Listening Is an Act of Love

A Celebration of American Life from the StoryCorps Project

By: Dave Isay

Narrated by: Dave Isay

Length: 54 mins

Publisher's summary

Drawn from the work of StoryCorps, the largest and most ambitious private oral history project in American history, comes this tapestry of the stories Americans have been sharing from their lives to leave behind to their loved ones.

©2008 Dave Isay (P)2008 Penguin

Critic reviews

"Dave Isay's vision of collecting the everyday stories of Americans is so simple and yet so powerful. Listening Is an Act of Love will make you laugh, cry and think. These stories come from the souls of individual Americans. Collectively, they are who we are as a people. You cannot read this book without feeling proud of your country." (Former US Senator Bill Bradley)

"Here are the observations and memories of a giant, diverse nation's citizens. In its sum, StoryCorps asks Americans to reflect upon their experiences, their times of travail, their achievements. In so doing, these individuals create an encompassing national narration: a people's hopes, fears and aspirations, all rendered poignantly to attentive listeners whose respect has enabled, finally, a presentation of a people's mind, heart, soul." (Dr. Robert Coles, James Agee Professor of Social Ethics, Harvard University)

"This book is absolutely remarkable. Listening is an Act of Love is history in the richest sense of the word, the kind that makes people feel like they count. It's a celebration of the lives of the uncelebrated. In our world today people feel helpless, but once they speak of their lives they become alive! This is what our country is all about. Never has a book been more timely or necessary." (Studs Terkel)

Wonderful idea & very moving!

I enjoyed these accounts by different persons very much. I was pleased with the variety. A very interesting and moving selection. Thank you, audible, for this gift.

Heartwarming and Thought-Provoking

What made the experience of listening to Listening Is an Act of Love the most enjoyable?

I have always enjoyed listening to Story Corps on my NPR affiliate, but it was especially rewarding to have a several stories available all together.

Who was your favorite character and why?

N/A

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. I listened to it as I drove. So it was in segments.

Love Story Corps!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes! This is a such a touching collection of stories/conversations.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Listening Is an Act of Love?

All the stories are beautiful in there own ways, but I was really moved by the two sisters talking about how the big sister had saved and anchored the little sisters life.

Have you listened to any of Dave Isay’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no, but I would be glad to have another book narrated by Dave.

Just wish it was longer

I thought it would be longer. The stories so short were excellent. Wish there was more information about the project.

Interesting Concept

What did you like best about Listening Is an Act of Love? What did you like least?

This is an interesting idea to record stories,thoughts, and history of families .

If you’ve listened to books by Dave Isay before, how does this one compare?

I have not

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

No

Did Listening Is an Act of Love inspire you to do anything?

Not sure

Any additional comments?

I haven't done the kind of recording talked about, but because our grandchildren lived a great distance from us, we would read books on tape for them. Now the grandchildren are much older, but still play and treasure the recordings of grandpa that passed away 7yrs ago.

Uplifting

If you could sum up Listening Is an Act of Love in three words, what would they be?

A great listen

Who was your favorite character and why?

The complex relationships and depth of connection move and uplift. There is no other way to experience this but to listen to the interviews. This is is so welcome in an age where personal relationships have become more superficial!

Touching

some of the stories brought tears to my eyes. I wish my children would inyrtvuew me.

Heartfelt stories

I listen to NPR every morning during my commute to work. The 4-minute Storycorps segment is a favorite: Two people who are connected in some way (e.g., parent - child) share a heartfelt story with the other. Without exception, I enjoy the story and am touched by the listener's response. I often ponder the story long after the segment ends.

This audiobook is a delightful collection of Storycorps stories. The stories are moving and the dialects diverse. The production values are outstanding. I recommend it highly.

Thank you, Audible, for gifting this lovely audiobook to your listeners. It's a gem.

Thank you Audible....

Lovely gift to listen to during the holidays. Everyone should have a listen; to this audio book and to the people around them during the holidays. Thank you Audible and David Isay.

Loved it!

Where does Listening Is an Act of Love rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's one of the better ones.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I liked it when the two men said that they'd never walk away from the city and people they loved, when they said they would never quit their jobs, even though the pay wasn't great.

Any additional comments?

This was a great gift. The stories really touch you. Every one is good. These type of oral histories of regular people are always the most interesting. It would be great if Audible had "Working" by Studs Turkel.