This takedown of the legendary CEO of General Electric would be interesting even without Kevin R. Free's exceptional performance. But his artistry provides exceptional listening. Nevermind Free's appealing diction, impressive phrasing, and ability to orchestrate the ebb and flow of mood or tone. What really impresses is how perfectly he applies these vocal skills to every dramatic detail and underlying thread in the gripping story of Welch's brutal management style and its lasting impact on American business culture. The author shows how Welch and his acolytes reneged on traditional corporate responsibilities by prioritizing short-range profits, cutting jobs, and misleading the public with dishonest accounting practices. They rewarded shareholders and managers at the expense of workers, customers, innovation, and even safety.
Pub Date: May 31, 2022
Duration: 9 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781797142173
Publisher: Simon & Schuster 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
An engaging experience.
This audiobook deals with everything from the historic investments that led to world-dominating companies, such as the Chinese technology company Tencent, to predicting the products and services of the future. An audiobook of such complexity requires a narrator who can handle the task, and David Thorpe manages it admirably. Thorpe uses his masterly voice, which sits somewhere between that of a BBC World Service presenter and an easy, relaxed Home Counties accent, to guide listeners through a sea of numbers, acronyms, and terms such as YP, RPS, and market cap. Rather than simply reading, Thorpe presents the work with excitement and enthusiasm, and this enjoyment transfers to the listener.
An engaging experience.Pub Date: Feb. 20, 2026
Duration: 13 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781668103425
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: March 17, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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