Narrator Rene Ruiz's warm style welcomes listeners to this well-researched reconsideration of key evolutionary principles relating to human connection. He explains foundational concepts, such as survival of the fittest, in a smooth, easygoing manner that informs as it entertains. His precise pace makes the complex explanations of evolutionary theory more comprehensible. Ruiz even brings out the humor in chapters that explain dog behavior. Listeners will lose themselves in this armchair-lecture experience, and many may be surprised how much detail they retain after the production has ended.
Pub Date: July 14, 2020
Duration: 6 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780593209820
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Dr. Plotkin is an ethnobotanist who recounts his experiences searching for new medications in the Amazon rain forest. He makes an impassioned plea for the world to stop destroying this irreplaceable resource. Since the author reads his own work, we can rely on the pronunciation of some unusual botanical terms; however, his voice (presumably not trained for performance) lacks the enthusiasm and fascination the words suggest. Furthermore, with no chapter references and few pauses between sections, transitions, such as the change of location from Ecuador to Massachusetts, are awkward.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
First, Simon Winchester, OBE, introduces listeners to the ubiquity of wind and its effects on the world. His careful pronunciation and British accent create an enjoyable backdrop for the conversational style in which stories are integrated with information that demonstrates where and how wind has had a direct influence on all the subjects in the Dewey Decimal System, including culture, arts, science, geography, language, and history. The journalist provides information that is both relatable and educational; topics range from Oz's Dorothy Gale being caught in "America's storm" to examples of how wind has been used for warfare. Winchester's passion for moving air is evident as he reminds listeners that the "wind blows equally for all."
Pub Date: Nov. 18, 2025
Duration: 13 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063374485
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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