BOT and our website are here to stay! We are now introducing CD retail packaging on our site, as well as additional changes. Please click here to learn more.
×
bot print
BOT
LISTENING
LIBRARY
LARGE PRINT
  • HELP
    • Contact Us
    • Meet the BOT Sales Reps
    • Our Partners
    • FAQ
    • New Customers
    • Random House Biz
    • Standing Orders
    • Terms of Sale
    • Value Added Services
SIGN IN
MY CART

Books On Tape

Skip to content
  • Browse
    • Authors
    • Awards
    • Subject Category
    • Narrators
    • New Releases
    • Series
    • Downloadable Audiobooks
  • Featured Collections
    • Celebrate AANHPI Voices
    • Full-Cast and Multi-Reader Productions
    • Audiobooks with Teacher Guides
    • Antiracist Audiobook Recommendations
    • LibraryReads Make Great Listens
    • Celebrity-Read Audiobooks
    • Meditative Listens
    • See all
  • Blog
  • Seasonal Lists
    • Spring 2023 BOT Audiobook Titles
    • Spring 2023 Large Print
    • Fall 2022 BOT Audiobook Titles
    • Fall 2022 Large Print
    • 2022 Audiobooks Available on CD
    • Summer 2022 BOT Audiobook Titles
    • Summer 2022 Large Print
  • Order
    • Place An Order
    • New Customers
    • Order Forms & Free Materials
    • Replacements
    • My Lists
    • View Orders
    • View Invoices
news banner
Kenneth C Davis
Guest Post “I am a library goer.” Kenneth C. Davis reflects on libraries, lockdown, and audiobooks
Submitted by Jennifer Rubins on August 27, 2020

Kenneth C. Davis is the author of The New York Times bestselling DON’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT® HISTORY which gave rise to the DON’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT® series. He is also the author of the The New York Times bestseller AMERICA’S HIDDEN HISTORY. His newest audiobook, STRONGMAN, goes on sale October 6, 2020. Davis lives in New York with his wife.

“I am a library goer. As a small boy, I went to the Mount Vernon Public library with my mother every week. And I distinctly remember walking up those grand marble steps, as if I were going into a Greek temple. Even now, as an adult, I make it a point to go to the library practically every day— or at least I did until the pandemic brought a shutdown. My wife didn’t know what I was going to do without my daily visits to the Jefferson Market library or the Hudson Park Library in my neighborhood of the West Village.

As the restrictions in New York City have lifted, I made two immediate outings—the first to the Hudson Park library to pick up books that had been on reserve for me since March.

The second real venture outside our apartment—for something other than groceries and a haircut—was: A trip to the recording studio!

For me, recording a section of my books for audio has been a tradition — and a highlight— of preparing for the release of a new book. Going back to my first book with then Random House—Don’t Know Much About History— I have enjoyed the experience, though nervous-making, of performing a section of a book, even a small one. As a writer, I like to think that I am having a conversation with the reader. Getting to record a section of my book makes that dialog —even if it is one-way— all the more real.

The process has come a long way since I first started doing it many years ago. But this time for my book STRONGMAN was definitely different. The protocols for being alone in a booth and reading the script, were exacting but reassuring. And when I was done with my piece of the reading, I was very happy —as always— to step aside for the wonderful professionals who bring my words to life. Books are vital. Books change lives. But libraries? Well, I can’t say enough about what they mean to me and those readers who are also listeners.” —Kenneth C. Davis

Learn more about Kenneth C. Davis’s most recent audiobooks:
On Sale Oct 6, 2020

Strongman
Strongman
Author: Kenneth C. Davis
Read By: Cindy Kay, Terrence Kidd and Kenneth C. Davis
LISTEN TO A CLIP: audio
A dramatic account of the origins of democracy, the history of authoritarianism, and the reigns of five of history’s deadliest dictators.
Early praise: “A pitch-perfect balance of nuanced reflection and dire warning.”—Kirkus, starred review

“Timely…Davis offers his readers a salutary opportunity to learn.”—Booklist

The PRH Library Marketing Team chats about STRONGMAN in episode 14 of our Morning Book Buzz. Check out the video archive!
More Deadly Than War
More Deadly Than War
Author: Kenneth C. Davis
Read By: MacLeod Andrews and Adenrele Ojo
LISTEN TO A CLIP: audio
A timely listen for young people about the fascinating account of the Spanish influenza pandemic.

Audio praise:
“Marking the 100th anniversary of this global pandemic, Davis’ gripping story outlines the initial outbreaks and spread of the killer disease, while Andrews’ approachable, conversational narration invites listeners to draw up a comfortable chair and enter this bizarre and horrifying account along with him.”—Booklist

In the Shadow of Liberty
In the Shadow of Liberty
Author: Kenneth C. Davis
Read by: Various
LISTEN TO A CLIP: audio
YALSA Award for Excellence in Non-Fiction Finalist
Through the powerful stories of five enslaved people who were “owned” by four of our greatest presidents, this audiobook helps set the record straight about the role slavery played in the founding of America.

Audio praise: “The eight narrators who give these characters their distinct voices respect their subjects while conveying the flavor of the late 1700s and early 1800s.”— Booklist

“With a full cast of talented narrators, listeners hear the deep emotion in individual stories that emphasize the irony of the colonists seeking freedom while keeping others enslaved.”—AudioFile

Tagged: Author Guest Post, Kenneth C. Davis, Library, Library Card Sign-Up Month, STRONGMAN

Post navigation

← OLDER
LibraryReads Make Great Listens September 2020
NEWER →
Celebrate Library Card Sign-Up Month with This is the Author podcast featuring Erik Larson, Anne Applebaum, and more!

Related Posts

Allan Woodrow and the Greatest Author Audiobook Interview Ever • GUEST POST: Author Justin Dean’s Road Trip Into the Ocean • Author Julie Berry Shares the Magic and Music of LOVELY WAR • THE WHISPERS Author Greg Howard on the Magical Act of Listening to Audiobooks • Author Jill Santopolo on Why Narrating an Audiobook is “More Than Words”

Categories

  • Awards & Recognition
  • Collection Development
  • Featured Titles
  • Guest Post
  • Hear Diversity
  • In The Studio
  • Interview
  • Listening Library
  • Marketing Tips
  • On the Road
  • Promotions & Events
  • Video

BOT team

  • Jennifer Rubins
    Jennifer RubinsAssoc. Director of Library Marketingfb bug

ARCHIVES

Site Help

  • About Us
  • Meet the Team
  • Meet the BOT Sales Reps
  • Our Partners
  • FAQ
  • Replacements
  • RH.Biz
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Affiliate Program Disclosure
  • Contact Us

Favorite Sites

  • Penguin Classroom
  • Penguin Random House
  • PRH Audio
  • PRH Library Group
  • Random House Kids
  • Sound Learning

Newsletter

  • Sign Up

Connect With
PRH Audio

fbtwytscptig
PRH Books On Tape
Books on Tape
A Penguin Random House Company
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Contact Us
Copyright ©2023 Penguin Random House LLC. All Rights Reserved
www.penguinrandomhouse.com
ice cream couple

Treat Yourself

Don’t Miss Out on Audio News, Giveaways, and More.






ADULT LIBRARY NEWS

KIDS AND TEEN LIBRARY NEWS

BOT