by Emily M. Bender & Alex Hanna ; read by Jade Wheeler ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 13, 2025
This audiobook discussing the hype surrounding artificial intelligence is one long unsubstantiated finger wag at the technology and anyone in favor of using it. The audiobook's 100% negative take on AI makes the choice of narrator Jade Wheeler--whose robotic cadence sounds AI generated--perplexing. One of the authors was personally insulted by ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman, and the audiobook sounds like an extended angry response. With a dismissive and chastising tone, Wheeler narrates the authors' concerns about the use of AI in a myriad of contexts--self-driving vehicles, medical education, journalism, and others. However, their argument against every use is simplistic and repetitive. It's hard to listen to this vacuous diatribe about a topic that deserves a nuanced analysis.
Pub Date: May 13, 2025
Duration: 7 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063418578
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
by Wess Roberts ; read by Wess Roberts & Ernest Abuda ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A
The readers can't compensate for the unbearably pompous prose style of this extended parable about corporate politics and strategy.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
by Mary Lisa Gavenas ; read by Barbara Henslee ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 28, 2026
Henslee’s warm, unhurried narration makes listeners feel like the next success story could be theirs.
Barbara Henslee narrates with an intimate, upbeat delivery and a sunny Southern warmth that feels like being personally recruited to the Mary Kay empire. Her voice suits the material perfectly, drawing listeners into a bygone era when women built empires through gatherings around kitchen tables and on front porches, long before they could open their own bank accounts. Henslee never oversells, just gently persuades, mirroring the company’s own quiet pitch to millions of women that economic independence and personal transformation were within reach. The balanced treatment of the realities of multilevel marketing, alongside the truly inspirational story of founder Mary Kay Ash, make this a compelling listen for anyone curious about the often mocked world of direct sales.
Henslee’s warm, unhurried narration makes listeners feel like the next success story could be theirs.Pub Date: April 28, 2026
Duration: 14 hrs, 24 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217281879
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: June 9, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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