Listen to Popular Titles Audiobooks in Bios & Memoirs, Celebrities

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Title: Tales of Wonder

Author: Huston Smith

Narrator: Michael McConnohie

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 18 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-30-09

Publisher: HarperAudio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 36 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Celebrities

Publisher's Summary:

Smith's life is a story of uncanny synchronicity. He was there for pivotal moments in human history such as the founding of the United Nations and the student uprising at Tiananmen Square. As he traveled the world he encountered thinkers who shaped the twentieth century. He interviewed Eleanor Roosevelt on the radio; invited Martin Luther King Jr. to speak at an all-white university before the March on Washington; shared ideas with Thomas Merton on his last plane ride before Merton's death in Bangkok; and was rescued while lost in the Serengeti by Masai warriors who took him to the compound of world-renowned anthropologists Louis and Mary Leaky. In search of intellectual and spiritual treasures, Smith traveled to India to meet with Mother Teresa and befriended the Dalai Lama; he studied Zen at the most challenging monastery in Japan; and he hitchhiked through the desert to meet Aldous Huxley, dropped acid with Timothy Leary, and took peyote with a Native American shaman. He climbed Mount Athos, traipsed through the Holy Land, and was the first to study multiphonic chanting by monks in Tibet, which he recorded with Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead.

Most important, he shared the world's religions with the West - writing two best-selling books and serving as the focus of a five-part PBS television series by Bill Moyers. Huston Smith is a national treasure. His life is an extraordinary adventure, and in his amazing Tales of Wonder, he invites you to come along to explore your own vistas of ...

Editorial Reviews:

Huston Smith is an American scholar of religious studies who wrote a perennially popular manual on comparative religion and who has cultivated a lifetime of relationships with Eleanor Roosevelt, Martin Luther King, Jr., Thomas Merton, Mother Teresa, Aldous Huxley, Bill Moyers, and the Dalai Lama. Professor Smith's autobiography, Adventures Chasing the Divine, delves into almost nine decades of his personal history while also "light[ing] up the places where religions converge", as Pico Iyer states in his foreword.

Michael McConnohie brings a deep integrity to his performance, crafting each sentence for ultimate impact. One of this memoir's rejected titles was No Wasted Journey, and McConnohie's narration could just as easily be characterized "No Wasted Word".

Members Reviews:

Reckoning Wonder

Reckoning is something done at length here in the hills of East Tennessee. When wonder is reckoned with, joy and awe are it's byproducts, and Smith's tale is a perfect example.

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Title: Sandy Koufax

Subtitle: A Lefty's Legacy

Author: Jane Leavy

Narrator: Charley Steiner

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 52 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-09-09

Publisher: HarperAudio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 72 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Celebrities

Publisher's Summary:

He is the Jewish boy from Brooklyn, who refused to pitch the opening game of the 1965 World Series on Yom Kippur, defining himself as a man who placed faith over fame. This act made him the standard to which Jewish parents still hold their children. Except for his autobiography (published in 1966), Koufax has resolutely avoided talking about himself. But through sheer doggedness that even Koufax came to marvel at, Jane Leavy was able to gain his trust to the point where they talked regularly over the three years Leavy reported her book. With Koufax's blessing, Leavy interviewed nearly every one of his former teammates, opponents, and friends, and emerged with a portrait of the artist that is as thorough and stylish as was his command on the pitching mound.

Members Reviews:

The Greatest Lefty I've Ever seen

What did you like about this audiobook?

This audiobook kept my interest from beginning to end. I think the audiobook is equal to the print version. I have also read the print version & loved it.

How has the book increased your interest in the subject matter?

It gave me the chance to re-live my youth and remember watching the best pitcher in baseball during the '60's.The Boys of Summer is another of the audiobooks I enjoyed that compares to Sandy Koufax because like Koufax, I kept my attention until the end. The Greatest Game Ever Pitched is the book I'm reading now (& I wish it was available in audiobook) because I was among the fans that witnessed the game at the "Stick" that night.

Does the author present information in a way that is interesting and insightful, and if so, how does he achieve this?

Yes she does. although I've never met Jane Leavy, I believe this book brings a very personal warmth & humor in the way it's written. I like that.

What did you find wrong about the narrator's performance?

Absolutely nothing!

Do you have any additional comments?

Is "Sandy Koufax, A Lefty's Legacy" available in enhanced form? If not, why not?

Baseball Favorite

Great story about a great man...Exceptionally written, Koufax's life story being told while woven between the innings of the perfect game he threw...It is refreshing being able to read about a boyhood hero that wasn't a fall down drunk or an egotistical psycho...Can't wait for your next book...

Wow

What did you love best about Sandy Koufax?

The book is easy to listen to and parallels a lot of idolizing of Mr. Koufax. The writing is wonderful. Having Charlie Steiner narrate the book is pure genius. Charlie is great talking about sports. Getting to listen to him for an extended period is great.

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Title: This Is Living

Subtitle: How I Found Health and Happiness

Author: Lynn Redgrave

Narrator: Lynn Redgrave

Format: Abridged

Length: 1 hr and 28 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-03-09

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Celebrities

Publisher's Summary:

Born into one of Britain's most famous theatrical families, Redgrave was a shy girl who grew up in a storybook atmosphere complete with devoted nannies, elegant country estates, gala opening nights, even meetings with royalty. But this childhood came with a storybook villain, too: an inner voice that Redgrave called "Fat Ogre", a voice that urged her to take comfort in food whenever she felt sad or hurt or insecure, a voice that was not silenced even by her acting successes, her happy marriage, or the birth of her own children.

With candor, grace, and warmth, Redgrave evokes both the exhilaration of acting in a hit film and the heartache of being trapped in a dangerous cycle of yo-yo dieting, bulimia, and diet-pill abuse. Then comes the triumphant turning point: the decision to change her life, to banish forever the whisperings of Fat Ogre and to learn to live healthfully and joyfully.

Members Reviews:

Honest and rather touching

I really enjoyed this. Lynn is very honest and human and doesn't sugar coat her feelings. She read this beautifully.

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Title: Yogi Berra

Subtitle: Eternal Yankee

Author: Allen Barra

Narrator: Norman Dietz

Format: Unabridged

Length: 20 hrs and 18 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-22-09

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 30 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Celebrities

Publisher's Summary:

In this revelatory biography, Allen Barra presents Yogi's remarkable life as never seen before, from his childhood in "Dago Hill," the Italian-American neighborhood in St. Louis; to his leading role on the 1949-1953 Yankees, the only team to win five consecutive World Series; to the travails of the 1964 pennant race; through his epic battles and final peace with George Steinbrenner.

This biography, replete with countless "Yogi-isms," offers hilarious insights into many of baseball's greatest moments. From calling Don Larsen's perfect game to managing the 1973 "You Gotta Believe" New York Mets, Yogi's life and career are a virtual cutaway view of our national pastime in the 20th century.

Editorial Reviews:

Allen Barra sets out to write a definitive biography of the Yankee great, covering his upbringing in an Italian family in St. Louis, his Navy service, and his stellar career. It seems the author's goal is to convince listeners that Berra is the greatest catcher of all time and that he is much smarter than his reputation and "Yogi-isms" would lead one to believe. Norman Dietz gives voices to Berra's teammates, mostly through simple inflections. His two best voices are, thankfully, those of Berra and his manager, Casey Stengal. Berra is given an endearing incredulous pitch, which makes his statements sound like questions. Stengal has a likable crusty voice. After listening, fans will find it hard to argue Barra's assertion of Yogi's greatness.

Members Reviews:

Yogi BErra by Allan BArra

Started off interesting enough, filled with those personal little items we like to hear about our heros. Then little by little the book transitioned into a composite of laborious articles that could be summarized off the N.Y. Times micro-fiche archives, to ensure that you have been completely mired in an inescapable world of boredom. The author then brings out his 60+ year collection of baseball almanacs gleaning out every statistic pertaining to a generation of catchers that ever played the game of baseball.

Being a masochist, I forged on; it just kills me to flush a good hard earned credit down the toilet.

The author is correct; Yogi BERRA is one of Americas most quoted and fascinating sports figures, I doubt if Allen BARRA will become one of Americas most published authors. Pitifully lacking in personal information, jam packed with publically available information juxtaposed with Yogis last name and the authors leaves me with a stomach full of skepticism regarding this book.

Either I have been scammed or the publisher should be looking for a new editor.

Baseball Legend

I bought the book as part of a research project. I was very glad I had a lot of other things to do while listening to it. For a true baseball enthusiast, it would probably have higher appeal.

However, the author prefaces the book by saying that there was no comprehensive Yogi Berra biography, and he hoped to rectify that problem.

There is some excellent background material about Berra. There are references to his home life as a boy and as a father with his own home.

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Title: Just When I Thought I'd Dropped My Last Egg

Author: Kathie Lee Gifford

Narrator: Kathie Lee Gifford

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 3 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-14-09

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 13 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Celebrities

Publisher's Summary:

This smart and witty collection of opinions, observations, and anecdotes covers a broad range of personal topics. Kathie Lee Gifford's stories are often funny, sometimes heartfelt, and always compelling - think Nora Ephron's I Feel Bad About My Neck meets Carol Burnett.

No subject is off-limits: talking to her kids about sex, being married to Frank Gifford, embarrassing professional gaffes, run-ins with celebrities (of which there are many), the harsh and funny realities of aging. It's all here, told with intelligence, grace, and comedic wit.

Written by Gifford's own hand, this highly original and listenable volume will make you laugh out loud as you reach for the phone to share one of these charming, quirky, and colorful observations.

Critic Reviews:

"From her head down to her gnarly (no longer!) toes, Kathie Lee is pure dame. And she's served up a cocktail of wit and wisdom with a decidedly salty rim!" (Meredith Vieira)

"I've been through a couple of calamities with Kathie Lee and nobody handles them better. You could blow her up, cook her and hang her out to dry and she will still survive and have some laughs doing it." (Regis Philbin)

Members Reviews:

OK if you are a fan

I read this a long time ago - it was forgettable. Her first book was really fun to me - but that was years ago and during a different time in American life. This book was trying to encourage women to keep on moving in spite of menopause - and that's a good thing. If you love her, you'd enjoy it. She is a wonderful human - but I think I got tired of hearing her after all these years. That's just me. Don't watch her anymore. Enjoyed her in the early Regis years.

... Kathie Lee fan for years but I was really disappointed in some of her language in this book

I have been a Kathie Lee fan for years but I was really disappointed in some of her language in this book. It feels as though she is trying to fit in and sound like the world. Kid of a shallow book if you ask me and honestly, save your money.

Lightens your Day

Humorous read! Easy to follow...lots of cute funny stories.

Five Stars

as funny in print as she is on the screen

Wonderful

I've been a fan of Kathie Lee for as long as I can remember. Somehow or another she has managed to touch all of our lives who enjoy her right along with our morning coffee. This book was another treat from her, it's always nice to know someone we admire is really just one of us. And yes Kathie, in responce to your poem... You MORE than matter. You matter because of who you are and how you use your wonderful gift to make others smile, and be happy. It's that simple. Thank you!

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Title: We Are Our Mothers' Daughters

Subtitle: Revised and Expanded Edition

Author: Cokie Roberts

Narrator: Cokie Roberts

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 48 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-07-09

Publisher: HarperAudio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 10 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Celebrities

Publisher's Summary:

Updated and expanded to include a diverse new cast of women, including Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, Billie Jean King, and others, this collection of essays offers tremendous insight into the opportunities and challenges that women encounter today.

Looking into the future, Roberts focuses on the question of "What next?" exploring how several women have begun to define themselves in the next stages of their life.

Members Reviews:

Excellent

This is an excellent mix of personal autobiography and very interesting research on contribution of women to our modern society. Professional life, especially at the top in academia, and even more in business is still very much dominated by men. This book reminds us of the struggles and achievements of women who have gone before us. As an audiobook, it is well read and very easy to listen to.

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Title: Man Who Flew The Memphis Belle

Author: Ron Powers, Robert Morgan

Narrator: uncredited

Format: Abridged

Length: 4 hrs and 51 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-13-08

Publisher: HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 7 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Celebrities

Publisher's Summary:

He found that meaning at the controls of an airplane, and in the flak-and fighter-filled skies over Occupied France and Nazi Germany. The plane was a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress. Morgan named her the Memphis Belle in honor of his fiancée, a Memphis beauty named Margaret Polk. He and his crew flew 25 successful daylight missions over Europe in the Belle, and were immortalized by Hollywood director William Wyler in a 1944 documentary called The Memphis Belle.

In those 25 harrowing missions, Morgan never lost a crew member. The only casualty associated with the Belle was Morgan's engagement to the plane's namesake; it simply couldn't survive the War Department's publicity demands.

A powerful chronicle of loyalty, love, and astonishing bravery, The Man Who Flew the Memphis Belle takes you into the heart of the war above 20,000 feet, and into the unforgettable life of one of America's greatest World War II heroes.

Contact me for any questions: [email protected]

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Title: Amelia Earhart

Subtitle: The Sky's No Limit

Author: Lori Van Pelt

Narrator: Kris Faulkner

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 14 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-28-08

Publisher: Books in Motion

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 11 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Celebrities

Publisher's Summary:

In her 20s she fell in love with flight while watching an aerobatics exhibition and grew even more enthralled when she took her first airplane ride. At age 24 she earned her pilot's wings and in 1928 took part in the transatlantic "Friendship" flight. In 1937 she married publisher George Putnam who managed her career and promoted her zealously, ensuring her status as the world's best-known aviatrix. The next year she flew solo over the Atlantic, afterward receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross, and began championing the efforts of women to explore careers traditionally held by men.

Tragically, just days before her 40th birthday, her plane vanished en route to a tiny island in the Pacific Ocean as she neared the end of her round-the-world journey. After an exhaustive search, no trace of the plane or Amelia was ever found.

Critic Reviews:

"Everybody ought to have basic knowledge of Earhart; this is a good place to acquire it." (

Booklist)"This exceedingly well-written tribute to Amelia Earhart portrays her as a true American hero, one whose memory needs to be rekindled in these trying times." (Col. Walter Boyne [USAF, ret.], former director of the National Air and Space Museum)

Members Reviews:

Overall OK

There are discrepancies - especially early on- in this biography of Amelia Earhart that can be annoying to those more broadly researched readers, but Van Pelt's story does offer a good sense of pilot Amelia and includes well timed quotes. It also provides information about her father and his wives that I have not read elsewhere.

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Title: Diana's Boys

Subtitle: William and Harry and the Mother They Loved

Author: Christopher Andersen

Narrator: Derek Partridge

Format: Abridged

Length: 2 hrs and 53 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-18-08

Publisher: HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Celebrities

Publisher's Summary:

Meanwhile, "the heir and the spare" remain the focus of merciless media attention and the source of endless speculation by royal watchers worldwide.

Since Christopher Anderson meticulously investigated the horrific accident that killed Princess Diana and divulged his findings in The Day Diana Died, he has concentrated on her two engaging young sons. Based on interviews with numerous informed sources close to the boys; their father, Prince Charles; and their paternal grandparents, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip; Andersen's latest abounds in startling revelations.

He describes, for example, how Wills and Harry were caught in the crossfire of their volatile parents' ill-starred marriage and how Charles, devastated by his former wife's death, has attempted to cope as the single father of two strong-willed teenagers. His account of the initial - and understandably awkward - meeting between the young men and Camilla Parker Bowles, Charles' longtime mistress, is especially striking.

Devoid of salacious gossip and groundless speculation, Diana's Boys is the first candid chronicle of the world's two most celebrated royals - and far more.

Critic Reviews:

"A juicy biography....In cultured British tones, Partridge reads factually at an even pace appropriate to the serious nature of the boys' grief over the death of their mother. If it's personal information on British royalty you want, you'll get it with this production." (AudioFile)

Contact me for any questions: [email protected]

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Title: Sharon Osbourne

Subtitle: Survivor

Author: Sharon Osbourne

Narrator: Paula Wilcox

Format: Abridged

Length: 2 hrs and 22 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-23-08

Publisher: Hachette Audio UK

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 12 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Celebrities

Publisher's Summary:

From the recent sad loss of her father, to her experiences as a judge on number-one hit shows The X Factor and America's Got Talent, to the further jaw-dropping adventures and dramas in the Osbourne family, Sharon tells it like it really is - with wit, honesty, and style. Set to be a huge best seller this autumn, Survivor is as astonishing, big-hearted, and fascinating as Mrs O herself.

Members Reviews:

Not as good as the 1st book

What did you like best about Sharon Osbourne? What did you like least?

It wasnt as entertaining as the other book I read by Sharon

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

I liked hearing stories of the music industry

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

I perferred hearing it read by Sharon like in the last book...this just didnt sound right to me

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

no