With recent voting laws, including a Texas law partly blocked by the Supreme Court, creating controversy, Michael Waldman offers a primer on the long history of election manipulation. There's an autobiographical tone to Joe Barrett's reading as he details the author's work for the Brennan Center for Justice. Barrett becomes more oratory as he goes back into history, with key figures being quoted getting voices that give the feel of political speechmaking. At times, the voting rights battle is a dramatic story, as when Martin Luther King, Jr., led the march in Selma. The amendments that struck down racial and gender barriers to voting, Jim Crow laws, party machines, and campaign finance reforms are all covered.
Pub Date: Feb. 23, 2016
Duration: 9 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Tantor Media
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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