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)

Beautiful

Any additional comments?

Thank you Audible for this beautiful collection of stories. I found it very moving and well timed- I listened to it while baking pumpkin pies in preparation for Thanksgiving. It made for a lovely prelude to the holidays and spending time with loved ones. Thank you!

Thank you for this great listen

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

I reccommend this book as a great fun listen. I also hope it inspires those who listen to write and give their own stories to their loved ones.

Who was your favorite character and why?

All the stories were my favorites

What does Dave Isay bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

An idea to share your history with your loved ones

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I loved the uniqueness of every single story

Any additional comments?

To listen is an act of LOVE!

Touching and Personal!

Like being able to listen in on the personal, loving family stories of Americans of so many different walks of life. Deeply touching and fascinating! I would highly recommend this to anyone!

Do NOT listen to this in the car!

You have been warned. I nearly caused several accidents and finally had to turn off this collection until I got home.

You see, you are going to be bawling. Tears of incredible joy. You won't be able to help yourself. In fact, I dare you not to. And if you do not cry, you just might not have a heart; best see a doctor.

This is an incredibly moving collection of conversations, recollections, tributes, and memories. Of ordinary, extraordinary people. God bless the StoryCorps, and all of the beautiful stories it is collecting. What a treasure.

beautiful and touching

I might not have chosen this myself but it was a gift, and it turned out to be a beautiful gift indeed. What a touching glimpse into people's lives.

Awesome Stories

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

This is an awesome listen, we need to hear these stories to help stay grounded.

What did you like best about this story?

the realness of the stories

Which character – as performed by Dave Isay – was your favorite?

All of them

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

most definetly

Super sweet stories

Would you listen to Listening Is an Act of Love again? Why?

A beautiful portray of life experience

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

The first love story

What about Dave Isay’s performance did you like?

He was good but it was a bunch of interviews.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Life's memories

Delightful stories told first person

Several of these stories brought tears to my eyes. Renewed my faith in the goodness of the world.

Lovely, Heart-warming

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

I loved the mother of the AIDS patient and the grandpa/grandson and the immigrant family.

Any additional comments?

The best snippets from so many great interviews.

Noble project

Would you try another book from Dave Isay and/or Dave Isay?

unlikely

What do you think your next listen will be?

Zig Ziglar, or Dave Ramsey

How did the narrator detract from the book?

monotone

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

no

Any additional comments?

I do not care for all the travelogue that went with this project.