Jacques Roy delivers what most listeners will consider an effective narration of author Richard Rhodes's history of the advances from wood to coal, from steam to internal combustion engines, and from whale oil to electricity and nuclear power. Roy's pace is not quite as brisk and focused as Rhodes's, but it's a good listening pace, and he blends into the narrative over time. One discordant note, however, is his accented readings of quotations by historical personages, which seem out of place in a work of history. Why should a passage written by James Watt in standard English be read with a Scottish accent? Jarring and often inept, these impersonations disrupt the flow of an otherwise engaging and informative narrative.
Pub Date: May 29, 2018
Duration: 11 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781508258452
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Dr. Plotkin is an ethnobotanist who recounts his experiences searching for new medications in the Amazon rain forest. He makes an impassioned plea for the world to stop destroying this irreplaceable resource. Since the author reads his own work, we can rely on the pronunciation of some unusual botanical terms; however, his voice (presumably not trained for performance) lacks the enthusiasm and fascination the words suggest. Furthermore, with no chapter references and few pauses between sections, transitions, such as the change of location from Ecuador to Massachusetts, are awkward.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This one-volume history of Earth is a fascinating trip made that much better by the narrator’s effective delivery.
This work is like a one-semester course in geology, and it’s easy to imagine narrator David Linski standing in front of a class delivering the lectures. The audiobook is aimed at lay listeners; the science isn’t dumbed down but no background in Earth science is required. Linski’s delivery is solid, and he effectively adjusts his pace to fit the material and keep listeners engaged. He handles technical terms with ease. Author Woodward takes listeners from the formation of the universe to Earth as we know it today.
This one-volume history of Earth is a fascinating trip made that much better by the narrator’s effective delivery.Pub Date: Feb. 7, 2026
Duration: 10 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798228699564
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2026
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