Freeland looks at the second Gilded Age in the West as it coincides with the first Gilded Age in the developing world to show how industrialization and globalization improve standards of living but also widen the inequality between the super rich, the wealthiest 0.1 percent, and everyone else. Allyson Ryan narrates at an even pace and competently handles the names of the companies and people Freeland uses in her examples, as well as the jargon of finance. However, she doesn't differentiate between the quotations and dialogue that Freeland uses to illustrate her points and the rest of the text, making the reading difficult to follow. She also maintains the same tone throughout the narration. Overall, an uninspired reading makes this fascinating look into the lives of the super rich difficult to engage with.
Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2012
Duration: 12 hrs
Publisher: Tantor Media
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Buckley offers a reasonable proposal for a national service program without jail or criminal penalties. Narrator Lawrence reads with a slow and careful announcer's voice; one wishes Buckley were reading this one himself. Books on Tape does its usual quality job with formatting, packaging and tape-turning instructions. The reader repeats the last sentence at such times, so you're sure you haven't missed anything. Popular nonfiction collections will appreciate Gratitude, and the topic is likely to prove timely in the years ahead.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 5 hrs
Publisher: Books on Tape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Kozol’s shocking exposé of inequities in the funding of our public schools contrasts white suburban schools with those serving black and Hispanic populations. Interviews with students, teachers, and school administrators add eloquent testimony to Kozol’s disturbing presentation of facts. Narration by Jack Winston is clear and brisk, but the pace is unrelenting, with little pause for transition between scenes or chapters. Winston’s cool, detached voice contrasts with Kozol’s impasssioned and outraged message. The sheer repetition and magnitude of Kozol’s damning evidence is numbing; the narration gives no relief. Powerful medicine, most easily taken in small doses. Music signalling tape changes is jarringly inappropriate.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 8 hrs
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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