I've really been on a roll with audiobooks for the past 7 or 8 years. I find that I'm more auditory than visual, and it's a great way to accompany a long walk or bike ride. I use Audible (
https://www.audible.com)
Some music-related titles I've enjoyed:
When Giants Walked the Earth: A biography Of Led Zeppelin - Mick Wall (18 hours)
I listened to this three times. Great information and lots of detail though the author has a somewhat negative view of Jimmy Page.
Who I Am - Pete Townshend (18 hours)
Read by the man himself. I found it completely engaging. In particular, the early years of the Who, Lambert and Stamp, and all the ups and downs of Pete's inner & outer turmoils are laid bare.
Life - Keith Richards (23 hours)
It starts off wonderfully, gives a fascinating account of the formative years of the Stones, who admittedly are a band I've never really connected with. The middle is a long, long, long trip through years of heroin, violence, trials, child neglect, and other dismal things. The last part seems just sort of thrown together at random, so the ending is rather disappointing.
Roadshow: Landscape with Drums - Neil Peart (nearly 16 hours)
I enjoyed every second of this! Some think Neil is something of a snob, but I find him articulate and refreshingly honest.
Selected history, biography, science, political, and other stuff:
1812: The Navy's War - George C. Daughan (nearly 19 hours)
Good info about an event I knew precious little about but slightly bogged down by (boat)loads of unnecessary nautical minutiae.
The Guns of August - Barbara W. Tuchman (19 hours)
Totally deserves its status as a classic. Nadia May narrates this, and her pronunciation of French and German names and places is spot-on.
Nothing to Envy - Barbara Demick (12.5 hours)
Sobering harsh realities of refugees fleeing North Korea during the famine of the mid 90's. Narrator is slightly annoying - would've been better at narrating a children's book, and her pronunciation of Korean names/words is painful. The story still manages to come across vividly, however.
Escape From Camp 14 - Blaine Harden (5.5 hours)
Another North Korea horror story, but this time, the refugee was actually born in a prison camp. So-so narration, but totally gripping (and sad) story.
The Real North Korea - Andrei Lankov (11 hours)
Intelligently argued and well-balanced viewpoint from someone who actually lived there.
Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die - Dan and Chip Heath (8.5 hours)
Highly engaging, and with much useful, practical information
Einstein: His Life and Universe - Walter Isaacson (21.5 hours)
An outstanding work! Loved everything about it: the structure, the prose, and the narrator. It's difficult to comprehend the scope of his genius, especially when hearing about how the theories of special and general relativity came into being. The book also shows Einstein's musical and human side in some depth. I never knew Albert & his first wife had a child out of wedlock.
Atomic Accidents: A History of Nuclear Meltdowns and Disasters... James Mahaffey (16 hours)
Informative, scary, and illuminating, and if you're into engineering, you'll find this book particularly fascinating. Comes with a pdf file that shows different types of reactors.
The Adventure of English - Melvyn Bragg (12 hours)
Thoroughly entertaining & informative look at the development of the English language.
The Borderlands of Science - Michael Shermer (13 hours)
Science and pseudo-science and everything in between. Informative and entertaining. A great resource though Shermer's narration is slightly nasal-y.
Unbroken - Laura Hillenbrand (14 hours)
Just finished this last week, and WOW... what an incredible, true story! Louis Zamperini was indeed a singular character.
David Attenborough: Life On Air - same (19.5 hours)
Fascinating for anyone interested in the history of the BBC, wildlife, Nature, and Sir David's inimitable delivery. Of course, no one else could possibly have read this one but the man himself, which makes it all the more delightful.
The Great Courses:
The Industrial Revolution - Prof. Patrick N. Allitt (18 hours)
Much more interesting than you might think. Prof. Allitt is a delight.
The History of the United States - Prof. Allen C. Guelzo, Prof. Gary W. Gallagher, Prof. Patrick N. Allitt (43.5 hours)
Epic length, but it held my interest and filled in lots of (embarrassing) gaps in my knowledge.
The American Civil War - Prof. Gary W. Gallagher (24.5 hours)
Same as above. Excellent overview and with a well-balanced viewpoint.
Bookmarks