Biography & Memoir Audiobooks

An innovative, hybrid work of literary nonfiction, Lowest White Boy takes its title from Lyndon Johnson's observation during the civil rights era: 'If you can convince the lowest white man he's better than the best colored man, he won't notice you're picking his pocket.' Greg Bottoms writes about growing up white and working class in Tidewater, Virginia, during school desegregation in the 1970s. He offers brief stories that accumulate to reveal the everyday experience of living inside complex, systematic racism that is often invisible to economically and politically disenfranchised white southerners-people who have benefited from racism in material ways while being damaged by it, he suggests, psychologically and spiritually. Placing personal memories against a backdrop of social history and cultural critique, Lowest White Boy explores normalized racial animus and reactionary white identity politics, particularly as these are collected and processed in the mind of a child.

Greg Bottoms (Author), Mike Chamberlain (Narrator)

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Replacement Child: A Memoir

Judy L. Mandel was born into a family crippled by grief. But it would be years before she would discover the shocking circumstances of their loss. In her award-winning memoir, Replacement Child-now a New York Times bestseller-Mandel tells the true story of a horrifying accident: A plane crashes into a family's home, leaving one daughter severely burned and another dead. The death of the child leaves a hole in the family that threatens to tear it apart. In an attempt to fill the painful gap, the parents have a 'replacement child.' This powerful tale of love and lies, family and hope, is an intimate account of being brought into the world to provide 'a salve for the burns.' As a child, Mandel unwittingly rides the deep and hidden currents of her family's grief-until her discovery of this family secret, years later, changes her life forever, forcing her to confront the complex layers of her relationships with her father, mother, and sister.

Judy L. Mandel (Author), Laural Merlington (Narrator)

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Girlvert: A Porno Memoir (Anniversary Edition)

Proclaimed 'girl-pervert' Oriana Small, AKA Ashley Blue, a veritable artist at heart, weaves through the intricacies of a decade in and out of the adult film industry, love, drugs, and her own firebrand of what it means to live ecstatically. From accolades to agony, Girlvert illuminates the surreality of a life lived beyond all comprehension. Contains mature themes.

Oriana Small (Author), Oriana Small (Narrator)

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Small Town, Big Oil: The Untold Story of the Women Who Took on the Richest Man in the World-And Won

Never underestimate the underdog. In the fall of 1973, the Greek oil shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, husband of President John F. Kennedy's widow, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and arguably the richest man in the world, proposed to build an oil refinery on the narrow New Hampshire coast, in the town of Durham. At the time, it would have cost $600 million to build and was expected to generate 400,000 barrels of oil per day, making it the largest oil refinery in the world. The project was vigorously supported by the governor, Meldrim Thomson, and by William Loeb, the notorious publisher of the only statewide newspaper, the Manchester Union Leader. But three women vehemently opposed the project-Nancy Sandberg, the town leader who founded and headed Save Our Shores; Dudley Dudley, the freshman state rep who took the fight to the state legislature; and Phyllis Bennett, the publisher of the local newspaper that alerted the public to Onassis's secret acquisition of the land. Small Town, Big Oil is the story of how the residents of Durham, led by these three women, out-organized, out-witted, and out-maneuvered the governor, the media, and the Onassis cartel to hand the powerful Greek billionaire the most humiliating defeat of his business career, and spare the New Hampshire seacoast from becoming an industrial wasteland.

David W. Moore (Author), Rebecca Gibel (Narrator)

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Close To Where The Heart Gives Out

Set in the wild and remote landscape of Eday, part of the Orkney archipelago, Close to Where the Heart Gives Out is the unflinchingly honest and moving tale of rural life, from the only doctor on the island ... As a young boy, Malcolm Alexander knew exactly what, and who, he wanted to be. He dreamed of becoming a doctor; he was mesmerized by the process of illness and obsessed with preventing it. He wanted to help others. In his forties, Malcolm gave up his job in suburban Glasgow when a persistent seed that had been growing inside him started to bloom, disrupting the foundations of his life. When he saw the job advert, 'urgent: island doctor needed', he applied immediately. What he didn't anticipate was how much Orkney would affect his family, for better or worse. In stories that range from the humorous to the deeply moving, Malcolm describes what it's like adjusting to life without modern conveniences and to the extreme - and constantly changing - weather; and what it means to be providing the best medical care to the local population with limited resources. Which often includes the wildlife as well ... Malcolm's journey evokes the awe that the Orkney landscape can inspire, as well as the challenges of island life and the demons that the dark, cold winter months can give birth to. Gripping and beautifully written, Close to Where the Heart Gives Out reminds us of the importance of listening to our heart, as well as to the rhythms of the landscape. 'Wind-whipped and salt-stung, Malcolm's account of island life is both grounding and immensely heart-warming. He is to GPs what James Herriot is to vets.' MATT GAW 'A fascinating, funny and utterly heartwarming family adventure. Beautifully written and completely unforgettable.' RUTH HOGAN

Malcolm Alexander (Author), David Monteath (Narrator)

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Lethal Shot: A Royal Marine Commando in Action

Rob Driscoll, former sergeant with 42 Commando, Royal Marines, served tours in Iraq, Kuwait and Kosovo. A born leader of fighting men, he also endured three tours in Afghanistan. The third of those will go down in history as one of the UK military's darkest hours, for it marked the first time a British serviceman has been tried for a murder on the battlefield since the Second World War. That man was 'Marine A', Sergeant Alexander Blackman, Rob Driscoll's friend and fellow NCO in 42 Commando, and on the day in question they were commanding patrols within a few hundred yards of each other. Few men know what really went on that day in Helmand Province. Rob Driscoll is one, and, like Blackman, knew only too well the privations and frustrations of fighting an ubiquitous and tenacious enemy without sufficient resources and support. Yet Lethal Shot is more than a compelling insight into one of the most controversial and divisive cases in recent military history. It is a clear-eyed account of life on active service with the Royal Marines, of incursions into war-torn countries where chaos and anarchy ruled - and of men risking their lives daily only too often to find that they would not be backed up by politicians at home. In charting its author's career as a Royal Marine Commando, it unflinchingly demonstrates the real-life horrors of engaging at close quarters with enemies such as the Taliban. Rob Driscoll received a Mention in Despatches for his last tour of 'Afghan', the citation reading: 'He never bows to fatigue or danger and there is no doubt that his remarkable acts of selflessness saved a number of lives for which he deserves significant formal recognition.'

Rob Driscoll, Robert Driscoll (Author), Finlay Robertson (Narrator)

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Violence in a Box

Helen grew up in a house not much bigger than a box, which had domestic violence oozing from every corner. The source of this violence was her father, Jack, and she was powerless to escape to escape or change her situation. Violence in a Box invites you to step into Helen's childhood world and experience life with a father who instils fear and terror, everyday, into the lives of his wife and children. Fifty years ago, doctors understood the behaviour of men like Jack as 'violent, temporary therapy', outbursts that 'served to release him from momentarily from his anxiety'... In Australia today, women and children are being murdered by intimate family members at an inexcusable rate. One murder is too many, bit up to two women a week is an epidemic - a public crisis that deserves our urgent intervention. As a practising social worker for 30 years, Helen's story is interwoven with a professional analysis of the historical and cultural context that has enabled domestic violence. Helen offers practical tips and resources for both victims and witnesses.

Helen Austin (Author), Sumara Meers (Narrator)

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Trump 2024 - The Ultimate Nightmare

Trump 2024 - The ultimate nightmare. That's what some are calling the prospect of another four years of Donald Trump as President. Certainly, whichever side of the political spectrum you're on, it's clear his opinion notwithstanding, that Trumps statements and actions , rather than 'making America great', are dividing it. And favoring certain segments of the population over others. Then there are the dark clouds of scandal, inappropriate and illegal behaviour that have envolved the Trump White House. With, as you are well aware, many of his former associates doing jail time. And as investigations continue, certainly more to come. The Donald, after portraying himself, falsely, as a great businessman who would run America like a business, has, in reality, run America into the ground. Gutting environmental protections, starting trade wars, and cuddling up to International Right Wing dictators. But the ultimate nightmare of four more years of the bully from Queens, would be his control of the courts. Imagine an America with every judge, at every judicial level, of the calibre of Brett Kavanaugh. All singing the praises of, and bowing down to King Donald. This is the course Trump and Mitch Mcconnell are now forging ahead with. Creating a Judicial system where only the Donald can win. In this no holds barred book, Investigative Reporter Atherton Cooper dives into the swamp of lies, deceit , illegally and immorality that are the stock in trade of the current occupant of the white house.

Atherton Cooper (Author), Atherton Cooper (Narrator)

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What Happened Was...

Over the 20 years of doing music full time I've accumulated a lot of unique experiences, my hope and desire with this book is to have a conversation with you about some of my greatest triumphs, joys and failures. ? 'What Happened Was...' is a compilation of true stories from my childhood, music, songs, touring and more. I've lived a charmed life! Picture you and I sitting in a room telling story after story about every aspect of my experiences. Ever wanted to know the backstory on a song? Ever wanted to know my perspective on a issue? Ever wanted to hang out with me for an hour and have me share my knowledge and wisdom I've learned from a life of music and ministry? This book is for you. ? Each story will come with it's own 'soundtrack to this chapter' section to help you experience exactly what I was feeling when I was going through that moment. This being my first auto-biographical book I wanted to allow fans the opportunity to leave quotes, pick questions and to have their name in the credits. This book was funded by the fans, inspired by the fans and written for the fans! ? Thank you so much for your support throughout the years, you make what I do possible.? kj52

Kj 52 (Author), Kj 52 (Narrator)

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From Tupelo to Eternity - The Elvis Presley Interviews

In this dynamic, hard-hitting audiobook, music biographer Geoffrey Giuliano examines the turbulent life and times of Elvis Presley. With an in-depth, insightful narration by the author, as well as rare archival, unheard interviews - here is the perfect collection celebrating the king of rock for every dedicated fan, music historian, the media, as well as all school, library, institutional, and university collections. An ultra-rare, exciting audio biography! Geoffrey Giuliano is the author of 32 biographies on the Beatles and other iconic rock groups of the 1960s. He is also a screenwriter, the voice on more than 500 popular audiobooks, and an actor in 25 films. Series producer Avalon Giuliano based in New York. Produced by Alex Franchi in Milan. Edited and mixed by Macc Kay in Bangkok. ICON intern Eden Garret Giuliano. Music by AudioNautix.

Geoffrey Giuliano (Author), Geoffrey Giuliano (Narrator)

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A Bonzo Dog Riot of Remembrances - The Band Friend & Family

In this unique, wholly unexpected, and frenetic new audiobook, members of the iconic Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band and friends are featured in rare exclusive interviews conducted by colleague and contemporary Geoffrey Giuliano. Here, you will find the always interesting and enigmatic Vivian Stanshall, the loony, cartoony Mr. Wonderful, 'Legs' Larry Smith, the incredibly dry robot master trouser king, Roger Ruskin Spear, the uber-talented, gentlemanly musical engine of the group, sometime Monty Python, Neil Innes, as well as accomplished author Ki Longfellow Stanshall. Giuliano also includes concise life histories of each of these amazing artists along with the far-ranging archival conversations recorded from 1983 to 1995. An absolute audio must for any '60s pop fan, music historian, and all university and school systems. The interviews are from 1962 to 1970. Additional narration by Josephine Rigonan Puno Noble Bobby Parrs, associate producer Geoffrey Giuliano is the author of 32 internationally best-selling biographies on the Beatles and other iconic rock groups of the 1960s. He is also a screenwriter, the voice on more than 500 popular audiobooks, as well as a compelling character actor in more than 25 classic films. Series producer Avalon Giuliano based in New York. Produced by Alex Franchi in Milan. Edited and mixed by Macc Kay in Bangkok. ICON intern Eden Garret Giuliano. Music by AudioNautix.

Geoffrey Giuliano (Author), Geoffrey Giuliano (Narrator)

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Lennon Remembered - A Fond Look Back at the Fallen Beatle

In this original production, the real John Lennon is revealed through the insightful narration of Beatles historian Jagannatha Dasa. Lennon was a complex man whose incredible body of work often obscured the sensitive, fragile man behind the music. Since his violent death in 1980, Lennon has become an almost fictional character; a hippie prince of peace, an idealized icon, a romanticized caricature. Along the way, the authentic John Lennon has been all but lost. Join the author in an in-depth, no holds barred look at the phenomenon of the Beatles and the often troubled Liverpool man behind it.

Jagannatha Dasa (Author), Jagannatha Dasa (Narrator)

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