Richard Burnip, a British actor and historian, is ideally suited to narrate this long and informative book. His cadence makes the words come alive and conveys the meaning of the narrative much more completely than the printed page alone. His voice rises and falls when the text needs emphasis, for example, and his pace is ideal for comprehension. This book is a study of how the actions of various people around the globe—from leaders of nations, such as Kaiser Wilhelm II, to hapless officials in various ministries—coalesced to push the world into WWI. Attitudes, missteps, egos, blunders, fanaticism, racism, idealism—they’re all here.
Pub Date: Oct. 29, 2013
Duration: 32 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780804127417
Publisher: Random House 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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