A gripping account.
Starting with the NYC subway shooting of four unarmed Black teenagers by Bernie Goetz in 1984, the author shows how the court system’s failure to serve justice to the white perpetrator is one of many examples of racial injustice caused by white anger about rapid societal changes. Thompson discusses how, with the failed trickle-down economic policies of the Reagan years, simmering rage about these and other stressors for white people were brought to a boil by sensationalized media coverage and divisive, opportunistic politicians. Though narrator Erin Bennett’s pacing will sound unusually slow to some listeners, her connection with this story of crime and justice and its broader context is exceptional. Her tone and her interpretive skill promote effortless engagement with the author’s nuanced examination of how economic and societal stress have led to so much untethered anger.
A gripping account.Pub Date: Feb. 10, 2026
Duration: 14 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798217295678
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: March 17, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2026
Gibson's compelling work is the perfect mix of personal stories, historical reference, and on-the-ground observations of the building of Donald Trump's Border Wall. Narrator Ramón de Ocampo's nuanced delivery enhances the listening experience. At its center, the story looks at the impact of the wall on individuals and communities on both sides of the border. In doing so, it addresses the inherent conflict that exists between local law enforcement, ICE, Border Patrol, state police, and various business and political influences. De Ocampo matches the mix of factual and anecdotal information with compassion and gravitas that capture the ripple effects on all of those impacted by the Border Wall.
Pub Date: July 7, 2020
Duration: 11 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781797110295
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Roya Hakakian's voice softens as she recalls her first view of America, which took place from a plane after fleeing Iran in 1984. Even as she describes Iran's customs in calm tones, her voice takes on excitement when she describes her new freedom from strict dress codes. Her writing offers advice for new immigrants with a passion that comes from her own "bifurcated life" in exile. Hakakian has a keen sense of humor and a strong point of view, whether she's describing timed sprinklers that remind her of gunfire or telling listeners how language shapes feelings and behavior. While Hakakian is always addressing immigrants, her words may provide a user's guide to listeners born in the U.S. as well.
Pub Date: March 16, 2021
Duration: 7 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593291979
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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