In this well-researched examination of all aspects of money, the host of an NPR personal finance podcast offers a primer on where it came from, how it works today, and where it's going. His brisk performance is easy to understand and fun to hear. Goldstein's broad grasp of his topic expresses itself in snappy vignettes full of colorful personalities that keep the momentum going. With casual confidence, he opens with the origins of money--beads and 43-pound coins--emphasizing that whatever form money takes, it has value only when people agree it does. From the gold standard to the rise of capital markets and macroeconomics, no aspect of this ubiquitous necessity eludes his curiosity. He closes with an illuminating look at banking, credit cards, and digital currencies like Bitcoin.
Pub Date: 2020
Duration: 5 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781549197536
Publisher: Hachette 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
Media powerhouse Barry Diller, at 83, offers an articulate, humble, and utterly honest account of his varied life. Dillard's narration is workmanlike, moving the narrative forward in a somewhat monotonous manner. That unvaried tone sharply contrasts with the fascinating story of a young, not very aggressive personality who nonetheless became highly influential in the entertainment industry. It's all presented without much fanfare: the Paramount years, QVC, and HSN leadership roles, among others. Diller attributes his own cowardice and the societal norms of the 1950s and 1960s for staying silent on his homosexuality. He discusses the matter briefly, along with his successful marriage to fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg. His greatest assets were flexibility and good luck. This is a fascinating life story that requires patient listening.
Pub Date: 2025
Duration: 12 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668134993
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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