolls back the long shadows cast by John Lennon and Paul McCartney and reveals George Harrison to be an artist and composer of the first rank. What was one of the most memorable moments of While My Guitar Gently Weeps? When the author tips us off to some of George's lesser-known gems, including "Long, Long, Long," "The Inner Light," "Your Love is Forever," and "Deep Blue." Have you listened to any of Simon Lengs other performances before? How does this one compare? No, but he does a good job. He certainly knows his subject--and the music scene. Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry? Few books about the Beatles accord Harrison the respect he deserves as a composer. Leng's book does so--and that makes it necessary and important. Any additional comments? For George Harrison fans, While My Guitar Gently Weeps is essential reading Wonderful tribute to an underestimated musician Where does While My Guitar Gently Weeps rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far? It is better than average What was one of the most memorable moments of While My Guitar Gently Weeps? Too many to name Have you listened to any of Simon Lengs other performances before? How does this one compare? No Any additional comments? This is the best in-depth look at George Harrison's MUSIC-not his ex Beatle history- that Ive heard or read. Harrison's spiritual opus, All Things Must Pass is still relevant today, almost 45 years after it was recorded. Leng goes through every detail of ATMP, but he also follows Harrison into the 1990's and delves deeply into his more current tunes as well as his last concert. It is very evident that Leng is quite a Harrison fan. A great audio book for lovers of Harrison's music, wit and infinite compassion. As an aside, one reviewer states that Leng is a horrible narrator.

A Rare Recording of Aldous Huxley Audiobook by Aldous Huxley

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Aldous Huxley) — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 19:03:30 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: A Rare Recording of Aldous Huxley Author: Aldous Huxley Narrator: Aldous Huxley Format: Original Recording Length: 9 mins Language: English Release date: 10-31-16 Publisher: Listen & Live Audio, Inc. Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 3 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Aldous Huxley (1894-1963) was an English writer and philosopher. He was best known for his novels Brave New World and The Doors of Perception. Early in his career, Huxley edited the Oxford Poetry magazine and wrote travel articles, film stories, and scripts. He later became interested in spiritual subjects such as parapsychology and philosophical mysticism, including universalism. He was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in seven different years. This recording is from a speech in which he discusses Brave New World and George Orwell's Animal Farm.

Great Masters: Stravinsky - His Life and Music Audiobook by The Great Courses

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (The Great Courses) — Mon, 08 Jul 2013 09:03:50 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Great Masters: Stravinsky - His Life and Music Author: The Great Courses Narrator: Professor Robert Greenberg Format: Original Recording Length: 6 hrs and 19 mins Language: English Release date: 07-08-13 Publisher: The Great Courses Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 84 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Stravinsky composed what is arguably one of the two most important musical compositions of the twentieth century, The Rite of Spring. He forged a new "musical language" to portray the sense of the ballet's primitive and earthy theme. More than a dozen excerpts of Stravinsky's works are examined. PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio. Members Reviews: Right Up the Middle After a very disappointing Wagner course followed by a stupendous Shostakovich course, I decided to put Greenberg in the lineup once again. This course started rather pleasantly with solid biographical background and excellent musical analysis of Stravinsky's early life and works. There's the typical Greenberg train wreck at about mid way through. He launches into a sort of "whose on first" dialogue about Stravinsky and another artist discussing a new piece. Again, the jokes. This time we get a full routine smack in the middle of a serious discussion about World War 1 and the Russian Revolution. From there out, we get the usual corny Greenberg humor but not in as strong an application as usual. Perhaps his seemingly endless parody satisfied the frustrated comedian long enough to limp through the remaining lectures without need to ham it up? I did learn from the course and enjoyed it for the most part. I am, however, weary of Greenberg's jokes which detract much from the subject matter. If you want to learn a bit about Stravinsky and get some insight into the technical aspects of his music, buy the course knowing you'll have to endure some bad humor. The Great Courses should consider adding a couple of other music experts to their stable. It would be wonderful to have some variety in this category. While not a home run, the course is a hit that will get you to first base of Stravinsky understanding. It's got some solid content and Greenberg obviously knows his stuff. Scale way back on the sophomoric humor and this would be a much better course. Greatest 20th century composer I like Robert Greenberg has done it again, Learn about the great Stravinsky and go to the ballet. Hunt up Dumbarton Oaks for a listen and you will be pleased with the results. I enjoy these great courses very much. I have now listened to all the composers that Robert has recorded, very enjoyable. So much fun very informative about his life and music. enjoyable. I intend to buy some of Stravinsky' s music work very soon. Well done This is a good introduction to Stravinsky and his most beloved compositions including The Rite of Spring, Petrushka and his later works. Prof. Greenberg speaks clearly with good diction and displays a clear love and appreciation for Stravinsky's varied works. My one problem is that the course does feel a bit rushed at times (and Greenberg even says such!). Why not give the proper amount of time necessary to cover all of Stravinsky? Overall though, it's a nice course to listen through. Greensberg presents the character of Stravinksy Greensberg is engaging, comedic and relatable in his lecture style biography of Stravinsky. He talks not only of his life but offers great education about his compositional style and insets musical samples of his work where appropriate.

What Happened, Miss Simone? Audiobook by Alan Light

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Alan Light) — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 16:37:52 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: What Happened, Miss Simone? Subtitle: A Biography Author: Alan Light Narrator: Adenrele Ojo Format: Unabridged Length: 10 hrs and 9 mins Language: English Release date: 02-09-16 Publisher: Random House Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 34 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Inspired by the critically acclaimed Netflix documentary What Happened, Miss Simone?, an intimate and vivid look at the legendary life of Nina Simone, the classically trained pianist who evolved into a chart-topping chanteuse and committed civil rights activist. From music journalist and former Spin and Vibe editor in chief Alan Light comes a biography of incandescent soul singer and black power icon Nina Simone, one of the most influential, provocative, and least understood artists of our time. Drawn from a trove of rare archival footage, audio recordings, and interviews (including Simone's remarkable private diaries), this nuanced examination of Nina Simone's life highlights her musical inventiveness and unwavering quest for equality while laying bare the personal demons that plagued her from the time of her Jim Crow childhood in North Carolina to her self-imposed exile in Liberia and Paris later in life. Harnessing the singular voice of Miss Simone herself and incorporating candid reflections from those who knew her best, including her only daughter, Light brings us face to face with a legend, examining the very public persona and very private struggles of one of our greatest artists. Critic Reviews: "Alan Light has written an electrifying, humane, and dimensional biography of one of my favorite artists in the entire world. I learned so much about a woman I admire, the woman whose fiery piano and voice is a powerful reminder of what artists are meant to do! What Happened, Miss Simone? captures how unique and real she was...." (Alicia Keys) "A spellbinding portrait of a musical genius, a woman both ahead of her time and of it. In What Happened, Miss Simone?, Alan Light resurrects the High Priestess of Soul with profound sympathy and masterful storytelling." (Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson, author of Mo' Meta Blues and Something to Food About) "Nina Simone was an overwhelming artist, piano player, and singer - the kind of artist that I loved and admired." (Bob Dylan) Members Reviews: I love the story an Adenrele Ojo is the best !!!!! I love the story of nina simone well written, Adenrele Ojo is a excellent narrator.. all things about this book were fabulous The honesty is jolting. The beautiful, talented, and gifted woman portrayed here is flawed and stunning. The author gives you a real look at a complex life lived. I loved Ms. Simone before this book . I absolutely adore her after experiencing this book. Fascinating read Fascinating read by a good narrator. I enjoyed learning more about Nina Simone. I was curious about her relationship with our former prime minister and I wish she could have been helped more with her emotional/mental health challenges. Loved It! This book moved me to create a playlist so I could refer to songs as Iistened. I've admired the persona of Ms. Simone through her song. I had no idea she endured as much as she had. She was incredibly blessed to have so many people who never stopped showing her love. Her daughter is a real champion in my eyes. Very good account of Ms. Simon's life she was so very gifted but she never received the love she needed so she was not capable of giving love to her daughter she was suffering and being abused her whole life.

My Soul Looks Back Audiobook by Jessica B. Harris

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Jessica B. Harris) — Tue, 09 May 2017 23:54:51 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: My Soul Looks Back Subtitle: A Memoir Author: Jessica B. Harris Narrator: Jessica B. Harris Format: Unabridged Length: 6 hrs and 13 mins Language: English Release date: 05-09-17 Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc. Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 16 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: In the Technicolor glow of the early 70s, Jessica B. Harris debated, celebrated, and danced her way from the jazz clubs of the Manhattan's West Side to the restaurants of the Village, living out her buoyant youth alongside the great minds of the day - luminaries like Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, and Toni Morrison. My Soul Looks Back is her paean to that fascinating social circle and the depth of their shared commitment to activism, intellectual engagement, and each other. Harris paints evocative portraits of her illustrious friends: Baldwin as he read aloud an early draft of If Beale Street Could Talk, Angelou cooking in her California kitchen, and Morrison relaxing at Baldwin's house in Provence. Harris describes her role as theater critic for the New York Amsterdam News and editor at then burgeoning Essence magazine; star-studded parties in the South of France; drinks at Mikell's, a hip West Side club; and the simple joy these extraordinary people took in each other's company. The book is framed by Harris' relationship with Sam Floyd, a fellow professor at Queens College, who introduced her to Baldwin. More than a memoir of friendship and first love, My Soul Looks Back is a carefully crafted, intimately understood homage to a bygone era and the people that made it so remarkable. Members Reviews: Great read Very well crafted memoir which in poignant ways underscores the reality that the choices one makes in ones twenties can lay the foundation for ones life. Ms. Harris's parents prepared her to embrace the world with an openness and confidence that serve her well. This is a wonderful story told with honesty and compassion. Her relationships with the gifted artists and writers of her time were amazing. Bravo!

Essays Audiobook by Wallace Shawn

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Wallace Shawn) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 12:31:06 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Essays Author: Wallace Shawn Narrator: Wallace Shawn Format: Unabridged Length: 4 hrs and 42 mins Language: English Release date: 07-20-10 Publisher: Haymarket Books Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 14 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Whether writing about the genesis of his plays, such as Aunt Dan and Lemon; discussing how the privileged world of arts and letters takes for granted the work of the unobtrusives", the people who serve our food and deliver our mail; or describing his upbringing in the sheltered world of Manhattans cultural elite, Shawn reveals a unique ability to step back from the appearance of things to explore their deeper social meanings. He grasps contradictions, even when unpleasant, and challenges us to look, as he does, at our own behavior in a more honest light. He also finds the pathos in the political and personal challenges of everyday life. Critic Reviews: Full of what you might call conversation starters: tricky propositions about morality... politics, privilege, runaway nationalist fantasies, collective guilt, and art as a force for change (or not)...Its a treat to hear him speak his curious mind. (O Magazine) Wally Shawns essays are both powerful and riveting. How rare to encounter someone willing to question the assumptions of class and the disparity of wealth that grows wider every year in this country. To have such a gentle and incisive soul willing to say what others may be afraid to is considerably refreshing. (Michael Moore) Wallace Shawn is a bracing antidote to the op-ed dreariness of political and artistic journalism in the West. He takes you back to the days when intellectuals had the wit and concentration to formulate great questions - and to make the reader want to answer them. (David Hare, playwright) Members Reviews: A disappointment on two counts. Like probably a lot of people, I know Wallace Shawn best from his roles in "My Dinner with André" and "Princess Bride". I've never seen one of his plays, and although I suppose I must have read one or more of the essays that originally appeared in "The Nation" I don't remember them. That should have tipped me off that the essays are, in fact, pretty unmemorable. I was hoping for more wit and play of intellect, but Wallace Shawn is basically a semi-intellectual: he knows his way around the neighborhood of ideas but hasn't built many original ones. This is abundantly clear in the interview with a genuine intellectual, Noam Chomsky, that is included here, the best thing in the book I'd say: even if you loathe Chomsky's politics you have to concede his brilliance in marshalling evidence and putting together an argument. Shawn, in contrast, stays at the level of generalities in most of these pieces. Second, even if you're a huge fan of Shawn you might be better off with the printed version of the book. Unless you have excellent hearing, this is not an audiobook for the car or anyplace with much background noise: Shawn's dynamic range goes way up and down, and if you set a volume that won't hurt your ears during his forceful passages you're likely to miss half of a sentence when he drops back to near a whisper.

The Genius of Jane Austen Audiobook by Paula Byrne

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Paula Byrne) — Thu, 18 May 2017 15:24:05 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Genius of Jane Austen Subtitle: Her Love of Theatre and Why She Is a Hit in Hollywood Author: Paula Byrne Narrator: Antonia Beamish Format: Unabridged Length: 11 hrs and 44 mins Language: English Release date: 05-18-17 Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: A radical look at Jane Austen as you've never seen her - as a lover of farce, comic theatre and juvenilia. The Genius of Jane Austen celebrates Britain's favourite novelist 200 years after her death and explores why her books make such awesome movies time after time. Jane Austen loved the theatre. She learned much of her art from a long tradition of English comic drama and took joyous participation in amateur theatricals. Her juvenilia, then Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park and Emma, were shaped by the arts of theatrical comedy. Her admiration for drama's dialogue, characterisation, plotting, exits and entrances is why she has been dramatised so successfully onscreen in the last 20 years - and these versions are at the centre of her continuing fame, culminating in her celebration on the 10 note. Austen expert and author of The Real Jane Austen Paula Byrne looks at stage adaptations of Austen's novels (including one called Miss Elizabeth Bennet by A. A. Milne) to modern classics, including the BBC Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion, Emma Thompson's Sense and Sensibility and the phenomenally brilliant and successful Clueless. The Genius of Jane Austen presents an Austen not of prim manners and genteel calm but filled with wild comedy and outrageous behaviour. Critic Reviews: "The best book on Jane Austen I have ever read." (Paul Johnson, The Spectator) Members Reviews: Five Stars Great! A must-read for all Janeites Paula Byrneâs âThe Genius of Jane Austenâ is subtitled âHer Love and Theatre and Why she is a Hit in Hollywoodâ and represents an expanded edition of her critically acclaimed 2002 book âJane Austen and the Theatreâ in which the central thesis was that Austenâs comic genius was decisively shaped by her love of theatre. The book charts Austenâs interest in drama, originating in private family theatricals (sometimes wholly written by the Austen family), and developing through her attending professional performances in London, Bath and Southampton, before explaining how the theatre influenced Austenâs comedic fiction. This influence is most obvious in relation to the rehearsals of Kotzebueâs play âLoverâs Vowsâ which dominates the first quarter of âMansfield Parkâ. Byrne not only considers this in great detail but combs all of Austenâs novels and even her juvenilia to justify her view that Austen was much influenced by drama both thematically and stylistically.

Bleaker House Audiobook by Nell Stevens

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Nell Stevens) — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 00:59:46 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Bleaker House Subtitle: Chasing My Novel to the End of the World Author: Nell Stevens Narrator: Nell Stevens Format: Unabridged Length: 7 hrs and 11 mins Language: English Release date: 03-14-17 Publisher: Random House Audio Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 34 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: A whimsical blend of memoir and travelogue, laced with wry writing advice, Bleaker House is a story of creative struggle that brilliantly captures the self-torture of the writing life. Twenty-seven-year-old Nell Stevens was determined to write a novel, but life kept getting in the way. Then came a game-changing opportunity: she won a fellowship that would let her spend three months, all expenses paid, anywhere in the world to research and write a book. Would she choose a glittering metropolis, a romantic village, an exotic paradise? Not exactly. Nell chose Bleaker Island, a snowy, windswept pile of rock in the Falklands. There, in a guesthouse where she would be the only guest, she could finally rid herself of distractions and write. In three months, surely she'd have a novel. And sure enough, other than sheep, penguins, paranoia, and the weather, there aren't many distractions on Bleaker. Nell gets to work on a delightful Dickensian fiction she calls Bleaker House - only to discover that total isolation and 1,100 calories a day are far from ideal conditions for literary production. With deft humor, the memoir traces Nell's island days and slowly reveals details of the life and people she has left behind in pursuit of her writing. They pop up in her novel, too, and in other fictional pieces that dot the book. It seems that there is nowhere Nell can run - an island or the pages of her notebook - to escape the big questions of love, art, and ambition. As Nell races to finish her book, Bleaker House marks the arrival of a remarkable literary talent. Members Reviews: Maybe more interesting if you are writer? This book had so much potential, but nothing really happened. Maybe it would be better if I was a writer? The writing was interesting to listen to, but there was not much to the plot. Like one long episode of Seinfeld. I know how hard authors work and I know how hard writing is, so leaving a negative review of this book feels like I'm being a big jerk. However, I don't want people to sit through something if they're expecting a story. I feel like this had so much potential on so many levels but it ended up being a story about nothing. The little short stories in between were hard to differentiate from her musings when listening to the book on audible. Maybe it look different in print and would have been easier to pick out. In my head just listening it all sort of ran together like one big blob. I initially wanted to read this because all of the setting. I desperately wanted something to happen in this book. I kept listening in high hopes that something would happen. But then, nothing did. The author's voice was difficult to listen to compared to audible's typical professional Voice actors. If you enjoy books about the writing process this book is for you. If you're looking for anything else just skip it and save yourself eight hours. Innocent-sounding young narrator and writer Not so innocent as the story unfolds, unbraiding the threads of her own short life, longer family history, and all in the blistering weather of the Falklands. I admired it but didn't love it. it was a bit more workmanlike than inspiring.

Pain, Parties, Work Audiobook by Elizabeth Winder

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Elizabeth Winder) — Tue, 28 May 2013 18:23:38 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Pain, Parties, Work Subtitle: Sylvia Plath in New York, Summer 1953 Author: Elizabeth Winder Narrator: Xe Sands Format: Unabridged Length: 5 hrs and 29 mins Language: English Release date: 05-28-13 Publisher: HarperAudio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 39 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: "I dreamed of New York; I am going there." On May 31, 1953, 23-year-old Sylvia Plath arrived in New York City for a one-month stint at "the intellectual fashion magazine" Mademoiselle to be a guest editor for its prestigious annual college issue. Over the next 26 days, the bright, blond New England collegian lived at the Barbizon Hotel, attended Balanchine ballets, watched a game at Yankee Stadium, and danced at the West Side Tennis Club. She typed rejection letters to writers from The New Yorker and ate an entire bowl of caviar at an advertising luncheon. She stalked Dylan Thomas and fought off an aggressive diamond-wielding delegate from the United Nations. She took hot baths, had her hair done, and discovered her signature drink (vodka, no ice). Young, beautiful, and on the cusp of an advantageous career, she was supposed to be having the time of her life. Drawing on in-depth interviews with fellow guest editors whose memories infuse these pages, Elizabeth Winder reveals how these 26 days indelibly altered how Plath saw herself, her mother, her friendships, and her romantic relationships, and how this period shaped her emerging identity as a woman and as a writer. Pain, Parties, Work - the three words Plath used to describe that time - shows how Manhattan's alien atmosphere unleashed an anxiety that would stay with her for the rest of her all-too-short life. Thoughtful and illuminating, this captivating portrait invites us to see Sylvia Plath before The Bell Jar, before she became an icon - a young woman with everything to live for. Members Reviews: Things about Mademoiselle Magazine I never knew I came of age when Mademoiselle Magazine was not all beauty and fashion as it seems today. I also envied the girls that were chosen to be interns for the month of June and live at the Barbizon. By the time I was in college Mademoiselle no longer published articles about writers and politics and the arts plus fashion. Plus the intern program has lost its momentum. The 60's were taking their toll. However it is always interesting to see the underbelly of glamorous.

Island Home Audiobook by Tim Winton

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Tim Winton) — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 01:38:38 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Island Home Subtitle: A Landscape Memoir Author: Tim Winton Narrator: David Tredinnick Format: Unabridged Length: 5 hrs and 2 mins Language: English Release date: 10-01-15 Publisher: Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 9 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: 'I grew up on the world's largest island.' This apparently simple fact is the starting point for Tim Winton's beautiful, evocative and sometimes provocative memoir of how this unique landscape has shaped him and his writing. For over 30 years, Winton has written novels in which the natural world is as much a living presence as any character. What is true of his work is also true of his life: from boyhood, his relationship with the world around him - rock pools, sea caves, scrub and swamp - was as vital as any other connection. Camping in hidden inlets of the southeast, walking in the high rocky desert fringe, diving at Ningaloo Reef, bobbing in the sea between sets, Winton has felt the place seep into him, with its rhythms, its dangers, its strange sustenance, and learned to see landscape as a living process. Island Home is the story of how that relationship with the Australian landscape came to be and how it has determined his ideas, his writing and his life. It is also a passionate exhortation for all of us to feel the ground beneath our feet. Much more powerfully than a political idea or an economy, Australia is a physical entity. Where we are defines who we are in ways we too often forget, to our detriment and the country's. Wise, rhapsodic, exalted - Island Home is not just a brilliant, moving insight into the life and art of one of our finest writers but a compelling investigation into the way our country makes us who we are. Critic Reviews: "At times, this audiobook is poetic, and narrator David Tredinnick gives a languid and dreamy narration.... There is no more perfect fit for an Australian memoir that ranges from meditative beauty to disbelieving anger than Tredinnick. It's pure listening joy." (AudioFile) Members Reviews: Very moving As an Australian living overseas (And terribly homesick) this book resonated very strongly. It should be compulsory reading for us all! The narration is perfect, too What does it really mean to be an Australian? As an Australian who has lived in Europe for the last five years, I found Winton's description of what it feels like to be an Australian (especially when overseas) to be spot on. This was a truly pleasurable read by one of our literary greats. I can't wait to give a copy to my girlfriend. review narrator took some getting used to. amazing story, I'll have to actually read it one day Excellent listening Thought provoking account of being Australian and living in this harsh and majestic place If you enjoy Tim Winton's novels and his writing style this is worth listening too Thank you Tim for your insights Not so much of a story as an essay on how we inhabit the country Excellently read by David Tredenick

A Train Through Time Audiobook by Elizabeth Farnsworth

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Elizabeth Farnsworth) — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 20:00:60 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: A Train Through Time Subtitle: A Life, Real and Imagined Author: Elizabeth Farnsworth Narrator: Elizabeth Farnsworth Format: Unabridged Length: 3 hrs and 4 mins Language: English Release date: 02-14-17 Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc. Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 12 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: How much of our memory is constructed by imagination? And how does memory shape our lives? As a nine-year old, Elizabeth Farnsworth struggled to understand the loss of her mother. On a cross-country trip with her father, the heartsick child searches for her mother at train stations along the way. Even more, she confronts mysteries: death, time, and a mysteriously locked compartment on the train. Weaving a child's experiences with memories from reporting in danger zones like Cambodia and Iraq, Farnsworth explores how she came to cover mass death and disaster. While she never breaks the tone of a curious investigator, she easily moves between her nine-year-old self and the experienced journalist. Imagination is at play in her childhood adventures and in her narrative control, always with great purpose. She openly confronts the impact of her childhood on the route her life has taken. And, as she provides one beautifully crafted depiction after another, we share her journey, coming to know the acclaimed reporter as she discovers herself. Farnsworth's curiosity lingers though every minute of A Train through Time: A Life, Real and Imagined, and so does the making of a powerfully driven woman. Members Reviews: A delightful read I really liked this book. The author tells some very interesting stories. The parts about her childhood (some true and some fictional) are well done and quite sentimental. The parts about her assignments for PBS are incredible, educational, and sometimes heartbreaking. Really worth reading. A Journey from Kansas to a war torn world It is a thought provoking, almost poetic exploration of loss and risk. Thank you for this honest journey. Intriguing hybrid memoir A fascinating, complicated, and beautifully written memoir in which Farnsworth looks at key moments from her years reporting in various countries, periods with intense political and historical implications, and finds a way to capture the emotional core of these moments in a way that is very personal. Equally compelling is the baseline story that runs through the book, of the train trip that she took as a child with her father, traveling from Kansas to San Francisco and covering terrain that is heartbreaking, compelling, and surprising (for both writer and reader). Great disappointment. The two time sections never linked thematically Great disappointment. The two time sections never linked thematically; the "adult" journalist so sketchy not revealing at all. And it turns out the best part of the "train" section was a fiction in what is supposed to be a memoir. Interesting mix of fact and fiction This was a very quick read. It only took me a few hours. But they were a very interesting few hours. I loved the book. The author draws from her own experiences (It's semi-autobiographical) and mixes it with fictional of events of her characters lives.Passed it on to my Mother right away.

Public Confessions of a Middle Aged Woman Audiobook by Sue Townsend

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Sue Townsend) — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 21:24:14 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Public Confessions of a Middle Aged Woman Author: Sue Townsend Narrator: Carolyn Oldershaw Format: Unabridged Length: 8 hrs and 2 mins Language: English Release date: 01-01-13 Publisher: Whole Story Audiobooks Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 5 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Collected now for the first time, these columns from one of Britains most popular and acclaimed writers are funny, perceptive, and touching. Members Reviews: A bit of a let down I didnt realise this book is a collection of short (real life) stories. I was hoping it was a novel much like The Woman Who Went to Bed for a Year. I was expecting another good laugh but was sorely disappointed. The narrator, Carolyn Oldershaw, has a dreary, depressing voice and I was often left feeling down after listening. Cant say I would recommend this book if youre looking for something light hearted and fun. bring back adrian mole really dull, nothing at all like the adrian mole books. Just endless short scenarios that weren't even remotely funny.

Tennessee Williams Audiobook by John Lahr

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (John Lahr) — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 12:35:59 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Tennessee Williams Subtitle: Mad Pilgrimage of the Flesh Author: John Lahr Narrator: Elizabeth Ashley Format: Unabridged Length: 26 hrs and 32 mins Language: English Release date: 09-22-14 Publisher: Brilliance Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 150 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: The definitive biography of America's greatest playwright from the celebrated drama critic of The New Yorker. John Lahr has produced a theater biography like no other. Tennessee Williams: Mad Pilgrimage of the Flesh gives intimate access to the mind of one of the most brilliant dramatists of his century, whose plays reshaped the American theater and the nation's sense of itself. This astute, deeply researched biography sheds a light on Tennessee Williams's warring family, his guilt, his creative triumphs and failures, his sexuality and numerous affairs, his misreported death, even the shenanigans surrounding his estate. With vivid cameos of the formative influences in Williams's life - his fierce, belittling father Cornelius; his puritanical, domineering mother Edwina; his demented sister Rose, who was lobotomized at the age of thirty-three; his beloved grandfather, the Reverend Walter Dakin - Tennessee Williams: Mad Pilgrimage of the Flesh is as much a biography of the man who created A Streetcar Named Desire, The Glass Menagerie, and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof as it is a trenchant exploration of Williamss plays and the tortured process of bringing them to stage and screen. The portrait of Williams himself is unforgettable: a virgin until he was twenty-six, he had serial homosexual affairs thereafter as well as long-time, bruising relationships with Pancho Gonzalez and Frank Merlo. With compassion and verve, Lahr explores how Williams's relationships informed his work and how the resulting success brought turmoil to his personal life. Members Reviews: A question for the audio engineers Where does Tennessee Williams rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far? I'm sure it would rank high for content, but I found the audiobook difficult to focus on for one reason. What was one of the most memorable moments of Tennessee Williams? Didn't get that far. What do you think the narrator could have done better? Elizabeth Ashley can do no wrong, and what was unfortunate about the reading could have been corrected by a sound editor. Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you? Again, had to stop listening pretty early on. Any additional comments? There was one annoying thing about this audiobook--you hear the narrator, again and again, taking in breath between, and often during, sentences. The sound of the air going into her mouth is so loud that it's hard to focus on anything else. A good sound editor should have been able to mute all of these inhales. Pauses are much easier to take than these gasps for air. It would be really great if someone from the company that recorded this book could make those edits and then announce on this page that they have done it so those of us who have purchased the book could re-download the corrected version. Riveting I have been on the lookout for a biography of Tennessee Williams for some times. John Lahr is a well known biographer and drama critic so when his biography of Williams came out I bought it. It is a long but well written critical biography of the famous playwright. Williams died in 1983. Williams famously fictionalized and immortalized his dysfunctional family in his drama The Glass Menagerie which premiered on Broadway in 1945. Other famous plays are A Streetcar Named Desire 1947, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof 1955.

Leni Audiobook by Steven Bach

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Steven Bach) — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 05:50:60 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Leni Subtitle: The Life and Work of Leni Riefenstahl Author: Steven Bach Narrator: Henrietta Tiefenthaler Format: Unabridged Length: 14 hrs and 26 mins Language: English Release date: 04-30-07 Publisher: Phoenix Books Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 16 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: We see Riefenstahl at the age of 100 as someone who could face the cameras to announce that, as a member of Greenpeace, she mourned the fates of sea creatures that die in transport from their native habitats to the aquariums of the world, but could not express remorse for the millions of Jews, gypsies, and others murdered by the Third Reich and the Fuhrer she elevated to myth. Critic Reviews: "A lively, incisive look at a compelling and somewhat appalling figure who demonstrated that beauty isn't always truth." (Publishers Weekly) Members Reviews: Good book bad narrator I liked the book but I had trouble with the narrator. I am not sure what type of accent she has or if she has any training for speaking but it seemed to me she was awful. I struggled to understand her in some places and she mispronounces many common english words. She detracts from the story. I am not sure what qualifications she brought to the job as at least as an english speaker she is lacking. Disappointing Narrator I was looking forward to this audio release after seeing positive reviews of the book. After several hours of listening, I find the book to be interesting but the quality of the narration to be terrible. The reader, Henrietta Tiefenthaler, is by a wide margin the single the weakest reader I've heard (and I've listened to more than a hundred titles). Her voice sounds entirely untrained, words are mispronounced, and it often sounds like the reader can't "get her mouth fully around the words". A big disappointment -- listen to an excerpt before purchasing if you can. LISTEND TO THE FIRST 3 MINUTES AND HAD ENOUGH This book wasnt for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more? A deaf person may enjoy this book.. Would you recommend Leni to your friends? Why or why not? horrible narrator with accent too harsh for a long book.. Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Henrietta Tiefenthaler? she is horrible. Any additional comments? Avoid this book Leni biography For years I wanted to know more about her life every since I saw her life story on the show Biography . This book answered all of my questions .

Edgar Allan Poe Audiobook by Kurt Thomas

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Kurt Thomas) — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 06:44:34 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Edgar Allan Poe Subtitle: The Life of a Genius Who Was Misunderstood Author: Kurt Thomas Narrator: Jim D Johnston Format: Unabridged Length: 3 hrs and 9 mins Language: English Release date: 12-29-15 Publisher: WE CANT BE BEAT LLC Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 2 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Edgar Allan Poe is a name synonymous with horror stories. In popular culture he is imaged with a black, ominous raven on his arm, while the slight smirk on his face could be an indication of a secret he knows which we don't. His influence ranges beyond just appearing in a few episodes of The Simpsons and being the inspiration for the name of a football team. The story of his life is almost as interesting as his own poems and works of fiction. How many broken hearts did he leave behind? Has science been able to prove the cause of his mysterious death? Who is the stealthy hooded man who left a bottle of cognac and three roses at his grave for 75 years? The mysteries of Poe's own life have fueled the persona surrounding his character. Discover old letters that were exchanged between him and his friends, letters he wrote to the women who loved him, and the circumstances of his own death. Deduce for yourself whether the literary genius that is celebrated the world over was a madman or just an ordinary man of letters who was trying to make a living. Members Reviews: Nice book if you want a quick biographical overview of the life of Edgar A. Poe. This was actually an interesting book. I picked it because I know OF Edgar A. Poe. I don't know ABOUT him. The book did an excellent job at detailing the complexity of Edgar Allan Poe balanced against the myths about him. The book was easy to comprehend and focused primarily on his struggles to fulfill his dream to make a livelihood as a writer (something I found inspiring as a writer myself) in an era where that kind of thing didn't happened, his relationships, and his battles. Along the way, the book talks about some of the early influences (like his stepmother and father) and continuing influences throughout his life. NO LIGHT SHED UPON THE SUBJECT HERE I was expecting something more scholarly and backed by research. Instead there is a lot of conjecture .In fact, every paragraph has at least some conjecture. Also, I don't think a biographer/researcher should apologize for or dismiss actions that show their subject as less than perfect. I also expected that the author of this book would know EAP's literary output inside and out. There is at least one incorrect date: 1929 is given as the year Poe's "foster mother" died. There were 2 other dates I meant to check, but I gave up on this book before I could do it. Disappointed to say the least. Poe's great mind Inside this book has truths and myths about Poe. It tells the life of Poe when he was a child struggling up to the point where controversy was his life for a moment and many other valuable stories about Poe. very nice story This is an elegantly composed and exceptionally enlightening memoir of Poe. This book covers all parts of his life,from conception to death and after that. Profoundly prescribed for any individual who is a devotee of his work. I recommend this book, it is touching. I am his fan and I want to thank the author for dedicating this book for him. With the story inside, I remember how and why I love him and his works. He is really inspiring. Nicely done.

J. D. Salinger: A Life Audiobook by Kenneth Slawenski

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Kenneth Slawenski) — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 00:46:24 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: J. D. Salinger: A Life Author: Kenneth Slawenski Narrator: Norman Dietz Format: Unabridged Length: 19 hrs and 17 mins Language: English Release date: 03-28-11 Publisher: Tantor Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 23 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: One of the most popular and mysterious figures in American literary history, J. D. Salinger eluded fans and journalists for most of his life. Now comes a new biography that Peter Ackroyd in the Times of London calls "energetic and magnificently researched" - a book from which "a true picture of Salinger emerges". Filled with new information and revelations garnered from countless interviews, letters, and public records, J. D. Salinger: A Life presents an extraordinary life that spanned nearly the entire 20th century. Kenneth Slawenski explores Salinger's privileged youth, long obscured by misrepresentation and rumor, revealing the brilliant, sarcastic, vulnerable son of a disapproving father and doting mother and his entrance into a social world where Gloria Vanderbilt dismissively referred to him as "a Jewish boy from New York". Here too are accounts of Salinger's first broken heart - Eugene O'Neill's daughter, Oona, left him for the much older Charlie Chaplin - and the devastating World War II service of which he never spoke, and which haunted him forever. J. D. Salinger features all the dazzle of this author's early writing successes, his dramatic encounters with luminaries from Ernest Hemingway to Laurence Olivier to Elia Kazan, his surprising office intrigues with famous New Yorker editors and writers, and the stunning triumph of The Catcher in the Rye, which would both make him world-famous and hasten his retreat into the hills of New Hampshire. Whether it's revealing the facts of his hasty, short-lived first marriage or his lifelong commitment to Eastern religion, which would dictate his attitudes toward sex, nutrition, solitude, and creativity, J. D. Salinger is this unique author's unforgettable story in full - one that no lover of literature can afford to miss. Critic Reviews: "Slawenski's life of Salinger makes at least speculative sense of a seemingly unknowable story, one that has beguiled readers for more than 50 years. That alone makes his book must reading." (Booklist) Members Reviews: Wonderful literary biography This is a thoughtful, well-written literary biography of one of the most beloved American writers of the 20th century. The book is especially strong on Salinger's service in World War II, which the author sees as a key element in explaining Salinger's later short stories as well as his masterpiece, the novel, The Catcher in the Rye. J.D. Salinger was a complex man and a complex writer and Slawenski does an excellent job of explaining the man's life and work. I was hoping to learn what happened to the manuscripts Salinger worked on during the last thirty years or so of his life, when he lived in seclusion and didn't publish anything although supposedly he wrote every day. Apparently no no knows what happened to the manuscripts after Salinger's death. This will probably remain a literary mystery and in no way detracts from Slawenski's fine biography, Highly recommended. ... always a huge fan of Salinger's writings and so enjoyed this expose of his personal life and trials I was always a huge fan of Salinger's writings and so enjoyed this expose of his personal life and trials. Thank you. CATCHER CAUGHT Kenneth Slawenski's biography of Salinger is a pleasure to read and is a much needed addition to scholarly studies on J. D.

Roughing It Audiobook by Mark Twain

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Mark Twain) — Mon, 25 Mar 2002 00:30:39 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Roughing It Subtitle: A Personal Narrative Author: Mark Twain Narrator: Norman Dietz Format: Unabridged Length: 16 hrs and 20 mins Language: English Release date: 03-25-02 Publisher: Recorded Books Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 162 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: "If there is any life that is happier than the life we led on our timber ranch, it must be the sort of life which I have not read of in books or experienced in person," wrote Mark Twain, and now you can share in that experience. The beloved American humorist spent seven years on a "pleasure trip" through the untamed wilderness of Nevada. Twain intended to spend three months touring silver mines, but the lure of rough terrain and comfortable clothes proved irresistible - as will this vibrant travelogue. (P)1987 by Recorded Books, Inc. Editorial Reviews: Norman Dietzs resonant voice, and his affable delivery, makes him the ideal actor to perform the spirited memoir Roughing It: A Personal Narrative by writer Mark Twain. This entertaining travelogue explores a seven-year journey through the wilderness of the American west. The original plan had been a mere three-month excursion to tour silver mines. Twain traveled with his brother Orion Clemens - the Secretary of Nevada Territory - and derived much humor from their adventures in unfamiliar landscapes and situations. Members Reviews: Hilarious For some reason I missed "Roughing It" in my earlier attempts at reading all of Mark Twain. My loss: it's an absolutely hilarious journey, part factual reporting, part tall tale in the best western campfire tradition. (If you're familiar with the omitted "raft chapter" in "Huckleberry Finn," you know what to expect.) One of Twain's greatest strengths is his willingness to include himself among the objects of genial mockery. This is Mark Twain the Humorist at his best. I didn't find the problems with audio quality that others reported. I agree that Fraley's recording of "Huckleberry Finn" is a superior piece of work, but Norman Dietz does a great job on this one. He's droll, unassuming, loquacious, and endearing, and he adopts one of a variety of other voices at the drop of a hat. My one complaint would be a certain breathiness of delivery -- occasional rapid delivery punctuated by sharp intakes of breath. I think this is partly a matter of recording age and technology: I find that occurring less often on more recent audiobooks. In any case, for an audiobook that gave me this much pleasure, I have to give it five stars. Funny and Entertaining I don't know why this book is not more known or read. It probably is the definitive book on the sights and sounds of the Old West, certainly moreso than the Westerns I've read. I laughed out loud listening to it, causing a bit of a stir among fellow airplane passengers. Always a favorite I've read this book numerous times since I was young, and the stories and anecdotes are always fun and entertaining. I've traveled the areas mentioned countless times, wishing I could have experienced it as Twain did. I only had one complaint about this recording. I'm sure everyone has seen jokes that get passed around the office, Xeroxed and faxed over and over until they're almost unreadable. This recording reminded me of that. The quality is extremely poor. If I had known about the audio quality beforehand, I wouldn't have purchased this recording. Don't miss this classic!!! The recording wasn't the best but who cares as long as you can make out the words! This is a unique look at Twain and the way he saw the world.

You Don't Cry out Loud Audiobook by Lily Isaacs

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Lily Isaacs) — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 19:18:44 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: You Don't Cry out Loud Subtitle: The Lily Isaacs Story Author: Lily Isaacs Narrator: Lily Isaacs Format: Unabridged Length: 6 hrs and 22 mins Language: English Release date: 06-24-14 Publisher: New Leaf Press Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 18 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: A powerful, unforgettable account of Christ's grace, mercy, and His work in their lives! A talented daughter of Holocaust survivors, Lily Isaacs is a woman who has felt pain and loss, and found the incomparable joy of a life with Jesus Christ. As a new Christian believer, she became estranged from her Jewish parents because of her faith, yet she never walked alone, always clinging to the hope she found in Christ. Throughout her music and that of her children, who together form the beloved and multi-award winning group The Isaacs, you hear the resonating inspirational legacy of this family's faith journey. Whether surviving breast cancer or a challenging career, Lily's steady refrain has been one of God's constant love, comfort, and strength. With a remarkable and unforgettable mix of acoustic, gospel, and country music, she and The Isaacs continue to inspire and entertain audiences in churches and on stage around the world! Members Reviews: Great story Thanks for sharing, you have inspired me. I'm looking forward to hearing the Issacs live. Catharsis Should Sometimes Stay Personal What would have made You Don't Cry out Loud better? If the book had been much shorter it may have been more tolerable. If youve listened to books by Lily Isaacs before, how does this one compare? Nope, never heard of her,before. What didnt you like about Lily Isaacss performance? People normally shouldn't read their own books. What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment? I suppose"hope". Although I was not overly impressed, if this story helps even one person who may be stuck in the past, I suppose it was worth publishing.

The Life You Save May Be Your Own Audiobook by Paul Elie

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (Paul Elie) — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 00:40:30 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Life You Save May Be Your Own Subtitle: An American Pilgrimage Author: Paul Elie Narrator: Lloyd James Format: Unabridged Length: 22 hrs and 39 mins Language: English Release date: 01-25-06 Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc. Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 84 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: Called the School of the Holy Ghost, for three decades they exchanged letters, ardently read each others' books, and grappled with what one of them called a "predicament shared in common". Paul Elie tells these four writers' story as a pilgrimage from the God-obsessed literary past to the chaos of post-war American life. And it is a story about the ways we look to great books and writers to help us make sense of our experience, about the power of literature to change, and to save, our lives. Critic Reviews: "This thoroughly researched and well-sourced work deserves attention from students of history, literature, and religion, but it will be of special significance to Catholic readers interested in the expression of faith in the modern world." (Publishers Weekly) Members Reviews: well worth the price and time This book/audio follows the lives and thought of four Catholic literary figures from the 20th century: Flannery O'Connor, Walker Percy, Thomas Merton and Dorothy Day. The perspective is clearly on the literary aspect of the lives of these well known Catholics. This is its strength and its weakness. I found the work to be insightful and informative regarding the life stories of its protagonists, giving a helpful understanding of the contexts in which these persons lived and wrote. I was particularly taken by the portarits offered of O'Connor and Percy. Of course, these were to two persons of whom I had the least detailed knowledge. The author's handling of Day and Merton left me somewhat frustrated. Perhaps this is because I have a better working knowledge of these two authors. The scheme of a life story with a literary focus worked well with the protagonists whose focus was literary. It didn't prove satisfying with those protagonists whose literary output was not the primary focus of their life's work. These frustrations duly noted, my over all impression was that the tale told by the author was well worth the time spent listening. The audio quality of the spoken version is excellent and the narrator is quite good. Great detail of information Writer gives great insight into the lives and writings of these four Catholic writers. I liked the insight into their lives set in the context of historical events as well as the reference to their writings and their interaction with each other. 4 life long pilgrimages worthy to walk along with When you walk along with them, you begin to reflect upon what your own pilgrimage is.

Tolkien and the Great War Audiobook by John Garth

bdssaigon.net2@gmail.com (John Garth) — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 16:54:14 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/824/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Tolkien and the Great War Subtitle: The Threshold of Middle-earth Author: John Garth Narrator: John Garth Format: Unabridged Length: 11 hrs and 29 mins Language: English Release date: 04-28-11 Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 71 votes Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians Publisher's Summary: A new biography exploring J.R.R. Tolkiens wartime experiences and their impact on his life and his writing of The Lord of The Rings. To be caught in youth by 1914 was no less hideous an experience than in 1939 by 1918 all but one of my close friends were dead. So J.R.R. Tolkien responded to critics who saw The Lord of the Rings as a reaction to the Second World War. Tolkien and the Great War tells for the first time the full story of how he embarked on the creation of Middle-earth in his youth as the world around him was plunged into catastrophe. This biography reveals the horror and heroism that he experienced as a signals officer in the Battle of the Somme and introduces the circle of friends who spurred his mythology to life. It shows how, after two of these brilliant young men were killed, Tolkien pursued the dream they had all shared by launching his epic of good and evil. John Garth argues that the foundation of tragic experience in the First World War is the key to Middle-earths enduring power. Tolkien used his mythic imagination not to escape from reality but to reflect and transform the cataclysm of his generation. While his contemporaries surrendered to disillusionment, he kept enchantment alive, reshaping an entire literary tradition into a form that resonates to this day. This is the first substantially new biography of Tolkien since 1977, meticulously researched and distilled from his personal wartime papers and a multitude of other sources. Critic Reviews: "Very much the best book about JRR Tolkien that has yet been written. Even if you are not a Lord of the Rings fan, I commend this book to you. It is all so interesting in itself, and I have rarely read a book which so intelligently graphed the relation between a writer's inner life and his outward circumstances." (A.N.Wilson, Evening Standard) Members Reviews: Enjoyed the insight Very interesting to get a deeper look into the great War and it's effect on JRR. Very much enjoyed this book! Great on every level Tolkien and the Great War sheds new light on the influence of the Great War on Tolkiens thinking and writing through an astonishing amount of research. Especially the comparison of him to the well known Great War Poets is enlightening. The reader does an amazing job at delivering the often harrowing story of the expierience of an entire generation. The only complaint is the butchering of the pronounciation of german names. A touching and revealing narrative John Garth's reading of his book strikes perfect notes in the moving story of Tolkien and the other brilliant young minds who went to war in 1914. The fall of each of his friends resounds and echoes in Tolkien's own heartrending creations. Garth's recounting of the intimate details of how the War experience shaped Tolkien's work is itself a work of painstaking craftsmanship. His reading is remarkably suited to his subject. Superb. Incredible Scholarship Many a Tolkien fan knows that Middle Earth was forged by the fires of World War I. Some of the Tolkien scholars out there will even know a great deal about what's in this book. But what will separate this book from others is witnessing how Middle Earth evolves in parallel to Tolkien's life and service during the war. Sometimes that evolution is followed line by line, such is the detail level of this volume.