A delightful mix of history, travel, adventure, and obsession, this unlikely story of fruit fanatics and the search for the world's most mysterious, rare, and lucrative fruit will leave listeners unexpectedly engrossed. Narrator Stephen Hoye, often bemused, sarcastic, or deadpan, does a superb job of recounting the author's extensive research into this eccentric subculture and convincingly demonstrates that truth can indeed be stranger than fiction. He deftly recreates the interviews with the quirky personalities that populate the story and is equally adept at bringing the scholarly research to life. Similar to a ripe, luscious peach, this juicy performance will leave listeners wanting another bite.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2008
Duration: 11 hrs
Publisher: Tantor Media
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Dr. Plotkin is an ethnobotanist who recounts his experiences searching for new medications in the Amazon rain forest. He makes an impassioned plea for the world to stop destroying this irreplaceable resource. Since the author reads his own work, we can rely on the pronunciation of some unusual botanical terms; however, his voice (presumably not trained for performance) lacks the enthusiasm and fascination the words suggest. Furthermore, with no chapter references and few pauses between sections, transitions, such as the change of location from Ecuador to Massachusetts, are awkward.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
First, Simon Winchester, OBE, introduces listeners to the ubiquity of wind and its effects on the world. His careful pronunciation and British accent create an enjoyable backdrop for the conversational style in which stories are integrated with information that demonstrates where and how wind has had a direct influence on all the subjects in the Dewey Decimal System, including culture, arts, science, geography, language, and history. The journalist provides information that is both relatable and educational; topics range from Oz's Dorothy Gale being caught in "America's storm" to examples of how wind has been used for warfare. Winchester's passion for moving air is evident as he reminds listeners that the "wind blows equally for all."
Pub Date: Nov. 18, 2025
Duration: 13 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063374485
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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