Christopher Lane delivers a splendid performance of this fascinating audiobook about optimal decision making. His resonant voice and interesting phrasing make every sentence express its full meaning. The author, using the paradigm of thinking fast and slow, explains two broad insights: First, bad decisions made by our primitive brains—usually based on emotionally driven and often illogical views of our abilities, our competitors, or external facts—can be tempered by left-brain logic that we can develop and apply. Second, when left-brain logical analysis is primary, it works best when propelled by primitive psychic forces like confidence, determination, and positive expectations. Though the author’s writing is as powerful as it is meticulously organized, it’s given even more energy by Lane's vibrant interpretation and obvious affection for the material.
Pub Date: Jan. 7, 2014
Duration: 8 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781469278612
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Feiler’s heartfelt performance emphasizes his message that rituals are key to forging community.
Feiler is interested in how we use rituals to connect with others in an age in which fewer people than ever are baptized, get married, or are eventually buried. He casts a wide net: filing down teeth for coming-of-age ceremonies, divorce parties, placenta burials, gender reveals, and more. Feiler isn’t a professional narrator, but his authenticity and gentle humor are clearly apparent in his voice, which lends the whole endeavor the feeling of a memoir. That seems appropriate, given that Feiler travels the world participating in Vegas weddings and Nordic cold plunges and develops his own new rituals with his family to celebrate beating cancer.
Feiler’s heartfelt performance emphasizes his message that rituals are key to forging community.Pub Date: May 19, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs, 27 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217336692
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: June 30, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2026
An engaged and polished performance of an illuminating, thought-provoking book.
Ashton examines the effect of humankind’s “story-shaped brain” on communication and culture, from the rise of humanity to the perilous current state of machine-driven interactions and artificial images feigning reality. His learned, heavily informative text requires no obvious “acting,” but its proper presentation demands varied levels of emotive emphasis. Derek Perkins’ intelligent narration and adept expressiveness match and even enhance the fascinating text. He excels as much in his ability to provide the exact level of emotional nuance required as he does in shaping tone and phrasing to convey literal sense. His clear, crisp voice, British accent, and perfect pacing help make this program a thorough pleasure.
An engaged and polished performance of an illuminating, thought-provoking book.Pub Date: March 3, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs, 12 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063438736
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Aug. 18, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
