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The Hummingbird  By  cover art

The Hummingbird

By: Stephen P. Kiernan
Narrated by: Elyse Mirto, John H. Mayer
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Publisher's summary

From the author of the acclaimed The Curiosity comes a compelling and moving story of compassion, courage, and redemption.

Deborah Birch is a seasoned hospice nurse whose daily work requires courage and compassion. But her skills and experience are tested in new and dramatic ways when her easygoing husband, Michael, returns from his third deployment to Iraq haunted by nightmares, anxiety, and rage. She is determined to help him heal and to restore the tender, loving marriage they once had.

At the same time, Deborah's primary patient is Barclay Reed, a retired history professor and expert in the Pacific Theater of World War II whose career ended in academic scandal. Alone in the world, the embittered professor is dying. As Barclay begrudgingly comes to trust Deborah, he tells her stories from that long-ago war, which help her find a way to help her husband battle his demons.

Told with piercing empathy and heartbreaking realism, The Hummingbird is a masterful story of loving commitment, service to country, and absolution through wisdom and forgiveness.

©2015 Stephen P. Kiernan (P)2015 HarperCollins Publishers

What listeners say about The Hummingbird

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

WOW … this is truly one of the best books I’ve ever read.

As a hospice volunteer, and the sister of a Vietnam Veteran, I’m exceedingly impressed. Thank you.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Unequivocal recommendation

A story of sacrifice and suffering by each of the hero characters, warriors, wives, nurses, citizens. Further detail would require spoilers.

No hesitation in strongly recommending to every Audible listener

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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loved it!

This is a story within a story - actually 3 stories unfold here and each holds your attention. I listen in the car, but had to continue once I got home. Great story (stories) and great narration.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful story about life, love, death.

It touched me at my bottom of my heart.
Exiting story about listening for each others, about honour and war-fights, love and death.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Pretty good

I enjoyed this audio book except for the man's part. I found it to be very distracting from the story and I just wanted to skip it and get on to the next chapter. His performance was fine but I just found the content to be boring.
The rest of the story was good and I enjoyed it.

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2 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Just okay.

I chose this story based on my love of the book "Bakers Secret". This book just didn't grab at my attention with the same level of suspense. I struggled with both male characters on the book, both so bleak. The main character Deb, kept me listening though. The female narrator was outstanding. I did not care for the male narrator of the (story within the story). It really was no discredit to him, I just didn't care for the story. If this author is new to you, I really recommend the Bakers Secret instead of the hummingbird.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Lovely Story


This tale of a hospice nurse, her war-torn husband and a dying historian is wise and beautiful and such a good book. It is a book that will teach and minister to any human who is open to learning more about life and death and love.

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Good book

Really good book, but I abhorred the profanity...but for that, I would have given it five stars.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Wow!

Didn't think it could get better than Baker's Secret! The realities of life and death and what comes before and after. Contemplations of soldiers with PTSD. THIS WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR FAMILIES WHO HAVE HUSBANDS OR WIVES TRANSITIONING FROM ACTIVE MILITARY FROM COMBAT ZONES!!!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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Great Listen!

This book was recommended to me. My first thought was, a book about a Hospice Nurse? That sounds depressing!! But with all the driving I've been doing I though why not give it a listen. I loved it!!

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5 people found this helpful