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Title: The Borgias

Author: Marion Johnson

Narrator: Aviva Skell

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 26 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-24-11

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 24 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

Its no wonder Machiavellis account of Césare Borgia in The Prince became one of the best-selling books in the 1980s business community. Its full of practical hints on how to stab your adversary in the back while staring him in the face. The surprise is how many educated readers still believe that Lucrezia Borgia was the unrivaled monster of her age. That misconception is one of the myths Marion Johnson shatters in her excellent account of a 15th century Italian dynasty. Listeners who prefer contemporary biography will be surprised at how little political mores have really changed.

Members Reviews:

Good story but narrator reads too quickly

I enjoyed learning about this phase of the papacy and the Borgias in particular. The only hitch in the book is the narrator reads too quickly which makes enjoying the book the less than wonderful experience it could be. The subject matter is thorough and well written. It's a shame about the narrator though.

Captivating

The Borgias was a captivating story of a family that came out of nowhere to rise to the heights of power in the church and what today is central Italy before fading away. The story and the presentation was so captivating, it made the drives to and from work go by so much faster.

So. Slow.

What disappointed you about The Borgias?

I'm interested in the idea of the Borgias, but this book is dry. I tried a couple of times, but I just can't get very far. It doesn't seem like all that much is actually known about the family, which may be part of the problem.

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Title: Restoration London

Subtitle: Everyday Life in the 1660s

Author: Liza Picard

Narrator: Sean Barrett

Format: Abridged

Length: 6 hrs and 33 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-27-11

Publisher: Orion Publishing Group Limited

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

From poverty to pets, from medicine to magic, from slang to sex, from wallpaper to women's rights. A glorious portrait of life in London from 1660-1670 by the bestselling author of ELIZABETH'S LONDON. Making use of every possible contemporary source - diaries, memoirs, advice books, government papers, almanacs, even the Register of Patents - Liza Picard presents an enthralling picture of how life in London was really lived in the 1600s: the houses and streets, gardens and parks, cooking, clothes and jewellery, cosmetics, hairdressing, housework, laundry and shopping, medicine and dentistry, sex, education, hobbies, etiquette, law and crime, religion and popular beliefs.

Critic Reviews:

"A beautifully produced reference work" (Rose Tremain, Financial Times)

Members Reviews:

Return of the Stuart's.

A well written and read, very informative book. Filled with facts and information about the Restoration. Liza Picard has brought the whole era to life with characters of all stations of life made very real and easy to emphasise with.

School Book

What disappointed you about Restoration London?

Poor grammar, lack of research. Nothing new here. Just a well worn history book. Lazy.

What could Liza Picard have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Do some research and give us some interesting facts that everyone didn't know before.

What does Sean Barrett bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you had only read the book?

Excellent reader. Made the book listenable, till the frustration set in with all of the above.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Restoration London?

Re-write and do sone research instead of gleaning the work of others.

an excellent book, well read

I knew quite a lot about the tudors, but almost nothing about the 17th century restoration of the monarchy, so I really enjoyed this social history, which is both well written and well read.

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Title: Elizabeth's London

Subtitle: Everyday Life in Elizabethan London

Author: Liza Picard

Narrator: Liza Picard

Format: Abridged

Length: 7 hrs and 24 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-26-11

Publisher: Orion Publishing Group Limited

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

Like its popular and acclaimed predecessors, Restoration London and Dr Johnson's London, this fascinating evocation of Elizabethan London is the result of the author's passionate interest in the practical details of everyday life and the conditions in which most people lived, which most history books ignore: the streets, houses and gardens; cooking, housework and shopping; clothes, jewellery and make-up; medicine and sex; education, etiquette and hobbies; religion, law and crime.

Members Reviews:

Good Book shame about the Narration

I was looking forward to this audiobook and whilst the subject was great if a somewhat lacking in detail, the choice of Liza Picard as Narrator was a bad one.

I suggest you listen to the audio sample first ( I made the mistake of not doing so ), as she reads it in a very

" I....(pause).....Shall....(pause)....Say.....(pause)....This....(pause)....So.....You....Understand....It...Way"

And are obvious sections in the book divided up with a very annoying "tune" that marks each one.

Interesting but the narration is a little dry

This book is very well researched and interesting, but I found the manner of narration a little dry which meant I struggled to remain wholly engaged.

Good but needs a professional narrator

Liza Picard does a good job of capturing the daily life of London and this is enjoyable listening but it was probably a mistake to get her to read it herself. She has one of those very plummy voices -- nothing inherently wrong with it. However, it's not a neutral voice but she doesn't know the tricks of adding inflection and pace to a reading

Don't do it yourself.

A well written book with lots of facts set out in a very readable/listenable style. But what spoiled it for me was the narration, maybe it's best to let someone else narrate, unless you are an actor or a professional narrator. I think Picard's Restoration London was much better. So please don't make it a read your own unless you know what you're doing.

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Title: The Fifth Battalion Highland Light Infantry 1914 - 1918

Author: F. L. Morrison

Narrator: Felbrigg Napoleon Herriot

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 54 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-16-11

Publisher: FNH Audio

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 8 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

FNH Audio presents a complete and unabridged audiobook covering the war-time activities of the 5th Battalion Highland Light Infantry during the First World War. It was initially published in 1921, just a few years after the end of the Great War. The author was Colonel F. L. Morrison C.B., D.S.O., V.D., who served with the battalion during the war. The book opens with the battalion setting sail for the East, destined to take part in the Gallipoli campaign.

On arrival, they find themselves with only a couple of days to acclimatise before being thrown into the trenches. They have to come to terms with a lack of supplies, terrible weather and constant attacks. The book details all of the combat actions that the 5th take part in on the peninsula.

As you listen, you'll become familiar with the individual trenches and some of the personalities. With the evacuation of Gallipoli, the 5th find themselves off to the desert and Cairo. We get to follow them as they defend Suez, cross the Sinai and battle at Gaza and beyond. The story continues as they leave Palestine for the dirt and mud of the Trenches in France. It's there that the battalion wins its first Victoria Cross of the war.

This book is a fascinating insight into the workings of a World War I battalion in action, from the digging of trenches to the organisation of a solid defensive position and the patrolling of no-mans land. It's also sprinkled with occasional amusing anecdotes that show the spirit of man shining in even the most desperate of situations.

Members Reviews:

Very interesting, given it's narrow focus

This is a memoir, and thus is not much of a "story". It mentions people and places unknown to the listener. Given this, it provides a fascinating window for those of us with a serious interest in the life and times of the people who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Good read

A must for any First World War enthusiast. This book covers the campaigns in Egypt and Palestine in an informative and entertaining way. Although nominally about a single battalion, it's experiences and the first-hand accounts of it's members equally apply to the army as a whole.

I think the book is well read, but I can see how the narrator could be an acquired taste, so I'd advise listening to the preview first.

Rather hard going.

Must agree with the other reviewer about the narrator.Early into the book he mentions the battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat at Le Cateau.Unfortunately he calls it Le Chateau which immediately puts me off as its obvious he does not know much about WW1,as any amateur historian who wants to listen to this book is listening out for every detail as it is very in depth (and these were pivotal battles of the war). as you would expect as it is written by a senior officer.It would be really nice if this type of book was read by a real expert.Listen to the war stories read by the late historian Richard Holmes and hear the difference between someone who really knows and enjoys his subject and someone who is just doing a job of reading.

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Title: Great Britain at War

Author: Jeffery Farnol

Narrator: Felbrigg Napoleon Herriot

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs and 45 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-14-11

Publisher: FNH Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 7 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

FNH Audio presents a complete and unabridged audio edition of a book published in 1917 at the height of the First World War. The author, Jeffery Farnol, is better known for his works of romantic fiction, but in this departure, Jeffery recites the events, observations, and anecdotes of his tour of Great Britain's war effort. The book follows Jeffery as he visits a number of key locations around Britain and on the continent, each demonstrating how members of English society have come together to work towards the goal of "defeating the hun".

On a visit to a naval dockyard, he reports on how the ships are being constructed, takes us on a tour of a destroyer, and introduces us to the crew. He also visits a machine gun factory, and discovers how the great guns are built. His tour continues onto the continent, where he visits a hospital, a training camp, and artillery battery at the front in action. While in France, he discovers the horrors of war, learning that it's more than just guns and glory; there's blood and death close at hand. A visit to an active aerodrome shows us the newly arrived aircraft, and from the people there, we learn of their daring in combat. Finally, the tour draws to an end at Ypres, known simply as "wipers" to the troops - a place of great history and architecture now turned to ashes and rubble. Yet despite the destruction, the author finds glory, honour, and even hope for a better future. This is a fascinating insight into Britain during the peak years of the World War I effort.

Members Reviews:

The missing piece in a lot of Farnol collections

I finally completed my Farnol collection by adding this book. I have them all except for the two books for Jane. For most collectors this will be the only way they will be able to purchase it for less than $100, if at all. It gives a curious picture of Jeffery Farnol outside of his usual sphere as we know him as an author of romance novels. It appears to have been photographed directly from an ex-library book from Canada.

For WWII buffs.

Unfortunately time has made this book irrelevant. In 1943 it would have been gripping. Now it is past it's best, except for a WWII buff

The book itself was not fantastic. It was one writer's experiences (as a writer) ...

This was my first Whispersync book. I downloaded the narration as well as the text. It was really a revelation. The book itself was not fantastic. It was one writer's experiences (as a writer) of WW!. Nevertheless I enjoyed -- especially the Whispersync feature.

Eloquently written

Details the great horror do WWI without resorting to gore. The writing is well crafted, descriptive and vibrant. An excellent snapshot of how the war was being reported. It leaves one with the same experiences you would only get in the 21st century with an embedded reporter.

Of its age

Farnol was , you might say, a famous and very popular writer of his time. This sincere and rather emotional (not to say patriotic) collection is absolutely sui generis and the modern reader who accepts this will get much pleasure in the reading.

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Title: Heaven's Command: An Imperial Progress - Pax Britannica, Volume 1

Author: Jan Morris

Narrator: Roy McMillan

Format: Abridged

Length: 7 hrs and 29 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-25-11

Publisher: Naxos AudioBooks

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

The Pax Britannica trilogy is Jan Morriss epic story of the British Empire from the accession of Queen Victoria to the death of Winston Churchill. It is a towering achievement: informative, accessible, entertaining, and written with all her usual bravura. Heavens Command, the first volume, takes us from the crowning of Queen Victoria in 1837 to the Diamond Jubilee in 1897. The story moves effortlessly across the world, from the English shores to Fiji, Zululand, the Canadian prairies, and beyond. This is totally gripping history!

Editorial Reviews:

McMillan presents a well done narration of the opening volume of the Pax Britannica trilogy, a history of Britains empire building from the reign of Queen Victoria to the death of Winston Churchill. Morris acknowledges that this is at first too positive in its attitude toward the colonizers. As listeners hear the first section, full of heroic battles read in an excited voice by Roy McMillan, they might agree. However, Morris doesn't avoid British atrocities like the "Devil's Wind" reprisals for an uprising in India or the murderous violence toward native Tasmanians. McMillan's reading of this volume captures the energy of battle and the optimism that Britons in the Victorian Age felt toward their expansion and technological feats.

Members Reviews:

Get the Unabridged!

I've read all of Jan Morris' Pax Britannica's volumes. They are all good. I got this audible version since it's been a few years and I would enjoy hearing it read to me....but I did not realize I had picked the abridged version.

However, should the would-be reader not have been exposed to this series and is a bit of an anglophile, then by all means try it.

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Title: The Wild Rover

Subtitle: A Blistering Journey Along Britains Footpaths

Author: Mike Parker

Narrator: Mike Parker

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 7 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-14-11

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Ratings: 2 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

Mike Parker, best-selling author of Map Addict, is back with a very full, intelligent and witty exploration into a glorious and passionate British subject - footpaths and the history of land ownership. Mike discovers how these paths have become part of our cultural landscape and why, at the tender age of 44, he suddenly finds himself at a crossroads. Provocative, funny and personal, this book celebrates Britains unique and extraordinary network of footpaths. It examines their chequered and surprisingly turbulent history, from the Enclosures Acts of the 18th century to the 1932 Mass Trespass on Kinder Scout in Derbyshire; and from the hard-won post-war establishment of great National Trails like the Pennine Way to the dramatic latter-day battles by the likes of Nicholas van Hoogstraten and Madonna to keep ramblers off their land.

The story ranges far and wide, to all corners of the country and beyond, and is filled with the many characters that Mike engages with along the way - the poets and artists, farmers and ramblers, landowners and Rights of Way officers and campaigners, historians, archivists and anyone else who crosses his path (or even tries to block it).

Members Reviews:

A fascinating history of footpaths ...

... and the various walking associations in Britain which Mike Parker unravels as he undertakes selected walks around the country. I did not really appreciate how much of a struggle previous generations have had to keep our intricate network open, and how many battles have been, and are still being, fought for their preservation.

From trudging along uber-sterile new Long Distance Paths, to exploring possibly haunted corpse paths, to simply discovering all the paths within 3 miles of home, this book has been an inspiring distraction from my daily commute. And as I am now (apparently!) coming up to the right age to truly enjoy a good walk, I shall pull on my own boots and set off - just as soon as I've downloaded something else to listen to!

couldn't bring myself to finish listening

I liked the idea but the book didn't grab me at all. I had a long rail journey and expected this would keep me company but was left cold. The reader seems to talk through their nose which didn't really help.

Walking the author's mind & his walking memorys

Sorbic wit & sarcastic hard hitting realistic observed opinion.

This is no walk in the park if you like the world neat & tidy or well wrapped.

For lovers of path walks that just kick the can down the path & go to the pub parched.

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Title: The Invention of Murder

Subtitle: How the Victorians Revelled in Death and Detection and Created Modern Crime

Author: Judith Flanders

Narrator: Janice McKenzie

Format: Unabridged

Length: 18 hrs and 15 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-20-11

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 20 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

A deeply engaging and completely original book about nineteenth-century Britains fascination with good quality murder.

Murder in nineteenth-century Britain was ubiquitous not necessarily in quantity but in quality. This was the era of penny-bloods, early crime fiction and melodramas for the masses. This was a time when murder and entertainment were firmly entwined.

In this meticulously researched and compelling book, Judith Flanders, author of Consuming Passions, takes us back in time to explore some of the most gripping, gruesome and mind-boggling murders of the nineteenth-century. Covering the crimes (and myths) of Sweeney Todd and Jack the Ripper, as well as the lesser known but equally shocking acts of Burke and Hare, and Thurtell and Hunt, Flanders looks at how murder was regarded by the wider British population and how it became a form of popular entertainment.

Filled to the brim with rich source material ranging from studies of plays, novels and contemporary newspaper articles, A Social History of Murder brings to life a neglected dimension of British social history in a completely new and exciting way.

Critic Reviews:

"It is a world explored with much wit and insightFlanders is excellentIts a rich mix [and]fluently writtenIt has every chance of becoming a bestseller."(Sunday Telegraph)

Members Reviews:

Changed my opinion of Dickens!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I already have! I'd recommend this to anyone interested in the history of crime fiction, or of Victorian literature. There is a deep understanding of Victorian culture, along with a fascinating exploration of how the crimes of the day influenced many authors and books we now think of as classics, like Dickens, Hardy, Conan Doyle, and even Oscar Wilde and Bram Stoker.

What did you like best about this story?

The way the author wove in the crimes gaining media attention and how theatre and literature responded to them. She includes amazing insights into the influences crimes had on Charles Dickens' stories that make me (generally lukewarm on Dickens) want to go back and explore him again.

What about Janice McKenzies performance did you like?

The wit, warmth, and occasional sarcasm she brings to her narration perfectly match the author's tone in the book. Pitch-perfect, easy to listen to, and with a good sense of how to get across sensation and scandal.

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

The tale of one particular woman who was executed for a murder she almost certainly didn't commit -- the book goes into detail of all the flaws in the case against her and really highlights the pathos of her story.

Any additional comments?

This book weaves many threads together: the creation of the Metropolitan Police, social fears and prejudices, issues of class, the development of the crime fiction genre, the influence of real world events on popular fiction, concepts of justice, the development of forensic science, and journalistic ethics all get a say in this remarkably complex history of crime.

couldn't get into this book

It's difficult to review this book because nothing about it grabbed me, but I have no objective criticism of it.

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Title: The Vampire: A Casebook

Author: Alan Dundes

Narrator: Marguerite Gavin

Format: Abridged

Length: 6 hrs and 8 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-14-10

Publisher: University Press Audiobooks

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 10 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

Finally, the truth about vampires.

Vampires are the most fearsome and fascinating of all creatures of folklore. For the first time, detailed accounts of the vampire and how its tradition developed in different cultures are gathered in one volume by eminent folklorist Alan Dundes. Leading scholars from the fields of Slavic studies, history, anthropology, and psychiatry unearth the true nature of the vampire from its birth in graveyard lore to the modern-day psychiatric patient with a penchant for drinking blood.

The Vampire: A Casebook takes this legend out of the realm of literature and film and back to its dark beginnings in folk traditions. The essays examine the history of the word "vampire"; Romanian vampires; Greek vampires; Serbian vampires; the physical attributes of vampires; the killing of vampires; and the possible psychoanalytic underpinnings of vampires. Much more than simply a scary creature of the human imagination, the vampire has been and continues to haunt the lives of all those who encounter it - in reality or in fiction. The book is published by University of Wisconsin Press.

Critic Reviews:

"The Vampire is a winner.... Alan Dundes is a truly remarkable scholar." (Wolfgang Mieder, author of The Politics of Proverbs)

Members Reviews:

Great content, monotone narrator

Was The Vampire: A Casebook worth the listening time?

The content is utterly fascinating, and this is coming from someone who doesn't have much interest in vampires and horror in general. Unfortunately, the narration is monotone and makes it difficult to focus, so I actually listened to it twice because I'm sure I missed something the first time.

Terrible, terrible narrator

Who might you have cast as narrator instead of Marguerite Gavin?

Anyone, really. She was so terrible, cutting bits out from the original text which she clearly didn't want to read, skimming over terms without bothering to read out their English counterparts, misreading certain words (yes, misreading), being monotone, and so dull. There were parts when she was reading when I thought she was about to start laughing at what she was saying, that's how ridiculous the narration was. Furthermore, I felt like she was trying to speedread her way through the text as quickly as possible, without inflection or pause. Literally the worst narrator I've had to listen to, and a real shame too, because the content was a pleasure to read.

Interesting but unengaging

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I think the topic and text was good but I just could not listen to the reader, I managed the first few chapters before returning it. I plan to buy for my kindle.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The vampire.

What didnt you like about Marguerite Gavins performance?

Not easy to listen too, very mono tone and dry.

Did The Vampire: A Casebook inspire you to do anything?

Buy the real thing

Interesting book, shame about the narrator

This is a subject I long wanted to read more about. There is a lot of information about folk tales and slavik customs in relation to vampires (which take a wide variety of shapes - very interesting). Unfortunately, the narrator's strange way of delivering the text makes it at times quite hard to follow and assimilate the meaning. It would help if she would every now and then lower her voice to denounce the end of a sentence, but alas, she just carries on regardless.

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Title: Bruach Blend

Author: Lillian Beckwith

Narrator: Hannah Gordon

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 1 min

Language: English

Release date: 12-03-10

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 16 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

What can take the fire out of a fever, the ache out of loving, and the meanness out of a miser? The answer according to Tearlaich is whisky - the water of life. And when he suggests to Lillian that the islanders should have their own blend - a Bruach Blend - Lillian can see his logic. Add to this concoction of island life the regulars; Erchy, Hamish, and Morag, as well as Harry the hedgehog, pets, and pests - and cows in love - and you have a diverse and pleasurable glimpse of the way the islanders manage on the island of Bruach.

Members Reviews:

An absolute delight!

If you have never read or heard any of Lillian Beckwith's stories, do yourself a favour and buy this book! Many of Beckwith's tales are based on her real-life experiences when she moved from London to the Scottish Hebrides. Suffering from ill-health, she was advised by doctors to go where the air was fresh and the life-style simple. Instead of heading to the English country-side, Beckwith moved lock, stock and barrell to the Hebridean Isles where she became so entranced with the people and the crofting life that she stayed for some 20 years.

Bruach Blend is just one book in a series by Beckwith which details her comical struggles to become a crofter and to fit in with the Hebridean people. Her book is filled with much humour and some quite touching tales of the harsh existence of the proud people of the Islands. There are many colourful characters who have a unique way of expressing themselves and of dealing with the challenges of daily life. The Bruach-ites are always the first to laugh at themselves, making their stories incredibly endearing. Beckwith is such skilled writer. She is able to capture the people, their stories and the landscape in such detail and yet, the details never gets in the way of the flow of the story. Her books are very easy and enjoyable to read or listen to.

Hannah Gordon is a wonderful choice of narrator, coping well with the snatches of Gaelic dialect and various accents. She skillfully conveys the dry humour of the Island's inhabitants and draws you, as the listener, right into the story.

My only regret is that there are not more of Lillian Beckwith's wonderful Hebridean stories available on Audible. I'd buy every one!

Charming characters, plot is slow

The animal scenes are delightful, and character descriptions and development are lovely, but the plot takes a while to materialize.

Definitely a laugh out loud book

I love these books and think the narration is wonderful. Beckwith's character portrayal is excellent and her descriptions are so evocative that I actually feel like I am there with her. The humour in this book is marvellous and I just wish there were more available on Audible as they really do brighten the day.

I'm sorry it had to end

An absolute pleasure. A lovely set of stories, beautifully read. I was sorry it had to end.

Just lovely

Funny, sweet stories read very well by Hannah Gordon.

I've listened to it several times and will some more.

I recommend this charming book.