Hats off to narrator Joe Barrett for mastering so many variations of the "Lawn Guyland" accent, an essential for this five-decade report on a New York Jewish-American family. (Imagine the Loud Family crossed with Philip Roth.) Barrett also voices a slew of Baby Boom icons--from Swami Satchidananda to Charlie Watts, not to mention a very convincing Ronald Reagan. Fans of family sagas--and listeners of a certain age--will keep their headphones glued on for all 28 hours of this epic family portrait. And when it's over, they may wonder, as does Sam Gordon, the Job-like patriarch, "You just don't see happy families anymore . . . Where are they?"
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2014
Duration: 28 hrs, 15 mins
Publisher: Donald Katz
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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