Get Best Sellers Audiobooks in Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs Top Rated

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Title: We Who Are Alive and Remain

Subtitle: Untold Stories from the Band of Brothers

Author: Marcus Brotherton

Narrator: George K. Wilson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-24-09

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 54 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

Here, revealed for the first time, are stories of war, sacrifice, and courage as experienced by one of the most revered combat units in military history. In We Who Are Alive and Remain, 20 men who were there and are alive today - and the families of three deceased others - recount the horrors and the victories, the bonds they made, the tears and blood they shed, and the brothers they lost.

Editorial Reviews:

Anyone hooked on Stephen Ambrose's HBO series, "Band of Brothers," won't want to miss these stories from the 506th Parachute Infantry. The author interviewed 20 surviving members of Easy Company, and their remembrances of WWII combine in an audio collage of the men's backgrounds, training, transport, combat, homecoming, and lives after the war. George Wilson distinguishes the men with varying accents, tone, and pacing. He melds their individual stories into a blend that flows easily, with each voice and description contributing to an authentic picture of what the war felt like to the men who fought it. For the most part, the men record their memories without emotion, but Wilson conveys the tension, loss, and camaraderie on and off the battlefield.

Members Reviews:

Only for the Avid Easy Company Readers

If you're an avid Easy Company reader and you've read everything else, you'll find a few nuggets buried in this work. It was pleasant hearing about the familiar places again: Curahee, Foy, Carentan and the rest. The author describes this work as his effort to give a voice to every soldier who was on the Easy Company roster whose stories have not been told. To use a baseball analogy, if you're a big fan of a World Series winning team, you might want to know the first hand stories of everyone who was on the roster during the season, regardless of how brief or how uninteresting, but chances not. That is what the author has done here, in the form of first-person responses to his questions. But rather than hearing their own voices, those voices are narrated in about 20 or so different accepts. The narration by George K. Wilson is brilliant, but the overall effect is a bit ridiculous. At the end of the book, there are a few interviews with children of Easy Company soldiers recalling their fathers. The interview with Herbert Sobel's son is very interesting and revealing and I gave this review one extra star just for that interview. If you haven't read Band of Brothers, this book is definitely not for you. Otherwise, read any or all of the other good biographies of Easy Company soldiers, including the book by the same author on Lt. Buck Compton, before reading this book.

Filling in the blank spots

It's important to realize that this is a collection of short interviews of different men who served in Easy Company, rather than one continuous narrative.

While fragmented, considered as a whole, with other related material, this fills some interesting gaps.

I wouldn't recommend starting with it, but it is worth a listen to anyone interested in learning more, after seeing the miniseries, or reading other related works.

Best book on the band of brothers there is

This book may be even better than the original book itself.

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Title: Not Becoming My Mother

Author: Ruth Reichl

Narrator: Ruth Reichl

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 34 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-23-09

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 75 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

In Not Becoming My Mother, best-selling author Ruth Reichl embarks on a clear-eyed, openhearted investigation of her mother's life, piecing together the journey of a woman she comes to realize she never really knew. Looking to her mother's letters and diaries, Reichl confronts the painful transition her mother made from a hopeful young woman to an increasingly unhappy older one and realizes the tremendous sacrifices she made to make sure her daughter's life would not be as disappointing as her own.

Growing up in Cleveland, Miriam Brudno dreamed of becoming a doctor, like her father. But when she announced this, her parents said, "You're no beauty, and it's too bad you're such an intellectual. But if you become a doctor, no man will ever marry you." Instead, at 20, Miriam opened a bookstore, a profession everyone agreed was suitably ladylike.

On what would have been Miriam's 100th birthday Reichl opens up her mother's diaries for the first time and encounters a whole new woman. This is a person she had never known. In this intimate study Reichl comes to understand the lessons of rebellion, independence, and self-acceptance that her mother - though unable to guide herself - succeeded in teaching her daughter.

Members Reviews:

Great Quick Listen - Honest and Interesting

First of all, I have read and loved all of Ruth Reichl's books. She is a fascinating, strong and intelligent woman and I am definitely a Foodie so her topics are generally right up my alley. It was interesting to hear about her mom and how the relationship changed thoroughout their lives. Most of us probably relate - especially how our view of our own mother's imperfections chane as we become mothers )in my case, I wonder how my mom had and has very few0. Her mother was not a typical mother and was clearly difficult at times. However, it probably helped Ruth to be the person she is. It helps that her mother was a very interesting person in her own right too. Looking forward to more from this author.

Too Short!

I have LOVED Ruth Reichl's books. Can she ever write about food and life! I was looking forward to this book. However, it was over before it started. So, read it if you like her writing, but beware that it is more of a booklet. She tells several of the stories about her mother that she told in other books, but you learn a lot about her mother's background. It would be a good choice for a book club discussion.

Not a meal but a bite

Listened to this audiobook while I cooked (of course, how else to read Ruth Reichl?) the story of all our mothers after WWII, too true and too tragic. How well I know this story from my own mother's unhappy life. Aren't we lucky we missed being born a generation earlier? Anway, this was interesting as are all of Ruth's writings, but it was sort of over before it began. I found the topic interesting, but not a full meal. The narration was pretty good although less polished than a professional's...still nice to hear the emotion of the author since she is able to read with decent expression.

Ruth is Amazing

I wish this book were longer - I could listen to Ruth tell stories forever. A wonderfully kind and thoughtful look back at her mother, as seen after the years of work and experience it took to not become her mother.

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Title: Seeking Peace

Subtitle: Chronicles of the Worst Buddhist in the World

Author: Mary Pipher

Narrator: Kymberly Dakin

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 34 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-18-09

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 23 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

She spent her childhood in small Nebraska towns, the daughter of a doctor mother and a restless jack-of-all-trades father. Often both of her parents were away and Pipher and her siblings lived as what she calls "feral children".

Later, as an adult and therapist, Pipher was able to do what she most enjoyed: learn about the world and help others. After the surprising success of Reviving Ophelia, she was overwhelmed by the attention and demands on her time. In 2002, after a personal crisis, Pipher realized that success and fame were harming her, and she began working to find a quieter, more meditative life that would carry her toward self-acceptance and joy.

In Seeking Peace, Mary Pipher tells her own remarkable story, and in the process reveals truths about our search for happiness and love. While her story is unique, "the basic map and milestones of my story are universal," she writes. "We strive to make sense of our selves and our environments." In Seeking Peace, she recounts how she tried to achieve that.

Members Reviews:

Self talking to Self

Mary Pipher has had an interesting persepctive on American culture and its impact on our psychoogical growth. About her personal growth however she lacks perspective. This book is redundant, self absorbed, self pitying, and is not related to its title.

Pipher needed a therapist to help her come to terms with her history and the self image that resulted from it. When she had a "polite breakdown" she instead beacme her own therapist. That's about as wise an idea as being your own attorney. With no one but herself to toss around thoughts ideas and felings they don't get resolved, only re-lived perhaps chewed and regurgitated. This was personal memoir in need of a therapist. Not for publication.

Enjoyed more when I read the book myself

Great story- experience to glean from author. Hard to follow sometimes. Narrator was "reading" alot.

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Title: A Lion Called Christian

Author: Anthony Bourke, John Rendall

Narrator: John Lee

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 25 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-10-09

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 46 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

In 2008 an extraordinary two-minute film clip appeared on YouTube and immediately became an international phenomenon. It captures the moving reunion of two young men and their pet lion, Christian, after they had left him in Africa to introduce him into his rightful home in the wild.

A Lion Called Christian tells the remarkable story of how Anthony Ace Bourke and John Rendall, visitors to London from Australia in 1969, bought the boisterous lion cub in the pet department of Harrods. For several months, the three of them shared a flat above a furniture shop on Londons Kings Road, where the charismatic and intelligent Christian quickly became a local celebrity. But the lion cub was growing upfastand soon even the walled church garden where he went for exercise wasnt large enough for him. A coincidental meeting with English actors Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers led to Christian being flown to Kenya and placed under the expert care of George Adamson. Incredibly, when Ace and John returned to Kenya to see Christian a year later, they received a loving welcome from their lion, who was by then fully integrated into Africa and a life with other lions.

Members Reviews:

From YouTube, now I listen their whole story

Their story so captivating, about remarkable bond between human and a lion. Shamelessly I shed tears while listening. John Lee is really good bringing the story alive. Now I venture other audiobooks narrated by him.

Heartwarming story about Christian the lion

Quick read on a true life story of two friends that buy a lion cub at Harrod's department store in the late 1960s. Their experiences raising the cub into adolescence and ultimately returning him to his natural habitat with the help of a well-known naturalist George Adamson is truly amazing.

The story sparked renewed interest after a video appeared on YouTube showing the two friends reuniting with the lion, Christian, in the African wild. It's a beautiful moment to witness. I found the story of how these two young men were able to form such a close bond with a lion inspiring. It gave me newfound respect and awareness for the welfare of these creatures in their natural and unnatural habitats.

Athouroughly entertaining listen

Would you listen to A Lion Called Christian again? Why?

This is a very entertaining book. I absolutely enjoyed the humour, the humanity and the insight into how like a human a lion can be.

What did you like best about this story?

Having seen the Your Tube footage, I had a visual for some of the antics and the relationship between the boys and Christian. The book gave me more details ... which my mind easily turned into visuals.

What does John Lee bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

I love being read to and the experience is always enhanced by a good naration ... which John Lee does very well.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Would that have been easy to do ... absolutely.

Any additional comments?

This book is an easy 'read'. It is entertaining and real. I loved it!

Enjoyable listen.

What did you love best about A Lion Called Christian?

The author's narrative style was simple, but engaging.

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Title: The Road from Coorain

Author: Jill Ker Conway

Narrator: Barbara Caruso

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 29 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-10-09

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 80 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

Her story, both a chronicle of life in the Australian outback and the odyssey of a brilliant woman fighting the constraints of her time, offers a loving view of Australia.

Includes an audio afterword by the author.

Members Reviews:

Fantastic book

A professor friend of mine, who is also from Australia, recommended this book to me. She is a friend of the author. My friend was raised in Australia but had a different back ground. Her father was a university history professor and her mother was Australia most famous composer. They shared the same boarding school experience. They became friends here in the U.S. when both were professors. I am sure glad I took my friend's advice. This is a great book. Conway paints a picture in rich detail of life in the outback. I could feel myself there with the wind on my face. What a hard life the ranchers had and probably still do. I was most interested in her description of the stoic character of the Australian people. She described my friend personality to a tee. Conway takes us on a journey of self discovery both of her personal life with the lost of her father and older brother to finding her place in academia. In passing, she furnished, a great insight into the difference between high school learning and university learning. She provides a great deal of information of the daily life of a girl growing up in the late1930s to 1960 Australia. She describes the gender discrimination which I could easily relate to having grown up in the same time frame. I had read "A Town Named Alice" from Audible, also about Australia, between the two books they paint an fascinating picture of Australia's out back. Barbara Caruso did a great job narrating the book. Enjoyed the pre and post comments by Jill Ker Conway. You will enjoy this book.

So glad I (finally) listened to my aunt

When I was in my early 20s and ready to set off for 2 years as a Peace Corps volunteer in West Africa, I asked friends and family to recommend books I might take along with me, and an aunt who knew me well recommended this one. Unfortunately I didn't bring it along, and I didn't get around to reading it until now, nearly 20 years later. So glad I finally did. What a beautifully written memoir! And what a fine example of an intelligent, thoughtful girl's journey of self-discovery. The descriptions of 1940s life in the Australian outback are vivid and fascinating, and the taste of life in Sydney during the author's adolescent years and young adulthood are equally interesting. Barbara Caruso's narration is superb, as usual.

Fascinating book about outback

A great autobiography about a girl raised in the Australian outback on a sheep farm. It follows her from her birth to about 25 years old. It is about her coming of age. Very well written and fun to see the interaction between what she thinks she ought to be by Australian standards of a woman and her desire to be much much more.

Very Interesting

I received an education about Australia, whose history I've neglected until now. Conway's upbringing, education, and eventual departure from her homeland is most unique, while generously managing to convey for most readers connections into Conway's experiences and views. "Independent and brave" certainly sums this character's life.

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Title: The Bedford Boys

Author: Alex Kershaw

Narrator: William Dufris

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-20-08

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 146 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

Alex Kershaw's remarkable book brings to vivid, heartbreaking life the hitherto untold story of one small American town, their sons, and the brutal, bloody war that deprived them of their futures.

Members Reviews:

gripping narrative of a community sacrifice

The story of the first wave of D-Day and how it affected the small town of Bedford, Virginia. The community lost 21 young men in the invasion for it's nationalized National Guard unit was chosen to spear head the greatest invasion in history. One community's sacrifice and the men who made it. The story is well told and you can feel the anguish of those involved.

excellent

Takes you to the front line - the description of the D-Day landing is totally engaging and leaves you in no doubt as to the true despair and horror of that place as well as the courage and spirit of the men who fought and died there

Loved it! A wonderful read or listen.

Any additional comments?

So glad I found out about the true story and sacrifice of these "boys". Very well written and narrated.

What a story

This book is well written. It was a very enjoyable listen. After reading about this event in history we bought the book and listed on our way to Bedford VA for the DDay memorial.

Too Many Names

I spent the first half of the book worrying whether I would be able to remember the names. Second half of the book I realized I would never remember all the names and enjoyed it more. It is an amazing story!

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Title: The Hungry Ocean

Author: Linda Greenlaw

Narrator: Linda Greenlaw

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 7 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-17-08

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 52 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

Displaying a true fisherman's gift for storytelling and a true writer's flair for both drama and reflection, Greenlaw offers an exciting real-life adventure tale filled with the beauty and power of the sea.

Members Reviews:

A Fun Listen and Enjoyable Listen

This was a fun and light listen. I'm always skeptical of books narrated by the author, but in this case I was wrong. While she has a slightly monotone narration, it's still very engaging. The book is pretty light and quickly engages you in to her experience. It has encouraged me to download other books by her. I enjoyed it, and it was the perfect length so as to entertain, without going on too long to bore. Well worth it.

Fellow FISHERMAN.

I can't stop listening. Unless you've been out here fishing... You have no idea. Love it

Details, Details, and More DETAILS!!!!

I love the sea and everything about it. I respect the fisherman that risk their lives in this dangerous profession. But this book was one of the most boring I have ever read, the drone of details stole away my interest as I could hardly wait until the book was over. Unless you are seriously thinking of becoming a professional fisherman, skip this book. If you are considering it, this is the most concise and detailed book anywhere on how to do it, what to expect once you leave the dock and anything else you may wish to know but forgot to think of asking. There is no doubt the author is great at what she does because of the attention to details. But she is not a good author. The Perfect Storm was a great book because you could not put it down, this book is hard to finish because I could not stay awake.

I DOWNLOADED 100 BOOKS

THIS BOOK WAS NOT GOOD DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY, THE PERSON READING THE STORY DESCRIBES THE MOST BORING THINGS BOATERS AND FISHERMAN WANT TO HEAR

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Title: How I Helped O. J. Get Away with Murder

Subtitle: The Shocking Inside Story

Author: Mike Gilbert

Narrator: Mel Foster

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 16 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-17-08

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 243 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

So why is Gilbert speaking out now? Has he gone from sinner to saint? Is he making a play for sympathy or looking to make a quick buck? No. (Proceeds from this book are going to the March of Dimes and other selected charities.) Gilbert has written this book because he regrets what he did for his adored childhood idol. He can no longer find any excuse for how he has shielded O. J. Simpson, and he is determined to tell the full truth, including:

Members Reviews:

Wow

Book review: This book is entirely the title, it explains why O.J. got away with murder. I don't want to join the masses of finger pointers, and tsk the writer for his role in O.J.'s acquittal, I just appreciate him realizing what he had become entangled in, and writing this book to fill the rest of the world in on what happened behind the scenes. I would recommend this book if you had any opinion about the trial, or were captivated by the media footage.

Narrator review: Not the best voice, just odd sounding, it could have been better, but it's something one can adjust to.

Wow!

I was reluctant to listen to this book because I would hate to profit anyone from this horrible case, but it was a great listen. To hear how those closest to OJ continue to lie and hide assets was mind boggling. This book did reveal things I didnt know about. The only comfort in the end is that OJ found his way into prison where I hope he takes the time to reflect on his actions and changes his ways. We shall see. My thoughts are on OJ's children with Nicole, now they've lost both parents, very sad. Although, based on this book, he didnt have a good relationship with them anyway.

For only the OJ obsessed

Any additional comments?

I was really into the OJ trial and even I had a hard time getting through this one. Not a lot that was new. This is only for the hard core "fans" of the trial.

Don't equit, it all fits!

Where does How I Helped O. J. Get Away with Murder rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?

This is among my "Top 10" read so far.

What was one of the most memorable moments of How I Helped O. J. Get Away with Murder?

Actually, I found the whole book fascinating. Think of it as seeing the inside of a clock for the first time; you know it tells you the correct time, but now you can see how the pieces work to give you the correct time.

What about Mel Fosters performance did you like?

Mel's narration of the book was like a friend telling you a story. Very easy to listen to.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There was, but I won't spoil it for other readers. They'll know it when they hear it.

Any additional comments?

There's nothing here that most of us didn't already know or at least suspect. However, you'll be taken deeper into the backstory of the "everyday O.J." than any media ever went before. If you love true story whodunits like I do, this one's worth checking out.

For Those Who Do Not Believe No Evidence Is Enough

Any additional comments?

For those who do not believe no evidence is enough, for those who do believe no evidence is needed. This book kept my attention and as for it's honesty I don't know. But it was a good book and I'm glad I listened to it. I thought it gave some insight.

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Title: Mistaken Identity

Subtitle: Two Families, One Survivor, Unwavering Hope

Author: Don Van Ryn, Susie Van Ryn, Colleen Cerak, Whitney Cerak, Newell Cerak

Narrator: Lillian Thayer

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 39 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-26-08

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 104 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

Part 2: Five Weeks or a Lifetime?

Part 2 begins the night of the accident and continues up through "Laura's" arrival in the emergency room. The rest of this section centers upon the five weeks when the Ceraks believed their daughter to be dead, and the Van Ryns cared for a girl that was not their own. Woven into these chapters are the back stories of both families and their daughters, including the key questions of how each of these individuals reached a point at which they could respond to this tragedy as they did. A strong element of this story is how the families came to faith and how that faith developed to the point where they could trust God through the unthinkable. The characters all take on full dimensions in this part, and listeners will identify with and feel a strong affection for them. In this section, both families are still separated, traveling down two different arcs. These arcs come together in the night first described in chapter one. Finally, this section will explore the unfolding drama of the Van Ryn's growing doubts that the girl in the hospital is their daughter.

Members Reviews:

Great book!

I have listened to this book numerous times. Being from Michigan this story was in the news quite a bit. Both of these families have great amounts of strength and courage. I have and would again recommend this book to my friends.

Great

This book was very compelling. I watched the 60 minutes report on this and just had to get the book/audiobook on this story. It was very well written.

Mistaken Identity

this was a great book. I can't imagine this happening to anyone. my prayer are with those who still need them.

Good Christian Values ...

This is an excellent audio book! What beautiful people both families are. What deep love for God that walks the walk and doesn't just talk the talk. Very moving and touching! Excellent choice!

sad but wonderful story

unreal what happens to these families, but the strong faith they have is wonderful! i must hear story.

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Title: Philip Ashton's Own Account

Author: Philip Ashton

Narrator: Barrett Whitener

Format: Unabridged

Length: 54 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-04-08

Publisher: Listen & Live Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

He survived for 16 months, in spite of many insects, tropical heat, and alligators. In the beginning, he seems to have eaten only fruits, because he only had his hands to collect food; he could not kill any animal. He had no equipment at all until he met another castaway, an Englishman. The Englishman disappeared after a few days, but he left behind a knife, gunpowder, tobacco, and more. Ashton could now kill tortoises and crayfish and make fires to have hot meals. Ashton was rescued by the Diamond, a ship from Salem, New England.