Cultural historian Kliph Nesteroff narrates his affected and opinionated treatise on the evolution of American cultural trends, especially how immediately succeeding generations find newer forms of entertainment to be outrageously without merit. It all adds up to a dry narrative. While maintaining an appropriate pace, Nesteroff's delivery is breathy and includes mispronunciations that should have been corrected. His timbre is nasal, and the supercilious voices he uses for cultural critics sound over the top. Listeners are likely to be brought to the point of distraction as nearly every paragraph contains several "quote/unquote" mentions. Perhaps choosing a more experienced narrator would have improved this journey from minstrel shows and white performers in blackface to radio shock jocks, rap artists, and more.
Pub Date: Nov. 28, 2023
Duration: 10 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781501241895
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This insightful work of American history is well researched, well written, and very well told.
This audiobook is much more than a biography of two Black celebrities, baseball legend Jackie Robinson and entertainer Paul Robeson. It’s an in-depth look at racism, an intrinsic part of American life in the mid-20th century. Listeners hear the deep, melodious voice of narrator JD Jackson describing Robinson’s successes as well as the discrimination and racial antagonism that dogged his career. Robeson was once a popular football star, actor, and singer, but his advocacy for communism led to his downfall. A key point in this chronicle is Robinson's 1949 appearance at the House Un-American Activities Committee hearings, when he became a symbol of the patriotic Black man, as opposed to Robeson.
This insightful work of American history is well researched, well written, and very well told.Pub Date: Jan. 20, 2026
Duration: 10 hrs, 9 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063308183
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2026
A sensitive portrait of a gifted musician and songwriter whose life burned bright and fast.
John Pirhalla honors the late Justin Townes Earle with a heartfelt narration of Bernstein’s magnificent biography. An extraordinary songwriter, Earle died at the age of 38 of an accidental overdose, leaving behind a wife and child and a trove of brilliant and original music that will be listened to and performed for years to come. The son of legendary bad boy of country and Americana music Steve Earle, Justin clearly inherited his father’s talent but pined for his attention as a child. Pirhalla’s gentle voice captures Justin’s own with a soft Southern accent.
A sensitive portrait of a gifted musician and songwriter whose life burned bright and fast.Pub Date: Jan. 13, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781668654125
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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