Maxine Hong Kingston weaves an entrancing tapestry of family stories, Chinese history and folklore, and the history of the Chinese men in her family in America. The result is an extraordinary memoir. Narrator Kate Reading conveys the cadence of Chinese-American speech and ably handles Chinese phrases. Her reading remains clear and strong throughout. This is a good choice for audio, engrossing and involving, with a number of shorter pieces that do not require one to keep up with dates, sequence of events or plot, but build upon one another. Listeners will come away with a greater appreciation not only of Chinese culture, but also of the role "China Men" and women have played in the development of our nation.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 1995
Duration: 13 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Books on Tape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A fresh look at Europe’s long, contentious history.
Hearing all of European history compressed into 14 hours could be comparable to seeing Earth from outer space. Everything is familiar, yet wondrous and new. Even those familiar with the history will find this audiobook to be a unique listening experience. Actor and narrator Alisdair Simpson is a familiar voice from dozens of British documentaries, and his performance here is highly polished, exacting, and attuned to every word. History compressed becomes history clarified. Drama is lost—the Huns, Charlemagne, the fall of Constantinople, all here and gone in a minute. At the same time, patterns emerge. Simpson’s flawless voice carries listeners effortlessly into a wider and more timeless perspective.
A fresh look at Europe’s long, contentious history.Pub Date: April 28, 2026
Duration: 14 hrs, 10 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668656204
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: April 11, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 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: June 2, 2026
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