If it isn't clear to you by now that the financial crisis of 2008 is still reverberating in the world's economic, political, and social realms, then this timely and fascinating audiobook will serve as a reminder. Everything from world trade to immigration and the rise of populism can be traced back to the Great Recession. The author credibly reads the introduction, using his British accent and earnest tone to set the literary table, but it's narrator Simon Vance's performance that provides the sound feast. Vance also has a British accent, and he pairs it with a smooth delivery to accentuate the sense of crisis. His voice is not elastic, but Vance is able to vary his reading enough to present the facts as a story, rather than simply a recitation of facts.
Pub Date: Aug. 7, 2018
Duration: 25 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780525631118
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
The readers can't compensate for the unbearably pompous prose style of this extended parable about corporate politics and strategy.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Henslee’s warm, unhurried narration makes listeners feel like the next success story could be theirs.
Barbara Henslee narrates with an intimate, upbeat delivery and a sunny Southern warmth that feels like being personally recruited to the Mary Kay empire. Her voice suits the material perfectly, drawing listeners into a bygone era when women built empires through gatherings around kitchen tables and on front porches, long before they could open their own bank accounts. Henslee never oversells, just gently persuades, mirroring the company’s own quiet pitch to millions of women that economic independence and personal transformation were within reach. The balanced treatment of the realities of multilevel marketing, alongside the truly inspirational story of founder Mary Kay Ash, make this a compelling listen for anyone curious about the often mocked world of direct sales.
Henslee’s warm, unhurried narration makes listeners feel like the next success story could be theirs.Pub Date: April 28, 2026
Duration: 14 hrs, 24 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217281879
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: June 9, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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