An engaged and polished performance of an illuminating, thought-provoking book.
Ashton examines the effect of humankind’s “story-shaped brain” on communication and culture, from the rise of humanity to the perilous current state of machine-driven interactions and artificial images feigning reality. His learned, heavily informative text requires no obvious “acting,” but its proper presentation demands varied levels of emotive emphasis. Derek Perkins’ intelligent narration and adept expressiveness match and even enhance the fascinating text. He excels as much in his ability to provide the exact level of emotional nuance required as he does in shaping tone and phrasing to convey literal sense. His clear, crisp voice, British accent, and perfect pacing help make this program a thorough pleasure.
An engaged and polished performance of an illuminating, thought-provoking book.Pub Date: March 3, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs, 12 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063438736
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: today
Carol Matthau epitomizes a glamour and lifestyle not associated with the 1990's. Here is a life of privilege, tragedy and worry about what friends would think of her new frock or lover. Matthau possesses a voice and delivery that simply could not be improved on. In her coy whisper, she tells compelling stories involving everyone from William Saroyan (husband #1) and Truman Capote to Carson McCullers, Gloria Vanderbilt, and Walter Matthau (husband #2). This excellent audio presentation will leave you wanting to read the entire book to discover what juicy tidbits were left out.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: The Publishing Mills
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A fascinating, well-conceived history.
In a series of highly focused but expansive chapters, author Willetts shows how a society reveals itself through its night life. That focus proves especially dramatic in revealing the anxieties underlying the surface gaiety of Paris' belle epoque and Berlin's Weimar Republic. Earlier examples, such as Japan’s floating world and Georgian London’s pleasure gardens, seem more elegant and more genuinely pleasurable as compared to Willetts’ studies of more recent cases, such as Warhol’s Factory and Studio 54 in New York. Narrator Emily Pennant-Rea has a British accent and a tendency to crowd her words. But the narrative is absorbing enough to reward close listening.
A fascinating, well-conceived history.Pub Date: July 14, 2026
Duration: 12 hrs, 38 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668192160
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: today
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