A sequel to Toobin’s popular and informative THE NINE: Inside The Secret World of the Supreme Court, this book covers the tumultuous years of John Roberts’s tenure as Chief Justice, from the botched presidential oath in January 2009 to the controversial ruling on the Affordable Care Act in June 2012. Although clearly presented and full of great material, this account is less revealing than the earlier work. This is reporting from the field during a lull in the action. Robertson Dean’s soothing baritone presents both anecdotes and legal analyses with clarity and spirit. However, his mispronunciation of the name of the well-known Koch brothers seems surprising. As Supreme Court opinions grow more fragmented and more abstruse, Toobin’s readable analysis serves a more and more essential purpose.
Pub Date: Sept. 18, 2012
Duration: 12 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780449013687
Publisher: Random House 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
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