As its title suggests, this is no dry medical history. The authors trace the facts and lore of the dread disease from ancient times through the present, focusing on the most sensational facts and describing rabies’ central role in the development of vampire, werewolf, and zombie myths. While engaging, the audiobook would benefit from a few more statistics about the prevalence of the disease over time. Johnny Heller’s narration is entirely consistent with the spirit of the book. His presentation is clear and well paced. The only weakness is his occasional attempts at German and French accents, which are not fully successful. All in all, this is an illuminating book about a horrifying subject.
Pub Date: July 19, 2012
Duration: 8 hrs
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
An enjoyable dive into a frigid world filled with warm hearts.
Ballard’s fascination with cold water swimming is contagious. Even if climbing into an ice bath, swimming in the ocean in the winter, or alternating a steaming sauna with freezing water doesn’t really appeal, the stories of the participants, including the author himself, are joyful and life-affirming. Ballard cites studies about the positive impacts of a brief cold dip on mood, inflammation, and resiliency (although he recommends undergoing an in-depth medical checkup before jumping in). He meets Lynne Cox, a giant in the worlds of both distance and polar swimming; Olympians; and regular people who just want to feel both alert and calm. Ballard becomes an enthusiastic member of this tight club, and his performance clearly exudes his affection for the others and their serious purpose.
An enjoyable dive into a frigid world filled with warm hearts.Pub Date: June 9, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 22 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668106754
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Sept. 8, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2026
With Zomorodi cheering you on, you’ll be inspired to get up and move.
Zomorodi is, among other things, a podcaster and radio host, which means she is a natural at speaking directly to the listener. Zomorodi lays out the research into how our modern-day jobs and leisure pastimes have resulted in so many hours spent in front of screens that our bodies, minds, and mental health have all been negatively affected. She’s a real believer in moving for a few minutes every half hour, breathing deeply, looking away from the screen, and letting the mind wander instead of always being plugged in. Zomorodi’s performance is so enthusiastic and genial that her bite-sized recommendations for improving our health—each backed by research—feel both achievable and logical.
With Zomorodi cheering you on, you’ll be inspired to get up and move.Pub Date: May 5, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 3 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250444660
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Aug. 9, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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