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THE TEN-CENT PLAGUE

THE GREAT COMIC-BOOK SCARE AND HOW IT CHANGED AMERICA

Awards & Accolades

Our Verdict

  • Our Verdict
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Thanks to narrator Stefan Rudnicki, other books on the history of comic books can't even touch THE TEN-CENT PLAGUE. Rudnicki's steely narration of the Great Comic Book Scare of 1953-54 will raise the hackles of any freethinking American. In the belief that comic books would engender antisocial behavior in young readers, a censorship campaign developed that ruined artists' careers and destroyed publishing companies. There was even a Senate hearing. With measured tones, Rudnicki delivers the author's answer to the question of how things could go so wrong in a country with so much. The book is outstanding, even for those who don't love comic books, because it demonstrates how the Baby Boomer generation first started questioning the values of their parents. Comics were crushed, but a few years later they were reborn better than ever.

Pub Date: March 25, 2008

Duration: 12 hrs

Publisher: Blackstone Audiobooks

Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026

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    GRATITUDE

    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

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      SAVAGE INEQUALITIES

      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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