Benjamin Lorr's awe is still evident in his voice and descriptive words years later as he recalls visiting an American supermarket after living in Kenya. Lorr is often cynical and amazed at the same time as he takes listeners into the workings of the grocery industry. He complains about his local Trader Joe's, but he's obviously fascinated by the chain's history, as told by its founder. The author sounds like a pitchman himself as he talks about the grueling process of getting new items placed on store shelves. In his research, he takes a job at Whole Foods and rides along with a female trucker. Lorr also tells listeners how trafficked migrants may have played a role in bringing their seafood to market.
Pub Date: Dec. 8, 2020
Duration: 9 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781094180052
Publisher: Blackstone 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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