Kudos to the author, publisher, and narrator of this audiobook. Author Ewing delivers her introduction, which sets up the arguments. She then turns the body of the text over to Golden Voice narrator Robin Miles. Miles is a gifted performer whose tone, tempo, and cadence enhance the dark truths of this provocative work on the failure of our educational system. Ewing, who is a scholar and poet, indicts American schools as historically rigged against Black and Native American students. She defines in well-supported detail the pillars of racism that have tainted attitudes towards both groups: the belief that they are intellectually inferior and lack discipline, along with economic subjugation. Packed with telltale episodes, this work provides sociological context. A must-listen for parents and politicians.
Pub Date: 2025
Duration: 12 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593908242
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
In a respectful, serious tone, Lizan Mitchell narrates the personal story of Carlotta Walls LaNier, one of the Little Rock Nine, who challenged the policy of educational segregation in Arkansas during the Civil Rights movement. Carlotta’s story recounts her life from her childhood in Little Rock though the Civil Rights era and all the way to Barack Obama’s 2008 election to the highest office in the land. Mitchell’s forte is expressing the emotional aspects of the story, especially her struggles to move on from the hate and discrimination she faced during her teen years. The one distraction from the excellent narration is the chapter read by Peter Fernandez. Since Mitchell reads the rest of the story on her own, including all the quotes, it’s surprising to suddenly hear Fernandez’s voice. Furthermore, the switch seems unnecessary.
Pub Date: 2009
Duration: 10 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN:
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Julia Winwood's narrative tone is that of a well-done lecture, with emphasis on interesting ideas and intriguing facts. She can bring a hint of suspense to the invention of the ring binder and make listeners smile as they hear a poem on alphabetical order. Judith Flanders's history of ordering systems and the developments that made them necessary is thoughtful but a bit esoteric. Her account of the roots of the written word and libraries focuses on such things as indexes, concordances, and card catalogues. Early on, the origins of the word "abracadabra" in the Roman alphabet can seem magical as delivered in Winwood's voice.
Pub Date: 2020
Duration: 10 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781549104800
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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