Gold has glittered in the eyes of Americans--including policy makers--since the Carolina gold rush in the nation's early days. Jonathan Yen's narration carries a bit of that fever, sharing the excitement of gold seekers in California as well as the fervor of political discussion. His voice effectively evokes figures such as John F. Kennedy, Jr., and Richard Nixon. The author tracks down every trace of gold in U.S. history, much like Operation Goldfinger probed seawater and meteorites. There's a lot of policy explanation, including a forty-year ban on gold in private hands. Ledbetter also shares a few cautionary tales for would-be gold investors. Overall, Ledbetter gives listeners a sense of gold's importance to the United States, both historically and in the present.
Pub Date: June 13, 2017
Duration: 14 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781681686660
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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