Gessen narrates her own work in this production, which focuses on four individuals who were born when Communism fell in the Soviet Union. Gessen sees their lives as being illustrative of how the "oligarchic corruptocracy" of the Soviet Union was replaced by an "oligarchic corruptocracy" of post-Soviet Russia. Plus ça change, plus la mème chose . . . Gessen, a native speaker of Russian, has spent many decades in the West, and her Russian-accented English is not as heavy as some might expect. Her delivery is clear and easy to understand, though somewhat staccato. Her enunciation is quite good. Although Gessen's reading is not all that expressive, it's not monotonous. This is a somewhat long production, but those who are interested in Russia will want to listen.
Pub Date: Oct. 3, 2017
Duration: 16 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780525497943
Publisher: Penguin 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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