This audiobook takes a sideways look at the history of capitalism by profiling some of its critics from the dawn of the Industrial Revolution to today's digital revolution. Some names and movements will be familiar, such as Karl Marx, John Maynard Keynes, and the English Luddites. Many others are less widely known. Nathaniel Priestly narrates the work in a steady professional tone. The author is a journalist and generally uses declarative sentences. Given the complicated and detailed text, Priestly slows his pace slightly to allow listeners to better absorb the material. But his tone is never pedantic. He uses strategic pauses to break up long passages. The most surprising aspect of this discussion is how several critiques from long ago remain vitally relevant today.
Pub Date: May 13, 2025
Duration: 23 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250350329
Publisher: Macmillan 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
An essential overview of the strengths and hazards of capitalism and how it might be harnessed for good.
Jackson’s nuanced analysis of capitalism’s relentless power is well served by narrator Eddie Lopez’s pleasing and intelligent vocal interpretations. Listening is immensely rewarding, thanks to Lopez’s flawless enunciation and nuanced phrasing combined with what sounds like a deep understanding of the material. In this richly detailed history, an economic historian explains how capitalism’s ascendence from the 1500s to the early 20th century was sparked by technological innovations, politics, and the invention of money. It was also fueled throughout its development by humanity’s unstoppable drive to acquire, accumulate, and compete. The author’s fascinating research explains how untethered capitalism has fomented class conflicts, environmental degradation, and human rights abuses.
An essential overview of the strengths and hazards of capitalism and how it might be harnessed for good.Pub Date: March 31, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs, 16 mins
DD ISBN: 9781696622974
Publisher: Kalorama
Review Posted Online: tomorrow
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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