In 2010, Japanese entrepreneur Hiroshi Mikitani, founder and CEO of Rakuten, Inc., an electronics firm, announced that the company would conduct business in Japan in English. Some found his decision controversial; others found it groundbreaking. But Mikitani was crystal clear in his vision--a quality that comes alive through the narration of Jun Naito. Naito's intonation creates an easy-to-understand and relatable delivery without the heavy-handed accent that is often used to mimic English as spoken by Asians. Those who enjoy nonfiction titles won't mind the lack of variety in the narration, particularly the repetitive cadence used for emphasis in many sentences. Overall, Naito's brisk pace keeps the story moving while reflecting the businesslike tone of the material.
Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2013
Duration: 5 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781622310227
Publisher: HighBridge Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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
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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