Pope’s disjointed memoir of getting to know the Middle East—from Afghanistan to the Sudan—attempts to inform the listener and demystify the region. Narrator Paul Boehmer mostly tries too hard, affecting a sonorous, rounded tone that sounds out of place. His tone inserts him between the listener and the text and takes a lot of getting used to. Further, while Pope is South African and British, Boehmer’s accent is thoroughly American. His efforts to inject twinkly humor into some phrases are awkward. He makes the gaffe (in this book) of pronouncing [Edward] Said as “sed,” though his pronunciations of foreign words are convincing and his foreign accents mostly creditable.
Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2010
Duration: 16 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Tantor Media
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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