The author's narration falls just short of being too earnest--there's enough pathos in the story itself. But his sincerity and command of his phrasing make this an excellent way to learn about why the traditional contract between workers and employers has changed. With his 15 years writing for the WALL STREET JOURNAL evident throughout, Wartzman explains that employees became disposable when stockholder value became more important than a corporation's desire to contribute to society and maintain trust with its workers. He chronicles the changes as they played out in four iconic American companies, drawing enough colorful portraits along the way to make this story more human than ideological. The depth of his historical knowledge and the strength of his arguments for rebalancing the situation make this a compelling audio for good citizens and political junkies alike.
Pub Date: May 30, 2017
Duration: 14 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781478920007
Publisher: Hachette Audio
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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