AudioFile on Edward Herrmann
Growing up, Ed says, he loved hearing stories and the stirring of the imagination in the listener. "I love the spoken word. I love hearing it. The way the words can seduce you." He hones that skill whenever he has the opportunity to record an audiobook amid the demands of Emmy-winning TV shows ("The Practice"), or his Dodge commercials, or, as many listeners will remember, his portraits of Franklin Roosevelt. Always attuned to the music of a sentence, Ed thinks of his role as "reading a story to someone, not narrating." Like many actors, he enjoys playing all the parts and handles the multinational casts of popular thrillers with aplomb. His facility with characters sweeps listeners into a historical drama like John Jakes's AMERICAN DREAMS or captures well-known characters like those from the recent Casablanca sequel, AS TIME GOES BY. When Ed gets a chance to do more serious fiction like Ayn Rand or Annie Proulx, his flawless delivery brings out the power and compelling themes of the works. In recent nonfiction, such as David Halberstam's biography of Michael Jordan, PLAYING FOR KEEPS, Ed easily reflects the scholarly bent of the work. His patrician voice, like Roosevelt's, draws in the listener with authority and calm assurance. He has a voice we love to listen to.

Since receiving a 1999 Emmy for Best Guest Actor in a Drama for an episode of "The Practice," Ed has followed a busy schedule of TV and film commitments, but he found time for a couple of audiobooks. In the review of MACARTHUR'S WAR, which received an AudioFile Earphones Award, we noted that "the unpretentious tone; flawless, informed reading; and perfect pace exactly complement the well-crafted text." Ed's fluid, articulate presentation of two other nonfiction titles, IN THE HEART OF THE SEA and ISAAC'S STORM, also received praise. Often heard on The History Channel, Ed offers listeners a careful command of historical accounts.

Following his interest in history that has guided many of his audiobook projects, Ed recorded David McCullough's bestselling biography JOHN ADAMS. With a subtle New England accent and clear diction, Ed helps listeners believe the many quoted letters and journal entries are being read by the patriot himself. As he does for many History Channel programs, Ed guides listeners through the many facets of the twentieth century in the recording of FROM DAWN TO DECADENCE by Jacques Barzun. Ed relishes the chance to record classics, and his recording of THE INVISIBLE MAN by H.G.Wells is now available again. Film and TV work including a recurring role on "The Gilmore Girls" has kept Ed busy this year outside of audiobook work.

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