Citing the pollution problems that traditional agriculture creates in the environment, the author proposes bringing crop and animal farms into the cities, stacking them into tall buildings like Lego blocks. Armed with dozens of reasons for concentrating food production in urban areas, Professor Despommier stays loose on the fine details of his proposal. Narrator Sean Runnette inflects his soft voice in response to the meandering message. While some nonfiction readers just plug on no matter what, he demonstrates a skillful sensitivity to the information, much of it sobering. Runnette neither hurries nor drags and enunciates every word, some of which would challenge a speaker less capable with technical terms. The writer avoids the trivialities of cost and admits that no one has ever built a vertical farm.
Pub Date: Oct. 12, 2010
Duration: 6 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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