Narrator Pete Simonelli rolls through this history of the electric guitar like he's cruising down the interstate. His steady pacing and relaxed tone are just what's needed to complement author Ian Port's captivating anecdotal story of innovation and rivalry. Port uses the solid-body electric guitar and bass as metaphors for the cultural changes that occurred from the end of WWII to the mid-1970s while illuminating electric visionaries and trendsetters such as Jimmy Bryant, Merle Travis, Muddy Waters, Dick Dale (whose quest for volume caused Leo Fender to lose hearing in one ear), Carol Kay, Eric Clapton, and, of course, Les Paul (an unforgiving taskmaster). The result is an audiobook that should be mandatory listening in business school (a classic story of three innovators, once friends and later foes) and art school (how technology influences art and vice versa).
Pub Date: Jan. 15, 2019
Duration: 12 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781508281474
Publisher: Simon & Schuster 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
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
