As the title suggests, David Margolick's intriguing chronicle gives dimension to two women, one black and one white. Elizabeth Eckford and Hazel Massery were the teenagers whose 1957 photo came to symbolize the emotionally charged Civil Rights struggle for school integration. Narrator Carrington MacDuffie demonstrates her award-winning style in a performance that is as clear and straightforward as Margolick's writing. Using subtle gradations of tone and timing, MacDuffie effects smooth transitions and a comfortable pace as she recounts the complex lives of these women before and since that traumatic morning. Author and narrator maintain a clean, objective style to portray Elizabeth and Hazel as they mature and eventually attempt reconciliation and forgiveness. Ironically, the two women seem to remain a metaphor for racial relations as they make inconclusive, often painful, progress toward acceptance and friendship.
Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2011
Duration: 8 hrs, 30 mins
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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