Much has been written about the Underground Railroad, including the author's previous book, the insightful Hidden in Plain View, about the role of quilts in helping slaves to escape. Less attention has been paid to the Canadian end of the escape routes, the focus of Tobin's new book. The title comes from escapees' reference to slavery as "midnight" and to a town of escaped slaves in Ontario called Dawn. Richard Allen is an able narrator. He is particularly adept at moving from the carefully modulated voice of the reader in the bulk of the text to the voices of escapees in quotations from letters and pamphlets. He never relies on stereotypes in the latter voices, giving each person character and grace.
Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2007
Duration: 10 hrs
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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