Listeners will enjoy some aspects of this reading of Persico's top-down history of WWII, which is centered on President Franklin Roosevelt place in the events. Narrator Dan Woren has an excellent voice, professional and engaging. He expresses the sense and the emotion of the text without drawing attention to the reading. But his efforts go badly awry in his voice imitations, accents, and pronunciation of foreign or uncommon words. His FDR often sounds like JFK, and his Hitler is comically bad, as are his British, French, and German accents in general. His Chinese, Japanese, and black American accents verge on caricature. Many distracting changes in vocal sound and quality indicate the sloppy editing of rerecorded sections "dropped in." Woren seems poorly cast and unsupported by adequate direction.
Pub Date: May 28, 2013
Duration: 24 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780449012192
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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