British historian Mike Dash assures us that this look at the beginnings of the American Mafia is not a fanciful imagining of what might have happened. Every conversation, every piece of information comes from interviews, news articles, court transcripts, and police records. Lloyd James offers an unemotional, intelligent narration of this lively book. Dash's main focus, Joe Morello—born with a disfigured hand that earned him the nickname "The Clutch Hand"—is the Italian immigrant who built "the first family of organized crime in the United States." Following Morello's life, from his involvement in Sicilian "protection" organizations in the 1890s to his American counterfeiting operation in the early decades of the twentieth century, James's narration remains calm and balanced, even during descriptions of brutal torture and murder. New historical information, well written and well read.
Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2009
Duration: 14 hrs
Publisher: Tantor Media
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Bower’s performance gives an accessible, straightforward account of a case which remains unsolved after 80 years.
This audiobook examines the 1947 murder and dismemberment of Elizabeth Short, known as the Black Dahlia, and shares new information. Narrator Michael Bower gives a deep-voiced, intense presentation that humanizes Short. He gently traces her youthful experiences in Hollywood that culminate in her death. Despite the growing list of suspects, Bower expresses author Mann’s frustrations as all are dismissed for lack of evidence. Listeners will appreciate the newscaster-style delivery, which is clear and distinct even as the number of suspects grows. The author states he intended to separate fact from fiction.
Bower’s performance gives an accessible, straightforward account of a case which remains unsolved after 80 years.Pub Date: Jan. 27, 2026
Duration: 15 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668118818
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2026
The audiobook illuminates the misdeeds of malevolent marketers, sleazy lawyers, and unethical doctors.
Cassandra Campbell’s narration is a model of a nonfiction performance. Her reading of exposition is careful and convincing. She knows where to pause and how to move the action forward. Law professor Burch’s investigative report of the con men, grifters, and profiteers who took advantage of women who were harmed by vaginal mesh implant removal is deeply researched. The revelations of how these “professionals” colluded to scam these vulnerable women who experienced incontinence, pain, and emotional distress after their procedures is horrific. The patients whose mesh implants were removed often had no medical workups prior to surgeries and were charged egregious hidden fees. The text also exposes the legal system’s glacial pace.
The audiobook illuminates the misdeeds of malevolent marketers, sleazy lawyers, and unethical doctors.Pub Date: Jan. 13, 2026
Duration: 13 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781668115107
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2026
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