This book uses President Nixon’s historic visit to China in 1972 as the jumping-off point for an examination of Chinese and American history and the key figures in the event, Nixon, Mao Tse-tung, and Chou En-lai. The author shows how each country’s history and each man’s background influenced the meeting. The book gives clear insights into China’s movement from isolated giant to world power and can be read in the context of today’s burgeoning Chinese economic power. Barbara Caruso is excellent as narrator. Her pronunciation of Chinese names, places, and phrases is precise and clear. More importantly, she uses tone, phrasing, and cadence to good effect, giving what could be dry passages life that carries the listener through them. A less capable reader could have rendered this book deathly dull.
Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2007
Duration: 15 hrs, 15 mins
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
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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