The author narrates his work in a serious tone and journalistic style. His delivery comes across as practiced. He tells stories of how committed activists use persuasion in organizing to attract supporters. He introduces the Internet Research Agency--the Russian troll farm that won both liberal and conservative Americans' hearts and minds online. The audiobook could just as well have been called "The Progressive Persuaders" since there are revealing sections on Bernie Sanders and his calculated always-on-message approach as compared to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, an accomplished social-media maven, and her methods. Listeners who persevere are rewarded with exceptional sections on how QAnon evolved and a hopeful ending that focuses on "deep canvasing"--a process that encourages like- mindedness as a basis for political action.
Pub Date: Oct. 18, 2022
Duration: 12 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593627785
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
While author Zengerle provides a workmanlike reading of the lengthy prologue, Beth Hicks successfully presents an engaging, straightforward, and unadorned narration of the balance. Zengerle, a New York Times Magazine writer, presents a well-researched, if highly-opinionated, examination of the life and evolution of conservative pundit Tucker Carlson. Zengerle also examines the polarization of media covering American politics online and on cable networks, such as CNN and Fox News. Despite the author's sharply critical and, at times, angry rhetoric, Hicks manages to offer a calm and nuanced narration. Hicks delivers on this treatise profiling the American body politics' radicalization and extreme polarity in both the process itself and its coverage reporting.
Pub Date: Jan. 27, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798217296149
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Zygar, who was born at the beginning of the last decade of the USSR, is now an expatriate Russian journalist living in the West. In this audiobook he provides great detail on the interpersonal relationships among the various members of the Soviet ruling elite and how what seemed like an opportunity for "democracy" was muffed by all parties concerned. Henning's clear voice is easily understood. While his frequent mispronunciations of Russian names and words may be a distraction, the information he presents is interesting, and Zygar is a good writer. Henning's overall narration brings clarity to the decades-long decline and seemingly sudden demise of the Soviet Union.
Pub Date: Nov. 11, 2025
Duration: 22 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781797192918
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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