The 1979 capture of 52 American diplomats, held hostage for 444 days in Tehran’s American Embassy, caught the world’s attention. The U.S. support of the Shah’s corrupt regime angered the Iranians, especially after the dictator fled his country and President Jimmy Carter granted him sanctuary. The foiled attempt by the U.S. military to rescue the abductees failed, causing a huge embarrassment to the president and dashing his hopes for reelection. Narrator Mike Chamberlain speaks none of the Persian language, Farsi, and sounds uncomfortable as he struggles to pronounce the foreign names. Even Ken Taylor, the Canadian who masterminded six of the diplomats’ escape, doesn’t have the appropriate accent. Iran, with all its oil, and now attempting to build nuclear weapons, remains in the news.
Pub Date: Jan. 11, 2011
Duration: 13 hrs
Publisher: Blackstone 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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