Narrator Christine Lakin gives her voice as much of a workout as jobless journalist Emily Guendelsberger got on the floor of an Amazon center. To research this book on low-wage corporate jobs, the author went undercover at Amazon, Convergys, and McDonald's. Lakin brings a sympathetic chuckle to Emily's self-mocking depiction of confused Amazon temps and reflects Emily's weariness after exhausting shifts. At a Convergys training session, Lakin deftly juggles the Southern voices and bits of corporate speak, with hilarious results. The way Lakin captures the abruptness, raised voices, and profanity of a call gone wrong at a Convergys call center is as dramatic as it is absurd. Laughter turns out to be the best path to an understanding of life on the low-wage job.
Pub Date: July 16, 2019
Duration: 12 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781478975571
Publisher: Hachette Audio
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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