by Justine van der Leun ; read by Erin Bennett ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 9, 2016
Awards & Accolades
Our Verdict
GET IT
Narrator Erin Bennett delivers Justine van der Leun’s research on a vicious killing and its connection to the racial fracture between blacks and whites in Colonial South Africa. The restrictive policy of whites toward blacks eventually became the government-supported system of Apartheid. Bennett’s intelligent delivery keeps the history lesson engaging and the crime as shocking as ever. In 1993, a group of black men attended an anti-Apartheid meeting and were roused to violence. Amy Biehl, a young, white American scholar, who, ironically, was an African National Congress activist, was brutally murdered by the mob. Twenty years later, van der Leun interviewed many of those involved with the case. Bennett’s extraordinary narration captures her revelations of oppression, racial inequality, and gender-based violence, taking listeners deep into the heart of a complex nation.
Pub Date: Aug. 9, 2016
Duration: 19 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781504785044
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
by William F. Buckley Jr. ; read by Walter Lawrence ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A
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
by Jonathan Kozol ; read by Jack Winston ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A
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
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Hey there, book lover.
We’re glad you found a book that interests you!
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Trouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Trouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Don’t fret. We’ll find you.