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THE GREAT ANIMAL ORCHESTRA

FINDING THE ORIGINS OF MUSIC IN THE WORLD'S WILD PLACES

Bernie Krause records the soundscapes of nature—both animal (biophony) and landscape (geophony). Multiple clips of rain, waves, baboons, frogs, and even a bereft beaver searching for its family after a dam is blown up are included, and the sound effects clearly enhance the printed text. Krause is frustrated by the increasing noise made by people—traffic, movies, and restaurants that are too loud—ruining the environment for both people and animals. However, Krause is too relaxed in his performance. He is obviously annoyed by those loud restaurants, distressed by the beaver, and frightened by the gorilla that picks him up and throws him 15 feet into nearby stinging nettles, but there's no emotion in his tone. A little drama and excitement in his voice would not go amiss.

Pub Date: March 19, 2012

Duration: 9 hrs

DD ISBN: 9781611137095

Publisher: Hachette Audio

Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026

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    #FUTUREGEN

    LESSONS FROM A SMALL COUNTRY

    The author describes her efforts to implement a meaningful sustainability initiative for Wales and the world at large. An educator and minister of the environment, sustainability, and housing in her tiny country, she's a wonderful narrator who sounds at once relaxed and passionate, likable and dignified. Her voice is a perfect vehicle for amplifying her humanitarian intentions as well as the breadth of her methodical thinking. But what makes this audio so inspiring are the personal asides she shares throughout concerning her willingness to be vulnerable and her calm resolve to do something for the world's future generations. Davidson's descriptions of the laborious process of cultural transformation would have been dry listening without her pleasing UK speaking voice.

    Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2020

    Duration: 6 hrs, 45 mins

    Publisher: Chelsea Green Publishing

    Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026

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      438 DAYS

      AN EXTRAORDINARY TRUE STORY OF SURVIVAL AT SEA

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      When Captain Salvador Alvarenga and his young assistant, Ezequiel Cordova, set out from Costa Azul, Mexico, on a fishing expedition, the experienced captain could not possibly have expected the type of journey that lay ahead. Narrator George Newbern does an excellent job delivering the story of Alvarenga's struggle to survive at sea in an open boat for 438 days before finally coming ashore on a remote island many miles away in the South Pacific. Newbern’s consistent pace and varied tone keep the compelling story going, communicating the harrowing aspects of the journey as well as Alvarenga's inspirational will to survive his extended ordeal at sea.

      Pub Date: Nov. 17, 2015

      Duration: 7 hrs

      DD ISBN: 9781442396029

      Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

      Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026

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