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Title: American Legends: The Life of Grace Kelly

Author: Charles River Editors

Narrator: Cira Larkin

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 8 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-02-15

Publisher: Charles River Editors

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians

Publisher's Summary:

"You know, I just love Grace Kelly. Not because she was a princess, not because she was an actress, not because she was my friend, but because she was just about the nicest lady I ever met. Grace brought into my life as she brought into yours, a soft, warm light every time I saw her, and every time I saw her was a holiday of its own." - James Stewart

A lot of ink has been spilled covering the lives of history's most influential figures, but how much of the forest is lost for the trees? In Charles River Editors' American Legends series, listeners can get up to speed on the lives of America's most important men and women. It can be done in the time it takes to finish a commute, while learning interesting facts long forgotten or never known.

Considering that her film career lasted just six years, it would seem as though the reputation of Grace Kelly far outweighs her actual output. From the time of her arrival in Hollywood in 1951, through her final film, High Society, in 1956, Kelly acted in just 11 films. Viewers were left to wonder whether Kelly was still in the beginning of her career, or whether High Society was a proper culmination to an extraordinarily brief stay in the film industry. Ultimately, it is might be most accurate to state that Kelly was still in the prime of her career, but it's unclear what direction her career would have taken, as well as who inherited the void she left.

Despite the short resume, Kelly is one of America's most famous actresses. She left an indelible impact on Hollywood. Kelly brought a well-heeled, almost-regal quality that deviated from the film noir roles and musical showgirls who had populated the screen during the 1930s and 1940s.

Members Reviews:

Brief Bio But Good

It might seem to some that a 4-Star rating is too much for such a brief book, but I grew up adoring Grace Kelly & enjoyed this summarized version of her life. You don't learn any secrets in this bio, but it's a quick enjoyable read. I'm glad I read it.

Did this author "see" the Grace Kelly movies he writes about ?

I find this author to be in error of his synopses of Grace Kelly's movies in this book. To the well-versed persons of actors and movies from the 30's ,40's , and 50's these errors or is it just "sloppy -work" ; are quite apparent but to someone reading about Mr.Charles' subjects for the first time ; I find it most unfair for any author to be so consistently wrong about so many so-called "facts" as this author! Just think of making money from work obviously full of mistakes and of perhaps the many poor marks generated from his overall body of work! Doesn't Mr.Charles have an editor who knows anything of which he or she edit's ? I don't mind short biographies but when I pay for 20 or so supposedly biographical works I really do expect accuracy ! I expect I'll be deleting the purchases of his from my Kindle . I can use the space!

Grace, Glamour, and Elegance

Great book for the insight of a true American Princess.

Never knew about her background before and it was a joy to discover Grace Kelly's life.

I only gave it 4 Stars because of the lack of pictures of her as Princess Grace, which was her "career" for most of her life.

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Title: Autobiography of Anthony Trollope

Author: Anthony Trollope

Narrator: Flo Gibson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 51 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-20-15

Publisher: Audio Book Contractors

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians

Publisher's Summary:

What was Anthony Trollope's favorite Anthony Trollope book? Which was the most difficult for him to write? When he settled down by the fire for a good read, whose books did he choose? What nonliterary profession occupied him for much of his life? Learn the answers to these and other questions as one of the great authors in literature takes you on a guided tour of his personal and literary life.

Members Reviews:

A different type of memoir

Anthony Trollope (1815-1882) wrote his autobiography and gave instruction to his son to have it published after his death. Trollope was one of Englands pre-eminent and most prolific novelists. Trollope said the novelist must please, but also teach and preach, conveying his system of ethics just as the clergyman does.

Trollope starts with his early childhood and the problems he had in school with the bullies. His father was an attorney who quit to be a farmer and lost all his money. His mother wrote novels to support the family. He was the youngest of nine children.

Trollope worked for the British post office for 33 years. In the book he tells about his routine of starting writing at 5:30 a.m. and would write for three hours, have breakfast and go to work at the post office. When he was stationed in Ireland by the post office he met and married an Irish girl in 1844.

The book tells little of his personal life and that of his family. The book covers mostly about his writing, how he developed a plot from things he saw or places he went to. His wife proofed his manuscripts before they went to the publisher. I was surprised at how many books he wrote before they began to sell.

Overall, I found the book a most interesting insight into a writer. Flo Gibson narrated the book. I think a male narrator, such as John Lee would have been better.

Book spoiled by narration

I know Flo Gibson to have been a gifted narrator but really, for Trollope's autobiography a man might have been more suitable, and a British man at that - at least for a British audience. It would possibly have been alright read by a woman in a straightforward American accent but read by a woman in a faux English accent is just too much to swallow, especially when she says 'Dook' instead of 'Duke'.

I haven't finished listening and I suspect this is a good listen but 'voice' is important too.

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Título: Frédéric Chopin [Spanish Edition]

Subtitular: El virtuoso del piano [Virtuoso Pianist]

Autor: Online Studio Productions

Narrador: uncredited

Formato: Unabridged

Duración: 41 mins

Idioma: Español

Fecha de publicación: 03-13-15

Editor: Online Studio Productions

Calificaciones: 3 de 5 de 1 votos

Categorías: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians

Resumen del editor:

Sin duda, el romanticismo hecho carne. Cada obra suya, cuya influencia perdura con autoridad y sorprendente admiración en la música actual, es un absoluto portento de técnica, refinamiento estilístico y elaboración armónica. Considerado como uno de los músicos más importantes de la historia, su legado musical están en el mismo nivel de -monstruos- como Johann Sebastian Bach, Franz Liszt y Ludwig van Beethoven.

Please note: This audiobook is in Spanish.

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Título: Ernest Hemingway [Spanish Edition]

Subtitular: Vida y obra del escritor [Life and Works of the Writer]

Autor: Online Studio Productions

Narrador: uncredited

Formato: Unabridged

Duración: 35 mins

Idioma: Español

Fecha de publicación: 03-13-15

Editor: Online Studio Productions

Calificaciones: 5 de 5 de 1 votos

Categorías: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians

Resumen del editor:

Su obra narrativa lo convirtió en uno de los mejores escritores del siglo XX mientras que su espíritu aventurero y bohemio lo llevó a vivir las extraordinarias experiencias que luego reflejaría magistralmente en sus creaciones literarias. Su lucha humanitaria y su compromiso social lo impulsaron a darle un nuevo giro a su estilo narrativo. Hemingway fue un hombre soñador y valiente cuya vida es un ejemplo de experiencia, osadía y pasión.

Please note: This audiobook is in Spanish.

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Título: Víctor Hugo [Spanish Edition]

Subtitular: La vida del genio francés [The Life of French Genius]

Autor: Online Studio Productions

Narrador: uncredited

Formato: Unabridged

Duración: 35 mins

Idioma: Español

Fecha de publicación: 03-13-15

Editor: Online Studio Productions

Calificaciones: 5 de 5 de 2 votos

Categorías: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians

Resumen del editor:

El escritor romántico por excelencia y testigo de la convulsión política de la Francia del siglo XIX. Su temprana genialidad y las dificultades económicas que sufrió convirtieron sus libros en su arma de lucha contra el autoritarismo y las injusticias sociales, dando como resultado verdaderas joyas de la literatura universal. Conozca la agitada vida amorosa, el espíritu rebelde de un fiel seguidor del romanticismo y las penurias del exilio de un artista incomparable cuya prolífica obra narrativa se mantiene vigente hasta nuestros días.

Please note: This audiobook is in Spanish.

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Title: Stargazer

Subtitle: The Life, World, and Films of Andy Warhol

Author: Stephen Koch

Narrator: Anthony Haden Salerno

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 53 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-03-15

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 2 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians

Publisher's Summary:

The classic study of a man who redrew the boundaries of art.

Andy Warhol's work and personality changed American visual culture forever, making him an international superstar. His rise to global fame, his entanglement with the seedy New York sexual underground, and the shocking assassination attempt that almost ended his life are chronicled in Stephen Koch's indispensible classic, Stargazer.

In this must-listen volume, Stephen Koch provides unprecedented detail on Warhol's life and work, giving particular attention to a medium that found Andy at his wildest: film. In one who made paradox into an art form, Koch finds that there was inspiration and brilliance on both sides of the public image that Warhol so meticulously crafted.

Members Reviews:

put it back on the shelf

What disappointed you about Stargazer?

it read more like a pedantic thesis about Andy Warhol, than anything with a personal, or provocative slant

What do you think your next listen will be?

something about Thomas Cromwell

You didnt love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

nope

Any additional comments?

Reach for Bob Colacelo's (sp?) wonderful book, "Holy Terror" about Warhol's Factory in the 70s to 80s.

Pretentious and verbose

Was looking forward to hearing this book but I was disappointed by its verbose pretentiousness ...

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Title: Ben Sidran

Subtitle: A Life in the Music

Author: Ben Sidran

Narrator: Ben Sidran

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 49 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-29-14

Publisher: Unlimited Media, Ltd./Nardis Books

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians

Publisher's Summary:

Ben Sidran: A Life in the Music is much more than a musician's memoir; it's a picaresque story about a personal quest, the search for meaning at the beginning of a new millennium. Sidran delves into the complex relationships between African-Americans and Jews, fathers and sons, history and hope, money and technology, ecstasy and transformation. His animated, well-crafted prose deftly expresses his life-long affair with music in all its functions: as prayer, as community, as legacy, and as nothing but a party. It is a Pilgrim's Progress for another generation.

Members Reviews:

excellent music biography

great 1st person history, some singing and playing, the Jazz life well lived told in an engaging narrative

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Title: A Bit of Brontës, a Dollop of Dickinson, an Offering of Austen

Subtitle: A Dab of Dickens, Book 2

Author: Elliot Engel

Narrator: full cast

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 15 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-11-14

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians

Publisher's Summary:

They are icons of the literary world whose soaring works have been discussed and analyzed in countless classrooms, homes, and pubs. Yet for most listeners, the living, breathing human beings behind the classics have remained unknown - until now. In this utterly captivating audiobook, Dr. Elliot Engel, a leading authority on the lives of great authors, illuminates the fascinating and flawed members of literature's elite. In lieu of stuffy biographical sketches, Engel provides fascinating anecdotes.

You'll never look at these literary giants the same way again.

Members Reviews:

English Literature made Easy

Would you try another book from Elliot Engel and/or full cast?

If you dont know much about the writers who are covered here then this book is for you, especially if you are an eight grader. Prof. Engel sounds like he is teaching an 8th grade class, which was surprising since nothing in the explanation mentions that this is for a juvenile audience. I got a little tired of Prof. Engel sounding out and pronouncing words as if I were too young, or not smart enough, to understand them. While talking about the Brontes the author states that Ann Bronte was not as good of a novelist as her sisters, but he never explains why. He also never explains why the other two sisters are superior to their sibling. He does a bit better with Jane Austen and Emily Dickenson in explaining what made them tick. The best part of the book is when Mr. Engel is finished with the historical/biographical part of the chapters and other readers take over and read excerpts of books and poems.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

A bit abrupt of an ending.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Yes

What else would you have wanted to know about Elliot Engels life?

Nothing really about Prof. Engel's life, but a lot more about Austen, Bronte's and Dickinson.

Any additional comments?

The best part of the book are the excerpt readings.

An excellent piece of literary criticism

I really enjoyed this introduction to some of the 19th century's most influential authors. I also loved the added feminist reading of the prejudice women faced when trying to succeed as writers.

I highly recommend this book as it starts with an introduction by the professor to each author, which is then followed by a performance of some of their work. The performances are excellent. I especially enjoyed the readings of Emily Dickinson's poems.

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Title: The Days I Knew

Author: Lillie Langtry

Narrator: Lynne M. Smelser

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 25 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-24-14

Publisher: Arrowhead Classics Publishing

Ratings: 1 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians

Publisher's Summary:

Edward VII, King of England. Oscar Wilde. Ulysses S. Grant. Sarah Bernhardt. Judge Roy Bean. George Bernard Shaw. Diamond Jim Brady. Theodore Roosevelt. This is just a partial list of names that has one common thread - they were all friends or fans of one of the most fascinating characters of the Victorian era - the beautiful and talented Lillie Langtry. Some of the names were more than mere acquaintances. Lillie was the acknowledged mistress of the king when he was Prince of Wales. She and Oscar Wilde were close friends. He once said, "I would rather have discovered Mrs. Langtry than to have discovered America. She is the most beautiful woman in the world." Judge Roy Bean, the fabled "Law west of the pecos," was so enamored of Lillie that it is said he named the town of Langtry, Texas after her. Theodore Roosevelt said of her, "She's so pretty she takes away a man's breath." From her discovery by some of the top artists and photographers of the time in London, when she was the new bride of Edward Langtry, to her emergence as one of the most popular stage personalities of her era, Lillie's story could fill a hundred novels. She tells it all with discretion and humor in her autobiography, The Days I Knew.

Members Reviews:

Interesting biography, painful narration

Hard to warm to the subject with this uncomfortable narration. Lillie wasn't American so it seems an odd voice to choose for her. The mispronunciation of English and French names and places became very irritating after a while. It's a shame as it's fascinating to hear Lillie Langtry's story (if at times unreliable!) in her own words. Still worth a listen if you can cope with the audio!

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Title: Whitney

Subtitle: We Will Always Love You

Author: James Robert Parish

Narrator: Natasha Staples

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 8 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-06-14

Publisher: Prospero Media

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Artists, Writers, & Musicians

Publisher's Summary:

Following the tragic and sudden death of Whitney Houston on 11th February author James Robert Parish takes a look at the amazing career of the superstar and the events that lead to a life of drug and alcohol abuse.

Whitney Houston burst onto the international music scene in 1985 with her début album which won a Grammy Award for the single "Saving All My Love For You". In this comprehensive biography, James Robert Parish reflects on the extraordinary journey that has taken the controversial personality from a problematic childhood in a broken New Jersey home, to becoming the talented protégée of powerful Arista producer Clive Davis, to the height of her diva days mired with peculiar behaviour and drug abuse.

Parish explains how the shy, pretty young girl from a devoutly religious background turned into the subject of lurid tabloid gossip, much of it concerning her turbulent relationship with Bobby Brown.

News of Whitney Houston s death has shocked not only fans across the world but also those within the industry.

Members Reviews:

Intriguing account of Whitney's triumph & trials

As a recent Whitney fan and now fanatic, I was so grateful to read this detailed account of her life. I have been so intrigued by her triumph and trials, her personality, talents, and struggles. I appreciate the author's seemingly unbiased and balanced approach. It reads as one of the clearer accounts of her life that seeks to understand the whys behind the whats of her behaviors, faulty thoughts, and addictions. I only wish there had been more written about her life in the mid 2000s - to her final days in 2012. Not to be a conspiracy theorist, but after learning all this one has to wonder what her childhood was fully like, what that catholic school was like (2 hours from the abusive catholic schools in Baltimore that we are all learning about from the Netflix series the Keepers), what it was like being so young and exposed to nightclubs, and so much more ...I am not blaming or assuming; rather, just curious how all this could have shaped and influenced her view of self, life, and God. I only wish Whitney had been more open to rehab, counseling, and healing from whatever caused her to suffer so much and cope through the addiction.

a great read

This is a detailed account of whitney's life, and provides info that i didn't know about, esp her early years, relationship with her mother, and the Drinkards - Cissy's family. It also goes into the making of her albums. It doesn't just talk about the bodyguard, it also has info on waiting to exhale and the preachers wife. You get a sense of who she was, the good and the bad. it's a serious and well done book, it doesn't read like he got his info from the tabloids, he actually went out and did the research himself. i enjoyed reading this very much, and recommend it.

Whitney Houston: We will Always love you

I really loved this book because it let me see the real Whitney and just not the Whitney we see on stage. She loved God so much but the world wanted to change Whitney into who they wanted her to be and she was not happy. Her life was her child, and in this book it shows where she never grew up from the child within her. The book show her heart which was big and genereous, she had no fear in help rising and and upcoming young singers like herself.