American culture pushes girls to focus on appearance rather than character, pleasing others rather than themselves and weakening themselves rather than achieving their goals, says a journalist who surveys a fascinating array of scientific, commercial, and mass media influences. Challenging parents to examine these issues, Peggy Orenstein uses a chatty first-person style (she has a daughter) and intelligent irony as she describes her analysis of phenomena like Miley Cyrus, the color pink, Disney princess products, and provocative findings from developmental/gender studies. Her reading of her fast-moving yet thoughtful broadside could not be more authentic and engaging. With an endearing willingness to sound vulnerable, she floats questions with no easy answers but sounds determined to get it right as a mom and to empower her listeners to do the same.
Pub Date: June 12, 2012
Duration: 6 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780062209832
Publisher: Harper Audio
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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