Narrator Paul Boehmer steadily narrates Dennis Baron's primer on the history of pronoun use in the English language. The absence of a gender-neutral singular pronoun has irked some language purists for ages, and has been the focus of many a political debate. This audiobook reviews the history of the use of the universal masculine "he," "he or she," the universal feminine "she," and the many attempts of linguists, feminists, and gender-expanding folks to coin singular gender-neutral pronouns and bring them into wider usage. Ultimately, the audiobook stays out of the politics and concludes that people who want to die on the hill of a singular "they" being "wrong" are ignoring the fact that language always has and always will change with usage. Admittedly, it's amusing to hear a male narrator talk about "mansplaining," but Boehmer is engaged and delivers a great listen.
Pub Date: Jan. 21, 2020
Duration: 7 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781515948117
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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