Kozol returns with another heart-wrenching exploration of the stratified landscape of opportunity in America. It’s made all the more potent through Keythe Farley’s narration. Kozol reflects on some of the failures and successes social welfare actions have had with people he’s been close to at different times in his work with underserved and underprivileged children. He traces their trajectory and reflects on his own role as well as how society helped or hindered each person. Farley embodies the older and caring tone of Kozol, teasing out the hope and dismay as Kozol shares his stories. Farley captures the personalities of the different people featured in the audiobook while also doing well with emphasis and delivery to tease out Kozol’s nuanced feelings.
Pub Date: Aug. 28, 2012
Duration: 11 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780449012604
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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