It's a daunting task to maintain a tone of incredulity throughout eight CDs of condemnation and outrage without finally sounding insufferably strident. But Grover Gardner pulls it off, and does so without, incredibly, disappearing into a monotone of dispassion. No, Gardner, never deprives his reading of irony and sting, but he also doesn't try to artificially juice up the material. There's no need, of course. NEW YORK TIMES columnist Frank Rich is plenty exercised himself in this scorching dismantling of the Bush administration, which he exposes for willful deceit in its pursuit of war, incompetence in virtually every arena it enters, and a cynicism and malice that are hard for Rich to imagine have had their equal in American history.
Pub Date: 2006
Duration: 10 hrs
Publisher: Penguin 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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