Losing Mum and Pup: a Memoir by Christopher Buckley

Christopher Buckley has written a touching and often funny memoir of his famous parents. He is also the narrator and has a very easy-to-listen-to voice. Both his parents were captivating, exceptional people. Of course, William F. Buckley was the more famous former host of Firing Line and author of many, many books, newspaper and magazine articles. Patricia Buckley, apparently, was quite a memorable individual all on her own. It’s a wonderful thing to hear Mr. Buckley’s tribute to his parents and compassion for the difficulties they faced at the end of life. For those of us who have watched our parents go through somewhat similar travails in their final months or years, it’s comforting. - Reviewed by Nancy

All Things Bright and Beautiful by James Herriot

If you ever enjoyed the Masterpiece Theater series, All Creatures Great and Small, you will like this audiobook. Christopher Timothy, who starred in the series, is the reader. It was comforting and pleasurable to hear stories about the characters from the series I saw more than twenty years ago. The animal inhabitants of the Yorkshire Dales, Skeldale House, Darrowby, Sigfried, Tristan and Helen are all brought back to life through listening to this audiobook. Yes, the stories are heartwarming and compassionate and hearing them read by Christopher Timothy made the drive to and from work much more amusing than it usually is. - Reviewed by Nancy

Leni: the Life and Work of Leni Riefenstahl by Steven Bach

Leni Riefenstahl was a fascinating character on the world stage. Talented and ambitious, she relentlessly pursued her goals without much concern for morality or ethics or any basic human emotions other than self-interest.

She came of age in Germany when the Nazis were on the rise. She accepted their help and support so that she might become a famous film director. In the post-World War II era, she would deny that Hitler or Goebbels ever played a part in advancing her career. Steven Bach provides plenty of documentation to make Leni look like a collaborator. Still, she was an artist with an indomitable drive to succeed.

Steven Bach does a good job of separating fact from fiction in Leni’s life. The book doesn’t make Leni completely sympathetic, but you will probably admire her energy and want to take another look at her films, Triumph of the Will and Olympia, or her books Vanishing Africa and The Last of the Nuba. VHS copies of Olympia and the two book titles are available in the Finger Lakes Library System. - Reviewed by Nancy