Narrator Gibson Frazier smoothly navigates the many legal thickets encountered by environmental lawyer Kevin Thompson as he pursued justice in Mingo County, West Virginia. The coal industry had been polluting the water there for decades, making residents sick, stinking up their homes, and even ruining their appliances. Frazier has excellent timing, a smooth voice, and appropriate vocal variations that differentiate between direct quotes, written documents, and the narrative. He portrays the multiple people who are part of this story with seeming ease. The work is wide-ranging and deep, with clear descriptions of the complicated search for the source of the contaminated water and the rags-to-riches-to-jail story of the company manager. Historical lore relating to the notorious Hatfield-McCoy feud and union busting provides ambiance.
Pub Date: Oct. 12, 2021
Duration: 12 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781797132600
Publisher: Simon & Schuster 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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