In 1976, the football (soccer) club of Watford, England, was once again at the bottom of its league standings. Then something extraordinary happened: Rock-and-roll superstar Elton John bought his hometown team. Narrating with relaxed British aplomb, London stage veteran Alex Jennings delivers the feel-good story of how John's partnership and eventual friendship with tough-but-fair team manager Graham Taylor made a championship team out of a perennial loser. John's extravagant and outlandish stage presence and Taylor's traditional roots seemed like polar opposites, but together they put fans in the stands and gave pride to a working-class city. Jennings's delivery reflects the simple joy of standing up, pumping your fist, and rooting for the home team.
Pub Date: Aug. 27, 2024
Duration: 8 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9798892746267
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Guthrie elevates a well-researched book, making it interesting for anyone who wants to understand the arc of this team.
Those who follow soccer know that the U.S. men’s team has undergone a massive evolution in a relatively short time. Schaerlaeckens details how the team went from underwhelming to competing on the international stage. He not only dives into overall team improvements but also recounts the paths of some of the American players over the years. Jimmy Guthrie narrates with a clear voice, never imitating particular individuals but staying emotionally involved. His narration reflects a respect for the game and for those who play it, keeping the listener absorbed.
Guthrie elevates a well-researched book, making it interesting for anyone who wants to understand the arc of this team.Pub Date: May 12, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217281862
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: June 9, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2026
Dugard charts the course, and Godfrey hits a personal best.
Dugard explores the origins of the marathon, from the legend of Pheidippides and the race’s peculiar length to the 1970s and '80s athletes who made marathons cool. Now, competing in a marathon is on every casual runner’s bucket list. Matt Godfrey takes the author’s accessible style and runs with it. His timing, liveliness, and wry tones bring Dugard’s multiple threads to life. The decade is jammed full of stories—Steve Prefontaine getting pipped for the bronze medal at the 1972 Olympics, Joan Benoit winning the first women’s Olympic marathon, the book by Jim Fixx that inspired sedentary people to take up jogging, and even the author finding his community when he discovered running as an 11-year-old.
Dugard charts the course, and Godfrey hits a personal best.Pub Date: April 14, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs, 33 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217285556
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: May 5, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: tomorrow
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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