Marguerite Gavin is an excellent choice to narrate this audiobook, which uses more than 100 years of financial and political history to make the point that wealthy, well-connected, mostly Ivy League-educated men have run the American economy. While not a great surprise, the author’s investigation does paint a picture of a country in thrall to an elite that has turned away from democratic ideals and social efficacy towards oil profits and higher share prices. Gavin’s low, somewhat gruff voice is energetic and animated. She varies her pitch and tone to propel the narrative forward and to keep the story exciting. While her voice is not elastic, her effective use of pauses and emphasis enhances the book.
Pub Date: June 11, 2014
Duration: 20 hrs
Publisher: Tantor Media
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
The readers can't compensate for the unbearably pompous prose style of this extended parable about corporate politics and strategy.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Henslee’s warm, unhurried narration makes listeners feel like the next success story could be theirs.
Barbara Henslee narrates with an intimate, upbeat delivery and a sunny Southern warmth that feels like being personally recruited to the Mary Kay empire. Her voice suits the material perfectly, drawing listeners into a bygone era when women built empires through gatherings around kitchen tables and on front porches, long before they could open their own bank accounts. Henslee never oversells, just gently persuades, mirroring the company’s own quiet pitch to millions of women that economic independence and personal transformation were within reach. The balanced treatment of the realities of multilevel marketing, alongside the truly inspirational story of founder Mary Kay Ash, make this a compelling listen for anyone curious about the often mocked world of direct sales.
Henslee’s warm, unhurried narration makes listeners feel like the next success story could be theirs.Pub Date: April 28, 2026
Duration: 14 hrs, 24 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217281879
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: June 9, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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