Jennings, known for his months-long reign as a “Jeopardy” champion, starts with his own admittedly geeky fascination with maps and then examines other types of geography-related interests and obsessions. Narrator Kirby Heyborne has an immediately likable boy-next-door voice. He reads with a liveliness, amiability, and touch of humor that exactly suit the book. He also moves the work along at just the right pace and provides appropriate shading to the author’s excitement and enthusiasm. However, he mispronounces many words (“Borges,” “Pepys,” “Giovanni,” “incongruously,” for example), and the repeated distraction partly spoils his good work. It’s ironic that the reading of a book by a man known for getting so many things right gets so many things wrong.
Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2011
Duration: 11 hrs
Publisher: Tantor Media
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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