In the greatest story of government scandal ever told, Warren Harding's Secretary of the Interior was "giving away oil leases like kisses at a wedding." Oil magnates of the 1920s then tapped into the public's petroleum reserves, realizing hundreds of millions of dollars in profits, all quid pro quo. Narrator William Hughes races through the details of the devilish deals like he's just finished 20 grande lattes. His caffeinated style mixed with a conspiracy as complicated as an Agatha Christie novel will leave many listeners' heads spinning—and grateful there won't be a test at the end. Hughes has a laudable knack with the numerous quotes, using subtle changes in his word stress to set them apart without employing annoying pauses or hundreds of characterizations.
Pub Date: Feb. 5, 2008
Duration: 10 hrs
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
The readers can't compensate for the unbearably pompous prose style of this extended parable about corporate politics and strategy.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
An essential overview of the strengths and hazards of capitalism and how it might be harnessed for good.
Jackson’s nuanced analysis of capitalism’s relentless power is well served by narrator Eddie Lopez’s pleasing and intelligent vocal interpretations. Listening is immensely rewarding, thanks to Lopez’s flawless enunciation and nuanced phrasing combined with what sounds like a deep understanding of the material. In this richly detailed history, an economic historian explains how capitalism’s ascendence from the 1500s to the early 20th century was sparked by technological innovations, politics, and the invention of money. It was also fueled throughout its development by humanity’s unstoppable drive to acquire, accumulate, and compete. The author’s fascinating research explains how untethered capitalism has fomented class conflicts, environmental degradation, and human rights abuses.
An essential overview of the strengths and hazards of capitalism and how it might be harnessed for good.Pub Date: March 31, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs, 16 mins
DD ISBN: 9781696622974
Publisher: Kalorama
Review Posted Online: yesterday
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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