Audiobooks narrated by Blair Underwood

Young King: The Making of Martin Luther King Jr.

"From a preeminent King scholar, the origin story of the man, minister, and civil rights hero who would lead the nation and change the world. We know who Martin Luther King, Jr. became, but who was he at the beginning of his life? How did his youth inform his outlook and activism? Before Martin Luther King, Jr. was a civil rights leader, a Nobel Laureate, and a global hero, he was an emotional boy, a middling high school student devoted to fashion, dancing, and dating. Lerone A. Martin, Faculty Director of the Martin Luther King Institute at Stanford University, traces these roots to develop a fuller understanding of the influential preacher's emotional life, his youthful confusion about his future and career direction, his teenage missteps, and his inspiration to fight for justice. Revelatory, humanizing, and compassionate, Young King unearths: - MLK's Childhood on Auburn Avenue: his days as "Little Mike"-the ever-eager middle child and a precocious prankster-spent at Ebenezer Baptist Church and the Auburn Avenue Library in Atlanta - Early Encounters with Racism: his early experiences of segregation and the summers he spent on a Connecticut tobacco farm, his first trip outside the Jim Crow South - College Life at Morehouse: his transformative time at Morehouse, playing basketball, hosting parties, studying sociology, and joining the Ministers' Union - Path to Seminary and Activism: his winding path to seminary and the co-development of his activist consciousness, his spiritual devotion, and his relationship with Coretta, his wife-to-be As America undergoes another era of turmoil and change, this powerful biography provides a vital roadmap for how greatness comes to light. This essential work is a testament to how history shapes a leader. Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook."

Lerone Martin (Author), Blair Underwood (Narrator)

Audiobook

A Soldier's Wife: My Mother, the Marvelous Mrs. Marilyn A. Underwood

"Audiobook read by Grammy award-winning author, Blair Underwood In this moving biography and memoir, Blair Underwood, acclaimed star of film, stage, and television, pays homage to his mother, sharing her well-lived life, and key lessons learned as a fashion designer, mother, and soldier’s wife. Born in Buffalo, New York, Marilyn Ann Scales Underwood dreamed of becoming a fashion designer. Moving to New York City to study at theTraphagen School of Fashion, she became an assistant designer and eventually returned to her hometown where she began her career as the first Black female executive at Barmon Brothers Company. Independent and content with being single, she wasn’t interested in marriage until she met Lieutenant Frank Underwood. Blair Underwood honors his mother with this remarkable work, bringing into sharp focus her life as a soldier's wife, mother, and successful entrepreneur, drawn from his memories, her letters, and interviews with family and friends. Told thematically, organized around essential pillars, Underwood gently peels back the layers of his mother’s life and character to reveal highly, triumphant, and sometimes-scary moments told in Marilyn’s warm and witty voice that connects with readers. Painting a wonderfully rich and deeply human portrait of a woman whose indelible mark is felt by all privileged to know her."

Blair Underwood (Author), Blair Underwood, Marlo Underwood (Narrator)

Audiobook

Moses, Man of the Mountain

"“A narrative of great power. Warm with friendly personality and pulsating with . . . profound eloquence and religious fervor.” —New York Times In this 1939 novel based on the familiar story of the Exodus, Zora Neale Hurston blends the Moses of the Old Testament with the Moses of black folklore and song to create a compelling allegory of power, redemption, and faith. Narrated in a mixture of biblical rhetoric, black dialect, and colloquial English, Hurston traces Moses's life from the day he is launched into the Nile river in a reed basket, to his development as a great magician, to his transformation into the heroic rebel leader, the Great Emancipator. From his dramatic confrontations with Pharaoh to his fragile negotiations with the wary Hebrews, this very human story is told with great humor, passion, and psychological insight—the hallmarks of Hurston as a writer and champion of black culture. Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook."

Zora Neale Hurston (Author), Blair Underwood, Robin Miles (Narrator)

Audiobook

Truly

"THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER ‘A fascinating perspective on a great pop story.’ Sunday Times ‘A career this packed with highs – and personal lows – makes for dream memoir fodder.’ Daily Telegraph The long-awaited memoir of legendary Lionel Richie. As a storyteller second to none, Lionel Richie is ready to tell it all. In this intimate, deeply candid memoir, Lionel revisits hilarious and harrowing events to inspire all who doubt themselves or feel their dreams don’t matter. Lionel chronicles lessons learned during his unlikely story of remarkable success—his dramatic transformation from painfully shy, 'tragically' late bloomer to world-class entertainer and composer of love songs that have played as the soundtrack of our lives. Funny, warm and riveting, Lionel recalls his childhood in Tuskegee, Alabama, where he grew up on its university campus during the heyday of the Civil Rights movement, raucous adventures as a member of The Commodores, coming-of-age in late 1960s Harlem, culture shock playing gigs on the French Riviera, the big break of being signed to Motown, his meteoric solo career that included an Olympics performance witnessed by two billion around the globe, all the way through to writing and recording 'We Are the World' and his current multi-generational fame as a judge on American Idol. Even with its turbulence, loss, and near-calamity, Lionel’s journey takes us on a thrill ride and delivers a memoir for the ages—reminding us of the power of love to elevate our own lives and our world. Lionel Richie’s memoir includes three eight-page photo inserts."

Lionel Richie (Author), Blair Underwood (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Life of Herod the Great

"'The Life of Herod The Great – like Hurston herself – is a masterpiece, a miracle, and a marvel. In other words, treasure for the whole world' Tayari Jones, author of An American Marriage * In the 1950s Zora Neale Hurston penned a historical novel reconsidering the life of one of the most well-known biblical figures, Herod the Great. That novel was never published in Hurston's lifetime. Now for the first time, it is brought to glorious life with commentary from scholar Deborah G. Plant. Far from his villainous portrayal in the New Testament, Hurston casts Herod as a forerunner of Christ, a beloved king who enriched Jewish culture and brought prosperity and peace to Judea. An intimate of both Marc Antony and Julius Caesar, the Judean king lived in a time of war and imperial expansion that was rife with political assassinations and bribery, as the old world gave way to the new. By bringing this complex, compelling and oft misunderstood leader into shining focus, The Life of Herod the Great invites the reader to reassess history and the world as they know it. What was in Herod’s time is and will be again. Zora Neale Hurston’s never-before-published novel is a lantern of understanding that might be held up to the present or the future, and nothing short of a masterpiece. A never-before-published novel from beloved author Zora Neale Hurston, revealing the historical Herod the Great – not the demon the Bible makes him out to be but a religious and philosophical man who lived a life of adventure. * Praise for Zora Neale Hurston: 'Zora Neale was a knockout in her life' MAYA ANGELOU 'Their Eyes Were Watching God is one of the very greatest American novels of the 20th century. It is so lyrical it should be sentimental; it is so passionate it should be overwrought, but it is instead a rigorous, convincing and dazzling piece of prose, as emotionally satisfying as it is impressive. There is no novel I love more' ZADIE SMITH 'To the last page that fills the soul with tears, Hurston's novel delivers. To me, it is also a welcome reminder that books are democratic, subversive and life-changing' THE TIMES"

Zora Neale Hurston (Author), Blair Underwood, Robin Miles (Narrator)

Audiobook

I Have a Dream - 60th Anniversary Edition

"With new forewords and an afterword by Martin Luther King III, Dr. Bernice A. King, and Dexter Scott King Celebrating the 60th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s legendary speech at the March on Washington, part of Dr. King’s archives published exclusively by HarperCollins On August 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood before thousands of Americans who had gathered at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. in the name of civil rights. Including the immortal words, “I have a dream,” Dr. King’s keynote speech would energize a movement and change the course of history. With references to the Gettysburg Address, the Emancipation Proclamation, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, Shakespeare, and the Bible, Dr. King’s March on Washington address has long been hailed as one of the greatest pieces of writing and oration in history. Profound and deeply moving, it is as relevant today as it was sixty years earlier. This edition presents Dr. King’s speech in its entirety, paying tribute to this extraordinary leader and his immeasurable contribution, and inspiring a new generation of activists dedicated to carrying on the fight for justice and equality."

Martin Luther King Jr. (Author), Bernice A. King, Blair Underwood, Martin Luther King Jr. (Narrator)

Audiobook

I Have a Dream

"Introducing the Martin Luther King Jr Library With a New Foreword written and read by Amanda Gorman. A beautiful audio edition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s legendary speech at the March on Washington, part of Dr. King’s archives produced exclusively by HarperCollins, hear both the original recording of the speech and a new reading by Blair Underwood. On August 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood before thousands of Americans who had gathered at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. in the name of civil rights. Including the immortal words, “I have a dream,” Dr. King’s keynote speech would energize a movement and change the course of history. With references to the Gettysburg Address, the Emancipation Proclamation, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, Shakespeare, and the Bible, Dr. King’s March on Washington address has long been hailed as one of the greatest pieces of writing and oration in history. Profound and deeply moving, it is as relevant today as it was nearly sixty years earlier. This beautiful edition presents Dr. King’s speech in its entirety, paying tribute to this extraordinary leader and his immeasurable contribution, and inspiring a new generation of activists dedicated to carrying on the fight for justice and equality. "

Martin Luther King Jr. (Author), Amanda Gorman, Blair Underwood, Martin Luther King Jr. (Narrator)

Audiobook

I Have a Dream

"Introducing the Martin Luther King Jr Library With a New Foreword written and read by Amanda Gorman. A beautiful audio edition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s legendary speech at the March on Washington, part of Dr. King’s archives published exclusively by HarperCollins, hear both the original recording of the speech and a new reading by Blair Underwood. On August 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood before thousands of Americans who had gathered at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. in the name of civil rights. Including the immortal words, “I have a dream,” Dr. King’s keynote speech would energize a movement and change the course of history. With references to the Gettysburg Address, the Emancipation Proclamation, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, Shakespeare, and the Bible, Dr. King’s March on Washington address has long been hailed as one of the greatest pieces of writing and oration in history. Profound and deeply moving, it is as relevant today as it was nearly sixty years earlier. This beautiful edition presents Dr. King’s speech in its entirety, paying tribute to this extraordinary leader and his immeasurable contribution, and inspiring a new generation of activists dedicated to carrying on the fight for justice and equality. "

Martin Luther King Jr. (Author), Amanda Gorman, Blair Underwood, Martin Luther King Jr. (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Word of God Audio Bible: New Testament, A Full-Cast Performance of the RSV-CE

Carl Amari (Author), Blair Underwood, Brian Cox, John Rhys-Davies, Julia Ormond, Kristen Bell, Malcolm Mcdowell, Michael York, Neal Mcdonough, Sean Astin, Stacy Keach (Narrator)

Audiobook

Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales

"Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales is an extraordinary audiobook featuring Gillian Anderson, Benjamin Bratt, LeVar Burton, Ricardo Chavira, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, Whoopi Goldberg, Sean Hayes, Hugh Jackman, Samuel L. Jackson, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Debra Messing, Helen Mirren, Parminder Nagra, Sophie Okonedo, CCH Pounder, Alan Rickman, Jurnee Smollett, Charlize Theron, Blair Underwood, Forest Whitaker and Alfre Woodard with a special message from Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Original Music by South African legends by Johnny Clegg and Vusi Mahlasela, Directed by Alfre Woodard. The audiobook was a truly international affair recorded in Los Angeles, New York, Miami, London, and Johannesburg. The stories were chosen by the Nobel Laureate himself, from every region of Africa. 'We hope this audiobook will be enjoyed by people of all ages across the globe, increasing awareness of Africa's rich cultures while creating a better future for South Africa's most vulnerable children,' said ANSA Executive Director Sharon Gelman.In his original foreword for the folktales, Nelson Mandela wrote, 'It is my wish that the voice of the storyteller may never die in Africa, that all the children of the world may experience the wonder of books.' The audiobook brings his vision full circle, as these timeless tales return to the oral tradition to be heard around the world."

Nelson Mandela (Author), Alan Rickman, Alfre Woodard, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Benjamin Bratt, Blair Underwood, Cch Pounder, Charlize Theron, Debra Messing, Don Cheadle, Forest Whitaker, Gillian Anderson, Helen Mirren, Hugh Jackman, Jurnee Smollett, Latanya Richardson Jackson, Levar Burton, Matt Damon, Parminder Nagra, Ricardo Chavira, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Sean Hayes, Sophie Okonedo, Whoopi Goldberg (Narrator)

Audiobook

Confucius in the Boardroom: Ancient Wisdom, Modern Lessons for Business

"Today's modern, competitive business environment demands that executives conduct business operations more effectively and compassionately. Turning to the ancient wisdom of China provides insight for professionals who want to stay on the cutting edge. This program guides executives with fundamental teachings on the topics of leadership, strategy, selling, personnel, and ethics from the writings of Confucius, Chuang Tzu, Lao Tzu, and others to present a practical vision for those who strive to maintain formidable status in the ever-changing business world."

Stefan Rudnicki (Author), Blair Underwood, Stephanie Zimbalist (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by Blair Underwood

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