Dion Graham is a master of nonfiction narration. He knows exactly when to pause, sets off quotations flawlessly, and brings exquisite emotion to the text. Here, Graham varies his pacing to complement the flow of Matthew Desmond’s writing, whether he’s describing the depth of American poverty, the history of why poverty exists in such a wealthy country, or the heartrending examples of poverty’s effects on real people. Desmond debunks old tropes surrounding poverty. For example, he says the poor are not lazy and idle; they often work several jobs to stay afloat. He urges listeners to become poverty abolitionists in order to end this national disgrace. As in their previous pairing (EVICTED, 2016), Graham performs with energy and intensity, matching Desmond’s outrage.
Pub Date: March 21, 2023
Duration: 5 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593668061
Publisher: Random House Audio
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
Listeners who want to know how we got where we are with the big tech companies should start with this convincing foray into the land of the giants. As Columbia University law professor Tim Wu takes them to task, Frits Zernike's narration is thoughtfully paced, and his tempo appropriately propels the action. His storytelling reveals how the companies' power and our dependence on them have brought about the present imbalances: Amazon undercuts its clients by selling similar products more cheaply; Meta (Facebook) buys Instagram and WhatsApp to avoid competition; Google pays rivals not to do searches. To effect change, Wu suggests treating these behemoths like public utilities. Wu writes authoritatively on how tech platforms that began with altruistic slogans have ended up behaving like monopolies.
Pub Date: Nov. 4, 2025
Duration: 6 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798217165643
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
